Wallabies v. All Blacks: Bledisloe 2 Team announcement

Brumby Jack August 23, 2012 117

The Wallabies have announced the team to take on the All Blacks at Eden Park this Saturday, with the return of Quade Cooper the big change.

In the latest news, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has been ruled out of the 22 with a corked backside suffered in training. Stephen Moore takes his place and in doing so will be the most capped hooker in Wallabies history with 72 caps, surpassing Jeremy Paul.

Wallabies coaching staff were hopeful that Polota-Nau’s injury could improve after the Captain’s run and could be named amongst the reserves, but t hat wasn’t the case.

It has been 26 years since the Wallabies beat the All Blacks at Eden Park, but as was pointed out during the week by Mr Timms, the Wallabies are on a one-game winning streak there by virtue of beating Wales in the third-place play-off at the World Cup last year.

Can that streak be added to? If that is to happen then the Wallabies must be on their game and limit the errors that cost them so dearly in the first Test in Sydney. The big loser from that match is Kurtley Beale who has been dropped from the starting XV. Anthony Faingaa also finds himself out of the starting side.

Much has been said in the wash-up from the first match about who should stay or go and the various changes that should be made. There are at least two changes forced through injury, to forwards David Pocock and Sekope Kepu. Michael Hooper replaces Pocock whilst Ben Alexander comes in for Kepu at tighthead. In Pocock’s absence, Will Genia will take over the captaincy duties.

The big question for me is how Quade Cooper plays in the hostile environment of Eden Park where he was enemy number one during the World Cup. No doubt there will plenty of advice coming from the home fans and if he can somehow block that out, Australia might be a chance.

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Drew Mitchell
13. Rob Horne
12. Berrick Barnes
11. Digby Ioane
10. Quade Cooper
9. Will Genia (c)
8. Scott Higginbotham
7. Michael Hooper
6. Dave Dennis
5. Nathan Sharpe
4. Sitaleki Timani
3. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
1. Benn Robinson

Reserves
16. Saia Fainga’a
17. James Slipper
18. Radike Samo
19. Liam Gill
20. Nick Phipps
21. Anthony Fainga’a
22. Kurtley Beale

The game will kick off at 5:35pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoon.The game will be controlled by Welshman Nigel Owens with Alain Rolland and Lourens van der Merwe assisting.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks have also named their team for the clash.

15. Israel Dagg, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Ma’a Nonu, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 6. Liam Messam, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Wyatt Crockett. Res: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Brodie Retallick, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Ben Smith.

TAGS » News, slide

POSTED IN » All Blacks, Wallabies

About the author: Brumby Jack View all posts by Brumby Jack

A Canberra born and bred Rugby tragic brought up on a diet of Canberra Kookaburra and ACT Brumbies Rugby. It was a choice between politics and Rugby, with Rugby the obvious winner.

Discussion »

Tyrone

Better, but we’re still f@#$ed
- garryowen
  
  You are all on the wrong page. The problem with the Wallabies starts and finishes with John O’Neil.
  Rugby is a team sport but O’Neil puts marketing ahead of a winning team. Individuals who the marketing gurus love do not win test matches. It is that simple.
  To fix The Wallabies you must start at the top with a sharp axe.
  - Peter
    
    Begins and ends with JO’N??? Dream on.
    
    How about the coach? Beyond rustiness of specific players, the sad fact is the Wallabies had no clear game plan of how they would get over the advantage line.
    
    Robbie Deans is clueless and the sooner we get Ewen in as coach will we have a chance of building a world-beating team.
GoForGold

Looking for 1. Props to drink a cup of cement 2. Some Cooper magic would be nice 3. DD to take some pressure/workload off Sharpie (poor old fella) 4. Drew to show he is still one of the best finishing wingers 5. And FFS not so many static runners 10m behind the Ad line !!!!!
Deez

Happy enough with the backline (although fear Drew Mitchell may be undercoooked).

Promotion of Ben Alexander to starting THP is a worry. I foresee many scrums going down and the refs arm going up the side of the All Blacks…

Good on Deans for having the guts to bring back Cooper though. For a little while I thought he might be too headstrong to admit he was wrong last game, but at least I think we could have an interesting game on our hands (not necessarily a close one, but should be fun to watch, whatever happens).
- ooaahh
  
  agreed. Further more how can you justify his selection in a starting side when last week he wasn’t even in the match day squad?
D.

