Wallabies v Ireland, Saturday 16th June, 8.00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

[TSR]

I’d like to see the same side retained. We beat the number 2 team in the World and, across the board, everyone contributed. I’d like to see them reward that and build some continuity.

Whilst the 6/2 split left us a bit exposed it did, on the flip side, pay a dividend based on the late cameos of Samu & Tui.

My only caveat to that is if Beale is picked but is still carrying the lingering effects of the first game then maybe revert to 5/3 as a precaution.

 

[Derpus]

Um, do we just never jump at any line-out ever?!
We can not have Samu, Hooper and Pocock in the same back row, even if we have the best line-out locks in the world, quality can only take you so far without quantity.

Cheika isn't going to make any changes to the XV, but the only spots he'd think of change are where the bench player players themselves into the XV or out of the 23.
Tupou is probably the only bench player who might be getting off the bench, there is a very slim chance Hodge comes in at 11 for Koro, and even slimmer that Simmons comes in somewhere to sure up the line-out.

The bench will probably go back to a 5/3 bench perhaps dropping Simmons given he had 6 tackle attempts and 2 misses, but Tui is the low hanging fruit. Not sure who the back who comes in to the 23 but likely Jack Maddocks because of his versatility.

That one certainly isn't happening. Koro is our only world class specialist winger. He starts in any team he's fit for.

Edit: Hodge's only real shot at getting into the team is if DHP is injured.

 

[Zero_Cool]

That one certainly isn't happening. Koro is our only world class specialist winger. He starts in any team he's fit for.

Koro is an interesting one, I've seen people who have said he was trash, others who have said he was outstanding, I think all in all he was solid - he looked very good in defence but didn't get it done in attack (or at least as much as he ought to have).

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm enjoying the few days reprieve from comments that we're wasting David Pocock if he has anything other than the number 7 on his back.

It's almost like it doesn't matter what number he wears, he still gets to do the things he does best.

 

[barbarian]

Koro is an interesting one, I've seen people who have said he was trash, others who have said he was outstanding, I think all in all he was solid - he looked very good in defence but didn't get it done in attack (or at least as much as he ought to have).

Whoever said he was trash doesn't know anything about rugby and you should never talk to them ever again.
.

 

[Brumby Runner]

During the match, Foxtel posted comparative stats for Pocock and the Irish No 7. Pocock led in all aspects iirc but certainly in turnovers won. It was interesting that they chose Pocock and not Hooper to compare against the Irish No 7.

 

[Derpus]

I'm enjoying the few days reprieve from comments that we're wasting David Pocock if he has anything other than the number 7 on his back.

It's almost like it doesn't matter what number he wears, he still gets to do the things he does best.

I mean, yeah, but now watch all the comments start up anyway because you mentioned it.

 

[Tomikin]

I mean, yeah, but now watch all the comments start up anyway because you mentioned it.

Nope Poey and Hooper are our 2 best..They going no were.. Hooper holds the 7 as his quicker off the scrum

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I wouldn't be changing the line up for this week. They've just beaten the No 2 team in the world, who had most of their big time players on the paddock for 20-30 minutes at least. As others have said, pretty much everyone contributed. You also have to take into account momentum, combinations and the confidence it breeds in young blokes given another shot after debut. I'd be sticking with the same XV as a minimum. There is a tendency at times on this here board to make changes every test match. Makes for interesting discussion, but chopping and changing doesn't win test matches in the long run. Also, the majority of RWC winning teams have had a pretty settled line up going into a World Cup year.

 

[Zero_Cool]

I wouldn't be changing the line up for this week. They've just beaten the No 2 team in the world, who had most of their big time players on the paddock for 20-30 minutes at least. As others have said, pretty much everyone contributed. You also have to take into account momentum, combinations and the confidence it breeds in young blokes given another shot after debut. I'd be sticking with the same XV as a minimum. There is a tendency at times on this here board to make changes every test match. Makes for interesting discussion, but chopping and changing doesn't win test matches in the long run. Also, the majority of RWC winning teams have had a pretty settled line up going into a World Cup year.

I don't disagree, that we won't have the same 23, but a few examples are:

• Tupou is pretty close to pushing his way into the starting 3 jersey.
• Robinson could easily be replaced by Ala'alatoa.
• Simmons could be replaced by Arnold.
• We could change to a 5/3 bench split given Beale has a question-marks around him (or just because 5/3 is a good split).

