We were leading by around 20 points when most of the bench came on.
Were we not doing well before that point? Better drop every player that got replaced then - Slipper, Moore, Alexander, Timani, Hooper, Genia, Cooper, Cummins
I assume you agree? Apart from - Moore, Alexander, Hooper of course.
Oh come on, there's no need for that. But if you'd like I can explain each and every one of my selections:
Robinson-Moore-Kepu: I wanted to rest Moore but this isn't the game to rely on Fainga'a. Maybe take TPN if he's ready for it. This is the front row specifically for scrummaging, but Robinson and Moore are both solid in defence and at the breakdown, while Kepu is a good runner and has gotten pretty fit under Chieka. Robinson also wins us penalties at the breakdown.
Simmons-Fardy: Two good lineout options, two good breakdown workers, workrate like a loose forward and strength like a lock. Scrums are generally solid when they're in the second row. Both of them are willing and able to win the penalty at the breakdown.
Mowen-Gill-McCalman: Mowen as the captain and the lineout caller, hoping his return to 6 marks some return to the Lions series form. Gill is a defence and breakdown machine who will win us either the ball or a penalty. McCalman works hard around the park and is a reliable 8, if not amazing.
White-To'omua: Giving Genia a rest as an attempt to push him to return to form. Could have been Phipps for all I care, but White has been on the bench and did well against Italy so he gets the nod. With the forward pack being built around shutting their plays down and winning penalties I want someone to kick for touch well and To'omua has shown that is his strong suit. He also is a very strong defencive 10 and that will be needed against the strong running Irish.
Lealiifano-Kuridrani: Lealiifano for goal kicking and his good defencive positioning. With the forwards being picked to win penalties I want a 90% kicker to get points from them. Kuridrani because he offers starch in defence and a constant threat in attack, both on and off the ball.
Tomane-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper): Tomane is a good defender and can capitalise on a mistake or a gap very, very quickly. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is our best defending winger and a good attacking runner as well.
Folau: Who else - counter-attacks galore. If he tackles well then we'll be fine even if he doesn't get much ball.
Bench:
Fainga'a-Slipper-Alexander: If we've broken them in the forwards by the 60th, then sending them on won't hurt us and will increase our work out wide. If not, they aren't terrible, just not as good as the starters.
Timani-Hooper: There for the killing blows in the last 20. One hurts those he runs into, the other slips by them.
Genia-Cooper-Cummins: Good backline cover, Genia needs a rest but can come on if White screws up. Cooper has been damn good lately and if we've broken their defence by the time he is on he will have a field day. Cummins has heart and can be relied upon for a good run, but doesn't need to get on if Tomane and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are having a good day.
There - I picked the damn team for a game plan, not because I hate players X Y and Z.