Thankyou for listening Robbie. If we lose this weekend it won’t be ALL you fault.
- Bobby
  
  Big D. I wouldn’t call that listening. This team still has blokes that haven’t performed all year in the team. What exactly has TPN done to secure his position? The same goes with Horne, AFN would have been a better replacement, Timani is just a loaf, Ben Alexander, I do remember Greg Holmes getting the advantage over him in both games. Drewy is a good player and Test quality but is he now? Surely not.
  There are still at least 6 players in the run on side that don’t deserve to be there. Here they are
  
  Mitchell – Underdone. Class, but underdone for this game.
  Horne- Over rated and has not defended well or attacked well all season.
  Timani- Big but soft. He does 1 or 2 things a game a people only remember those things rather than the slow beast not getting back into the line and having no effect for his size. Not a genuine Lineout option.
  Alexander- Great around the park but not Test quality due to scrummaging.
  TPN- Has done nothing this year to warrant a starting position over Moore
  Robinson- Looks unfit and is out of form maybe still struggling with knee issues??
  - Bobby
    
    Comment about TPN was made before he ruled himself out obviously.
GLRooster

Front row need to step up and get some mongrel about them.
- Chucka
  
  Forward pack needs to step up and get some mongrel about them!! 1-8…… Especially 8
Steve

Yeah great. Perfect. One out of seven backs can take a hit up. Deans better pray for dry, still conditions in Auckland so we can try and run around nz because we sure as shit won’t be running through them
Jay-c

So just to confirm if we win it will be all the players and if we lose it’ll be all deans-
Just wanna have my finger warmed up and aiming in the right direction for some pointing~
Red Kev

I am forced to ask, is Robbie Deans mentally handicapped?
Alexander has played loosehead all year and is now the starting tighthead in a must win Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park? He also happens to be shite and gets penalised more than Al Baxter.
Fat Benn Robinson was so pathetic last match that his retention is just beyond comprehension.
TPN can’t last 40 minutes and shouldn’t be starting.
Timani has decent ball-running skills but doesn’t play like a tight five forward (he doesn’t hit nearly enough rucks) because he lacks fitness and technique – I still think Douglas is a better option but selecting Timani gets a pass mark in comparison to the rest of the pack.
Higginbotham needs a rocket up his arse to play tighter, although it would be smarter to also play him at six instead of eight.
All up the balance of the backrow is wrong. Palu-Higginbotham-Pocock worked well against Wales, Schatz-Gill-Higginbotham worked well for the Reds, Hooper-Mowen and Dennis would probably work well too (not much size but high work rate).
It’s nice of Deans to drop Cooper into the raging inferno of a must win Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park when he wasn’t fit enough to play last week.
Horne? Really? Words cannot describe his level of fail.
Mitchell is chronically unfit and the All Blacks are going to run through his wing all night.

Where is Holmes? Douglas? Wallace-Harrison? Schatz? Shipperley? Tapuai? Cummins?

When the Wallabies lose, and they will lose, conceding a bonus point. I hope Deans takes full responsibility for this shambles and is forced to resign.
- GoForGold
  
  “Words cannot describe his level of fail” – haha my favourite line of the year.
- Glenn Condell
  
  ‘Where is Holmes? Douglas? Wallace-Harrison? Schatz? Shipperley? Tapuai? Cummins?’
  
  Nice to see one non-Red Kev! But I agree, where are the hardworking no names who have done well this year. Surely Timani has had enough chance to show his wares, why is he a better bet than Fardy or the two Rebel locks? Horne likewise, surely Tapuai who always beats his first man should have had a run by now, or Cummins as you say.
  
  I just think there is a cast of unrecognised Aust players who would be less likely to ‘go missing’ under the blowtorch of a Bledisloe.
  
  Remember, Robbie is the guy that kept selecting Giteau and Elsom for two years too long, hoping they would come good.
  
