RC5: Springbokke vs Wallabies @ PE
- Thread starter PaarlBok
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dru
Tim Horan (67)
I know this gets boring, but I can think of at least 23 players this applies to. A coaching team too.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I would be as surprised as you if Cheika goes with anything but Hanigan, Hooper and Pocock. My post was about my preferred selections, not what I think Cheika will do.
Cottrell is listed at 1.91m and 105kg. Certainly bigger than any of Hooper, Samu or Pocock. He has been an excellent jumper at No 2 in the lineout for the Rising and the Rebels before that. And in his last game(against the Qld Country side?) he played lock and absolutely smashed it at the lineout as the main Rising jumper. I'd have no qualms at all about his lineout ability as the third string jumper. But, in all honesty, I don't think we'll get to see him on the field at all on the tour.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
He's obviously been brought in for cover so if all are fit he probably won't get a run but he's only an injury or suspension away from it so who knows.
Paul Cully thinks we should pick:
1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Coleman
5. Simmons
6. Hanigan
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Genia
10. Foley
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Folau
14. DHP
15. Beale
16. TPN 17. Kepu 18. Tupou 19. Rodda 20. Timu 21. Gordon 22. Hodge 23. Naivalu
A fair bit to like about that. His reason for Simmons, Hanigan and no TPN starting is the lineout has to be fixed up.
Hodge has defended solidly but hasn't threatened in attack. Time to try Folau there.
Beale hasn't worked at 10 and Foley needs to come back.
Will be interesting to see what Cheika goes with this weekend. The Wallabies (and Cheika) need a backs against the wall performance to turn the tide.
1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Coleman
5. Simmons
6. Hanigan
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Genia
10. Foley
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Folau
14. DHP
15. Beale
16. TPN 17. Kepu 18. Tupou 19. Rodda 20. Timu 21. Gordon 22. Hodge 23. Naivalu
A fair bit to like about that. His reason for Simmons, Hanigan and no TPN starting is the lineout has to be fixed up.
Hodge has defended solidly but hasn't threatened in attack. Time to try Folau there.
Beale hasn't worked at 10 and Foley needs to come back.
Will be interesting to see what Cheika goes with this weekend. The Wallabies (and Cheika) need a backs against the wall performance to turn the tide.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Given the number of last minute injuries and drop-outs we've had it seems pretty good that he'll get onto the bench at some point.
I really want to see Beale dropped. I rate him as our most skillful player but he's been turning in terrible performances since the start of the RC.
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
That backline looks like our most potent from the squad but starting both Simmons and Hanigan, while strengthening the lineout, does look a little light on for ball carrying.
Tupou, TPN and Kepu could do some serious damage to the SA back up scrum late in the game. I would like to see Cottrell on the bench as the use of Pocock, Hooper and Samu so far in the RC has not been at all successful. We need to have other legitimate options available. He brings a bit of mongrel and a good running game and is a genuine lineout option.
Tupou, TPN and Kepu could do some serious damage to the SA back up scrum late in the game. I would like to see Cottrell on the bench as the use of Pocock, Hooper and Samu so far in the RC has not been at all successful. We need to have other legitimate options available. He brings a bit of mongrel and a good running game and is a genuine lineout option.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Cully's selection considerably weakens the Forwards pack and really goes back to times in the past when used and failed to set the platform to win test matches. A backline that consists again of the two poorest defenders in the squad plus one very suspect defender in the most important defensive position and a winger who just doesn't yet understand the defensive structures is looking for a bollocking.
Sincerely hope that Cheika and his advisors and assistants have a whole lot more sense than Cully.
Sincerely hope that Cheika and his advisors and assistants have a whole lot more sense than Cully.
Much like Beale at 10, I just don't think Folau at 13 works. It's taking a piano player and giving them a guitar.
Hodge has been decent at 13, a position where he had never really played at Test level before the RC. I think he's growing in the role, and I like the versatility he provides (especially with his kicking).
