RWC: AUS v ENG (Twickenham): POOL A; 6am (AEDT) Sunday 4 October

[Braveheart81]

It's being reported now that Skelton and Palu are both out of the cup.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Morgan is a far superior player to puffin Billy the Graham Hick of rugby. The problem with Morgan is he takes a run of games to get fit and, because of injury he hasn't had that. Easter is not international quality IMHO. I can't see how England are shady favouritism. Australia are a racing certainty.

Burgess in back row?

 

[drewprint]

Needs to be talked about in higher circles than the roar.com.au. He's been doing it for so long and no one seems prepared to do anything

A healthy amount of UK journos are tweeting about it too.

 

[The Snout]

Skelton and Palu have been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

Hanson, Carter in


http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...d-palu-to-injury/story-e6frf4pu-1227548775811

 

[Cardiffblue]

A healthy amount of UK journos are tweeting about it too.

Good. Apart from anything else it's turning scrums into a joke. Cant work out why opposition props and captains don't say more and shewerly the refs can see it on vid when they prepare

 

[TahDan]

It's being reported now that Skelton and Palu are both out of the cup.

Don't think this is that bad actually... both have had a tendency to under perform on the big stage.

 

[Cardiffblue]

After reading Gussett column today you realise you are not gonna win on Saturday, though the orcs may lose.

 

[Viking]

Hanson, Carter in


http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...d-palu-to-injury/story-e6frf4pu-1227548775811

Carter over Horwill is bullshit. (and this is coming from a Brumbies supporter).

 

[Cardiffblue]

Andy Farrell wants the media to get behind England - tough ask - they've hardly been mentioned at all, let alone been hyped up, during this RWC

 

[Bairdy]

I hope Carter has improved his strength in contact because I don't think he can fulfill the enforcer lock role now vacated by Skelton.

 

[Lindommer]

Rumour has it Hanson in for Palu and Carter for Skelton. Why not Horwill?, Sam seems seriously under-done to me.

 

[jollyswagman]

Carter over Horwill is bullshit. (and this is coming from a Brumbies supporter).

Couldn't agree more......Horwill must have been caught banging Cheika's wife as it has been a pretty dramatic fall from grace since the early TRC matches.

Palu is no great loss as IMO he should never have been on the plane. Skelton on the other hand will be missed even if we only saw him for 20 minutes each week.

 

[KOB1987]

Carter over Horwill is bullshit. (and this is coming from a Brumbies supporter).

I agree in terms of who should take the field. However, they are only there for injury cover now and possibly not even see any game time so Carter may as well benefit from the experience.

 

[drewprint]

We've already got one soggy noodle in contact - Simmons. Why we'd go for another when Horwill is available is beyond me.

 

[Viking]

I hope Carter has improved his strength in contact because I don't think he can fulfill the enforcer lock role now vacated by Skelton.

I agree. This is what confuses me about his selection. Carter has never been an enforcer - he is a workhorse. Which is great to have but not when paired with Simmons who is similar around the park.

You'd think Horwill would be next in-line for that role after his RC performances.

 

[Viking]

I agree in terms of who should take the field. However, they are only there for injury cover now and possibly not even see any game time so Carter may as well benefit from the experience.

If there taking Skelton's role, there is a very good chance we will see them on bench and playing the last 20mins. Horwill would fit this role well like he did against SA in the Rugby Championship.

Otherwise we have Mumm on the bench who doesn't offer the enforcer type of impact off the bench. Mumm is better cover for Fardy and Simmons.

 

[jollyswagman]

We've already got one soggy noodle in contact - Simmons. Why we'd go for another when Horwill is available is beyond me.

Make that two noodles as Douglas is a shade of his former self.

 

[jollyswagman]

Is Fardy considered a second row option these days?...or is that just complete stupidity?

 

[Viking]

Is Fardy considered a second row option these days?.or is that just complete stupidity?

Complete stupidity if we want to be competitive in the scrum. Damn it would be nice if he could pack down at lock though.

 

[jollyswagman]

Complete stupidity if we want to be competitive in the scrum. Damn it would be nice if he could pack down at lock though.

I figured as much but couldn't recall if he had ever played there with the Brumbies.