RWC: AUS v WAL (Twickenham): POOL A; 2:45am (AEDT) Sunday 11 October

[No4918]

Let's go with McMahon. If it was Pocock out then McCalman would be my preference.

Who comes onto the bench for Beale? Tomane or Speight? Assuming Beale is at15 which is less disruptive and Mitchell is in for Horne.

 

[terry j]

It's awfully quiet dont you think? None of the hype of last week. On past form I'd have expected at least one of CH's wind ups by now. Somethings up, dont know what. I dont like it. I dont like it a bit. too damned quiet

sorry, I've seen it many times now in the thread but for the life of me I can't work it out. Who or what is CH?

 

[KOB1987]

sorry, I've seen it many times now in the thread but for the life of me I can't work it out. Who or what is CH?

It's gatland but I've no idea what it stands for!

 

[Braveheart81]

sorry, I've seen it many times now in the thread but for the life of me I can't work it out. Who or what is CH?

Cement Head. And, yes, it's Gatland.

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

 

[terry j]

ahh, thanks. At least it was obscure enough (ie not obvious) that I don't have to call myself that.

 

[Viking]

It's a pretty damn good position to be in to lose 2 of our best players and still have confidence in the replacements.

McCalman or McMahon will get the job done.
Beale/Mitchell - will do just fine at fullback
And we got so many damn wingers I'm sure one will be in-form by now.

If this was a year or two ago I'd be shitting bricks at losing Hooper and Folau - who wouldn't look out of place in a world XV.

 

[Cardiffblue]

It's only Lord Bald FFS.

I know. But it's funny to read it cos he never in a million years thought he was talking about England going out the comp. Lord Bald is a complete anti Welsh xenophobe. When he penned that crap he thought he signalling the death of rugby in Wales.

 

[fatprop]

With the Welsh prone to play two fetchers, McMahon appears to be the logical choice, he plays a lot like Hooper as well

More interested to see who gets picked for Horne, and if Folau is out, the bench


Assuming both out

15 Beale
14 Tomane
13 Kuridrani
12 Gits
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
10 Foley

But the Bench ................. Cooper or Speight for Back 3 bench cover?

Cooper can do 15 or wing at a pinch (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to cover 13)
Speight can do wing & 13 (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to cover 15)

Fark AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) becomes important

 

[Chunderstruck]

Massive test of the wobs' consistency (the buzzword) against Wales. Last week must have felt like a grand final although a loss here would be equally grave for our hopes, not too mention massively deflating.

I have faith that MC and Squeek have everyone's feet on the ground. The Welsh will be trickier and won't have ridiculous pressure on them.

 

[Viking]

With the Welsh prone to play two fetchers, McMahon appears to be the logical choice, he plays a lot like Hooper as well

More interested to see who gets picked for Horne, and if Folau is out, the bench


Assuming both out

15 Beale
14 Tomane
13 Kuridrani
12 Gits
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
10 Foley

But the Bench ....... Cooper or Speight for Back 3 bench cover?

Cooper can do 15 or wing at a pinch (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to cover 13)
Speight can do wing & 13 (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to cover 15)

Fark AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) becomes important

I disagree Cooper can do wing and fullback at a pinch. I think it's been proven this season he isn't very versatile, he's a sole 10. If you want the best cover then you have to pick Speight or Mitchell on the bench.

Although, I'd suspect Cooper may get on the bench anyway, Cheika might want to give him game time at 10 and this is the only chance he has to do it. Can't risk putting him on the bench in the finals.

 

[wamberal]

I disagree Cooper can do wing and fullback at a pinch. I think it's been proven this season he isn't very versatile, he's a sole 10. If you want the best cover then you have to pick Speight or Mitchell on the bench.

Although, I'd suspect Cooper may get on the bench anyway, Cheika might want to give him game time at 10 and this is the only chance he has to do it. Can't risk putting him on the bench in the finals.

Disagree with your assessment of Cooper - nobody would pick him to start anywhere but 10, but, a bit like Beale, he has the skills to play in other positions in the last 20, when things open up and structures start to collapse.


I for one would be very comfortable seeing Cooper on the bench, he is a potential match-winner.