  Do we need to see Benn R being useless for another twelve months before someone with a proven S15 record gets a run? Holmes and Palmer strike me as the sort of option that should have been tried ages ago.
  - Red Kev
    
    While I like both Rebel locks, I would be loathe to try them without Horwill available. When Sharpe is your veteran you have chance it on a big lock and Douglas is a far superior player to Timani (although I would prefer AWH).
Brumby Runner

AAC back to his best position.
Centres too pedestrian. Tapui at 12, Honeybadger at 13.
I’m a Scott Fardy fan. Should be at 6 in place of Dennis.
Not convinced that Timani should be there. Prefer Pyle or Douglas, to partner either Sharpie or Simmons (not both together).
Ben A on the wrong side again. Should be No 1 in place of Benn R. No 3 should go to best other available, probably Slipper.
Squeaky to start in place of TPN.

Bench then would be TPN, Benn R, Pyle/Douglas, Schatz, White, Barnes, Shipperly.

ABs still to win, probably comfortably, but Wallabies expected to play a more attacking game.
- Brumby Jack
  
  Tapuai hasn’t played too much recently, and I’m not sure what ‘badass’ honey badger is up to.
  
  Scott Fardy had a shoulder operation so didn’t even make the train-on squad.
  
  Making wholesale changes with players from outside the 30 isn’t the way to go.
  - Brumby Runner
    
    Pity about Scott.
    If Tapui and Honeybadger aren’t fit, says a lot in my book about them being wrongly omitted from the squad in the first place.
    I say its not the time to persist with underperformers for the good of the future of Aust rugby.
  - murph
    
    Taps hasn’t played much recently but hasn’t stopped Mitchell getting a fucking start
- Nipper
  
  If Tapuai and Cummins were fit, I’d love to see that center pairing.
  
  It would beat the hell out of continually playing centers who can’t beat anyone with footwork, pace or power (just bring ONE to the table FFS!), nor set up or pass to their outside backs.
  - Red Kev
    
    +1 Nipper
    That centre pairing is probably as strong as Australia has now; but more importantly both players go hard for the full 80.
  - http://BigFella Big Fella
    
    Love that pairing of centres and here’s why.
    Ask yourself who the AB’s would really respect in our current Wallaby line up.
    Probably Ioane, Genia and Moore, perhaps Mitchell & Sharpe for past deeds, and maybe Dennis(emerging).
    Reverse it and who would the Wallabies really respect in the AB’s?……you’d go deep into the bench and still be adding.
    We are desperately lacking a Mortlock or Vickerman or George Smith or Elsom (in his prime, relax) to lift ALL around them and keep the bastards honest.
    Who in the Wallabies is up to putting any fear into the AB’s?
    Bullies need to be bullied and if we had a couple of physical centres with mongrel it would be a good start.
    - Nipper
      
      I hear ya both, Kev and Big Fella. Haven’t thought about it that way.
      
      Do Horne, Fainga or Barnes ever make their opposites think “this guy is gonna smash me” or “this guy is going to run me over”? Methinks not.
      
      Both Cummins and Tapuai were in the larger training squad, and I don’t think they’d get called into that if they weren’t fit, would they?
      
      Maybe they were exposed in the squad sessions… or maybe they just don’t fit into Dingo’s grand plan to have a dull, uninspiring back line.
Wiremu

How the hell can a team do so poorly in the Super 15 yet supply more than 50% of the Wallabies and then expect to clean up the All Blacks? Beats me, but I don’t think Robbie is as good as people imagined he would be anyway and some of his selections/ommitions makes you wonder.
- Bobby
  
  Robbie says he doesn’t count where the blokes come from but he clearly doesn’t look at them play either.
  - BloodRed
    
    He should look at where they come from because team performances are a direct result of player performances.
muffy

Beale can not question his dropping, his display last week was hands down the worst I have seen in gold for years.

this whole gen y thing has really got up my nose.

The way we are bullied at the breakdown is embarrasing.

Hitting a stationary ruck is the easist thing on the field, it will force the ABs to commit, and free up some space around the edges.

Comon Boys resore some pride FFS… Show the All Dicks we hate them almost as much as they hate us
tigerland 12

Backline good.

Tight five, still shit.

That is all
aeneas

Shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic perhaps? More kindly I dont think Deans had many other options. No doubt Beale will be on the bench. Can wait to see Cooper having to actually tackle.
No4918

Like the backs.

