Wallabies 2016

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="543978" data-time="1448325220">
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as an aside, did anyone see the "highlights" of Quade's "game" for Toulon on the weekend? It's hilariously bad. Like, old Super rugby form bad.
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Im curious to see how Ma'a goes with Quadey. By all reports Ma'a doesn't suffer fools lightly and playing outside that after what he is used to must be nauseating.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="543982" data-time="1448326095">
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Was that the game against Wasps?
 
Halai has refound his mojo by the looks of that game.
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yea, Wasps, they got flogged, and his "highlight reel" is not good.
 
ACTC yea Tomane, that's him. Boy can can run, but i think he needs to work on his defensive side a fair amount. Agree he could be good given time. Will he be given it though?
 
There are guys running around in Super Rugby who could be the answer, definitely the Rebels halves should get a look this year.

KiwiMurph

I think Christina Lealiifano is a guy that could really benefit from Toomua's departure. He's kind of been stuck in limbo with the Brumbies and the Wallabies over the last few seasons. I think he could really fit that Wallabies backup 10 role if he can nail down the 10 shirt for the Brumbies this year. Also provides cover for 12.

NTA

Lealiifano just needs a kicking coach and he'll be a very good option. And yeah, the Brumbies need to decide who their 10 is.
 
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="543983" data-time="1448326223">
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A couple of years ago I thought with Toomua and Kurindrani they had a real combination to build on for the next 5-6 years. Skills that complimented each other and the benefit of playing both provincial and international rugby together. Whilst Giteau played well at times, I thought the Aussies missed a trick by shuffling this important combination over the last little while.
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Bang on - I thought Kuridrani's change in fortune was directly due to the removal of Toomua as his midfield partner.
 
 
 
It seems kind of weird to be talking about Foley as our 10 and who is backup will be. Particularly in the face of all the opposition on this side of the ditch.
 
Jack Debreczeni in partnership with Nick Stirzaker at the Rebels could be bolters for next year, particularly as Cheika's hands won't be tied in terms of selection going into a RWC year. 
 
Looking at the available options in each position, and understanding that things can change radically in a season with Cheika, as well as the fact I've probably forgotten a few people:
 
LHP: Probably not too much changing here in terms of Slipper and Sio's primacy, but the next in line are generally untested. Tetera Faulkner might be an interesting replacement given he plays both sides. 
 
THP: Holmes will probably keep the starting jersey, with Smith looking likely to be trained up for the bench spot despite questions over his form at 3. Talakai from the Reds (former Sydney Uni) is rated as one of the stronger men in rugby and was a regular part of a solid Reds scrum last year. Question is whether he can keep improving. Laurie Weeks is another one who can do the job, but needs fitness work. Paddy Ryan? Jeez I dunno - first two scrums are always his fault... so, no.
 
Hooker: Moore and TPN, but Moore's throwing was shaky at RWC and TPN is, as others have said, never far from another concussion. Backups here at Latu from the Tahs, Hanson from the Reds, and Nathan Charles from the Western Force who have all been part of the seutp in the last couple of years, and all present solid options. Bolter for this position is Siliva Siliva if he can stay injury-free at the Rebels after moving from Canberra, and at the Rebels you also have Pat Leafa who has been eligible since the start of the year.
 
Loosehead Lock: Simmons needs to add more to his game or we're not going to be able to compete around the park. Dean Mumm is probably Mr Reliable in terms of being picked, depending on his Super season. Maybe even Sam Lousi if he can continue to get the technicalities right - great ball runner. Maybe Luke Jones from the Rebels, though a lot don't see him as big/hard enough for Test locking duties, and too slow for blindside (196cm, 115kg). Into that mix throw Caydern Neville who has moved to the Reds but needs to show more in terms of application and ticker than he did at the Rebels. 
 
