Australia v South Africa - Perth - 6 September 2014

[fatprop]

I watched the first half that Skelton played and the half Kev played on the weekend earlier today.
Horwill was pretty busy. He made a of of tackles, moved a lot of people at the breakdown and made some yards up the middle. He looks in pretty good nick. Skelton didn't do himself any favours. He did some good stuff but was in and out of the play rather than steadily contributing. Not sure that is what we need at the start of the test this weekend.

Agreed, Skelton needs to build his workrate

 

[Braveheart81]

It sounded like Skelton was tasked with playing a role he probably wouldn't play in the test match.

I'll be more surprised if Skelton gets dropped from the bench than Carter getting dropped from the 23.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

It sounded like Skelton was tasked with playing a role he probably wouldn't play in the test match.

I'll be more surprised if Skelton gets dropped from the bench than Carter getting dropped from the 23.

agreed - the whole stars game plan seemed to be "give it to Will in midfield and try to get an offload". Their lack of backup, support and general cohesiveness didn't back up on this game plan.

 

[Braveheart81]

1. Slipper
2. Hanson
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Carter
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Horne
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Folau

Bench: Fainga'a, Alexander, Cowan, Horwill, Higginbotham, Hodgson, White, Beale

 

[Braveheart81]

Phipps and Foley start. Kuridrani into 13 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to the wing.

Skelton dropped for Horwill and Hodgson into the side at the expense of a third back reserve.

 

[Pfitzy]

6-2 bench eh?

 

[oztimmay]

Not surprised by the 6 - 2 split, not the effective swap of hodgson for skeleton. Link expecting a big battle in the pack and skelton does need to pick up his workrate. Few rounds in the NRC playing 80min will helps this. Hell if it all goes pear shaped go tell higgers to play on the wing

Phipps/Foley combo has worked really well this year and it's hard not to go past it. White and Beale IMO didn't gel like these two have all year.

I'd say Carter is on his last chance before he is swapped for another lock. I expect a sub at 50 and for big jim to come on and tear victor a new one. Same for Fardy; needs to cut the silly stuff out, otherwise he will be swapped for the next game.

I REALLY am worried about hooker, we are going to be exploited here.

Like RR said, team is announced, time to get behind it.

 

[Pfitzy]

Horwill in there because of the lineout challenge Matfield provides, basically.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Hell if it all goes pear shaped go tell higgers to play stay on the wing

fixed

 

[Highlander35]

Nah, Hooper can play IC like he did in one of the Deans tests.

 

[hammertimethere]

Which is probably fair enough isn't it. Carter will be feeling the heat and will play better for it. The extra forwards on the bench makes sense. The Kuridrani AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) thing and Hanson's/Fainga'a's chances are born of necessity.

To be fair Im enjoying having a wallaby coach, while my emotional side doesn't always agree with him, where I can always see the logic in his selections

 

[Viking]

Still worried about our forwards especially the locks. The bench looks better, I hope they come on early. Hodgeson a good inclusion for the last 30minutes.

 

[Braveheart81]

You'd have to assume that Link is planning to finish the game with:

Simmons, Horwill
Hodgson, Higginbotham, Hooper.

 

[Viking]

You'd have to assume that Link is planning to finish the game with:

Simmons, Horwill
Hodgson, Higginbotham, Hooper.

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[KOB1987]

it will be interesting to see whether Beale replaces Foley or To'omua too..I'm tipping it will be the latter

 

[KOB1987]

and if Phipps is playing well expect not to see White on the park, unless we are winning by a heap..

 

[KOB1987]

and thinking about it, I'd say that Carter is only starting ahead of Horwill because there is doubt over Horwill's ability to play 80 minutes effectively if there was a forced substitution..expect Horwill to get at least 30 minutes, possibly up to 50..

 

[Inside Shoulder]

and thinking about it, I'd say that Carter is only starting ahead of Horwill because there is doubt over Horwill's ability to play 80 minutes effectively if there was a forced substitution..expect Horwill to get at least 30 minutes, possibly up to 50..

I don't think that makes sense, but my brain is hurting.
You couldn't pick anyone you didn't think (rightly or wrongly) could last 79 minutes, at least.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I hope Link intends to sub Beale very late. Whilst we have adequate positional cover from 10 out, We could find ourselves in trouble if there is an injury after Beale goes on due to the 6-2 split.

 

[Wilson]

and thinking about it, I'd say that Carter is only starting ahead of Horwill because there is doubt over Horwill's ability to play 80 minutes effectively if there was a forced substitution..expect Horwill to get at least 30 minutes, possibly up to 50..

I don't think there is doing over Horwill's ability to go the full 80, at least compared to Carter, he just offers more potential impact. If Carter doesn't perform this week I doubt link would hesitate to drop him for Horwill, depending on how he goes off the bench.