Pigs and tight 5 in particular can count themselves lucky. They were the weakest link last week and look to be again.
A

Despite everything that has transpired, the line up still consists of 8 Waratahs, 4 Reds and 3 others. How can a side (NSW) that barely put togther 80 quality minutes all season have more than half the starting line up? It is often said tongue-in-cheek, but I honestly believe if you ran on the Reds or Brumbies on Saturday, the Wallabies would stand a better chance. NSW rugby has now infected Australian rugby completely.
Baldwid

It struck me this morning that when Robbie gets sacked after The Rugby Championship he will return home to a heroes welcome and will be forever known as “Sir Robbie” for services to New Zealand Rugby!!
BloodRed

Deans still doesn’t have either the balls or the brains to clear out his favorite under performers. Yes Rob Horne I’m looking at you. Timani should consider himself lucky, didn’t do anything bad last game but basically still didn’t do anything much as all. Reserving judgement on Mitchell. He at least has proved himself in the past but he is seriously underdone for game time and didn’t look like he had much in the legs last game against the Reds. Alexander starting at TH after a year at LH, at least he is only up against Crockett. Likely no specialist lock reserve. Moore not getting to start. Hopefully there’s a game plan but I’m pessimistic about that and pessimistic about the scoreline. It’s a better team than last week so maybe a glimmer of hope but it’s still not our best and now the all blacks are at Eden park. Looks like we should be preparing for a colonoscopy without sedation or lubrication
Lee Enfield

Like the backs less Horne. I would have still picked Beale at 15 and moved AAC to 13. Beale had a bad game, but shouldn’t be made the scapegoat. Unless of course his head just isn’t in the right space, then dropping him might be the best option. .
The forwards, don’t see the logic picking Alexander, surely, Holmes or Palmer? would have been better options. I would have liked to see Schatz get a run at 6 with Dennis on the bench. However, hopefully Schatz will get a bench spot.
- Mart
  
  On the money again here
- spectator
  
  Beale was involved in semi-chaotic half-chance attackin breaks his last two games also – on the positive side of the ledger.
  
  When half-chances are potential tries in a team dynamic & cohesion, this will wear on an opposition the more they have to live with it as well as add to your team’s defensive beat. And the way to beat the All Blacks, is through applying pressure on the score board.
  - Lee Enfield
    
    I think Beale would have been all the better for having Cooper at 10. I have no doubt Beale felt the pressure to spark something knowing it was never going to come from the 10,12 or 13.
    With Cooper at 10, Beale only has to worry about taking advantage of broken play and half gaps, which he did so well last year with Cooper running the show.
    - Patrick
      
      I too would have left Beale in. I didn’t think Deans ever gave up on people, how many chances did Ma’afu get?
      
      I really hope he is on the bench.
- http://BigFella Big Fella
  
  Beale needs to get his life off field in order.
  - Cringing
    
    What ? Wot did he do wrong …. Take a swipe at some steroid short arse on the door who was probably a prick … What a nana comment .. Just go that, now u r saying he’s got off fiield problems?? Talk about buying in. … Littleton had a shocker and he knows it.. But generally has been great. .. Think loftus!!!
    - Cringing
      
      Littleon wtf was that … These iPhones r for midgets
Jimbo81

Here you go Robbie – this one’s for free – it’s a better side that will win – instead of the dog’s breakfast you’ve selected again for this weekend:

Slipper
Hansen
Palmer
AWH
Sharpie
Beau Robinson
Gill
Hooper
Genia
Cooper
Shipperley
Harris
Tapuai
Digby
AAC

Reserves:

Moore
Alexander
Simmonds
Higginbotham
Kepu
Mitchell
Barnes
- Swat
  
  You lost me at Hansen
  - Dave
    
    Hansen has been a relatively unsung contributor at the Reds. Solid scrummager and good at taking the ball forward. Probably wouldn’t look out of place. I however don’t think he offers more than TPN (injury free and throwing straight) or Moore, who I think should be starting.
    - Robson
      
      Hansen wouldn’t go astray at the top level and you can add Adam Wallace Harrison to that list. In fact he might be a better bet than either Timani or Simmons or both of them put together.
- Brumby Runner
  
  11starting Reds and 2 on the bench is a bit overdone but much better than 8+ Waratahs.
  
  Hansen had a good year at S15 but is still at best No 4 at Wallaby level. AWH had one of his best years and wouldn’t let the team down, but surely the opportunity should be taken to bring on young guns like Pyle, Douglas and Neville.
  
