O'Connor to 12?

[Silent But Deadly]

What do you think? Now that Mitchell is fit, I think he deserves to come into the starting team. This means that either Ioane or O'Connor would need to make way for him. IMO, I would like to see O'Connor move to 12, pushing MacCabe to the bench. MacCabe would provide great utility value given that we know he can play 12 and last year he played wing/fullback for the Brumbies. Rob Horne will most likely make his way back into the team somehow so then Robbie Deans needs to consider what to do with Ashley-Cooper.

What say you people?

 

[ceagle]

10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. O' Connor
13. Faingaa
14. Adam Ashely Cooper
15. Beale

Ioane isn't a great kicker.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. O' Connor
13. Faingaa
14. Adam Ashely Cooper
15. Beale

Ioane isn't a great kicker.

Ioane would have to be in the top few wingers in the world. He can't be left out. Whilst he's not a noted kicker, be busts tackles like they're going out of fashion. He breaks lines like they've just come into fashion and he's got speed (more than Ashley-Cooper anyway). Nope can't leave Ioane out.

 

[Butters]

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. O' Connor
13. Faingaa
14. Mitchell
15. Beale

With Burgess, Barnes and AAC on the bench that's the wallabies best backline. Maybe even have Barnes at 12 with O'Connor off the bench like they use to do with Mat Rogers.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. O' Connor
13. Faingaa
14. Mitchell
15. Beale

With Burgess, Barnes and AAC on the bench that's the wallabies best backline. Maybe even have Barnes at 12 with O'Connor off the bench like they use to do with Mat Rogers.

I agree with your 10-15, though I'd consider leaving Barnes out completely. He's one head knock away from retiring and to be honest I've never rated him THAT highly. Besides, O'Connor or Beale can move to 10 if required.

My bench backs would be: Burgess, MacCabe, Ashley-Cooper.

MacCabe covers 12, wing and fullback.
Ashley-Cooper covers 13, wing and fullback.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

I agree with your 10-15, though I'd consider leaving Barnes out completely. He's one head knock away from retiring and to be honest I've never rated him THAT highly. Besides, O'Connor or Beale can move to 10 if required.

My bench backs would be: Burgess, MacCabe, Ashley-Cooper.

MacCabe covers 12, wing and fullback.
Ashley-Cooper covers 13, wing and fullback.

I have to amend my last statement as I dodn't factor Horne in...

10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. O'Connor
13 Faingaa
14. Ioane
15. Beale
Bench backs: Burgess, Ashley-Cooper, Horne?

I don't really like Horne being on the bench as a specialist 13 but Faingaa deserves to be in front of him. Problem being that no one can cover 12 if O'Connor gets injured...enter Barnes...after all of that maybe Barnes needs to be on the bench, pushing Horne out of the team completely. Got to feel for MacCabe too...

 

[Parra]

For the tough games:

10 Barnes
11 Mitchell
12 McCabe
13 Ashley-Cooper
14 Ioane
15 Beale

O'Connor on the bench

 

[ThirdEye]

This discussion is like re-arranging the chairs on the Titanic! :lol:

 

[Parra]

This discussion is like re-arranging the chairs on the Titanic!

The Aussie backs who miss out would make any other run-on team.

If you guys can find some form we might see you in the final.

 

[Te Kaha]

The Aussie backs who miss out would make any other run-on team.

If you guys can find some form we might see you in the final.

Except the All Blacks... and no.. we will be playing England in the final, provided we get past SA... The wannabies just cant win in NZ..

 

[Thomas]

Except the All Blacks... and no.. we will be playing England in the final, provided we get past SA... The wannabies just cant win in NZ..

That's a just another TK-Record to be broken. :lol:

Reds won't win: check
Aussies won't beat the All Blacks: check.
Aussies can't win in NZ: pending

Anyway, O'Connor on the wing. I like the team as it is now. 2 hard tackling abrasive centres. Adam Two-Dads goes onto the bench to cover for fullback, centre and wing.

 

[Te Kaha]

That's a just another TK-Record to be broken. :lol:

Reds won't win: check
Aussies won't beat the All Blacks: check.
Aussies can't win in NZ: pending

Anyway, O'Connor on the wing. I like the team as it is now. 2 hard tackling abrasive centres. Adam Two-Dads goes onto the bench to cover for fullback, centre and wing.

Dont talk garbage.. I only said the Wallabies cant win in NZ... i didnt say they couldnt beat the All Blacks at all... and the wannabies will bottle it on Eden Park and fold.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

That's a just another TK-Record to be broken. :lol:

Reds won't win: check
Aussies won't beat the All Blacks: check.
Aussies can't win in NZ: pending

Anyway, O'Connor on the wing. I like the team as it is now. 2 hard tackling abrasive centres. Adam Two-Dads goes onto the bench to cover for fullback, centre and wing.

So you couldn't find room for Mitchell or Horne in the 22? I know what you're saying but surely Mitchell at least shuld be there? Horne hasn't done anything this year so I don't mind so much if he doesn't get in.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

This discussion is like re-arranging the chairs on the Titanic! :lol:

Yeah I know. Once upon a time we would be struggling to field a top class backline so this is a good dilemma to have...I guess it shows that we are finally developing some depth!

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Dont talk garbage.. I only said the Wallabies cant win in NZ... i didnt say they couldnt beat the All Blacks at all... and the wannabies will bottle it on Eden Park and fold.

No doubt a poor choice of words but I like how you said the Wallabies 'will' fold.

 

[Te Kaha]

No doubt a poor choice of words but I like how you said the Wallabies 'will' fold.

The evidence has been there for the last couple of years... and especially the last game there... the game was over by half time.

 

[Parra]

The evidence has been there for the last couple of years... and especially the last game there... the game was over by half time.

The lasting image I have is Carter and McCaw lying on the turf, having both missed tackles, while watching a Wallaby score a try.

This is from the most recent test match. Not some statistic from history.

We'll see it all in a few weeks. But that image made those blokes look instantly old. Almost as old as the bloke they were watching.

 

[Te Kaha]

The lasting image I have is Carter and McCaw lying on the turf, having both missed tackles, while watching a Wallaby score a try.

This is from the most recent test match. Not some statistic from history.

We'll see it all in a few weeks. But that image made those blokes look instantly old. Almost as old as the bloke they were watching.

Pffft... you are kidding right? Samo was missed only by Thompson.. who was playing with one arm.. Carter and McCaw werent involved.. and thats the same Samo who was so tired by half time he was non existent in the second half til he was subbed...

And the recent game would count if it the world cup was played at Lang park.. its not... the big games are on Eden Park.. a park that "recently" the wannabies were thrashed on.. where Cooper craked under the pressure.. where the much "vaunted" wannabie back line didnt amount to much... Its also a park that the wwannabies havent won on in more than a few years... and THAT will be playing on their minds more than anything.

 

[Parra]

The AB's have got to make it that far first. And so have the Wallabies.

When that happens, the past wont mean a thing.

 

[Te Kaha]

The AB's have got to make it that far first. And so have the Wallabies.

When that happens, the past wont mean a thing.

Yes it will... no matter what players and coaches say... its the same as "home field advantage" it plays on your mind...

And yes both teams would have to make it... the ABs "should" beat the SA but they are a team that can actually beat the AB's at home.... but the wannabies are goin gto have to pull something special to beat England who have had the wood on the wannabies for some time... home AND away.