Tighthead Lock: I go straight to Skelton and Douglas here in terms of size and experience. Problem is, the latter is long-term injured, and the former is as well as not being fit enough for Test rugby. Bolters here are Adam Coleman from the Force and Rory Arnold, the gigantic kid at the Brumbies.
 
Blindside flanker: Fardy is a keeper based on his awesome niggle and never-say-die attitude. Plus he bleeds a lot. But he's no spring chicken which is part of his appeal and his shortfall. There are some interesting prospects around after that: young Jack Dempsey who is a bit of a tearaway could play here. Angus Cottrell from the Force has shown some good form in a fairly ordinary side to make his claim, and then there is the aforementioned Luke Jones from the Rebels. Some have even suggested Lopeti Timani might fit here, and that is definitely true if you want ball carrying and aggression. What about Sam Lousi from the Tahs as a bolter? Great ball skills, makes yards in contact, good hands - 198cm, 121kg. Hmmm...
 
Openside flanker: Pocock, Gill, Hoopah, Colby Faingaa, Matt Hodgson, Chris Alcock, Jordy Reid. That enough?
 
8th man: Here is probably the biggest problem in the forwards, because we don't really have an answer until we decide that the Pooper is over with. If we're going pure 8, then McCalman leads the pack, but needs some competition to push him. Ita Vaea at the Brumbies needs to lose weight. Jed Holloway at the Tahs needs to work harder. Schatz at the Reds is too small. Curtis Browning at the Reds might have a shot at it IF he gets regular game time there, and the Reds aren't a complete clusterfuck this year. Throw Lopeti Timani in here as well.
 
Scrumhalf: Phipps needs to improve his passing and stop hitting the red bull before he gets on. The loss of White and Genia opens the door for Frisby at the Reds, Stirzaker at the Rebels, and ... well not many others. There is no listed backup to Phipps on the Tahs site, the Brumbies (Cubelli) and Force (Mathewson) both have imports as their leading man, and the rest are pretty raw. Stirzaker to back up Phipps I think.
 
Flyhalf: Foley in the mix if Japan doesn't ruin him. Backups will likely be Lilo (Brumbies) and Debreczeni (Rebels) as Toomua departs. Debreczeni in particular could be both the ugliest and biggest-kicking flyhalf Australian rugby has ever had.
 
Inside centre: second-five to you lot. Cheika can take this one of two ways: play Kurtley there with the risk/reward scenarios that entails, or hope that some of our bash centres like Anthony Fainga'a or Mitch Inman put in some good shows and give us more of a bash pairing. Kyle Godwin might rise again as the skills man for more of a second five approach if required. But fuck not many caps there. Calling Aussie Mike Harris?
 
Outside centre: Kuridrani needs something to get him back on track. After him, with AAC gone and unlikely to return (I believe Cheika will ignore the Giteau Rule except in emergencies) its down to maybe Rob Horne, uh... Tom English at the Rebels, or the possibility of Folau playing there at the Tahs and looking for higher honours in the 13 jersey.
 
Wings: Horne might get a shot here, along with Tomane, Speight, Luke Morahan from the Force, and maybe Chris F-S at the Reds can stay injury-free long enough to prove himself. But the Brumbies pair look most likely. Bolter might be Andrew Kellaway from the Tahs, who scored a record number of tries at the U20 RWC last year or the year before maybe.
 
Fullback: Folau, if his management isn't yet bored with the ARU playing him there and instruct them to put him somewhere else. I'm only half kidding. If he makes the transition to 13, perhaps Beale here, or ... uh... Morahan?
 
Its not the personnel aren't there in the backs, its just that with guys like AAC around, and our noted issues up front, we didn't really have to think about who to pick.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="544077" data-time="1448346639">
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Loosehead Lock: Caydern Neville who has moved to the Reds but needs to show more in terms of application and ticker than he did at the Rebels. Into that mix throw Caydern Neville who has moved to the Reds but needs to show more in terms of application and ticker than he did at the Rebels. 
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Don't rule out Caydern Neville.

da_grubster

I am sure the sobs can pick a competitive side, but there do seem to be a lot to work work out over the super rugby season. 
With SA imploding by the looks of it, we really need a strong Aussie side

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="544078" data-time="1448347019">
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Don't rule out Caydern Neville.
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Fuck. Interrupted, came back, forgot.

