Australia v Ireland, Sat 9th June @ 8.00pm, Suncorp Brisbane

[Up the Guts]

Well Cheika’s found a way to get AAA, Tupou and Kepu in the team. Hopefully AAA remembers how loosehead works.

 

[KOB1987]

Hodge is a better option on a 6:2 bench. We've got every position covered at least twice as a contingency.

 

[The torpedo]

and he has:

Looks like we'll be running minimal lineouts (and 5-man ones when we do)

EDIT: also would prefer 11. Koroibete 14. Folau 15. DHP

 

[kiap]

He hasn't even gone TK on the bench. Time Kerevi stepped up.

Yeah, although I don't think TK is a real bench option, especially in a 6-2 split.

His number starts with "1" or he's done.

 

[Up the Guts]

Wonder how the logistics work out for back row replacements. Does Tui come on for Timu and Pocock moves to 8? If so then where does Samu fit in? Do they sub both Pocock and Timu and Samu plays 8 and Tui plays 6? Will be interesting.

 

[eastman]

Yeah, although I don't think TK is a real bench option, especially in a 6-2 split.



His number starts with "1" or he's done.

You mean his number starts with 1 and finishes with 3- I don't think he provides much versatility (although potentially a crash ball 12)

 

[fatprop]

He hasn't even gone TK on the bench. Time Kerevi stepped up.

Edit: Yaaaay test rugby. Been waiting for this all damn year.

Happens each year, TK will be recalled by the RC, if not before

 

[KOB1987]

You mean his number starts with 1 and finishes with 3- I don't think he provides much versatility (although potentially a crash ball 12)

you could play him on the wing too at a stretch but Hodge has a reasonably good working knowledge of anything from 10-15 without being first pick for any of them

 

[kiap]

EDIT: also would prefer 11. Koroibete 14. Folau 15. DHP

Agreed, but if the 15 jersey is the requirement for Folau then so be it.

Their roles will be set regardless.

 

[The torpedo]

Agreed, but if the 15 jersey is the requirement for Folau then so be it.

Their roles will be set regardless.

It's pretty bloody whiny of Izzy if he has to play 15 to be happy.

 

[Derpus]

Happens each year, TK will be recalled by the RC, if not before

Yeah i think so too.

 

[kiap]

You mean his number starts with 1 and finishes with 3- I don't think he provides much versatility (although potentially a crash ball 12)

Yeah, but that would've spoiled the 'metre' of the "one and done".

 

[Zero_Cool]

I think Timu at 8 is a bit of liability, when Pocock has shown himself quite proficient there unless they do some Micky Mouse stuff playing Timu at 8 on defensive scrums and 6 on attacking scrums.

Timu has concerns around coming off scrums in defence to play 6, but also doesn't hold the ball well enough at 8.

 

[barbarian]

The biggest weakness in that XV is our backline defence. A lot of pressure on Kerevi to step up, as there are no noted defenders in that lineup. Koroibete is handy but I don't trust him to defend anywhere near the 10/12 channel.

If the Irish forwards get a roll on we could be in real trouble out wide.
.

 

[Sully]

TK is a verified test quality 13 though.

He was last year. Who knows this year.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Up the Guts]

Has the Irish team been announced? I was reading some rumours that it's not a full strength side.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Never doubted Kerevi’s technical tackling ability (see the Foley tackle), he clearly knows how, but a 13 also needs to know when and where, which has never been Kerevi’s strength. I get wanting to try someone other than Kuridrani with his current Super form, but surely it should have been Rona; we’ve seen the Kerevi show before, and I hope this isn’t a rerun.

Also, Ala'alatoa as the reserve LHP boggles the mind. Just pick JP Smith and know that your reserve won’t be a liability in the scrum.

But, regardless, I’m excited to see the Wallabies play again.

 

[Simon.]

A few pleasant surprises in there - Cheika seems to have selected primarily on Super form which I wasn't expecting. I think Cheika got the props situation dead right, that's four solid scrummaging props and for once I won't feel a cold chill the first time the ref signals a scrum after the 60 minute mark. The lineout concerns me with that back row but Timu deserves the spot on form, and there are three jumpers on the bench including two locks.

Kerevi similarly deserves the 13 jersey on Super form IMO, it's up to him to prove his defence is up to it. And Hodge is the best bench option for a 6-2 split.

Simmons and Phipps - at least that's proof it's definitely Cheika's team and he hasn't been knocked off and replaced by a Reptilian shapeshifter.

 

[Zero_Cool]

A few pleasant surprises in there - Cheika seems to have selected primarily on Super form which I wasn't expecting. I think Cheika got the props situation dead right, that's four solid scrummaging props and for once I won't feel a cold chill the first time the ref signals a scrum after the 60 minute mark. The lineout concerns me with that back row but Timu deserves the spot on form, and there are three jumpers on the bench including two locks.

Kerevi similarly deserves the 13 jersey on Super form IMO, it's up to him to prove his defence is up to it. And Hodge is the best bench option for a 6-2 split.

Simmons and Phipps - at least that's proof it's definitely Cheika's team and he hasn't been knocked off and replaced by a Reptilian shapeshifter.

I don't think any of those are really surprises, except playing Timu at 8 instead of Po, maybe Koroibete playing at 14 instead of 11 otherwise Latu's selection is curious but with no Rangi in the squad he was the only available option (IIRC).
Maybe not picking Robinson is a little surprising but only because of the 'Cheika's favourites' but AAA should be up to it. Not sure on Simmons but he's been good this season, maybe Tui could replace him entirely next game if he plays well.

 

[Derpus]

I don't think any of those are really surprises, except playing Timu at 8 instead of Po, maybe Koroibete playing at 14 instead of 11 otherwise Latu's selection is curious but with no Rangi in the squad he was the only available option (IIRC).
Maybe not picking Robinson is a little surprising but only because of the 'Cheika's favourites' but AAA should be up to it. Not sure on Simmons but he's been good this season, maybe Tui could replace him entirely next game if he plays well.

It's Robertson bro. Ben Robinson has retired .