_antipodean_@bigpond.com says...> The Wallabies' 33-man squad for the upcoming Test series has been> announced with scrumhalf George Gregan as skipper and nine players> making their debut in the national ranks.>
Valentine was the only player who was not in last week's 42-man> train-on squad who made the final 33-man line-up.>
Injured centre Matt Giteau was not named in the team but is expected to> be rushed back into the starting line-up once he is fit to play. The> champion playmaker is currently recovering from minor knee surgery.>
"I've said throughout that we would pick the squad on form. There were> a few unlucky omissions but we feel that the squad we've selected is> the strongest possible one.">
Connolly acknowledged that the ultimate goal of the Wallabies was> geared to the 2007 Rugby World Cup but they would still be looking to> be competitive in the upcoming Tests against England, Ireland, New> Zealand and South Africa.>
The Wallabies kick-off the Bundaberg Rum Test series against England in> Sydney on June 11.>
Wallabies 33-man squad> Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Sam> Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Mark> Gerrard, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Heenan, Greg Holmes, Alex Kanaar,> Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Stirling Mortlock, Sam> Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn> Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson,> George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Josh Valentine, Daniel> Vickerman, Phil Waugh.
i thought jeremy paul wasnt included in the train on squad and his career was over? surely the daily telegraph didnt lie to me!!!
and how did smith make the side?
"JD" <_antipodean_@bigpond.com> wrote in message news:1148883837.383677.57310@j73g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...> The Wallabies' 33-man squad for the upcoming Test series has been> announced with scrumhalf George Gregan as skipper and nine players> making their debut in the national ranks.>
Valentine was the only player who was not in last week's 42-man> train-on squad who made the final 33-man line-up.>
Injured centre Matt Giteau was not named in the team but is expected to> be rushed back into the starting line-up once he is fit to play. The> champion playmaker is currently recovering from minor knee surgery.>
"I've said throughout that we would pick the squad on form. There were> a few unlucky omissions but we feel that the squad we've selected is> the strongest possible one.">
Connolly acknowledged that the ultimate goal of the Wallabies was> geared to the 2007 Rugby World Cup but they would still be looking to> be competitive in the upcoming Tests against England, Ireland, New> Zealand and South Africa.>
The Wallabies kick-off the Bundaberg Rum Test series against England in> Sydney on June 11.>
Wallabies 33-man squad> Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Sam> Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Mark> Gerrard, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Heenan, Greg Holmes, Alex Kanaar,> Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Stirling Mortlock, Sam> Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn> Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson,> George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Josh Valentine, Daniel> Vickerman, Phil Waugh.>
Wallabies 33-man squad> Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Sam> Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Mark> Gerrard, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Heenan, Greg Holmes, Alex Kanaar,> Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Stirling Mortlock, Sam> Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn> Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson,> George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Josh Valentine, Daniel> Vickerman, Phil Waugh.
No, Drew Mitchell just didn't make the cut. Neither did poor old Hewatt; looks like he'll never make it.
"hamishd" <Hamish.Dean@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1148893170.488709.267330@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...> Is that winger from the Reds injured (can't remember his name, played> 15 against the ABs last year and got a good solo try)? I thought he was> outstanding for them.
"Michael" <quadhammerNO@SPICEDHAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:447abe65$0$25132$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...> No, Drew Mitchell just didn't make the cut. Neither did poor old Hewatt; > looks like he'll never make it.>
"hamishd" <Hamish.Dean@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1148893170.488709.267330@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...>> Is that winger from the Reds injured (can't remember his name, played>> 15 against the ABs last year and got a good solo try)? I thought he was>> outstanding for them.>
Hewatt is a good player, but his defence leaves a lot to be desired.
"hamishd" <Hamish.Dean@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1148893170.488709.267330@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...> Is that winger from the Reds injured (can't remember his name, played> 15 against the ABs last year and got a good solo try)? I thought he was> outstanding for them.> Drew Mitchell? Didn't even make the train on squad apparently. Due to form! I reckon he looks a class player - but Knuckles must know something.
