Possible Wallbies 2015 side

[jargan83]

Dominic Burke From: FOX SPORTS September 18, 2013 3:42PM

THE 2015 Rugby World Cup is two years away.

A lot will change between now and then - indeed, plenty of changes loom just between Australia's much-needed win over Argentina last weekend and Saturday week's clash with South Africa in Cape Town.

But with a break in The Rugby Championship action, and today's two-year countdown, we have decided now is a good time to cast ahead and try to predict what a Wallabies XV could look like when the eighth Rugby World Cup kicks off in London. We've also thrown in a back-up 15 for good measure.

It's an exercise fraught with danger and sure to provoke plenty of talking points, so don't forget to have your say on who you think will be running out for Australia in 2015 - and why. Tweet us (@Rugby_Gold) and use the #Wallabies2015 hashtag.

As to whether the side we've selected is capable of stopping the All Blacks or going all the way? Well that's a story for another day.

OUTSIDE BACKS

Code-hopping superstar Israel Folau will be the first player picked on the Wallabies team sheet - the only question is where. After starting his Test career on the wing, he has been switched to fullback to capitalise on his strength under the high ball and to get him more involved in the game.

Despite a couple of years of AFL tuition, his kicking game isn't quite up to Test standard, whereas Kurtley Beale's is. Add in his playmaking abilities, and Beale shapes as the ideal No.15. That means yet another position for Folau. Thankfully the Waratahs have already proposed a move to outside centre, with coach Michael Cheika set to switch the former NRL star to the No.13 jersey for NSW next year.

After an unhappy stint at fly half James O'Connor has been reinstated to the wing, where he will shine for years to come. Raw Reds attacker Chris Feauai-Sautia is 19 and has less than 20 Super Rugby caps to his name, but is highly rated by McKenzie and has a big future ahead of him if he can keep fit. Nick Cummins and Joe Tomane have impressed at various stages on the wing, while Brumbies flyer Henry Speight should get his chance to show off his fantastic finishing skills when he becomes eligible for the Wallabies, possibly later this year.

HALVES

Australia can only hope Will Genia is wearing the No.9 jersey when the Wallabies kick off their 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign. Nic White looked at home when he made his run-on Test debut against Argentina at the weekend and should push Genia all the way leading into the RWC opener. But slight recent form concerns aside, Genia remains Australia's only player currently capable of challenging for a spot in a World XV and you get the feeling his axing will only serve to fire him up.

Who will play outside Genia in the all-important flyhalf role also remains up in the air, with McKenzie utilising both Matt Toomua and Quade Cooper in his opening four Tests in charge. Toomua's composure and temperament seems more suited to a World Cup, but Cooper's X-factor abilities will at least keep him in the frame.

Kyle Godwin has impressed in an under-performing Western Force side and with another two years of Super Rugby under his belt could surge into calculations. Christian Lealiifano's clutch goalkicking and handy playmaking skills make him a lock for inside centre.

BACKROW

Of all the players the Wallabies have missed at various times in 2013, one name looms largest - literally. Scott Higginbotham's hard-running and aggression have been missed in a Wallabies pack that has been badly beaten by the All Blacks and Springboks in recent times.

It is a testament to Michael Hooper's stellar form that the absence of David Pocock hasn't been as keenly felt. After two serious injuries, Pocock will likely return in 2014 and it's not difficult to see him regaining the form that saw him pushing All Blacks superstar Richie McCaw for the mantle of best breakaway in world rugby. But it's just as easy to see Hooper continue his rapid rise - and the Tahs terrier won't give up the No.7 jersey easily.

Ben Mowen, fresh from captaining the Wallabies to their first win under McKenzie, looks set to be a fixture for Australia in the coming years and could be even better on the side of the scrum. Liam Gill completes Australia's terrific breakaway stocks, while Reds flanker Curtis Browning is a young gun who could potentially come into calculations.

TIGHT FIVE

James Horwill captained the Wallabies at the 2011 World Cup and looms as the man most likely to lead Australia to the 2015 instalment. Both aged 24, Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas are at the perfect age to develop into World Cup-standard locks alongside Horwill and will be given plenty of opportunities to do so, while Rebel Hugh Pyle looks a Test prospect as well and raw Waratahs behemoth Will Skelton could be anything.

Up front, Stephen Moore will be 32 in 2015, but his experience could be vital - and there's not exactly a string of young hookers bashing down the door at present, while Tatafu Polota-Nau's injury history is a worry. Brumbies prop Scott Sio, at just 21, could well have established himself as a Test regular by the time RWC2015 comes around, while project player Albert Anae and Paddy Ryan will hopefully join mainstays Ben Alexander, James Slipper and the recalled Benn Robinson to boost Australia's front-row stocks.

POTENTIAL WALLABIES SIDE FOR 2015 RWC
15. Kurtley Beale
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
13. Israel Folau
12. Christian Lealiifano
11. James O'Connor
10. Matt Toomua
9. Will Genia
8. Scott Higginbotham
7. Michael Hooper
6. Ben Mowen
5. James Horwill (c)
4. Kane Douglas
3. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
1. James Slipper

BACK-UP WALLABIES XV
15. Luke Morahan
14. Henry Speight
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Kyle Godwin
11. Nick Cummins
10. Quade Cooper
9. Nic White
8. Jake Schatz
7. David Pocock
6. Ed Quirk
5. Hugh Pyle
4. Rob Simmons
3. Ben Alexander
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
1. Benn Robinson

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-g...-1226722148917

[Happy]

O'Connor at the wing?? hahahha He'll still be applying for an Australian visa just to come back to visit for christmas after we kick him out!

