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Wed 14 Nov 2012 | 06:25
George Gregan picks his Wallaby lineup to face the 2013 Lions

8
Comments

Last week we had a look at Gavin Hastings' best starting XV for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia next year. Today we've got George Gregan talking about his picks, but this time focusing on the Wallaby XV that he'd like to see start come June 2013.

As we look forward to England hosting the Wallabies this coming weekend, HSBC Ambassador Gregan shared his thoughts on what should be the starting line-up when the Lions arrive on Australian shores next year.

Former Wallaby Gregan, the worlds most capped rugby player, has chosen a side that would no doubt be a different prospect to that which is currently touring.

He's named lock James Horwill as his captain, while David Pocock and Will Genia come into the starting lineup, with the controversial figure of Quade Cooper at number ten.

The George Gregan Wallaby XV to face the Lions:
15. James O'Connor, 14. Kurtley Beale, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Pat McCabe, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. James Horwill, 3. Sekope Kepu,  2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Robinson

What do you think of his selections, and how would yours differ?

Posted By: Grant Constable

8 Comments

  • tyto09
    5:45 PM 15/11/2012

    15. O'Connor (Beale makes too much mistakes in his choises and in defense)
    14. Mitchel
    13. AAC
    12. McCAbe
    11. Ioane
    10. Barnes (better tackler than cooper and beale, and more intelligent)
    9. Genia
    8.Palu
    7.David Pocock
    6.Scott Higginbotham
    5.Horwill
    4. Sitaleki Timani
    3. Sekope Kepu
    2.Stephen Moore
    1.Ben Robinson

  • darragh1
    4:54 PM 15/11/2012

    Just have to mention, Rob Kearney is the best at catching high balls in the world, but the worst tackling full back in the world...can't be considered best in defence.

  • onthemoney
    12:33 PM 15/11/2012

    Oh and I'm South African btw

  • onthemoney
    12:28 PM 15/11/2012

    Agree fully with Gregan's forwards (but a lot will depend on form in SupeRugby next year). And I agree with McCabe at 12 because he's the only Wallaby 12 that offers any sort of physicality in the backline, he's a good runner and a good defender (not the best passer though). Whoever you pick at 10 means you need a good hard running and defensive 12 in your team (maybe even Berrick Barnes?) cosw Lions will come with Jamie Roberts or Manu Tuilagi. Quade will have to be in AMAZING form to even touch the squad again, I doubt he can do that. My backline:
    15 Kurtley Beale
    14 Adam-Ashley Cooper
    13 Rob Horne/Anthony Faingaa/Ben Tapuai (depending on form)
    12 Pat McCabe/Berrick Barnes (depending on form)
    11 Digby Ioane
    10 James O'Connor
    9 Will Genia

  • thatguy
    9:50 AM 15/11/2012

    1. Robinson
    2. Palotanau
    3. Kepu
    4. Horwill
    5. Timani
    6. Higgenbotham
    7. Pocock
    8. Palu
    9. Genia
    10. Cooper
    11. Ioane
    12. Occonner
    13. AAC
    14. Mitchell
    15. Beale

  • 6:34 AM 15/11/2012

    Personally, I'd drop Cooper but keep just about everything else in George's line-up. Not just because of the way he is off the pitch, but I have just never really bought into the hype. I don't see what's so amazing about the way he plays.

    Either way though, so many of the names on this list are injured or have been injured recently. What happens if half of the teams stars are out?

  • eggman
    1:01 AM 15/11/2012

    Ideal line up:
    15: Kurtley Beale
    14: Drew Mithell (If he can find his 2010 and early 2011 form, otherwise Shiperly)
    13: AAC (simply the best AC Australia has to offer atm
    12: O'Connor/Tapuai (drop McCabe. Although he's among the most dedicated Wallabies, he misses the necessary skills
    11: Ionae
    10: Cooper (a bit like Campese, either great or shit)/ O'Connor
    9: Genia
    8: Palu
    7: Pocock (better 7 than Hooper)
    6: Hooper (best forward in 2012, and I think also works as a 6)
    5: Horwill
    4: Timani or Douglas, depending on Super XV form
    3: Dan Palmer
    2: Stephen Moore
    1: Benn Robinson (best scrumager, otherwise Slipper)

    Harris nowhere near starting XV. Only thing he's good at is kicking.

  • clone10391
    12:45 AM 15/11/2012

    If not Quade at 10 then put Beale at 10 O'Connor at 12 Rob Horne at 13 mitchell and Ioane on the wings and ashley-cooper at 15. The pack is as solid as the Aussies will get unfortunately

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