Good choices there. Realistically, I'd probably sub Heenan for Elsom, But I'd really like to put Shepherd ahead of Latham. Great footballer Latham, if you believe the press. I'm yet to see him deliver. I'd Like to buy him at my price and sell him at his 8^)
Geoff Muldoon wrote:> _antipodean_@bigpond.com says...>> The Wallabies' 33-man squad for the upcoming Test series has been>> announced with scrumhalf George Gregan as skipper and nine players>> making their debut in the national ranks.>>
Valentine was the only player who was not in last week's 42-man>> train-on squad who made the final 33-man line-up.>>
Injured centre Matt Giteau was not named in the team but is expected to>> be rushed back into the starting line-up once he is fit to play. The>> champion playmaker is currently recovering from minor knee surgery.>>
"I've said throughout that we would pick the squad on form. There were>> a few unlucky omissions but we feel that the squad we've selected is>> the strongest possible one.">>
Connolly acknowledged that the ultimate goal of the Wallabies was>> geared to the 2007 Rugby World Cup but they would still be looking to>> be competitive in the upcoming Tests against England, Ireland, New>> Zealand and South Africa.>>
The Wallabies kick-off the Bundaberg Rum Test series against England in>> Sydney on June 11.>>
Wallabies 33-man squad>> Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Sam>> Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Mark>> Gerrard, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Heenan, Greg Holmes, Alex Kanaar,>> Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Stirling Mortlock, Sam>> Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn>> Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson,>> George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Josh Valentine, Daniel>> Vickerman, Phil Waugh.>
"REPROBATE" <reprobate@yahaha.com> wrote in message news:e5e5nu$a6o$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...>i thought jeremy paul wasnt included in the train on squad and his career >was over? surely the daily telegraph didnt lie to me!!!>
and how did smith make the side?
Is that last line serious or part of the joke? George Smith and Stirling Mortlock would've been the first two names on the the team sheet.
I see Turuinui and Bill Young miss out. I always though Turinui did well against the ABs.
"JD" <_antipodean_@bigpond.com> wrote in message > news:1148883837.383677.57310@j73g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...>> The Wallabies' 33-man squad for the upcoming Test series has been>> announced with scrumhalf George Gregan as skipper and nine players>> making their debut in the national ranks.>>
Valentine was the only player who was not in last week's 42-man>> train-on squad who made the final 33-man line-up.>>
Injured centre Matt Giteau was not named in the team but is expected to>> be rushed back into the starting line-up once he is fit to play. The>> champion playmaker is currently recovering from minor knee surgery.>>
"I've said throughout that we would pick the squad on form. There were>> a few unlucky omissions but we feel that the squad we've selected is>> the strongest possible one.">>
Connolly acknowledged that the ultimate goal of the Wallabies was>> geared to the 2007 Rugby World Cup but they would still be looking to>> be competitive in the upcoming Tests against England, Ireland, New>> Zealand and South Africa.>>
The Wallabies kick-off the Bundaberg Rum Test series against England in>> Sydney on June 11.>>
Wallabies 33-man squad>> Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Sam>> Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Mark>> Gerrard, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Heenan, Greg Holmes, Alex Kanaar,>> Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Stirling Mortlock, Sam>> Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn>> Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson,>> George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Josh Valentine, Daniel>> Vickerman, Phil Waugh.>>
Wallabies 33-man squad>>Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Sam>>Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Scott Fava, Adam Freier, Mark>>Gerrard, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Heenan, Greg Holmes, Alex Kanaar,>>Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Stirling Mortlock, Sam>>Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn>>Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson,>>George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Josh Valentine, Daniel>>Vickerman, Phil Waugh.>
How on earth did Josh Valentine get the nod? He's been crap. Its a Qld conspiracy, ALREADY!
My guess at a possible starting lineup:> Holmes > Freier > Blake
This is the really interesting part. Blake is the find of '06 and an absolute certainty ... the other two positions are anyones guess.
BTW, I think they should convert Lyons to a tighhead (he's already 125 odd kilos and the right build. All he needs is 18 months of expert coaching) and Baxter to losehead. Seriously.
Vickerman > Sharpe> Elsom
These three are certainties.
Fava
Given Knuckles' love of grunt, we might see Heenan at 8.
Smith> Gregan> Larkham> Tuqiri> Staniforth
Well deserved too.
