I'M OVERDUE FOR A BLOG - SO WHAT WILL THE WALLABIES SQUAD LOOK LIKE AT THE RWC?

Just when you thought we had a settled line-up after the Northern tour, it is worth speculating on those who couldn’t go for one reason or another, those who couldn’t be selected because they haven’t been seen yet, those coming back from injuries, those who will be next season’s “bolters.”

Once the Supe 15 season kicks off, all bets are off in regard to the last tour, though some like Cooper, Genia, O’Connor and Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell, to name a few, have definitely put a marker in the sand, as have Slipper and, Robinson, and probably McCalman.

But it’s a longer Super 15 season, there are lots more opportunities to impress, just as there are lots more opportunities for season-ending injuries before the RWC.

So it seems to me that the field is wide open.

Since Robbie Deans, himself, was quoted as saying “there are no Wallabies until the next squad is picked,” I thought that I would adopt the theme and categorise the next squad into Probables, Possibles and Bolters.

There are some old names on the bolters list, such as Mortlock, Waugh, Baxter, but you never know, a couple of strong performances, some injuries and they get a foot in the door.

You would back those guys to go all out and keep their noses in front of some of the rookies, and the World Cup year is not a time for blooding new rookies, unless one or two absolutely stand out.

I’ve also included some “league’ies” on the bolters list, such as Saffy, Rooney and Vuna, since they come across with pretty strong reputations. But they are up against it.

Here’s the list.

Probables:
Forwards
Props: Robinson, Alexander, Slipper,
Hookers: Polota-Nau, Moore, Faingaa
Locks: Sharpe, Vickerman, Chisholm, Horwill
Flankers: Higginbotham, Elsom, Brown, Pocock
No 8: Palu, McCalman

Backs:
Half back: Burgess, Genia
No 10: Barnes, Cooper
Centres: Ashley-Cooper, Giteau, Faingaa. Ioane
Wingers: O’Connor, MItchell, Turner, Morahan
Full-back: Beale, Hynes,

POSSIBLES:
Forwards
Props: Kepu, Henderson, Blake, Shepherdson
Hooker: Edmonds, Freier
Locks: Mumm, Chapman, Simmons, Kimlin, Humphries, Byrnes
Flankers: Salvi
No 8: Hoiles

Backs:
Half Backs: Phipps, Kingi
No 10: Toomua
Centres: Horne,
Wingers: Shepherd, Davies, Cummins, McCabe

POSSIBLE BOLTERS:
Forwards:
Props: Baxter, Palmer
Lock: Dennis
Flankers: Stubbs, Waugh, McCutcheon, Saffy

Backs:
Inside Backs: Karauria-Henry, Mortlock, Lealiifano, Vuna,
Outside backs: Chambers, Taumoepeau
Fullbacks: Gerrard, Huxley, Rooney