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I agree with most, but not ainsley or RHP. RHP is solid not outstanding and Ainsley is the same, could use more game time.
Matt Phillips is pretty solid too - maybe next season though. Otherwise the rest i am all for.
Is Ruru eligible?
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I dont really expect the Wallabies squad to be much different from this -
2017 NSW Waratahs 36-man squad (one more signing to be announced)
Props: Sekope Kepu* new signing / re-signed
Sam Needs new signing, supplementary squad
Tom Robertson* re-signed in 2016
Paddy Ryan* re-signed in 2016
Matt Sandell re-signed in 2016, promoted from extended playing squad to full contract
Angus Taavao
Hookers:
Damien Fitzpatrick new signing / re-signed
Tolu Latu*
Hugh Roach re-signed in 2016
Locks:
Ned Hanigan
Ryan McCauley extended playing squad
Dean Mumm*
Will Skelton*
Senio Toleafoa promoted from supplementary to extended playing squad
One to be announced
Backrowers:
Jack Dempsey re-signed in 2016
Jed Holloway re-signed in 2016
Michael Hooper*
Michael Wells new signing
Brad Wilkin
Scrum-halves:
Jake Gordon extended playing squad
Matt Lucas
Nick Phipps*
Fly-halves:
Andrew Deegan supplementary squad
Bernard Foley*
Bryce Hegarty
Mack Mason new signing, supplementary squad
Midfield:
Israel Folau*
Irae Simone new signing, extended playing squad
Rob Horne*
David Horwitz
Outside backs:
Cameron Clark new signing
Harry Jones promoted from supplementary to extended playing squad contract
Taqele Naiyaravoro* re-signed in 2016
Andrew Kellaway re-signed in 2016
Reece Robinson
I think some of the players listed may be more likely for the Spring tour where uncapped players are often brought along.
Squad, not necessarily team.
Both RHP and Ainsley are future prospects, certainly at least as good as some on the fringe.
In that light, I'd be thinking of somebody like Anaru Rangi, who looks to have the potential to be the next Taf, He's not getting regular game time with the Force yet, but that doesn't seem to stop the selectors when they're wearing Sky Blue.
A more illuminating list would be who should be LEFT OUT of the squad based upon performances in general. I've never been impressed by Hannigan, he proved it on Saturday when the only thing of value in the Tahs game was him jumping on top of that maul and tying the ball up.
Jono would still reasonably be considered an understudy to Foley and Cooper, but that might change in camp I guess. He's no spring chicken and therefore the calculations are slightly different for him.
When I asked Michael Ruru about gold this year, he didn't indicate ineligibility, he's been playing for Neddies forever hasn't he?
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If Ruru wasn't eligible to play for Australia surely it would have been found out before he was in the system for the Force?
Has been in Perth about 5 seasons now. His only other rep Rugby seems to be 1 game for Hawke's Bay in the NPC. So he should be qualified. Not sure of the situation in regards to Super Rugby eligibility. Had he been recruited from Hawke's Bay would he have needed to declare for Wallabies? As he was recruited from Neddies and is qualified as a resident, did he need to do the same?
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
I think this team for the first test would be nice.
1 Kepu
2 TPN
3 Alaalatoa
4 Arnold
5 Coleman (C)
6 Higgers
7 Hooper
8 Timani
9 Ruru
10 Foley
11 Folau
12 Beale
13 Kerevi/Kuridrani
14 DHP
15 Khunt
16 Moore
17 Sio
18 ? not Robertson
19 Phillip?
20 Hardwick
21 Genia
22 Lance/Cooper
23 Naivalu
Unfortunately I can't see room for Meakes or Rona in the starting lineup yet as Beale is back and Khunt played well recently. Cheika may be inclined to keep Khunt at 12 and move Beale to fullback or wing.
The cupboard is really bare in the backrow which used to be our strength.
Higginbotham and Hooper means four wingers in the team and only one loose forward.
More seriously I wouldn't have Higginbotham in the team due to his work rate and tendency to seagull - would love to know how many of his super rugby tries have been scored on the wing - there would be plenty imho. Keep developing young back rowers who love tackling in close, looking for pilfers and driving into rucks.
I also reckon Adam would be one of the first wallabies selected, but he should be allowed to develop further before considering him as captain of the wallabies. I have enormous respect for the way he plays, particularly his aggression in defence, but let him keep developing for a while yet before putting too much pressure on him.
Real good test for Coleman & his fellow lock against the AB's.
The Lions Maro Itoje showed the way against them in the 2nd & 3rd tests
Great game, Fucken battled right through to the 80!
Yeah I really didn't want to put higgers in there but couldn't think of anyone else. Don't rate Hannigan, Fardy is leaving, RHP I think is too green and McMahon has been injured and the balance is no good. If Mafu from the rebels was eligible he would be a certainty at 8.
I would change Beale with Meakes .. Beale does not deserve a start.. Meakes might be a bit green but atlest he is fit and not coming off an injury ... If we were not playing ABs i would drop Hooper but i just want heim to be shown up and smashed by the ABs.. Colby Faninga and Hardwick are the 2 for me at 7 Hardwick is a better bench as he plays well anywhere in the back 3