Mortlock> Gerrard
Rogers. (although Gerrard does have the longer kicking game with Conolley will like)
Uncle Bully wrote:> "REPROBATE" <reprobate@yahaha.com> wrote in message > news:e5e5nu$a6o$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...>
i thought jeremy paul wasnt included in the train on squad and his career >>was over? surely the daily telegraph didnt lie to me!!!>>
and how did smith make the side?>
Is that last line serious or part of the joke?> George Smith and Stirling Mortlock would've been the first two names on the > the team sheet.
The first four picked would have been Mortlock, Tiqiuri, Larkham and Smith.
I see Turuinui and Bill Young miss out. I always though Turinui did well > against the ABs.>
In the semi, the Hurricans targeted him in defence - they ran wingers at him on the angle and exposed his lack of agility. At least I think it was deliberate - either way it worked. And that's only going to get worse one step up at international level. He's just not fast enough or agile enough to be a first choice test player.
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...> Uncle Bully wrote:>> "REPROBATE" <reprobate@yahaha.com> wrote in message >> news:e5e5nu$a6o$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...>>
i thought jeremy paul wasnt included in the train on squad and his career >>>was over? surely the daily telegraph didnt lie to me!!!>>>
and how did smith make the side?>>
Is that last line serious or part of the joke?>> George Smith and Stirling Mortlock would've been the first two names on >> the the team sheet.>
The first four picked would have been Mortlock, Tiqiuri, Larkham and > Smith.>
I see Turuinui and Bill Young miss out. I always though Turinui did well >> against the ABs.>>
In the semi, the Hurricans targeted him in defence - they ran wingers> at him on the angle and exposed his lack of agility. At least I think it> was deliberate - either way it worked. And that's only going to> get worse one step up at international level. He's just not fast> enough or agile enough to be a first choice test player.
Didn't the Tahs have the best defence in the comp. I'm sure there were other people that got named that responsible for some of those tries.
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the> problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough> to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>
Neilsons wrote:> "Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's young > and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always thought > he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a mistake to > leave him out.>
I've watched just about every Reds game this year and let me tell you that our young Drew runs very hot and cold. This year, particularly mid-season, he had a patch of very ordinary form. We're talking basic knockons and shithouse defence.
And its not as if the Wallabies are short on quality outside backs. Who in the squad do you think he should be replacing: Rogers, Gerard, Latham? No, I don't thing so.
On the other hand if he wanted to switch to tighthead, there might be a place for him.
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447bdfd5$0$14569$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...> Neilsons wrote:>> "Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's >> young and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always >> thought he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a >> mistake to leave him out.>>
I've watched just about every Reds game this year and let me tell you that > our> young Drew runs very hot and cold. This year, particularly mid-season, he > had> a patch of very ordinary form. We're talking basic knockons and shithouse > defence.>
And its not as if the Wallabies are short on quality outside backs. Who > in> the squad do you think he should be replacing: Rogers, Gerard, Latham? > No,> I don't thing so.>
On the other hand if he wanted to switch to tighthead, there might be a > place> for him.>
"JD" <_antipodean_@bigpond.com> wrote in message news:1148961515.973787.198040@y43g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...> Neilsons wrote:>> "Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>> >
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>> > problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>> > to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>> >
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's >> young>> and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always >> thought>> he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a mistake to>> leave him out.>
I don't - he is a turnstile in defence. BTW, 90 kilos is small for a> winger these days.>
Will_S wrote:> "JD" <_antipodean_@bigpond.com> wrote in message > news:1148961515.973787.198040@y43g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...>
Neilsons wrote:>>
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>>>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>>>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>>>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>>>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's >>>young>>>and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always >>>thought>>>he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a mistake to>>>leave him out.>>
I don't - he is a turnstile in defence. BTW, 90 kilos is small for a>>winger these days.>>
so are Rogers, Latham and a few others >
No way! These days Latham's defence is first rate. You must be remembering back a few years, I think, because he was certainly suspect early in his career.
