Bledisloe # 3 - Saturday 31st October, ANZ Stadium

[KOB1987]

A few team predictions for this sneaking through on the Bled 2 thread, so an opportune time to start this a couple of weeks out.

Basis Bled 2 team. Assuming To'omua fit and no O/S players:

13 - OUT: Paisami, IN: Petaia
15 - OUT: Banks, IN: DHP
20 - OUT: Wright, IN: Samu
22 - OUT: Petaia, IN: Lolesio

If To'omua is out:
10 - OUT: JOC (James O'Connor), IN: Lolesio
12 - OUT: To'omua, IN: JOC (James O'Connor)
22 - OUT: Petaia, IN: Paisami

 

[Derpus]

My team would be:

Slipper BPA Tupou
Philip LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Hooper Samu Wilson

9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. MK (be surprised if he's ever that bad again)
12. To'omua (Simone if injured)
13. Petaia
14. Daugunu
15. DHP

16.Sio
17. Uelese
18. AAA
19. Hosea
20. Hanigan
21. Gordon
22. Paisami
23. Hodge

 

[PhilClinton]

I'm starting to come around to the thought that we need either Tupou or Wilson on during the final 20mins.

Our narrow attack was really stifled when those two went off (and losing To'omua didn't help that channel). I'd be tempted to start AAA and have Tupou on at halftime, at least until Rennie feels like Wilson can play 80mins.

Bringing Samu into the side for Wright possibly changes that scenario a bit.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Copied from the Bled2 thread:

Moody & PU-J have both been cleared of serious damage, Foster is hopeful both of them plus SamW will be on the plane come Sunday. Rieko still to be assessed & as well as ASav Reece & Laulala have babies due very shortly. Foster also hinted they'll take fewer than 46 players now that the match-load has been reduced, saying there's guys better off playing M10 in case they're needed rather than sitting around in Oz. He also said some players might get released to play M10 this week & arrive in Sydney after the main group.

 

[Merrow]

Tupou to the bench. And tell him to make his fucking tackles and ditch the stupid kicks.

 

[Viking]

A few team predictions for this sneaking through on the Bled 2 thread, so an opportune time to start this a couple of weeks out.

Basis Bled 2 team. Assuming To'omua fit and no O/S players:

13 - OUT: Paisami, IN: Petaia
15 - OUT: Banks, IN: DHP
20 - OUT: Wright, IN: Samu
22 - OUT: Petaia, IN: Lolesio

If To'omua is out:
10 - OUT: JOC (James O'Connor), IN: Lolesio
12 - OUT: To'omua, IN: JOC (James O'Connor)
22 - OUT: Petaia, IN: Paisami

Lots of posters having 10/12 Lolesio and JOC (James O'Connor).... that channel looks an easy target to attack. Defence too big of a worry there.
If Lolesio starts it's got to be Simone or To'omua at 12.

 

[SamoanNo8]

What are the prospects of Hodge filling the 12 jersey if To'omua is injured? He is familiar with play-making roles, and a big body to secure the channel defensively. Thoughts?

I have concerns about a Lolesio-JOC (James O'Connor) 10-12 combo. Potentially fragile defensively and JOC (James O'Connor) has been solid in the 10 jersey thus far!

 

[Froggy]

For mine, Lolesio only plays 10 if To'omua is fit and Rennie decides he can do a better job of guiding us around the park than JOC (James O'Connor). He definitely needs the experience, the calm head and the strong defence that To'omua provides next to him. JOC (James O'Connor) did a good job in Bled 1, but I though was a bit disappointing on the weekend. I'm sure Lolesio is potentially a better player, but is he ready for the AB's first up?
If To'omua is out, JOC (James O'Connor) definitely stays, and I would bring Simone straight into 12. Hodge may be a safer call, but also imo a negative one, more trying not to lose than trying to win.
MK had one of the worst I've seen him play, but for mine has enough in the bank to stay in the side, I don't think you'll see that again. At the back Banks is, well, safe as bank ('I'll see myself out) but offers no attacking spark. If DHP is fully fit, I would start him, if not stick with Banks. Maddocks offers that spark, but if the AB's rattle him early it could be a train wreck. Best give him a start against the Argies.
I am starting to come around to BR's idea of starting AAA at tight head and bringing TT on with 30 to go. The rest of the pack would be unchanged, but Samu and Valetini to the bench in place of Wright and Simmons. Hanigan can move to lock if necessary later in the game.

 

[KOB1987]

Yes, I also have had a rethink about Lolesio. If To'omua is out then just go the straight sub of Simone at 12. Leave Hodgey at 23, he plays a very valuable role there. And one of Lolesio or Harrison would need to be on the bench in case JOC (James O'Connor) goes down, Hodge could cover there late in the game but I’d hate to see him there for 70 minutes.

