Votes are in for the 2008 Wallaby Team

[greenandgoldrugby]

Well, with over 3,000 votes cast, below is the team that the rugby reading officianados have chosen. Aussie Robbe, feel free to print out and take directly to the press conference on Monday to announce the team for Ireland.

Fullback: Gerrard (98 votes)

Wingers: Lote Tuqiri (152), Drew Mitchell (124)

Outside: Mortlock (166)

Inside: Barnes (125)

Five-eighth: Giteau (189)

Half-back: Burgess (147) Who was he 2 months ago?

Eight: Palu (163)

Open side: Smith (140)

Blind-side: Elsom (176)

Lock: Vickerman (168), Sharpe (128)

Hooker: Palota-Nau (109)

Props: Dunning (105), Shepherdson (97)


Not bad line-up if I do say so myself. Although I do have a question mark at 12. To me Barnes is a force fit there, and hasn't impressed me for the Reds this season (although the poor bloke did have Cooper inside him). It also means there's not a lot of meat in the middle of the field.

So who to choose? Carter's had a great season for the Tahs, but as a 1 dimensional battering ram, we've got a 2 dimensional one of those in Mortlock at 13. This does the same for Staniforth (who I rate as a 13) as well.

For me, rookie of the year Tyrone Smith deserves a look at here. He's solid, can take the ball to the line and knows when to offload like a good ex-mungo does. He also has a lovely little spurt of gas and a shimmy, which I'd love to see Mortlock looming on the outside of.

PS - Robbie, it's OK, no need to mention you got the selection list from here.

See all votes and stats here

[no.8]

Shepherd only just missed the cut - not too sure whether Gerrard would be better I think he's really a winger!

I was confused that Greg Holmes (11 caps) or Nic Henderson (3 caps) was not amongst the choices for prop forwards - I would have though they would get a look in both being Wallabies and all! Holmes especially has impressed since hitting the top flight!

As much as I admired Dayna Edwards and Pek Cowan they are both still in rookies school.

[pieter blackie]

luckily the public doesn't pick the real Aussie team because they will surely loose against the Super 14 Lions

[Darren]

How is the bench looking based on the poll?

[slomo]

dunning as the prop? ........

[greenandgoldrugby]

Shepherd only just missed the cut - not too sure whether Gerrard would be better I think he's really a winger!

Except that he can get chased down by flankers like McCaw last year!

I was confused that Greg Holmes (11 caps) or Nic Henderson (3 caps) was not amongst the choices for prop forwards - I would have though they would get a look in both being Wallabies and all! Holmes especially has impressed since hitting the top flight!

As much as I admired Dayna Edwards and Pek Cowan they are both still in rookies school.

Fair point, although I think this is the problem we find ourselves in. The props with the caps - Dunning and Baxter (most capped Wallaby prop!) have given us all mental scars. And then there's a raft of guys all on a handfull, none really having nailed a spot. I ended up just sticking in who were on the S14 team sheets at the time of the poll, otherwise there would have been too many choices.

How is the bench looking based on the poll?

Waugh 76
Horwill 61
Rodzilla(!) 70
Moore 64
Ashley-Cooper 63
Cameron Shepherd 80

Then add Hoiles 28 / J Holmes 31 / Chisholm 47 / Staniforth 40 depending on the game or circumstances.

Which I think would work. Shepherd covers the back 3, AAC the centres. Gits 9, Barnes 10.

I was surprised not to see Cross do better.

[Thequeerone]

no Brown either - he's had a blinder this year

12o'clock Perth time for the announcement of Wallabies and Aus A - a squad of 56 in total

[PerthGirl]

I'm not expecting too many Force players in the Wallabies squad. The Tahs have played in front of Aussie Rob 3 times this season and reached the finals so they should get the majority of players in the Wallabies. Unfortunately that means that players such as Brownie, Shep and Crossie might not make it but I'm expecting Force Players to feature strongly in the A team

[zimeric]

disagree
Dean got a good look at the force at their strongest when his boys played here in Perth.
He would have taken a keen interest in Cross & Brownie as they damaged the Saders defensive line on more than one occasion.

The Tahs had a shocker against the Saders in their first game and Saturdays game only re-enforced the fact that Beale is crap and Tuquiri can be closed down easily.

[laura]

I think heaps of Force players will make the 56! There are a number of positions that the Force have played so much better than any other Australian team and if they are not the best I am confident that they are the next best option. Not showing favouritism but a lot of positions I think the Force boys have got covered.

I think regardless of how many times the Tahs have played in front of Robbie, other players will still be selected because they have been outstanding and haven't needed to play in front of him 3 times to get noticed. Once is enough for our boys to make a good impression!!

56 places is a lot and I'm confident that a good number of those will be filled Force players.

Good luck to them all & I hope Robbie makes the right decision!

[force addict]

I agree with you Laura. Many 'knowledgeable' rugby personalities have claimed that the Force have been the best Australian team this year even though the Tahs made it to the finals and were were 7th or 8th. But I think that many or most or all (hehe) of our players should have a good chance to be looked at and make it to the final 22 or just in the training squad.

[Moses]

Many 'knowledgeable' rugby personalities have claimed that the Force have been the best Australian team this year even though the Tahs made it to the finals and were were 7th or 8th.

You can't be serious? That's deadset gotta be taking the p'iss.

[BLR]

You can't be serious? That's deadset gotta be taking the p'iss.

I think she only read the papers up to week 6 before we imploded....

[force addict]

what? please explain