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Wallabies squad for Ireland series

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KOB1987

Rod McCall (65)
Just started a match thread, I don't know how to copy your post over, I would have done that to start it otherwise
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
You have to start Kepu and base the scrum off him. Tupou is an incredible talent but there is no need to throw him in to the first test with a debutant hooker and a LH that has shown himself to be vulnerable at times.
We need Tui or Hanigan starting in the back row. Neither would be my first choice......but I do not pick the squad.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
You have to start Kepu and base the scrum off him. Tupou is an incredible talent but there is no need to throw him in to the first test with a debutant hooker and a LH that has shown himself to be vulnerable at times.
We need Tui or Hanigan starting in the back row. Neither would be my first choice..but I do not pick the squad.


Hanigan isn't available for the first test.

I have no issue starting Kepu and had him there in all the previous teams I've picked. I think Tupou has shown himsefl to be very strong in the scrum as well as his overall form being outstanding. If he is struggling Kepu can come on earlier.

Finishing with the Tahs front row sounds like a good option for continuity.

I think Timu's form has been outstanding and his ball running and offloading will be welcomed. I think our lineout will stand up well enough with two good locks and a couple of bit-part options in the backrow.
 

Tomikin

Simon Poidevin (60)
My team (current edition) would be:

Sio, BPA, Tupou
Coleman, Rodda
Pocock, Hooper, Timu
Genia, Foley
Koroibete, Beale, Kuridrani, DHP
Folau

Latu, Robertson, Kepu, Simmons, Samu, Phipps, Hodge, Rona

Tupou's form is hard to deny. He now starts. Latu's experience gets him a gig even though he is (or will probably be) a late edition to the squad. Hard to go into the game with two debutantes at hooker.

Really tempted to select Banks on one of the wings and Rona instead of Kuridrani but I think the short preparation means to go for experience.

Maybe Kerevi makes the side but I think Kuridrani's defence gets the nod.
Do you take Tupou starting knowing that if he gets stitched up you bring on Kepu..guess its safer then having Kepu start bring on Tupou and get hammered..

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
Timu is very exciting. However he is still quite green in union and does not need to be thrown in starting in his first test.
Start Tui at 6, even if he only plays 30-40mins.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
You'd have to imagine, with the selection of Samu, that Tui won't be in the 23. Purely because he has barely had a run all season.
 
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Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
Timu is very exciting. However he is still quite green in union and does not need to be thrown in starting in his first test.
Start Tui at 6, even if he only plays 30-40mins.


I don't really get how picking Tui who has only played 4 tests, played very few games this season and has very limited experience at 6 is the safer option.

I reckon that's about the riskiest selection decision Cheika has available to him.
 

barbarian

Phil Kearns (64)
Staff member
Thor's penchant for giving away a silly penalty or two each game does frustrate me.

I'd rather have Kepu starting with Thor off the bench, in the first test anyway.
 

Merrow

Arch Winning (36)
Thor's penchant for giving away a silly penalty or two each game does frustrate me.

I'd rather have Kepu starting with Thor off the bench, in the first test anyway.
I don’t know, Kepu’s given some pretty dumb penalties away in his time as well. RWC 2015 final springs to mind.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
I'd be amazed if Cheika started Thor. I wouldn't be as amazed if he'd played himself into the starting gig by the end of the series though.
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
I wish we had the same selection problem for 6 that we have at 3.

Actually - having said that I am very happy with a backrow of Timu, Hooper & Pocock everywhere except the lineout.

Maybe a 5 man lineout with the locks and Timu as targets and Hooper & Thor as running options.
 

dru

Tim Horan (67)
I wish we had the same selection problem for 6 that we have at 3.

Actually - having said that I am very happy with a backrow of Timu, Hooper & Pocock everywhere except the lineout.

Maybe a 5 man lineout with the locks and Timu as targets and Hooper & Thor as running options.

For sure the Irish will play to that.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
The frustrating part is that if we had a semi-decent jumper at 6 we'd have a really strong line-out. Simmons, Rodda, and Coleman are all excellent in the air.
 
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dru

Tim Horan (67)
The frustrating part is that if we had a semi-decent jumper at 6 we'd have a really strong line-out. Simmons, Rodda, and Coleman are all excellent in the air.

Two at a time though. How many true jumpers have Ireland got?
 

Zero_Cool

Arch Winning (36)
The frustrating part is that if we had a semi-decent jumper at 6 we'd have a really strong line-out. Simmons, Rodda, and Coleman are all excellent in the air.

I would say with Rodda and Coleman (mix in Simmons off the bench) Timu is likely to be enough of a lineout option. While he's still figuring it out having come across from League he's got pretty good instincts and natural ability for it.
 

dru

Tim Horan (67)
I would say with Rodda and Coleman (mix in Simmons off the bench) Timu is likely to be enough of a lineout option. While he's still figuring it out having come across from League he's got pretty good instincts and natural ability for it.

Cheika has run with two only true jumpers before. It didn't end well. Why would this?
 
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