Wallabies name 26-man squad for UK tour

[Darwin]

Uncapped players Ben Tapuai, Ben Lucas and Dave Dennis have been included in the Wallabies’ squad for the two-match rugby union tour to Britain.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/uncapped-trio-in-wallabies-squad-20111107-1n2kw.html

Wallabies squad:
Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Pekahou Cowan, Dave Dennis, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Rob Horne, James Horwill (capt), Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Salesi Ma’afu, Ben McCalman, Stephen Moore, James O’Connor, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota Nau, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, Lachie Turner.

Kurtley Beale (hamstring), Drew Mitchell (hamstring), Pat McCabe (shoulder), Quade Cooper (knee), Wycliff Palu (hamstring), Rocky Elsom (hamstring), Dan Vickerman (shoulder), Sekope Kepu (eye) and Luke Burgess (French rugby) were all unavailable.

If I was the selector I'd go for the following lineup versus Wales:

Slipper
Moore
Alexander
Horwill
Simmons
Higginbotham
Pocock
McCalman (or Samo)
Genia
Barnes
Ioane
Faingaa
Ashley-Cooper
O'Connor (though would be tempted to start him at 12)
Turner

Bench: Polota-Nau, Cowan, Sharpe, Hodgson, Samo, Lucas (covering 9,10, 15), Horne.

You'd have to think Wales should start this match as favourites...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Shame about that injury list (made me chuckle to see "French Rugby" in there, making it sound like some debilitating affliction)

Should be a good couple of matches,
I agree with putting JOC at 12, he's said before he wants to play 12 for the Wallabies and I think the BaaBaas match would be a good opportunity to try him out there
If he were put there I imagine AAC would be moved to wing, though, which wouldn't be ideal

 

[Draggs]

Strong Wallabies team for the most part.
We pretty much have to put out a full side. We need the rankings points.
Priestland and Adam Jones should be back so I'd like to see this:

01 Jenkins
02 Rees
03 A. Jones
04 A.W. Jones
05 Charteris
06 Lydiate
07 Warburton (c)
08 Faletau

09 L. Williams
10 Priestland
11 S. Williams
12 Roberts
13 J. Davies
14 North
15 Halfpenny

16 Bennett
17 James
18 B. Davies
19 M. Williams
20 Rees/Webb
21 Tovey
22 Scott Williams

I would really like to see Martyn get his 100th cap, and also give someone like Tovey and Webb a shot at a first cap. Phillips and Hook are also suffering from French Rugby, while Stephen Jones could be banned and Knoyle has been in poor form. Tipuric would also be an option in place of Nugget, but I don't think they will opt for him.

 

[Aedaphon]

This should be a fantastic match- looking forward to seeing Warburton and Pocock battle it out.

Actually Faletau/Samo could be interesting if they both decide to grow out the hair...

Anyone know if we're having a Movember repeat? Maybe JOC will be able to grow one this year...

 

[madflyhalf]

No Morahan? Is he injuried?

I'd like to see him!

 

[j'nuh]

Is Peel allowed to be called up, since he's playing in England? He can still make the next WC..

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He' be a bit old for the next WC wouldn't he?

He's out injured atm anyhow

 

[dullonien]

Strong Wallabies team for the most part.
We pretty much have to put out a full side. We need the rankings points.
Priestland and Adam Jones should be back so I'd like to see this:

01 Jenkins
02 Rees
03 A. Jones
04 A.W. Jones
05 Charteris
06 Lydiate
07 Warburton (c)
08 Faletau

09 L. Williams
10 Priestland
11 S. Williams
12 Roberts
13 J. Davies
14 North
15 Halfpenny

16 Bennett
17 James
18 B. Davies
19 M. Williams
20 Rees/Webb
21 Tovey
22 Scott Williams

I would really like to see Martyn get his 100th cap, and also give someone like Tovey and Webb a shot at a first cap. Phillips and Hook are also suffering from French Rugby, while Stephen Jones could be banned and Knoyle has been in poor form. Tipuric would also be an option in place of Nugget, but I don't think they will opt for him.