  Gill will be good but not yet to Hooper’s standard. He did little at the U20s world cup this year while Hooper was Man of the Tournament last year, and has shown this year he is up to S15 and test level.
  
  Harris has little to offer beyond goal kicking. His hands are too slow for No 10 and he doesn’t have enough speed and creativity for 12.
  
  Get over Beau. This year he was not a shadow of last year and is just not good enough at test level. Schatz offers much more at 6 and 8, while Hooper and Gill are streets ahead at 7.
  
  Otherwise I like the mix of Reds in your team
- PM
  
  Better team than game 1.
  
  My key issue is Alexander being picked out of position, I sense many a collapsed scrum. This has been a constant for a number of years now and I’m over it, it’s unfair on players, we need specialists playing at Super and Test level and that goes for our backs as well. Key example being AAC.
  
  Unless Beale is not up to it fitness wise, then he should have been picked and given the chance to redeem himself and play off QC. It spells the question of why he was picked for game 1 if he isn’t fit. Likewise, is Mitchell fit? If yes he’s a match winner but if not, I would have liked someone like Shipperly selected.
  
  Moore should be starting, I think Douglas and Mowen warrant selection. Higgers needs to play tight and please don’t tell me that Phipps will be our reserve 9. If Tapuai was fit I’d like to see him on the bench.
  
  Robinson
  Moore
  Slipper
  Douglas
  Sharpe
  Higginbothom
  Hooper
  Mowen
  Genia
  Cooper
  Shipperley (Mitchell couldn’t be fit)
  Barnes
  AAC
  Ioane
  Beale
  
  Reserves:
  
  TPN
  Alexander
  Timani
  Gill
  White
  Harris
  Horne
  - http://BigFella Big Fella
    
    Deans has been forced to pick his poison.
    Sadly neither Alexander or Slipper are not even capable Super level Tight Head props, let alone Test level.
    Both are however, good Loose Head props and excellent contributors in general play.
    We simply don’t have a ‘rugby playing’ THP option outside of Kepu.
    Others like Palmer can only scrum.
- Fin
  
  you lost me at Jimbo81
Robson

Alexander at TH. No room for Moore in the starting XV, Robinson completely out of form.
Horne unconvincing, Mitchell underdone and Cooper playing in front of his favourite crowd.

It all seems like a rerun of the Keystone Cops. I guess we all hope against hope that somebody will find some magic from somewhere on Saturday, that the forwards are so ashamed of their last effort that they play like maniacs and the All Blacks have another rusty night. All very unlikely but that’s what I’m hoping for.

On the other hand it might be a long night at the office.
- RedsHappy
  
  Robson:
  
  Is not the utter, reckless stupidity of Deans’ approach succinctly revealed via the dishonesty of declaiming last week that QC was ‘not quite fit for Tests’ – and simultaneously not even trialling him off the bench (so as to regain confidence and Test time) – yet now, a mere 7 days later, he is perfectly fit and he’s reintroduced cold to start in a super hostile environment not having played a Test since October 2011.
  
  If you were composing a rugby novel with tales of grand failure and for sheer amusement, you couldn’t makes this stuff up if you tried.
  - Robson
    
    Shamelessly clutching at straws.
    
    I am in absolute disbelief at what is happening here. Deans has finally declared – albeit tacitly – that he has not only lost his way, but he’s lost the compass too.
    
    I feel very sorry for the players.
Pedro

I could understand deans picking the entire tahs front row when fit. But now without kepu, why not slot in the brums? At least put Alexander on the correct side.

Out of left field could Moore and tpn play prop?
- horney
  
  why would you do that??? i’m sick of players being played out of position!! what’s the point of even having a number on your back when playing for the wallabies these days… doesn’t mean shit! ps i’m alot happier with this team…minus horne and the front row
  - Pedro
    
    I think you’re getting confused by my use of the word could, never mind the subtle irony.
    