Not sure Simmons has earned a start either.
But hey, it's worth discussion.
.
Hodge has been decent at 13, a position where he had never really played at Test level before the RC. I think he's growing in the role, and I like the versatility he provides (especially with his kicking).
Not sure Simmons has earned a start either.
But hey, it's worth discussion.
.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
I don't buy into Hanigan being the messiah that Cully is making him out to be. Last time I looked at the numbers, we barely threw to Hanigan last year and I don't recall him winning too many line outs.
More importantly, with no Kepu, Arnold/Rodda or a ball running backrower, where does Cully think the front foot ball is going to come from?
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
To be fair, we aren't getting any front foot ball in his absence anyway. Not much lost and maybe something gained?
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Folau was attacking at 13 for the most part on the Gold Coast already, noticeably running the unders line that Kurindrani usually does to get us over the advantage line on first phase. Not sure there's a need for a change when we can have Hodge defend at 13 and Folau attack in that channel. Also if Folau moves to 13 it would stop him from defusing bombs up the back.
All I can say is that Cheika has royally screwed up his backline. He benches Foley after two games against the ABs, then replaces him with Beale, who was and always has been a dreadful 10. Now both of them are low on confidence, To'omua hasn't built any chemistry, they has two poor showings. Just utter mismanagement and entirely predictable outcome.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I was one, thinking that, as usual, he would be swapping in and out of 10 and 12 so that the change wouldn't affect his play at all. But it wasn't to be. He ran across field a lot more than usual and I can't remember him using a straight runner all game. Whether that was down to him or to a lack of straight runners, I'm not sure. But sure as eggs, it reflects on the coaching and game plan (if there was one) to deal with him being closer to the play.
It would probably be a better indication of being a ploy worth pursuing if he does play at 12 outside To'omua at 10. He can then just do his usual stuff, but that would also be hamstrung a bit with Folau on the wing instead of at 15. Folau running off him from the 15 spot is what makes Beale a dangerous proposition.
Foley has to be seen as a No 10 in competition with To'omua for the 10 spot. If To'omua starts at 10, then Foley on the bench. If Foley starts at 10, then 12 is a selection issue between Beale and To'omua.
It would probably be a better indication of being a ploy worth pursuing if he does play at 12 outside To'omua at 10. He can then just do his usual stuff, but that would also be hamstrung a bit with Folau on the wing instead of at 15. Folau running off him from the 15 spot is what makes Beale a dangerous proposition.
Foley has to be seen as a No 10 in competition with To'omua for the 10 spot. If To'omua starts at 10, then Foley on the bench. If Foley starts at 10, then 12 is a selection issue between Beale and To'omua.
tragic
John Solomon (38)
Not really.
Foleys weaknesses at 10 have been there for all to see this series.
Beale is a much better 12 than he was a few years ago. It was not unreasonable to see if the same applied to his play at 10. Clearly that question has been answered.
Now it’s time to try To'omua. Or another plan B.
The series is gone. We know what foley brings to the table.
Cheika is in a difficult position with few options. And he’s running out of time to find a solution.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Willie is back, got permission from his club.
I don't think Beale's improved play showed a) the ability to manage a game b) tactical kicking c) ability to straighten and distribute. If anything he was still a bit helter skelter, it was just more controlled, but still very instinctive and everything was being done at full pace. You can't play like that at 10. That's why sitting in the pocket and waiting for a pass he looked terrible, it is the opposite of what's made him successful. And assuming he just recently perfected being a 12, why on Earth then move him to 10?
To me it just does not make sense to put a guy that has not played 10 with any success previously as a starter in the position. What other team in the world would do this? NZ aren't going to throw Crotty at 10 all of a sudden. You aren't going to see Jamie Roberts there on a whim. Beale's obviously a different sort of player, but still.
I'm not sure if To'omua is a good 10 as I haven't seen him there, but if you wanted to remove Foley I don't see how this isn't a better option.
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