Wallabies 2020

[Zero_Cool]

Nah, I think it's much easier to come off the bench for a test match, the game isn't quite as fast as it is in those opening 20 min. Particularly in test matches the first 10/15/20 min the pace is exceptionally frenetic compared to Super Rugby, especially the AB's. But beyond that you get to come into a known situation, the players around you have settled in. If we are starting O'Connor (I'd probably pull To'omua, but maybe Koro/Daugnu and move Jordie to the wing), then you'd presumably keep him on the field and he could help ease Lolesio into the play-making role.


Plus if he isn't up to it we can shift him to the wing or something and we aren't out a substitution.

I don't think playing To'omua at flyhalf in test rugby is a good idea.

 

[dru]

Absolutely it is a lessor risk to test a debutant from the bench. Amongst everything else they have less exposure to fuck up a test.

In the end the HC will be making the call on who is ready and how ready they are. I’m really looking forward to the announcement tomorrow.

Go boys, and be bold Rennie.

 

[Derpus]

Angus Bell
Tom Horton
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Rob Simmons
Ned Hanigan
Lachie Swinton
Michael Hooper
Harry Wilson
Jake Gordon
Will Harrison
Marika Korobiete
Matt To’omua
Jordan Petaia
James Ramm
Jack Maddocks

First Bledisloe cup winning team in 20 years right there.

 

[rugboy]

First Bledisloe cup winning team in 20 years right there.

Just hope the 8, 11, 12 and 13 don't cost us. Obviously the weak links.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Angus Bell
Tom Horton
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Rob Simmons
Ned Hanigan
Lachie Swinton
Michael Hooper
Harry Wilson
Jake Gordon
Will Harrison
Marika Korobiete
Matt To’omua
Jordan Petaia
James Ramm
Jack Maddocks

Not enough Tahs clearly.

 

[Zero_Cool]

So the SMH is reporting the following:
Starting: Willson, Daugunu (Wing), Pisami, Korobete (Wing), O'Connor (10).
Bench: Lolesio, Valetini.
Out: Petaia

 

[rodha]

So the SMH is reporting the following:
Starting: Willson, Daugunu (Wing), Pisami, Korobete (Wing), O'Connor (10).
Bench: Lolesio, Valetini.
Out: Petaia

If true, Paisami at 13 is a genuine surprise for me considering how he was exposed defensively in the Super Rugby Au grand final. He wasn't able to defend his channel and it cost the Reds dearly.

 

[Hawko]

Well, it appears RA have caved again (surprise, surprise) and our very new team and coaching set-up will have four (count-em FOUR) games against NZ in the first five weeks. This is utter madness. We should have told the Kiwi's to just suck it up. Four in five weeks against anyone is nuts; against NZ - words fail me.

At the end of that we would be lucky to beat the Killara under nines. I suspect that a few careers will be stuffed by the end of the year, probably the youngsters who will have to be thrown in due to injury. They'll be chewed up and spat out the other end. Rennie must be fuming!

 

[kiap]

Meh, would've been three games in a row anyway.

Argies and Boks will be doing it tougher.

Play up, and play the game.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Game 1 team
WALLABIES (1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper, Pete Samu, Nic White, James O'Connor, Marika Koroibete, Matt To'omua, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Tom Banks
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Ala'alatoa, Rob Simmons, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Reece Hodge

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

Game 1 team
WALLABIES (1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper, Pete Samu, Nic White, James O'Connor, Marika Koroibete, Matt To'omua, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Tom Banks
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Ala'alatoa, Rob Simmons, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Reece Hodge

Yep - lots more chat on the team over on the game thread

 

[Purce]

I am wondering if anyone else has noticed that To'omua seems to be doing most of the media? We haven't heard much from Hoops in the lead up to the tests starting(not that I have seen anyway, I do not live in oz so mainly social media and internet news etc).

From all reports Rennie is an intelligent operator with a pretty good feel for his players. I wonder if this is a deliberate action by the coaching staff to keep Hoop out of the media and public eye given some of the carry on towards him over the past couple years as well as when he was named the Captain again this year. If so I applaud it and think it is a smart move.