    P.s. More punctuation doesn’t equal better punctuation.
    - horney
      
      it emphasizes the point PEDRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jets

How is Moore not starting? TPN has his moments but should be used off the bench.
Not sure on Alexander. Greg Holmes should be in the squad.
Timani makes me wonder if the selectors watch the game.
I’m ok with the rest of the team but would like Higgers to inject his mongrel and bash guys in defence.
Chances are Deans will get the backs to play conservative, field position rugby now he has selected an attacking 10 after wanting them to play expansive rugby with a conservative 10 last week.
- Chucka
  
  If the Kiwi’s throw it to Higgers wing I’m confidant he’ll annihilate them!!!!
Red Kev

Check out this rant from Alan Jones, it’s a beauty:

Australian broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones has blasted Robbie Deans, saying his side would be better off if he would “shut up” and “stay at home”.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/7534689/Robbie-Deans-out-of-his-depth-Alan-Jones
- Nipper
  
  For an absolute dickhead, he makes some good points.
  - http://BigFella Big Fella
    
    Red Kev’s OK when you get to know him!
    - Red Kev
      
      Gold Big Fella – solid gold!
    - Nipper
      
      Missed this one before – well played, Big Fella!
Nipper

You know Simmons will be on the bench. Why? He hasn’t done a damned thing at this level, much less as an “impact” player off the bench. Sure, he’s a good lineout option, but that should be a given as a test lock.

No power in the scrum, ineffectual at the breakdown, no ball carrying abilities of note, and a low workrate.

Why does he keep getting test caps when there are other good young talents like Neville and Pyle around who could be getting blooded?
- Bobby
  
  Simmons is the best lineout caller and option in Australia and believe it or not that actually makes a big difference in the game. He has very good support play for a bloke his size and he will develop with time spent in the test team rather than chopping and changing the lock combination. Timani isn’t up to Test level full stop. Notice how many lineouts we competed for last week against the throw. bugger all is the answer, that hasn’t happened when Simmons has been on the field.
  - Nipper
    
    Listen, I’ve got nothing against the guy, other than that he hasn’t seized the opportunities he’s been given, and hasn’t made an impact at the international level. He’s been in the squad since before the RWC, so he’s had a chance to develop and hasn’t.
    
    He may be a great lineout caller at the Reds, but I hardly think that Victor Matfield was quaking in his boots when he came on. However, I DO think that he was looking over his shoulder when Sharpie was next to him in the lineout.
    
    I also fail to see how he “makes a difference around the field”. Looking at Scott’s 2011 Wallaby involvement rates, you’ll see that he was mediocre at best. If he were a great support player, it would show in deed and in stats, and it doesn’t.
    
    2011 Wallaby lock involvement rates:
    Vickerman – 2.77
    Sharpe – 1.97
    Horwill – 1.72
    Simmons – 1.47
    Timani – 1.22
    
    “Rob Simmons is another who needs to lift his work around the park – apart from the semi-final against New Zealand he’s been consistently outperformed by the other locks.”
    
    Good Super Rugby player, not cutting it at international level. Bring in the other young talents like Pyle and Neville, and give them the same opportunities.
DC.

Moore should be starting, Slipper should be starting. Beale and Gill BETTER BE ON THE BENCH OR ELSE DEANS IS A F***KING MORON.
mjw

I am worried about Alexander at TH. However the injury to Woodcock may be a godsend as Crockett also gets penalised a lot. Interesting to see how this goes.
Jay-c

Some serious schoolboy comments here
Let’s put 15 new guys in who mostly havnt played together… Let’s try players out of position… Let’s all panic!!!
AF

When fit. 1. Palmer, 2. Moore, 3. Slipper, 4. Pyle, 5. Horwill, 6. Hooper/Schatz, 7. Pocock, 8. Mowen, 9. Genia, 10. Cooper, 11. Digby, 12. Leafiano, 13. Tapuai, 14. Tomane/O’Connor, 15. Morahan
- jrsONE
  
  Agree with 90% of this team. I would have Palu in for Mowen still – and Morahan at 15 over Beale is lunacy. He has all of Beale’s bad qualities with none of the good ones!
  - AF
    
    The only problem with Palu is his low work rate, similar to Higginbotham. If he could pick this up he would be a certain player when fit.
    
    Morahan was one of the only alternative I could think of other than Kurtley Beale at the time. A better replacement would probably be O’Connor. Beale provides too little too far apart.
Timbo

You’re all wrong. To fix this problem we need to put players who havn’t played on the internation stage yet. Lets blood some new players at Eden Park.

