Surprise Inclusions or Omissions

OK so all the squads have been named and we have all commented on our Squads but as neutrals are there any surprises from other squads.

I will admit to not having seen any Tri Nations games this year so other than seeing the results I couldn't say whose in form or not etc but if New Zealand can afford to leave Gear out then they ar bloody lucky.

England - Suppose it has to be Flutey, I have said for a while that Englands achilles heel is their centre pairing and whilst Flutey hasn't been on form he does offer them something different. I suppose they can move Flood or Johnny there or even Banahan but that still wouldn't solve it IMO.

Scotland - Beattie is the big one for me as I think he is a class act, yes he maybe short of game time but we are taking Jones and if had choice would gamble on Beattie over him. Scotland I suppose (I like) have qite an abundance of back rowers at the mo so maybe thats why he's not going.

Ireland - TOL for me is the big one, some will say Fitzy but I don't think he's done that much for a while and to take a relative new comer over a fit O'Leary is something of a surprise to me.

France - Well the way Lievremont picks his side god knows who is considered a shock or not.

Hape.

How!

Why?

Bedford

About the only thing that would be a surprise for France would be if they don't take Dusatoir - I think Lievremont just draws the others from a hat before each game.

As for England, the only slight surprise is the balance of the squad - has one prop more than I expected, and obviously at the expence of Flutey. Had 28 spots correct and a coin toss between Shaw and Fourie - glad to see Shaw get that spot.

Beattie was the big surprise for Scotland, although I think Greg Laidlaw can consider himself unlucky not to be on the plane. He was certainly the form scrum half going into the warm-up matches, and didn't really get a chance.

The omission of Domingo was the big surprise for me from the French squad. Apparently he's carrying a knock, but reports are that it's not that significant, and he could have made the later group stage matches. He's such a class act I'd have risked him personally.

My surprise was actually Aled Brew included for Wales - not that he doesn't deserve to go, but I was surprised that Gatland opted for a 14/16 split rather than 13/17. I would have sacrificed Brew to take another forward.

offload,

Yeah I must admit I am surprised though pleased that Brew went. Like you I thought they would have dropped a back to allow for the 5th prop not another forward.

Charteris!!! Why for the love of god

I remember a commentator saying that he is effectively only picked because of his height, fact is i don't think he has ever performed in a Wales shirt

Ok a slightly off cuff one....

But the England packs breakdown and dynamism is appalling, as is the whole teams ability to create or run proper angles in attack.

Thus i say both the forwards and attack coaches are lucky to be there.

With regards to players...

Hape!!!!!???? How on earth is he there.
Tindall...great servant, but come on he has the creative ability of my gran....

I wouldn't say TOL was a big omission for Ireland after the way he played in the France match Jennings was more a surprise to me imo.

anyone else think shaws selection is a sympathy/nostalgia pick?

and gatts he was the better welsh lock against england in cardiff

Martyn Williams
Matt Giteau

Yes agreed Giteau surprised me, must be well of his game. as for Nugget...hugely disappointed for him but really the decision was the right one and he will figure the minute SW is injured

Giteau has been pretty off form over the last couple of seasona and he himself wasn't too surprised at the omission. I just think himself and Nugget bring so much experience. I'm not sure if that warrants a place but still surprising.

Giteau is a trouble maker and has been pretty hopeless recently. I'm not surprised at all

How long is Barnes gonna last for?

3 games

Yeah, I wonder if Barnes will last through the whole campaign, the last reports i heard a while back was that his career was in jeopardy because of sustained trauma to the head.

Wales suprise inclusions:

Brew (one of 8 wide three players!)
Powell (court jester!)

Omissions:

Turnbull (very good 7 or 6 and can play lock)

Biltong, have a read of the following article. Barnes is talking a good game and it would be awesome if the game can welcome him back. However I wouldn't want my own son to take such a risk.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/berrick-barnes-now-ready-to-take-on-tanks/story-fn8ouw0e-1226118256216

Seagultaf wrote:Wales suprise inclusions:

Brew (one of 8 wide three players!)
Powell (court jester!)

Omissions:

Turnbull (very good 7 or 6 and can play lock)

Sea,

I must admit that I was urprised (but glad) to see Brew in, thought they would have taken a 5th prop at his expense.

I am not surprised (and not glad) that Powell is included, especially once I seen that he had no intention of using Delve at all.

Am surprised that we only have one out n out 7 in there.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Seagultaf wrote:Wales suprise inclusions:

Brew (one of 8 wide three players!)
Powell (court jester!)

Omissions:

Turnbull (very good 7 or 6 and can play lock)

Sea,

I must admit that I was urprised (but glad) to see Brew in, thought they would have taken a 5th prop at his expense.

I am not surprised (and not glad) that Powell is included, especially once I seen that he had no intention of using Delve at all.

Am surprised that we only have one out n out 7 in there.

I'm actually surprised England took a 5th prop. Most teams usually try to make do with 4 in a 30 man squad. Especially seeing as you only carry 1 prop on the bench at international level

Even more surprising when England actually have 3 props that can genuinely cover both sides. With Moody's fitness in question, I'm slightly surprised Fourie didn't get the nod to go as well.

Suprised at no Turnbull or Delve

Suprised and Glad that Brews in

Suprised and really annoyed that Powell is in - he's a 1 trick pony and sadly they don't allow golf carts on the pitch!

Powell is Gatland's pet.