Pretty much as I'd pick, except I'd have Tipuric on the bench ahead of Nugget. It would be nice for Martyn to get his 100th, but there is no place for sentiment in international rugby, and this is a must-win game imo. Tipuric on the bench gives us a better chance of winning. Along with Warbs, Tips is the future, he needs to involved asap, because it showed against Aus in the 3rd place playoff that without Warburton we'll struggle against the best. Tipuric has shown that he can challenge Warburton , or at least be a very able backup. He was superb at the breakdown against the Scarlets on the weekend, and he's shown on plenty of occasions that his support and open play is of the highest order.

I'm looking forward to seeing Lloyd Williams getting a start against top opposition. This could be his chance to show Gatland exactly what he can bring to the table, and force his way ahead of Phillips for the 6 nations.

Edit. That's a big Wallabies injury list. A further reason why I believe this is a must win game for us, if we have any hope of pushing on to bigger and better things.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No room for Tavis Knoyle?
Would have him over Rees, and probably Webb as well

 

[Gavin]

O'Connor set for mid-field role

 

[Melhor Time]

Looks like James ´Justin Bieber´ O´Connor will be playing flyhalf. - Perfect opportunity. Time to move on from 2011 and towards 2015.

1 Slipper
2 Moore
3 Alexander
4 Horwill
5 Simmons
6 Higginbotham
7 Pocock
8 McCalman
9 Genia
10 O´Connor
11 Ioane
12 Barnes
13 Horne
14 Ashley-Cooper
15 Turner

 

[TNT88]

I doubt the coaches know who is going to play fly half yet. It will be between Barnes and O'Connor, depends what sort of game they want to play I suppose.

The forward pack pick's itself, it is the backline that will make for some interesting selections.

9. Genia (obviously)
10. Barnes/O'Connor
11. Ioane
12. Tapuai - Has been in good form, he could be a good find for test rugby.
JOC - If Barnes is 10, might be worth playing O'Connor inside to take some attention away from Berrick.
13. Horne - He has looked solid, just keeps getting injured. He can own the #13 jersey if he can stay uninjured for the tournament.
AAC - He is a safe option, but he seems to play well at 14 and 15 as well. Might be worth shifting him out there.
14. Turner - Is the other option for 14.
15. JOC/AAC/Turner - Pretty much depends where JOC ends up playing. My guess is that he'll start at 15 and get a game at #10 later in the tour. AAC should come in if JOC is not playing 15.

Ben Lucas, great sub, can play a number of positions. Hope he gets good game-time.

 

[nickdnz]

I feel the Rod Davies has really been chucked out a bit too quickly after the Samoa match. Seems a shame that he's not on tour.

 

[Draggs]

No room for Tavis Knoyle?
Would have him over Rees, and probably Webb as well

Looked clueless in the RWC and for the Scarlets this weekend.

I like the look of Lloyd Williams and want to see how he will play with Priestland. Henson could be involved depending on how soon he returns.

 

[Darwin]

I feel the Rod Davies has really been chucked out a bit too quickly after the Samoa match. Seems a shame that he's not on tour.

I felt Davies was chucked in too early - I still think he's got a way to go before he's ready for international rugby (as the Samoan game showed). I think he needs another full season of Super Rugby for the Reds: if he can show that he has learnt how to tackle, and how to be effective even when the game isn't expansive (e.g through a high work-rate) he may get another chance for Australia next season. There is certainly plenty to like about him though - you certainly can't teach speed like he has got!

 

[InsaneAsylum]

would be stupid not to play barnes at 10 and o'connor at 12

 

[Dizzy]

Even more reason to suggest Deans is an idiot... the next PDV without all the controversial statements?!?!?

It's clear Barnes should be at 10 and Bieber at 12...

What is Deans thinking?!?!?

 

[Darwin]

Even more reason to suggest Deans is an idiot... the next PDV without all the controversial statements?!?!?

It's clear Barnes should be at 10 and Bieber at 12...

What is Deans thinking?!?!?

I assume he's thinking of playing Barnes at 10 and O'Connor at 12... everything I've read/heard from Deans points to this.....

 

[JW.]

I assume he's thinking of playing Barnes at 10 and O'Connor at 12... everything I've read/heard from Deans points to this.....

Indeed, if I were him I'd still be feeling stupid about not playing Barnes earlier during the RWC. Only 25 could be there main man in 2015, has all the talent.

 

[Dizzy]

I'd feel stupid for insisting with Cooper during the World Cup, I'd feel stupid for playing two defensive centres against a team they would've had to attack dangerously to win a spot in the final. I'd feel stupid for not playing Higginbotham over Elsom as well....