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Moono75
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Shame we couldn't get Berrick Barnes back from Japan?
Bledisloe #1 - AUS v NZL, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, August 8th
- Thread starter KOB1987
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Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
True enough but improving from 6th to (likely) 3rd in the Rankings is better than going t'other way, no?
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Yeah for sure. I wouldn't care what our ranking is if we won the Bled and the RWC but. But fair chance if we got those two we'd prob grab the número uno spot as a consequence.
That's the thing with the rankings, they are a happy bonus if you're winning. Not necessarily the reason to win (outside of the period leading to RWC pool allocations that is).
That's the thing with the rankings, they are a happy bonus if you're winning. Not necessarily the reason to win (outside of the period leading to RWC pool allocations that is).
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Thankfully winning and the rankings both benefit by us, um, winning!
Na but am sure he would have liked that pick.
chasmac
Dave Cowper (27)
Last time Skelton played the AB's he was miles too slow and could not keep up and made no impact. He has improved his stamina but Horwill needs to be there to cover for him and possibly even start. Either way Skelton is highly unlikely to play 80mins. Simmons will start.
yeah tough job!
As a few others have said, it seems that Cooper was given an extended run at 12 to see if he is an option for anything other than the 10 jersey. At least on that showing, he isn't.
I think Cheika will go with Foley for the first Bledisloe.
It's hard to nail down a side too precisely because Hooper, Fardy, To'omua and Giteau are all questionable in terms of availability. Hopefully Cheika starts Sio this test. Whether Slipper is on the bench is another matter. His injuries are very worrying and it's hard to know what to do. Maybe it's time to give Toby Smith a game off the bench?
I tend to think Simmons and Skelton will start at lock even if Hooper and Pocock are both picked in the starting side. If Fardy is available and Cheika goes down this route I think it will be with Pocock at 8. Palu could certainly figure in this match as well.
Horwill and Mumm look set to battle for one bench spot but I think Horwill will and should take it.
I'd be surprised to see Speight put straight into the starting XV on his return from suspension. Our wingers have been going well. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will remain and Horne will probably reclaim the other wing spot if he has overcome his injury.
I expect to see Beale in the 23 jersey again and think that will remain fairly consistent going forward.
I think Cheika will go with Foley for the first Bledisloe.
It's hard to nail down a side too precisely because Hooper, Fardy, To'omua and Giteau are all questionable in terms of availability. Hopefully Cheika starts Sio this test. Whether Slipper is on the bench is another matter. His injuries are very worrying and it's hard to know what to do. Maybe it's time to give Toby Smith a game off the bench?
I tend to think Simmons and Skelton will start at lock even if Hooper and Pocock are both picked in the starting side. If Fardy is available and Cheika goes down this route I think it will be with Pocock at 8. Palu could certainly figure in this match as well.
Horwill and Mumm look set to battle for one bench spot but I think Horwill will and should take it.
I'd be surprised to see Speight put straight into the starting XV on his return from suspension. Our wingers have been going well. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will remain and Horne will probably reclaim the other wing spot if he has overcome his injury.
I expect to see Beale in the 23 jersey again and think that will remain fairly consistent going forward.
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
Problem is, you're supposed to attack their weakness with your strength, which with our scrum, is a bit like trying to shag a beautiful woman with a semi.
We'd need to be really committed and accurate to pull it off.
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
I wonder how much he has played not being the "wing" defender. Foley and QC (Quade Cooper) were on the wings for lots of Saturday's game and possibly meant tomane was in a position where he didn't really know what he was doing.
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
Stranded on the end of a defensive line that was injury disrupted and lacking any cohesion?
Tomane is fine in defence, but if you're 4-1 no one is going to look like Lima.
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
RE our 10-12 pairing, there are a few options but they must be considered as pairs.
Cooper needs To'omua at 12. He's very creative, he needs strike runners to attack gaps, not a second player trying to be the general.
He needs a direct, line straightening 12 who is also a beast in defence. Any playmaking ability is secondary. Lealiifano is similar, if we're talking about him as a 10.
If Foley is the 10, it's gotta be Lealiifano or Giteau at 12.
Foley plays flat and is a bit of a grafter, he's not as elusive/mercurial as someone like Cooper so he doesn't attract the same attention from the defence as Cooper does. To foil that, he needs a more creative 12 so that the defence is not sure who to focus on.
Cooper needs To'omua at 12. He's very creative, he needs strike runners to attack gaps, not a second player trying to be the general.
He needs a direct, line straightening 12 who is also a beast in defence. Any playmaking ability is secondary. Lealiifano is similar, if we're talking about him as a 10.
If Foley is the 10, it's gotta be Lealiifano or Giteau at 12.
Foley plays flat and is a bit of a grafter, he's not as elusive/mercurial as someone like Cooper so he doesn't attract the same attention from the defence as Cooper does. To foil that, he needs a more creative 12 so that the defence is not sure who to focus on.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
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