 

[fatprop]

I disagree Cooper can do wing and fullback at a pinch. I think it's been proven this season he isn't very versatile, he's a sole 10. If you want the best cover then you have to pick Speight or Mitchell on the bench.

Although, I'd suspect Cooper may get on the bench anyway, Cheika might want to give him game time at 10 and this is the only chance he has to do it. Can't risk putting him on the bench in the finals.

Yeah forgot about Mitchell, he wins!

 

[A mutterer]

while i'd like to see the mchocock released i think it's unlikely.

i'd say AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to fullback is most likely, with beale on the wing.

then a fight between speight and mitchell for the bench spot.

 

[Viking]

From a poster who previously suffered from Anti-Foley syndrome, I hope he can replicate even half the game he played last week, I'd hate for my condition to flare up again.

But to be fair, one absolutely great game in gold doesn't make you a great player. I truly hope its not a one-off.

 

[Mr Doug]

Massive test of the wobs' consistency (the buzzword) against Wales. Last week must have felt like a grand final although a loss here would be equally grave for our hopes, not too mention massively deflating.

I have faith that MC and Squeek have everyone's feet on the ground. The Welsh will be trickier and won't have ridiculous pressure on them.

Chunderstruck, I can remember when "commitment" was the 'buzzword', back in 1976.
As secretary of the Quirindi Rugby Club, NSW, (and a very average reserve grade second rower), I would sit in on the 'after training lecture' given by the first grade coach, one Alan Jones. The word commitment was frequently pressed upon the players on very cold nights, when most, (if not all) of them wanted to get off the field, have a shower, and go up to the Golf Club for a few rum and cokes!!

 

[Viking]

while i'd like to see the mchocock released i think it's unlikely.

i'd say AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to fullback is most likely, with beale on the wing.

then a fight between speight and mitchell for the bench spot.

I think Cheika will go with McCalman too but I am so keen to see how McMahon will go against a top teir nation, I would love to see him start.

Beale to fullback is way more likely then shifting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Beale has more experience at fullback, and is generally considered a very good one. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) also has experience there but was only ever considered a solid option. Beale is much more natural in the position - plus he has barely any wing experience.

 

[KOB1987]

Originally I was thinking that McCalman would get the nod but I now think that the B team is effectively the shadow team, and that replacements will be the like for like ones from that team. I think we saw evidence (in reverse) of that in the Uruguay game when Sio was selected at LHP to cover for Slipper.

So by that logic:
McMahon for Hooper
Mitchell for Horne
Beale for Folau
Speight to take Beale's bench spot.

 

[Cardiffblue]

With the Welsh prone to play two fetchers, McMahon appears to be the logical choice, he plays a lot like Hooper as well

More interested to see who gets picked for Horne, and if Folau is out, the bench


Assuming both out

15 Beale
14 Tomane
13 Kuridrani
12 Gits
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
10 Foley

But the Bench ....... Cooper or Speight for Back 3 bench cover?

Cooper can do 15 or wing at a pinch (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to cover 13)
Speight can do wing & 13 (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to cover 15)

Fark AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) becomes important

Do we? I think we play one and a tackling machine

 

[Red-L]

I agree with the like for like swap with McMahon. If Beale is at fullback... we are going to have one obvious problem. Wales will be putting up bombs all night long as the whole world knows Beale cant catch to save his life. I would be giving Mitchell the nod over Tomane. I would be giving Cooper the bench spot as he deserves it. It will probably be his last game of the world cup and IMO is a much better kick returner then Beale anyway at fullback/would be a great sub 10 to go to mix the attack up.

 

[KOB1987]

I agree with the like for like swap with McMahon. If Beale is at fullback. we are going to have one obvious problem. Wales will be putting up bombs all night long as the whole world knows Beale cant catch to save his life. I would be giving Mitchell the nod over Tomane. I would be giving Cooper the bench spot as he deserves it. It will probably be his last game of the world cup and IMO is a much better kick returner then Beale anyway at fullback/would be a great sub 10 to go to mix the attack up.

Every time someone says something like 'Beale can't catch to save his life' I request evidence. No one has been able to produce it yet. It's a myth. He has weaknesses but that's not one of them.