Wallabies to Europe

[Burgs]

Righto, ready for the next round of debate and derision?!

I'll go out on a limb and put forward the 37 man squad I would send to Europe this Spring, injuries pemitting.
These discussions work best if you debate who you would pick rather than who you think they will pick.

I have opted to rest a few of the older players and make it a real "developmental" tour.

Burgs Spring Tour Squad:

First Test Team-

1. Greg Holmes
2. Jeremy Paul
3. Rodney Blake
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. Daniel Vickerman
6. Daniel Heenan
7. Phil Waugh
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Sam Cordingley
10. Matt Rogers
11. Lote Tuqiri
12. Matt Giteau
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Mark Gerrard
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Guy Shepherdson
17. Tai McIsaac
18. Mark Chisholm
19. George Smith
20. Brett Sheehan
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Drew Mitchell

First Australia A XV-

1. Benn Robinson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. David Fitter
4. Al Campbell
5. Hugh McMenimen
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Scott Fava
8. David Lyons
9. Matt Henjak
10. Kurtley Beale
11. Digby Ioane
12. Lachlan MacKay
13. Scott Staniforth
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Sam Norton-Knight

Rested-
George Gregan
Stephen Larkham
Chris Latham
Clyde Rathbone (not so much rested as a known quantity)

Near Misses-
Berrick Barnes
James Horwill
Ben Tune
Stephen Moore
Josh Valentine
Gene Fairbanks
Nic Henderson
Patrick Phibbs
Adam Wallace-Harrison
Mitchell Chapman
David Pusey
Pat O'Connor
Matt Hodgson
Josh Holmes

Names such as Ryan Cross and Clinton Schifcofske have been bandied around however, I feel they need to get a full Super 14 behind them before being put in the national system.

[Shaun]

Great to see Henjak back in an Aussie jumper! Look the Force clean up in Aussie A team backline

[catey]

nah I have to say that I agree with most of them except berrick barnes. I would wack him in instead of beale because there is no way that beale is an option for the rugby world cup next yr where as berrick could handle it if it came to it. but i am sooo hapy that matt henjak made it whoo hoo

[Burgs]

Re Henjak, remember it is only MY selection fellas, not official
I whacked Beale in on the back of the likes of the Ella's saying he would be good enough for the WC. To find that out he needs to be exposed at Australia A level and maybe a Test rather than waiting as an after thought during the Tri Nations.
I do agree Catey that currently Barnes would be more advanced however I was slightly swayed between the two as I seem to recall reading recently that it is unlikely Barnes will be available due to a delayed recovery from off-season surgery anyway.

[shasta]

I've seen a bit more of Berrick Barnes than just this years S14. Started to watch him in the 2005 Queensland Cup playing for Toowomba after I heard he was looking at signing with The Reds. He played some NRL for the Broncos that year as well. Kurtly Beal may be a good 10 of the future. Barnes definately is NOW. I'd take him to europe for sure for sure if he's a chance to be fit. And I'd play him as the starting 10.

[Flat-top]

Is it ARU policy only to to include players from teams in Oz or could some of the Northern Hemisphere exiles get a look in?

[AlcoholicStalker]

It is ARU policy that to be available for selection you have to play in australia and to be play in super 14 you have to be available for australian selection. From what I have seen from Hugh Mcmeniman in recent weeks he will be a struggle to be fit aswell after surgery and the same goes for Heenan.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

I cant fault your selections Burgs. I reckon the 2nd 15 could give the big boys a run for their money with their youth and natural flair( something lacking at the moment). We always look far better moving the pill!

[inactive]

Bring on Stanners... the back line hasnt been working why not change it up. He is someone who can get the job done, has experience, can tackle, can make breaks and is a good finisher. GIVE HIM A CHANCE

[Moses]

yeah I'm with ya on Stanners, put him in at 12 and SNK to 10.

Beale is doing his HSC this year so can't make the tour..

[Darren]

being the inaugural winnner of the TWF Player of the Year award, Stanners is a big fave on here - no idea what the ARU are up to ....

[GIGS20]

I like the cut of your Jib Burgs. My selections would see a bit of shuffle between the bench and the starters in your first XV, for instance, I'd swap Taipan and Paul, Tai just throws the ball better, and it's not like his versatility is wasted on the field, Spanner would definately make the first XV probably on the bench. and I'd be looking to rotate Mitchell and the back three you've suggested looking for a sweet combination, maybe including Latham in the mixture, he's gotta be in the back three somewhere.

[tdevil]

Nothing wrong with the players you chose - Burgs, but like GGST mentioned, maybe a swap or 2 from the bench.

Well done

[frontrow]

Isn`t JP injured with torn ligaments in his finger, I agree Tai has the better throw in anyway...

[Jess]

did JP sustain that injury in the last match of the tri nations when he dislocated his finger? had an incredibly wonky finger that game but his throwing in surprisingly straightened up. Not quite sure how that worked...

I have so much respect for him though not coming off when his finger was pretty much 45 degrees next to his other fingers. I would have been crying like a little girl and running off the field as fast as my legs would take me. Lucky i am a girl i guess.