Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
We view him as a 7 at test level but he's really 6/8 more than a 7. Not the biggest in size but he has a heart like a horse. Hope he can convert that into something special at the highest level soon.
Wallabies v England, Sat 11th June, 8.00pm, Suncorp Brisbane
- Thread starter KOB1987
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We view him as a 7 at test level but he's really 6/8 more than a 7. Not the biggest in size but he has a heart like a horse. Hope he can convert that into something special at the highest level soon.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
I think that the game plan is heavily reliant on the Pooper so he's there in case of an injury. Also the 6:2 split and the personnel on the bench imply a high intensity game from the forwards, both locks may need to be subbed. Plus there's enough tall timber on the bench to cover for the absence of McCalman.
Froggy
John Solomon (38)
Very impressed with this team. I probably would have gone the conservative route with Lilo at 12, but you never know if you don't have a go, and I'm excited by the idea of the two big Fijians in the centres.
Like many here, I would have gone for McCalman over Mumm, but think he's just there for the Tah haters, After all, with know Skelton or Palu, how are they going to get their outrage!
Like many here, I would have gone for McCalman over Mumm, but think he's just there for the Tah haters, After all, with know Skelton or Palu, how are they going to get their outrage!
I think the game plan will be about speed to clear at the breakdown and playing with the ball at pace in attack
The Pooper will be really about giving our defense the time to re-set and stay aligned
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I'm picking a big year from McMahon.
The guy has been in the set-up for a couple years now with a few solid games under his belt. Can't argue the guy doesn't play with heart - one of the hardest workers in the team. I think he will be hitting his straps at Test level soon as his body naturally gets stronger and he becomes even stronger in contact.
The guy has been in the set-up for a couple years now with a few solid games under his belt. Can't argue the guy doesn't play with heart - one of the hardest workers in the team. I think he will be hitting his straps at Test level soon as his body naturally gets stronger and he becomes even stronger in contact.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Agree with a lot of that.
Which one goes for him - Hooper or Pocock ????
I don't think so.
I just wonder who he replaces and what that does to the lineout balance. I would expect Fardy to be replaced and having lineout options Horwill, Mumm & McMahon to "finish"
emuarse
Desmond Connor (43)
Nope.
Its because England are playing. They are the NH leaders at present, so the game gets the attention. If England were playing the AB's, then these refs would probably be strutting their stuff there.
emuarse
Desmond Connor (43)
Can't agree with you there. With 3 tests to be played, I'd think Cheika would want to get Pickles on for game time experience should Phipps get an injury problem during the series. Also to see how he performs, remembering that Phipps in the lead up to the RWC fell apart somewhat.
Admittedly he's playing like a 'House on Fire' for the Waratahs this season.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I think a lot will be based around 2 or 3 factors:
1. How effective is Pocock - he can potentially be ref'd out of the game with strict breakdown interpretations - in that case McMahon will straight swap.
2. How our line-out is operating - If we are losing the ball every second line-out that could mean Mumm comes on for either Hooper or Poey, keeping McMahon on bench. (worst case scenario - hope this doesn't happen)
3. Straight swap for Hooper if Poey is killing it.
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
But it just seems a little crazy trying to squeeze him into a 23 with Hooper and Pocock. He will not let anyone down but I can't help thinking a more traditional 8 would be the ticket to balance out the bench. He is not really an on the baller but more of a up the middle runner who tackles like a madman and really gets stuck in. It will be a big test for him on Saturday against a big robust English pack.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
As an impact player I think he adds more. He will up the intensity when he comes on. McCalman is really the only other option you have in an 8, he isn't exactly renowned for his intensity. As a starter McCalman certainly has a strong claim but as a finisher I'd go with McMahon - we like madman finishing games.
Although then you wonder why Mumm is there, and I guess as I mentioned already he's a back-up extra jumper if our line-out is getting destroyed.
BDA
Peter Johnson (47)
A few thoughts on the teams named:-
1. Really like the look of the Wallabies side from top to bottom. Particularly interested to see how the centre combination performs. Kerevi will have some holes in his game at 12, but I think the Poms will have a hard time containing him.
2. One look at the benches reveals all about the intention of the teams. Both teams are clearly playing to their strengths. England are going to try to out-muscle us and dominate the set piece (nothing new there) and the Wallabies will look to dominate the breakdown and speed up the pace of the game. I gotta say I really think Eddy is playing with fire. On paper, England get mauled at the breakdown. Say what you want about the Wallabies, but this back-row is arguably (with NZ) the best in world rugby and I think you need a genuine 7 against them, particularly when the Wallabies plan to play quick ball in hand rugby for the full 80. If they're losing the battle at the breakdown there's really no respite on the bench. In fact the selection of McMahon could just compound the problem in the second half. Of course England can still win without winning the breakdown, but it's going to be a tough ask. They'll need to have a staunch defensive line and they'll need to dominate the set piece.
3. I expect we'll see England spread it wide early just to make the Wallabies second guess their tactics, then after that they'll kick the ball all night long.
4. Interesting to see the 6/2 split on the bench. If memory serves me correct the last time we saw that from the Wallabies at Suncorp was the Lions test in 2013 and we know how that turned out (touch wood).
PUMPED!
1. Really like the look of the Wallabies side from top to bottom. Particularly interested to see how the centre combination performs. Kerevi will have some holes in his game at 12, but I think the Poms will have a hard time containing him.
2. One look at the benches reveals all about the intention of the teams. Both teams are clearly playing to their strengths. England are going to try to out-muscle us and dominate the set piece (nothing new there) and the Wallabies will look to dominate the breakdown and speed up the pace of the game. I gotta say I really think Eddy is playing with fire. On paper, England get mauled at the breakdown. Say what you want about the Wallabies, but this back-row is arguably (with NZ) the best in world rugby and I think you need a genuine 7 against them, particularly when the Wallabies plan to play quick ball in hand rugby for the full 80. If they're losing the battle at the breakdown there's really no respite on the bench. In fact the selection of McMahon could just compound the problem in the second half. Of course England can still win without winning the breakdown, but it's going to be a tough ask. They'll need to have a staunch defensive line and they'll need to dominate the set piece.
3. I expect we'll see England spread it wide early just to make the Wallabies second guess their tactics, then after that they'll kick the ball all night long.
4. Interesting to see the 6/2 split on the bench. If memory serves me correct the last time we saw that from the Wallabies at Suncorp was the Lions test in 2013 and we know how that turned out (touch wood).
PUMPED!
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
A lot of that 'falling apart' was imaginary, like Michael Hooper repeatedly getting the lowest player ranking on the G&GR front page.
With a 6:2 bench one of the back reserves will presumably only get a few minutes unless we're smashing them.
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