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447bef33$0$18393$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...> Will_S wrote:>> "JD" <_antipodean_@bigpond.com> wrote in message >> news:1148961515.973787.198040@y43g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...>>
Neilsons wrote:>>>
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>>>>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>>>>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>>>>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>>>>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's >>>>young>>>>and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always >>>>thought>>>>he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a mistake >>>>to>>>>leave him out.>>>
I don't - he is a turnstile in defence. BTW, 90 kilos is small for a>>>winger these days.>>>
so are Rogers, Latham and a few others>
No way! These days Latham's defence is first rate. You must be > remembering back a> few years, I think, because he was certainly suspect early in his career.>
--> Mike
He is better now but still I shudder everytime someone runs at him
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message>>news:447bdfd5$0$14569$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...>>
Neilsons wrote:>>>
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>>>>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>>>>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>>>>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>>>>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's>>>>young and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always>>>>thought he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a>>>>mistake to leave him out.>>>>
I've watched just about every Reds game this year and let me tell you that>>>our>>>young Drew runs very hot and cold. This year, particularly mid-season, he>>>had>>>a patch of very ordinary form. We're talking basic knockons and shithouse>>>defence.>>>
And its not as if the Wallabies are short on quality outside backs. Who>>>in>>>the squad do you think he should be replacing: Rogers, Gerard, Latham?>>>No,>>>I don't thing so.>>>
On the other hand if he wanted to switch to tighthead, there might be a>>>place>>>for him.>>>
-->>>Mike>>
Latham, Gerard ,,,yes>>
Latham is a broken down over the hill>>
Gerard is over-rated>>
Mitchell is young and has talent to burn>
you honestly think that about Latham?>
Latham had a flat super12 season by his normal standards, injury the most lightly cause. Remains to be seen he has returned to full fitness.
"Will_S" <spam@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message news:447bea38$0$7895$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...>
"Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message > news:447bdfd5$0$14569$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...>> Neilsons wrote:>>> "Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>>>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>>>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>>>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>>>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's >>> young and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I always >>> thought he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a >>> mistake to leave him out.>>>
I've watched just about every Reds game this year and let me tell you >> that our>> young Drew runs very hot and cold. This year, particularly mid-season, >> he had>> a patch of very ordinary form. We're talking basic knockons and shithouse >> defence.>>
And its not as if the Wallabies are short on quality outside backs. Who >> in>> the squad do you think he should be replacing: Rogers, Gerard, Latham? >> No,>> I don't thing so.>>
On the other hand if he wanted to switch to tighthead, there might be a >> place>> for him.>>
-->> Mike>
Latham, Gerard ,,,yes>
Latham is a broken down over the hill>
Gerard is over-rated
Gerrard has the most potential out of all of them. Sure he wouldn't make an AB backline, but he's up there with the best of Australian backs right now.
"simon s-b" <simon.stovin-bradford@cern.ch> wrote in message news:1148976465.685712.72890@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...>
Will_S wrote:>> "Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message>> news:447bdfd5$0$14569$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...>> > Neilsons wrote:>> >> "Mike Thompson" <I@dontthinkso> wrote in message news:447aeb98$0$4048>> >>
Which is somewhat like Drew Mitchell, except that with Mitchell the>> >>>problem is his size. He's just too small. Gitteau is talented enough>> >>>to overcome hie size, Mitchell is not.>> >>>
He's 90kg which isn't that small for an outside back / fullback. He's>> >> young and will probably get bigger (put him onto Ben's doctor). I >> >> always>> >> thought he looked pretty strong and had good leg drive. I think it's a>> >> mistake to leave him out.>> >>
I've watched just about every Reds game this year and let me tell you >> > that>> > our>> > young Drew runs very hot and cold. This year, particularly mid-season, >> > he>> > had>> > a patch of very ordinary form. We're talking basic knockons and >> > shithouse>> > defence.>> >
And its not as if the Wallabies are short on quality outside backs. >> > Who>> > in>> > the squad do you think he should be replacing: Rogers, Gerard, Latham?>> > No,>> > I don't thing so.>> >
On the other hand if he wanted to switch to tighthead, there might be a>> > place>> > for him.>> >
-->> > Mike>>
Latham, Gerard ,,,yes>>
Latham is a broken down over the hill>>
Gerard is over-rated>>
Mitchell is young and has talent to burn>
you honestly think that about Latham?>
a fully fit younger Latham was brilliant in most aspects ( the big exception was his defence )
A older fitter Latham would still be good enough but when you get older the injuries keep coming
I cant see Latham going past this year so its time to try someone else now
