TRC Round 1: South Africa v Australia, Sunday 21 July 1:05am AEST

[Braveheart81]

How has Kepu been going for the Tahs at tight head? Has he been starting?

Yes. He played far too many minutes again this season due to the reserve (Chris Talakai) being a bit of a novice.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Man that's a big pack they've picked. Don't mind it at all actually. I have a feeling that the reserves will be needed early doors in the second half though, the big boys will be blowing pretty hard.

The backs are even more interesting. White, Hodge and Banks starting. I have a feeling the Wallabies will be kicking a lot, which makes sense given the altitude.

 

[KOB1987]

How has Kepu been going for the Tahs at tight head? Has he been starting?

He looked like he needed a break but he's now had one. Robertson was starting at the end of the season for that reason I'd say.

 

[Braveheart81]

He looked like he needed a break but he's now had one. Robertson was starting at the end of the season for that reason I'd say.

Robertson started at loose head a couple of games near the end of the season and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) was on the bench. Robertson then started at THP when they had to rest Kepu in the last round.

 

[Tex]

Hodge is lucky to be in the 23 let alone starting wing!

Good luck to Naisarani and Banks. Hopefully Isi ices a few big dutchmen and Banks starting stops the whinging on here from our Canberra brethren!

 

[KOB1987]

Robertson started at loose head a couple of games near the end of the season and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) was on the bench. Robertson then started at THP when they had to rest Kepu in the last round.

Ah OK, recency was foremost in my mind.

 

[formerflanker]

Hodge is lucky to be in the 23 let alone starting wing!

Which begs the question - why was Maddocks sent home to play club rugby?
Perhaps the remainder of TRC will answer many selection questions, assuming our selectors are using the 5 pre-RWC Test as defacto trials. If so, this is Hodge's chance to stamp his claim.

 

[Braveheart81]

Kepu played the second most minutes of any THP with 1012 minutes. He was only passed by Allan Ala'alatoa who played an extra game and it included two finals with 1064 minutes.

 

[Braveheart81]

So this 23 has:

5 Brumbies, all starting
6 Rebels, 3 starting
7 Waratahs, 3 starting
4 Reds, 3 starting
1 Exeter Chief, starting

There would presumably be 8 Brumbies if Sio, Ala'alatoa and Lealifano weren't injured with one or two of them starting.

 

[KOB1987]

So this 23 has:

5 Brumbies, all starting
6 Rebels, 3 starting
7 Waratahs, 3 starting
4 Reds, 3 starting
1 Exeter Chief, starting

There would presumably be 8 Brumbies if Sio, Ala'alatoa and Lealifano weren't injured with one or two of them starting.

2 or 3 of them starting I'd say, although Sio would displace Slipper probably.

 

[Derpus]

Man that's a big pack they've picked. Don't mind it at all actually. I have a feeling that the reserves will be needed early doors in the second half though, the big boys will be blowing pretty hard.

The backs are even more interesting. White, Hodge and Banks starting. I have a feeling the Wallabies will be kicking a lot, which makes sense given the altitude.

Wont be much chase with that back three though.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Wont be much chase with that back three though.

Haha, correct weight.

 

[Braveheart81]

2 or 3 of them starting I'd say, although Sio would displace Slipper probably.

That's what I was implying. Those three couldn't add three Brumbies starters to the 23 because they'd replace one.

 

[cyclopath]

Hodge for me. Horrible running technique but gets the job done Eric Liddell style.

Liddell probably did not run like a ruptured duck.
Hodge does seem to cover the ground reasonably quickly, though.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

He's deceptively fast, that's for sure.

 

[Derpus]

He's deceptively fast, that's for sure.

Still get skinned by Nkosi and Mapimpi.

 

[Froggy]

Best side we could put together under the circumstances I think.
Front row is interesting, two props in their 30's will be replaced by two 23 year-olds!

 

[Up the Guts]

Liddell probably did not run like a ruptured duck.
Hodge does seem to cover the ground reasonably quickly, though.

Yes, perhaps Liddell was more a windmill of bones while Hodge does a good impression of a monopedal aquatic bird. Neither of the two would be described as poetry in motion.

 

[Up the Guts]

So this 23 has:

5 Brumbies, all starting
6 Rebels, 3 starting
7 Waratahs, 3 starting
4 Reds, 3 starting
1 Exeter Chief, starting

There would presumably be 8 Brumbies if Sio, Ala'alatoa and Lealifano weren't injured with one or two of them starting.

Not much for your friends on the front page to complain about (not for lack of trying).

Big backrow, must be a few years since it was that heavy.

 

[VassMan]

Interesting that Thor stayed on the bench instead of being promoted to starting. Any ideas why?