[Alison]

McKenzie has a lot of work to do in the next 2 years if that's the best there is.

[travelling_gerry]

MMM.?

[GIGS20]

While we're being one eyed,

Cheese
Manu
McCalman
Hodgson

Probably one or two from other franchises who are looking to nail down the starting spot which will show them as wallabies

[Flying 14]

I still can't believe that people think that Hooper will keep Pockock out of the Wallabies! He is the player we have missed most this year. The pack misses Higgers as well - but Pocock is on another level. Also, can't see Chris FS keeping Cummings or Speight out of the side - not without a big improvement.

[chibi]

At full-strength, I rate Godwin. Dead-set into the Wallaby first team for me. Hopefully by then Karmichael Hunt also. And maybe a well-established combination with Bernard Foley and Genia too. On the home front, wouldn't it be great if Tetera Faulkner and Heath Tessman really kicked on in the next couple of years?

[GIGS20]

I still can't believe that people think that Hooper will keep Pockock out of the Wallabies! He is the player we have missed most this year. The pack misses Higgers as well - but Pocock is on another level. Also, can't see Chris FS keeping Cummings or Speight out of the side - not without a big improvement.

I'm not so sure 14, Pocock was an amazing youngster, and is still great once he arrives at a ruck, but seems to be less effective through being less 'everywhere' of late. Maybe that's injuries slowing him down and I'm talking out my hat, but I think he's focussed too much on size and not enough on speed to be a great 7.

I reiterate my point about him being a Bismarck style hooker though!

[palitu]

Still has TPN and Moore in the hooking roles, can't rate TPN, moore i guess would be getting on. Need a new hooker coming through.

Alcock needs to rate a mention somewhere in there, was one of the Best the force had in the breakaway jerseys. and Sorry GIGS, Hodgson will not get into a wallabies jersey, Alcock has outperformed him on the field consistently.

Godwin is going to struggle to push L'fano out with such great kicking. Unless he goes down significantly over the next two years.

Definately look at some of the young props coming through the force as well. they definately need a change of guard considering how smashed the scrum is getting!

[palitu]

i can't believe they have the four props that have been getting reamed the last few weeks! do they not think there will be some others that will get through the gates and challenge for a spot? They needed a lot more emphasis on the piggies considering how much ball was lost at scrum time.

[GIGS20]

Still has TPN and Moore in the hooking roles, can't rate TPN, moore i guess would be getting on. Need a new hooker coming through.

Alcock needs to rate a mention somewhere in there, was one of the Best the force had in the breakaway jerseys. and Sorry GIGS, Hodgson will not get into a wallabies jersey, Alcock has outperformed him on the field consistently.

Godwin is going to struggle to push L'fano out with such great kicking. Unless he goes down significantly over the next two years.

Point taken about Hodgeo, but surely Alcock would be a chance for the backup #6 then.

Leilii kicks well, but I think Godwin will be the man around the field. You have to be selected before you can kick IMHO, because a kicker can come from anywhere...hell, even Kyle has lined up his fair share (OK he needs a lot of coaching, but he's willing!)

Front Row is the big point where that article offers no solutions to drastic problems though!

[GAFFA]

Alcock should be there now look at this! (click on the little yellow line i cant make it bigger)



He is as good if not better than Gill.

[GIGS20]

OK, It's quite obvious that Hooper's there for his attack, but Gill must be there for his short kicking game!

[sittingbison]

haha the back up Wallabies XV would cream the Starting Wallabies XV

FFS where do they get these plonkers. Christ on a crutch whats up with always naming Beale at 15, the guy is now a complete liability. Apparently hes been seen drinking up in....you guessed it...Bali The guy still cant brink himself to acknowledge step 1 of rehab "My name is Beale and I am an alcoholic"

Unless Cheika can sort him out he's finished.

Tomane impressing at various stages on a wing? Which "various stages" would that be?

Moore and TPN at hooker? Good grief.

Frakking Quade Cooper having X-Factor? Perhaps he should be on X-Factor, because he hasn't shown any on the paddock from prior to the 2011 RWC. Certainly not the last couple of games when he apparently had open slather from Link to ignite the Wallabies vaunted running game.

And Genia? Unless Sanchez gets his shit sorted out he shouldn't be starting any time soon. And the worst aspect is not his slow service but his negative vibes and body language towards his team mates. Now THATS toxic.

Sio Slipper Alexander Robinson. Good to see the journo has named the best performing props in Aus, ones who wouldn't let the scrum disintegrate against the Lions ABs Boks and Pumas. No mention of Ryan, Palmer, Homes, Pek, Manu etc or any of the others. Lets stick with tries and true "performers".

Havent missed Pocock? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha "turnstyle" is the new "turnovers"

[zimeric]

what most people tend to forget when comparing pocock to hooper is poe's ability to keep his feet EVERY time he goes in for the ball, he is a beast!! he may be a little slower as a ball carrier but be honest when he's dominating the rucks then it free's up the other back rowers to do the carries.