Australia v South Africa - Perth - 6 September 2014

[fatprop]

So we all think Sam Carter is not a chance?

 

[Braveheart81]

So we all think Sam Carter is not a chance?

I think he's the most likely forward to face the axe following Bledisloe 2 and I think Link is more likely to give Horwill/Skelton a crack off the bench than retain Carter in that role.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Reports suggested that neither Horwill nor Skelton did a huge amount. Skelton played 80 minutes though which surely helps him even if he wasn't hugely effective.

I was a bit miffed at the way the Stars used skelton. he was clearly told "stand in mid field, and belt the ball up every phase. Try to offload as much as possible. keep yourself free for the next phase and don't get involved at ruck time". He went OK with the ball, even had a great little lineout move with the hooker resulting in a rare line break, but he didn't do much tight stuff. There was one ruck where the rising looked to be getting over, and he drove about 3 of their blokes back off the ball. the run would have done him good - he looked a bit short on match fitness, but he was asked to carry on nearly every possession

 

[fatprop]

I think he's the most likely forward to face the axe following Bledisloe 2 and I think Link is more likely to give Horwill/Skelton a crack off the bench than retain Carter in that role.

I would give Carter another crack, he is the best TH lock we have and one average game doesn't make him crap, but I wouldn't pick Skelton anyway, Horwill on the bench

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I would give Carter another crack, he is the best TH lock we have and one average game doesn't make him crap, but I wouldn't pick Skelton anyway, Horwill on the bench

Do 2 average games satisfy that description? His body height was crap in Sydney.

 

[I like to watch]

The only squad members that played were Pek Cowan (who will be on the bench and didn't get on in the second Bledisloe), James Horwill and Will Skelton (who haven't had much football lately), Kyle Godwin (returning from injury, very unlikely to be in the 23) and Matt Hodgson (also unlikely to be in the 23).

Lilo is in the squad?

 

[fatprop]

Do 2 average games satisfy that description? His body height was crap in Sydney.

That is another question, why was he being used regularly as a ball runner, the guy is a rock lifter, there to cleanout, tackle and push

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think we'll see Phipps/Foley at 9/10 and I think that is the right way to go. I also think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will go to wing with Kuridrani at 13. Otherwise, I always thought Skelton might get a start against the Saffas but that might be a step too far for Link. The rest remain as is.

 

[Braveheart81]

Lilo is in the squad?

Sorry, Lilo as well. The golden rule is I always forget one. On the podcast it was Cowan!

 

[Braveheart81]

I would give Carter another crack, he is the best TH lock we have and one average game doesn't make him crap, but I wouldn't pick Skelton anyway, Horwill on the bench

I just think it is hard from a mental state to go into the next test with exactly the same pack except for your injured hooker after the shellacking they got in Auckland.

I figure there will be one or two scapegoats and I see Carter as the most likely and Fardy as the second most likely (although I'm tipping Fardy will stay).

 

[PaarlBok]

The Bokke chance to beat the Wallabies as as slim as Zimbabwes vs Australia in cricket. Wallabies by 55.

 

[Ash]

I think that Horwill is a better lock than Carter, but the question is, is Horwill a better lock than Carter right now?

Or perhaps more pertinent, will Horwill regain his previous high level after his run of bad injuries?

 

[Redsman]

difference between aussies / saffas and kiwis is that the kiwis seem to keep the core of their forward pack game after game and build on it... I know its easy when you're winning... but it obviously works...

I'd like to see Skelton get some good game time (whether off bench or starting) and Higgers IMO needs to get a chance to start with Fardy to bench.

Reality is it would be nice to get some core forwards locked in and to really start building toward RWC next year... im sure Links thinking this too...

 

[Sully]

If you look at Slipper, Moore, Simmons, Hooper and Palu there is a core

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[wamberal]

The Bokke chance to beat the Wallabies as as slim as Zimbabwes vs Australia in cricket. Wallabies by 55.

Check the cricket scores, mate.

 

[qwerty51]

Check the cricket scores, mate.

I think that's the joke?

 

[KOB1987]

^^^yuh

 

[wamberal]

I think that's the joke?

It might have been, had he picked the Saffers to thrash us. Or have I missed something?

 

[Sully]

It might have been, had he picked the Saffers to thrash us. Or have I missed something?

Yes you have. He always backs against the Saffers because he can't back a winner.

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[qwerty51]

McKenzie has kept his plans for the halves tightly under wraps but at training on Monday afternoon ran the Waratahs' title-winning combination of Phipps at halfback and Foley at No.10.
Tevita Kuridrani ran in the midfield outside Matt To'omua and Adam Ashley-Cooper shifted out to the wing, where he started this Test season against France. Incumbent winger Rob Horne retained his spot, as did Israel Folau at fullback.

James Hanson is expected to be named at hooker on Tuesday in place of an injured Nathan Charles as the Wallabies plumb the depths of their hooking stocks.
McKenzie is expected to persevere with his preferred second row pairing of Rob Simmons with Sam Carter, despite the lure of rookie Will Skelton's x-factor and bulk. Former captain James Horwill is also pressing for a return via the bench after playing 40 minutes in the National Rugby Championship on Sunday.
In the back row, the Wallabies coach is expected to stick with the combination of Scott Fardy and Michael Hooper at No. 6 and No. 7 respectively, but could bring Matt Hodgson into the 23 for the Western Force veteran's skill at the breakdown.
No. 8 Wycliff Palu also appeared to have done enough to keep his spot despite the loss in Auckland, leaving Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman options off the bench.