Alex
Jimmy Flynn (14)
The ABs beat us because they won the set piece and the gain line. The Wallabies kept it interesting through brilliant scrambling defence and breakdown work. This will keep us in any game, but is not a blueprint for consistently beating the best teams. If we want to beat the ABs consistently we have got to at least know we will win our own lineout ball and find a way of bending the line and putting the team on the front foot. We have relied heavily on Kuridrani, Folau and Hooper in the centres for this, but at the pointy end of the WC they were not able to deliver.The ABs beat us through skills, decision making, workrate and athleticism not random crash ball impact players.
A big unit or two in the forwards who can carry in close and put the team on the front foot would be invaluable. Chieka loves getting someone behind the defensive line and then flooding the channel with support players. If we are playing the Farpooper, the big linebender close to the ruck has to come from the tight five, which is why Chieka is investing so much in Skelton. He's not there yet, but it is not obvious who the other options are for this role. Vaea can perform the role, but he is not a lock?
McMahon to hooker?