Wallabies call up 5 players

[madflyhalf]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8036056,00.html

Brumbies' utility back Pat McCabe, Nick Cummins of Wester Force, Reds winger and centre Dom Shipperley and Ben Tapuai, and Waratahs' prop Paddy Ryan are included in a 31-man squad to train for the incumbent test in Perth against South Africa.

Jake Schatz is dropped for shoulder troubles, unlucky, I think we'll see this guy again in November, he played a solid Super Rugby season, the main reason why Higginbotham scored all those tries seagulling wide is because Jake Schats was working at bd!


McCabe won't be available for another 2 weeks, the injury to Drew Mitchell open again a big problem on the right wing spot with the absence of JOC!

Tapuai lacked game time in SR due to a broken collarbone in a tackle made by Juan De Jongh, so Dingo decided to pull some pressure off him, selecting him to prepare the match against South Africa, that for the occasion has recalled De Jongh back!

 

[Draggs]

What is the latest date for O'Connor's return?
Hamstring, isn't it?

 

[madflyhalf]

They said he was out until september, and he was touring several specialists in the whole Australia.
I hadn't read anymore...

 

[Darwin]

Some good addition there, though it is unfortunate that O'Connor is still not fit.

If I was Deans I would look at bringing Shipperly straight into the starting lineup on the right wing, though I suspect he will simply move Ashley-Cooper there. The Wallabies need McCabe back, but they don't want to rush him back like they did with Drew Mitchell! I quite like Tapuai - it was unfourtunate he struggled with injury during the Super Rugby season as he is quite a skilled midfield option. He is a solid defender and runs straight and hard (like many of the Wallabies options at the moment), but also has a good step, and does have some good playmaking skills. I don't know if he is ready to be starting at test level yet, but if McCabe isn't ready I would be tempted to give him a shot in he 12 jersey (or possibly use him from the bench).

I feel Australia have two choices - pick a side to combat South Africa's strength, or pick a side to make best use of their own strengths. I would go for the later option. I don't think Australia will match South Africa up front no matter who they pick, and I don't think they will win if they play conservatively - they need to attack. I would go with a side along the lines of:

1. Robinson, 2. Moore, 3. Alexander, 4. Timani, 5. Sharpe, 6. Gill, 7. Hooper, 8. Samo, 9. Genia, 10. Cooper, 11. Ioane, 12. Tapuai, 13. Ashley-Cooper, 14. Shipperly, 15. Beale
Reserves: 16. Polota-Nau, 17. Slipper, 18. Simmons, 19. Dennis, 20. Phipps, 21. Barnes, 22. Horne

I think playing two specialist opensides will be very effective versus South Africa. They will certainly lose the physical contest, but could completely destroy South Africa at the breakdown! I'd start Samo at 8 - I was unsure of picking him in the squad before the start of the series, but he has played well off the bench so far (while Dennis and Higginbotham have both been poor). My only issue with this pack would be the lineout, with only Sharpe and Samo strong lineout options.

As I've mentioned many times before, Cooper doesn't play well alongside Barnes. Barnes's conservative style will play right into South Africa's hands in my opinion, so I would start Cooper, and give Tapuai a go at 12 (assuming McCabe isn't fully fit yet).