Also To'omua does hold himself very well in front of the media. He comes across as an intelligent likeable leader with good communication skills. I've always liked him, very impressed with his presence as a spokesman.

 

[molman]

I am wondering if anyone else has noticed that To'omua seems to be doing most of the media? We haven't heard much from Hoops in the lead up to the tests starting(not that I have seen anyway, I do not live in oz so mainly social media and internet news etc).

From all reports Rennie is an intelligent operator with a pretty good feel for his players. I wonder if this is a deliberate action by the coaching staff to keep Hoop out of the media and public eye given some of the carry on towards him over the past couple years as well as when he was named the Captain again this year. If so I applaud it and think it is a smart move.

Also To'omua does hold himself very well in front of the media. He comes across as an intelligent likeable leader with good communication skills. I've always liked him, very impressed with his presence as a spokesman.

To'omua did a lot of the media work for the Rebels even though DHP was captain. If you look at how a lot of teams operate these days, the captain rarely does extra media/promotional work on top of all the official responsibilities he will already have - post match interviews etc... I haven't been following the NZ media as closely, but I doubt Sam Cane has been doing a lot of extra interviews/podcasts etc.. atm.

 

[dru]

I am wondering if anyone else has noticed that To'omua seems to be doing most of the media? We haven't heard much from Hoops in the lead up to the tests starting(not that I have seen anyway, I do not live in oz so mainly social media and internet news etc).

From all reports Rennie is an intelligent operator with a pretty good feel for his players. I wonder if this is a deliberate action by the coaching staff to keep Hoop out of the media and public eye given some of the carry on towards him over the past couple years as well as when he was named the Captain again this year. If so I applaud it and think it is a smart move.

Also To'omua does hold himself very well in front of the media. He comes across as an intelligent likeable leader with good communication skills. I've always liked him, very impressed with his presence as a spokesman.

However it translates to the game, To’omua is clearly presented as a WB leader in the off field area. I’d suggest he is doing very well too.

 

[qwerty51]

Skelton was a fucking brute for La Rochelle in their 36-19 victory away at Bayonne.

Rennie would've been watching I'm sure.

 

[KOB1987]

With that draw we jumped from 7th to 5th on the WR (World Rugby) rankings and NZ stay second. I ran the outcome with the Hodge penalty going over and it was the same, albeit a bit tighter.

 

[Zero_Cool]

So I think Daugunu and Koro should be locked in going forwards....
Pisami will obviously make way for Jordie when he's back, but even he was fairly good.
I'm not sure Lolesio will be getting game time any time soon O'Connor was pretty exceptional.
Not sure about Banks, but he was probably good enough.

I'm not sure on the back row balance but Wilson was very impressive for his first test. I feel like we might need Wright in for Samu to help keep the Kiwi's off the ball.
I liked LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) moving to 8 to finish the game, but I was unimpressed with Rob Simmons -- doing what he does... Valetini didn't help his cause so maybe Wright to start at 6 and Pete to the bench. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) & Phillip were good.
Not sure what to do about the scrum, maybe another referee on another day will yield different results, or maybe Sio comes in?

 

[Dctarget]

So I think Daugunu and Koro should be locked in going forwards..
Pisami will obviously make way for Jordie when he's back, but even he was fairly good.
I'm not sure Lolesio will be getting game time any time soon O'Connor was pretty exceptional.
Not sure about Banks, but he was probably good enough.

I'm not sure on the back row balance but Wilson was very impressive for his first test. I feel like we might need Wright in for Samu to help keep the Kiwi's off the ball.
I liked LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) moving to 8 to finish the game, but I was unimpressed with Rob Simmons -- doing what he does. Valetini didn't help his cause so maybe Wright to start at 6 and Pete to the bench. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) & Phillip were good.
Not sure what to do about the scrum, maybe another referee on another day will yield different results, or maybe Sio comes in?

You gotta start checking the match threads ZC.

 

[KOB1987]

^^^ Re the scrum, a ref that officiates both teams the same way would be a good start

 

[Zero_Cool]

I figured this is the better place to discuss the team going forwards?

Plus the match thread is pretty hectic.