Graham tips trio for Wallabies

[travelling_gerry]

Tue, 21 Jun 08:24:18 2011

Western Force coach Richard Graham believes forwards Sam Wykes and Kieran Longbottom and explosive back Nick Cummins could secure places in Australia's World Cup squad.

The Force are likely to be well-represented in the initial 40-man party selected by Robbie Deans, with Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson and Richard Brown among those certain to feature, but Graham said some of his lesser-known players also deserved the chance.

Twenty-three-year-old lock Wykes, 26-year-old prop Longbottom and outside back Cummins, 24, all established regular places with the Force during the season and Graham thinks all had improved enough to warrant selection. He said: "Guys that have had really good seasons and put themselves into contention are Kieran Longbottom, I think he has been fantastic."

He added: "The other guy in the forward pack would be Wykes. His performances this season have been a model of consistency.

"At the end of last season, when we talked and we challenged him (Wykes) with what we believed he could deliver, he's done that. And the other one in the backs is Cummins, again he's another guy who has typified consistency this year."

Wykes hadn't nailed down a regular spot in the Force starting XV from his 25 Super Rugby caps heading into this season, but produced by far his most impressive campaign to earn a place alongside Sharpe in the second row.

And the Wallabies veteran said Wykes showed tremendous improvement during the year.

"You need a bit of consistency in terms of time on the paddock and Wykesy got that this year," Sharpe said. "He didn't have those injuries that he's had niggling him for the last couple of years and that's allowed him to develop because he's had time to mould his game more and more each week.

"The other thing that is a real credit to Sam is his work ethic. He'll be a very solid and consistent footballer for the Western Force for many years to come."

"Whether he earns a Wallabies call-up is out of my hands, but he's had an outstanding season."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/210620...wallabies.html

[Buddha Handy]

I don't know about Richard Brown being a certainty, I could see them possibly leaving him out. Hopefully not though.

What about Dellit, would be good if he made it

[AndyS]

All sorts will make the 40, but outside a few unresolved injuries it will be the usual suspects for the RWC squad. No way the ARU is going outside their existing contracts unless it is unavoidable, even if it means sticking with a few out-of-sorts or over-rated players.

[GIGS20]

Dellit's still only just breaking into Super Rugby give him five minutes to stop his head spinning

[mudskipper]

Pocock, Hodgo, Sharpie, JOC... anyone else massive outsiders...

[normie]

McCalman a massive outsider? What's your boomaker's number muddie?

[mudskipper]

McCalman a massive outsider? What's your boomaker's number muddie?

Sorry missed McCalman he should get a call up for the 40. Solid player...

[normie]

Could happen to anyone....

[James]

Charles would have to be 3rd in line at hooker. Faingaa is all well a good, but in a Wallabies side that has a bad scrum reputation, we want someone who isn't going to make things worse.

I don't think Cummins would be a massive outsider. He was pencilled in against the All Blacks in 2009 until an injury in the training camp. We have a few backline injuries- Drew Mitchell, half the Reds, etc. He deserves a look in from the 40 at least.

[BDAVEY]

how many in the squad go to the RWC??

[Rex Messup]

Cummins is toilet
How many tries did he score? Not many

Longbottom would be as good a chance as my mum at taking on England in a world cup semi final

Wykes is a useless shite that spends most of a game sea guilling and adjusting his hair comb

[BDAVEY]

To me Stannard may get a look in for his flexibility in the backline, Cummins looks good but ball retention ad off loading no good, Wilkes too many others there.... KB squad yes but RWC NZ no .... may get a Tri Nations Test ??? as Deans see if he hack the pace

[mudskipper]

how many in the squad go to the RWC??

I think Deans will call about 40 for Wallabies camp and 30 for RWC duties... breakdown for forwards and backs is the coaches call..

[KenyaQuin]

Agree with Stannard being an outsider. Although only played a couple of full games definitely proved his worth and may get at least an invite to the extended squad to compete with the likes of Burgess for the final cut.

[GIGS20]

After seeing Stannard at 9 and 10, I'd reckon he needs to be compared with Gits, not Burgess