NTA

One other name I was looking for at the Brumbies was Fotu Auelua but he wasn't on the roster.
 
Lo and behold, there he is, training pre-season with the Tahs! His contract with Northampton fell through after injury issues. Might be a good signing, IF he can get fit and stay fit.
 
<img src="http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/11/24/1227621/345613-b49252ca-926d-11e5-a909-1c5168f7bee5.jpg" alt="345613-b49252ca-926d-11e5-a909-1c5168f7b">

Sambo

Fark looks like he needs preseason training to...what was his injury?

Sapetyvi

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sambo" data-cid="544124" data-time="1448366478">Fark looks like he needs preseason training to...what was his injury?</blockquote>
Medial underbelly ligament torn?

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sambo" data-cid="544124" data-time="1448366478">
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Fark looks like he needs preseason training to...what was his injury?
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And this is the guy taking over from him at the Brumbies for #8:
 
 
<img src="http://d18qlcmuthlbsu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Ita-Vaea.jpg" alt="Ita-Vaea.jpg">

Crucial

Jeezus. My son is looking for a strength and conditioning job, he should talk to the Brumbies if that's the state of their players.

NTA

No. Just Ita would give him enough work by the looks...
 
The rest of them look in pretty decent shape. Brumbies fans think he's just fine, and heir-apparent to the Wallaby 8 jumper.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">I think Tomane has what it takes to be a good international wing, but just needs to be selected and given time to develop into the role.
 
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">ACTC yea Tomane, that's him. Boy can can run, but i think he needs to work on his defensive side a fair amount. Agree he could be good given time. Will he be given it though?
 
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according to the exodus thread, that theory is now fucked

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="544193" data-time="1448401886">
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And this is the guy taking over from him at the Brumbies for #8:
 
 
<img src="http://d18qlcmuthlbsu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Ita-Vaea.jpg" alt="Ita-Vaea.jpg">
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Pretty risky playing in the second trimester I would have thought.

Virgil

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="544668" data-time="1448597353">
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Pretty risky playing in the second trimester I would have thought.
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<img src="http://assets.babycenter.com/ims/2012/10/iStock_000004701536Medium(2)_4x3.jpg?width=520" alt="iStock_000004701536Medium(2)_4x3.jpg?wid">
 
Everything looks fine.

jegga

This is pretty sad , looks like he worked hard to get into shape 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78806428/Brumbies-back-rower-Ita-Vaea-retires-after-doctors-warn-rugby-could-kill-him'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78806428/Brumbies-back-rower-Ita-Vaea-retires-after-doctors-warn-rugby-could-kill-him</a>

Canes4life

I saw Ita play at the Cake Tin a few years ago and he was a real handful for the Canes boys, before getting knocked out by a Motu'u special. A real shame for such a talented and bruising player.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="571609" data-time="1460368615">
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This is pretty sad , looks like he worked hard to get into shape <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78806428/Brumbies-back-rower-Ita-Vaea-retires-after-doctors-warn-rugby-could-kill-him'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78806428/Brumbies-back-rower-Ita-Vaea-retires-after-doctors-warn-rugby-could-kill-him</a>
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that really sucks, but good decision.
 
A guy i played rugby with for years up here collapsed and died after a game on the weekend (not sure why yet), leaving a wife and 3 young kids. That shit is scary.

Crucial

ARU have announced a $10.8M loss including $6M to prop up the Rebels.
 
Considering that the 5 franchises must be harming the ability to earn money from the spreading of talent you wonder why paying out for one of those teams makes sense.
 
I'd be interested in an Oz view on this.

The Silver Fern

Wallabies 2016