Kurtley "the flyer" Beale
It’s the same Wallaby team that did the Boks in Brisbane (see below) – the question being whether they can play with the same intensity.
TPN and Lakky are reputed to have gotten over their rib injuries, but to cover Turner just in case, Kurtley Beale has also been flown out as extra cover.
In the meantime the All Blacks, being scaredy girls, have delayed naming their team.
WALLABIES
15. James O’Connor
14. Lachie Turner
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Berrick Barnes
11. Drew Mitchell
10. Matt Giteau
9. Will Genia
8. George Smith (capt)
7. David Pocock
6. Rocky Elsom
5. Mark Chisholm
4. James Horwill
3. Ben Alexander
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
1. Benn Robinson
Reserves
16. Stephen Moore
17. Pek Cowan
18. Dean Mumm
19. Wycliff Palu
20. Luke Burgess
21. Quade Cooper
22. Peter Hynes
Extra cover and Kiwi pie tester: Kurtley Beale
Tags: adam ashley-cooper, ben alexander, benn robinson, berrick barnes, david pocock, dean mumm, drew mitchell, george smith, james horwill, james o'connor, kurtley beale, luke burgess, mark chisholm, matt giteau, peter hynes, quade cooper, rocky elsom, stephen moore, wellington, will genia
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Beale does not inspire.
The ABs always seem to delay naming their team for us. I wonder if they think it gives them an advantage?
The ABs are confused and in disarray, therefore panicking over issues that are outside their control, i.e. player depth in just about every position on the paddock.
Doesn’t make matters any easier for them with Jock Hobbs (NZRU Chair) at their training today with a po face.
Things I ’spect are a bit low tide in NZRFU land just now.
Just a thought- have read recently that Pek has the ability to cover all front row positions which is incredible. This includes throwing and Deans hinted that he could well be getting game time at hooker on the weekend.
I wonder if this is a back up to ensure we have another consistant thrower to Moore? TPN is ideal to have on the paddock but if his throwing is what holds him back, why doesnt someone like Benn Robinson throw?? He is regularly clearing the ball out from scrum half at ruck time and does an amazing job.
Very interesting, was wondering what Pek was doing throwing line outs: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90586221/Getty-Images-Sport but I guess this explains it.
Have to say though, I’m skeptical of “utility” players – much better if they specialise in one position (AAC for example). Who knows though, maybe dingo’s onto something.
It’s amazing that Pek can cover all three possies in the front row, but I don’t know whether I would want to blood him at No.2 against the ABs.
Depends on how they’re going I suppose.
But the ABs won’t come out firing, they’ll come out exploding like the 5th of November. So I think this match just might see some drama – one way or the other. Hopefully the right way.
The Wallabies will need to match fire with fire and keep firing for 80 minutes and 5 seconds.
Pek Cowan is the man.
I was at Rat Park on Saturday in what was an ordinary day for Warringah, and I’m not only commenting on the dickheaded behaviour from spectators assaulting Gordon players. (C’mon – we all want to do that but choose to restrain ourselves).
Every time Cowan was given ball he made yards.
The Shute Shield was a great contest this year, easily at it’s best measuring up to the Lacklustre NPC and Currie Cup fixtures I viewed on boob tube colour though Fox Sports in recent months.
Good to see another all-round prospect for the long suffering Wallaby front row. Al Baxterthewall can go back to designing buildings, that’s the type of cornerstone he’s better at clearly.
whats kurtley beale like as a player?, why do they call him the “flyer”? is he fast? cos some pace would be nice.
No – it’s coz he’ll be joining them on the plane.
awful. is really hyped up but never ever does anything
who’s the ref and what’s our record with him?
i cant believe deans is starting genia again. he is shit. burgess is better all over the park. whats this shit about smith at 8? what a fucking clown deans is. we are going to get smashed.
wow that is actually ridiculous…genias slick service was what made the backline function properly, were you even watching the right game?? as well his general defense really inspires other players to bring their game up…there was nothing wrong with his game and id even say he played extremely well. maybe one or two passes behind giteau but thats better than burgos gazillion
Um, are we watching the same sport? Burges has been half the reason that the backline haven’t fired to their potential. He needs to get a refund on his GPS, cause it’s ‘kak’. Genia, definately made a marked improvement.
@ WJ….
HA HA HA…
Are you serious?…. he he he….
What a man of little faith…. Your wallabies beat the world champs, the abs could not do that this year.
You must be on some very strong medication. Stay away from it this weekend and then I think you might get to watch the actual game itself.
Jeez you blokes wind up easy…;)
obviously a kiwi…
That’s a gee-up right??
has to be
fully agree with you matey! you sound hot, pm me!
Bloody Joeys boys
And now back to the rugby.
What was pleasing in the team announcement yesterday was the inclusion of TPN; who reportedly is fit and well.
I really believe that the Wallabies are up for it this time. They’ve had a heavy overcoat of low work rate, low accuracy rate and low belief to shrug off. I get the feeling that they are really stepping away from it now and looking for a new dazzling garment to don.
As always, the team who wins will be the one that makes fewer errors across the park.
Yes – I hope TPN is actually fit and not being rushed back in. He really made a difference last week I think.
All Blacks side announced just now has 7 changes. Big shock is otago lock Tom Donnelly in for Isaac Ross.more amazingly is Joe Rokocoko retaining his spot
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Josevata Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain),6 Adam Thomson, 3 Tom Donnelly,4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Rodney So’oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Hosea Gear.
Tom Donnelly in for Ross is band aid therapy. So a brand new man is going to call the lineouts (unless Brad Thorn is going to)and cope with a fired up Horwill, Chisholm and Elsom.
Not a good call.
Thomson in for Kaino might be a good one. Tialata in at No. 3 may be a bit of a headache for Robinson, but after forty minutes probably not.
Rokocoko stays there at the expense of Gear, who really deserves a go. But the inside pairing of Nonu and Toeava could really stretch the Wallabies if it fires as it did in Hamilton over the last 20.
However if the pressure goes on the ABs across the park and stays on them the altered lineups will come to nothing.
If Barnes is really fit then he will shut down Nonu like he has ever other time. I’m more worried about Toeva, since traditionally passing the ball to Nonu has been as good a way to kill it as any.