 

[zer0]

Copied from the Bled2 thread:

Moody & PU-J have both been cleared of serious damage, Foster is hopeful both of them plus SamW will be on the plane come Sunday. Rieko still to be assessed & as well as ASav Reece & Laulala have babies due very shortly. Foster also hinted they'll take fewer than 46 players now that the match-load has been reduced, saying there's guys better off playing M10 in case they're needed rather than sitting around in Oz. He also said some players might get released to play M10 this week & arrive in Sydney after the main group.

IIRC Laumape should also be available for all matches in Australia. Will be interested to see how much -- if any -- game time Akira and Grace get over the next few weeks. Though Grace may be one deemed better off playing M10, after his injury layoff, and be left to next season.

 

[Derpus]

IIRC Laumape should also be available for all matches in Australia. Will be interested to see how much -- if any -- game time Akira and Grace get over the next few weeks. Though Grace may be one deemed better off playing M10, after his injury layoff, and be left to next season.

Youve already got one giant fucken Blues fluffybunny walking all over us. The rest of em can piss off to the pub, thanks.

 

[Viking]

What are the prospects of Hodge filling the 12 jersey if To'omua is injured? He is familiar with play-making roles, and a big body to secure the channel defensively. Thoughts?

I have concerns about a Lolesio-JOC (James O'Connor) 10-12 combo. Potentially fragile defensively and JOC (James O'Connor) has been solid in the 10 jersey thus far!

Simone a straight swap for To'omua if he is injured seems like a better option. Simone has more experience there and I think offers more then Hodge - who I think is a pretty average (but solid) all round player.

I don't mind Hodge in the 23 for his versatility but I feel he's just there until one of the younger better players break through.

For me if To'omua is fit then try out Loleiso with JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench. If To'omua is injured, JOC (James O'Connor) stays with Lolo on the bench and bring Simone straight in.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm in agreement about Simone in at 12 if MT is crocked. There will be time to experiement with Noah down the track, but we've got a Bled to try and win and keeping JOC (James O'Connor) at 10 and having a more or less similar 12 seems right. I'd be having a look at Tate for backup 9 too. I've got a feeling that his running game would be useful. He can tackle too.

For the pigs I wouldn't be changing too much.

 

[Up the Guts]

Biggest inclusion I can see for the Wallabies would be George Ayoub in the TMO box. Guy is unashamedly biased.

 

[VassMan]

Any gossip on whether we are bringing any overseas players back or are we not bothering because of quarantine, release dates and shortened schedule?

 

[Zero_Cool]

Back row is still all up in the air, I'd love to see us have complete back row flexibility. But as it stands there's no real predicting the back row.

I think Lolesio is brought onto the bench and given some burn, to test the Lol'o - 10, O'Connor - 12.
I don't think Simone is ready to be starting at test level.
I'd go with 10 - O'Connor, with Hunter and Jordie in the Centers.

 

[Up the Guts]

Back row is still all up in the air, I'd love to see us have complete back row flexibility. But as it stands there's no real predicting the back row.

I think Lolesio is brought onto the bench and given some burn, to test the Lol'o - 10, O'Connor - 12.
I don't think Simone is ready to be starting at test level.
I'd go with 10 - O'Connor, with Hunter and Jordie in the Centers.

Out of position Paisami is better suited to test level than Simone?

 

[Viking]

Back row is still all up in the air, I'd love to see us have complete back row flexibility. But as it stands there's no real predicting the back row.

I think Lolesio is brought onto the bench and given some burn, to test the Lol'o - 10, O'Connor - 12.
I don't think Simone is ready to be starting at test level.
I'd go with 10 - O'Connor, with Hunter and Jordie in the Centers.

Not sure the backrow is up in the air. Hooper is a lock at 7 being the Captain and Wilson has surely cemented his place. So only number 6 and reserve is up for grabs. Or potentially number 8 (if Wilson plays 6).

 

[PhilClinton]

I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Stewart gets added to the squad. I personally wouldn’t do it though.

JOC (James O'Connor) plays best with a secondary playmaker, both in attack and for organising the defence. Does Rennie stick with JOC (James O'Connor) at 10 and bring in Simone to play 12, when they’ve never played together? Stewart is known for his defence and offers a similar albeit much more limited skill set as To'omua and is proven combo with JOC (James O'Connor).

Whatever happens I just don’t want Paisami at 12.

Not saying I think it should happen - but I think it’s a chance.

 

[Derpus]

Rennie didnt show any hesitation throwing the next logical cab off the rank with Petaia and DHP injured. I think itll be a straight swap for Simone at 12.