I think one of the biggest failings of Cheika is that he hasn't explored enough of the alternatives in a few key positions (Flyhalf, Hooker, back row, etc), this could be an opportunity to explore a few more of those options.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I don't disagree, that we won't have the same 23, but a few examples are:

• Tupou is pretty close to pushing his way into the starting 3 jersey.
• Robinson could easily be replaced by Ala'alatoa.
• Simmons could be replaced by Arnold.
• We could change to a 5/3 bench split given Beale has a question-marks around him (or just because 5/3 is a good split).

I think one of the biggest failings of Cheika is that he hasn't explored enough of the alternatives in a few key positions (Flyhalf, Hooker, back row, etc), this could be an opportunity to explore a few more of those options.

All fair points, but in the case of 10, there haven't been a lot of alternatives. I'm not the biggest fan of Foley but there aren't three other guys sticking their hands up either (I have a lack of trust in the next alternative in QC (Quade Cooper)). As far as hooker goes, agreed and to an extent the back row as well, but we've at least had Dempsey and Hanigan there while Pocock was gone.

 

[dru]

I'm enjoying the few days reprieve from comments that we're wasting David Pocock if he has anything other than the number 7 on his back.

It's almost like it doesn't matter what number he wears, he still gets to do the things he does best.

Braveheart, don't know who in particular you have in your sights there, but I'd change the wording to this:

"People don't like the 'double 7' but it worked fabulously". [ps and some should consider themselves with egg on their face.]

OK, I have egg. The Wallaby whole, line out included, was not just good, but it was sustainable. And yes I'm saying this as the line out being something that could be beat up. And I could do that.

But I shouldn't.

BH, really hope you are enjoying your time. You deserve it. Grin, enjoy.

 

[Up the Guts]

I'm not sure why the lineout will necessarily be worse than it was last year with Hooper and McMahon both in the back row once the combinations gel. We hardly lost a lineout in Bledislode 2 and 3 last year without having two solid options at 8 and 6 and I am hoping the same will occur this year.

 

[Slim 293]

I don't disagree, that we won't have the same 23, but a few examples are:

• Tupou is pretty close to pushing his way into the starting 3 jersey.
• Robinson could easily be replaced by Ala'alatoa.
• Simmons could be replaced by Arnold.
• We could change to a 5/3 bench split given Beale has a question-marks around him (or just because 5/3 is a good split).

I think one of the biggest failings of Cheika is that he hasn't explored enough of the alternatives in a few key positions (Flyhalf, Hooker, back row, etc), this could be an opportunity to explore a few more of those options.

Considering Robinson’s retirement some time ago I wouldn’t be surprised........,

 

[Derpus]

• Tupou is pretty close to pushing his way into the starting 3 jersey.

You make it sound so sexual.

 

[Up the Guts]

Koro is an interesting one, I've seen people who have said he was trash, others who have said he was outstanding, I think all in all he was solid - he looked very good in defence but didn't get it done in attack (or at least as much as he ought to have).

Never forget this time last year Eto Nabuli was preparing to play for the Wallabies.

 

[Joe Blow]

I'm not sure why the lineout will necessarily be worse than it was last year with Hooper and McMahon both in the back row once the combinations gel. We hardly lost a lineout in Bledislode 2 and 3 last year without having two solid options at 8 and 6 and I am hoping the same will occur this year.

Timu was quite good in the lineout on the weekend. He is serviceable at 8 as the third jumper with the odd one going to Hooper or Poey. He and BPA will be better this week.
Think of it this way though. If we had a lineout that delivered 98% good clean ball it would make a mountain of difference.

 

[Snotterbox]

Whoever said he was trash doesn't know anything about rugby and you should never talk to them ever again.
.

If Mr Cool didn’t have himself to talk to,who would he?

 

[TSR]

Last weekend Timu, Hooper & Pocock all won lineout ball.

So, even though Hooper and Pocock are not prominent jumpers, the Irish have to cover 5 targets.

Let’s see how we go on the weekend - but I think once we have a bit of cohesion, the lineout will be good enough.

 

[Ulrich]

I did not read through this thread so forgive me. I read through a tonne of comments on BBC rugby's site and the main gripe for the English (and some other British folks) seemed to be England's lack of a Hooper and Pocock combination from their ranks.

The esteem with which they are held is quite extraordinary so Australia are on the right path I reckon. I understand there would have been Irish influence in the conversation, but it is telling.

England were not so much surprised at the pace SA played the game, they were most surprised that it happened even after such a grand deficit on a very rookie team.

England's main concern, and I suspect Irelands' too, is they cannot keep up at this stage of the season.

The NH are catching up, but it has been more difficult for them to fit June tours into their schedule than it has been for us to fit in November schedules - or maybe we have been better at it.

Enjoy! It has been a while since incoming tours have been so eagerly anticipated and dissected.