Either than or just play all reds players.

that way we’re sure to win…

arent we? after all, they did almost get to the finals of the S15? They must be good..
MyRugby Mate

Cooper being disliked by most Kiwi’s and his first game back… Eden Park, he’s in for a roasting by the crowd, for sure, guaranteed. All good stuff though, nothing like playing in front of a hostile crowd to make a comeback…

Let’s hope to see;
An attacking plan of attack
Some balls returning to the tight 5
No stupid friggin’ short kicks

Will be interesting to see how the scrum fronts, win it there…
Dan

Alexander at TH is a problem. Watch us get pinged repeatedly, followed by Carter accumulating the 3 pointers. It’s going to be a slugfest and this is something we are simply not equipped for. I’ll watch and yell at the TV supporting the wallabies holding on to some hope that we may produce the goods. This is what it’s come to *sigh*
billybobv

I forget, is Mowen in the 30 man squad? It would be good to see him get some time on the pitch.
I was thinking it would’ve been nice to see Mogg named into the squad last weekend (at least the 30). That would be player development, though, wouldn’t it?
Gunner

Some said the Wallabies had the advantage prior to Bledisloe 1 because they would spend longer in camp than the AB’s. I look at it as a serious disadvantage – they had how many weeks locked up with Deans listening to his drivel? two minutes at a press conference is confusing, imagine it 24/7?
- Robson
  
  That was just smart arse “talk up” by Steve Hansen. His comments were much closer to what he really thought after the game.
Fatflanker

Law of averages says we’re in with a chance. I’d frankly be happy if:
1) We contest every bloody line-out, on our line or otherwise
2) We get some accuracy into our passes that allows them to be taken at chest level and on the run, (bugger me – we might even see the Kiwi line bent for a change and the ball retained long enough for some support to arrive
3) The front row comes up throwing punches after the first scrum collapse…and it will
- muffy
  
  Have to agree with the front row throwing punches. Love it, loved doing it love seeing it.
  
  You can stand about on the field lauging with your opposite post game ONLY if you gave him some knuckle during the game, otherwise you are his bitch if he wins.
  
  Case in point Canno and Mealamu
  
  Sigh, those were the good old days
  - Dave
    
    They had a good chuckle after it as well. Canno tells the story as they were going to the sheds Mealamu was asking him how his kids were. Love to see it. Unfortunately everybody wants to be playing the following week so doubtless it would happen.
- http://BigFella Big Fella
  
  When he’s back playing again, I like to see someone knock that stupid smirk off Woodcock’s face.
In the centres

Quote ” FOR a man who usually has plenty to say, recalled Test five-eighth Quade Cooper has indicated he will say little before Saturday’s must-win Bledisloe Cup Test.”

Common sense at last – 6 second press conference and no bullshit. Im back Im fit and ready to play.

Lets bloody hope so……as long as the rest of them go forward too.
tommy

Well, I guess we can’t complain when Deans doesn’t use his bench this week because he hasn’t even fcking picked one!

Being serious though, not picking your 22 at one time is completly unprofessional & gives the appearence of a team in complete chaos. The Blacks must be laughing.
Jimbo81

Why is it everyone here can pick a side that would thump Deans’?
Dave

I’m not sure full back is AACs best position. Much prefer him at OC. But we need someone solid there as KB may be in a bit of a slump. You couldn’t have KB on anything less than the bench though.
Palmer’s injured is he not? And if not Slipper I’d go for Holmes rather than Alexander. Hard worker and solid scrummager. But I don’t see Deans going outside the squad. But Alexander needs to pull one out here.

If the forwards can simply gain parity at the rucks and get their share of front foot ball Dennis will be an asset. He is tireless and deserves another shot. He trucks the ball forward quickly and efficiently. And although Schatz wouldn’t be a bad substitute Dennis’s line out work is another tick in the box. And I agree with Bob Dwyer, Higgers has got to be more involved around the rucks. If he can inject a bit more traditional forward play into his games his indulgences in the backline may be forgiven. But at the moment his positional play means we are missing a forward where it matters most. He needs to find more of a balance and pick his moments to be out wide. Still a fan though.

I’d put my money on QC having a good game – if the forwards provide him front foot ball. He’ll want to atone for being dropped last week and his performance in the semi final of the RWC last year. He’s had a lot of time off to meditate on his WC and what he could have done differently. This bodes well for him. If only the other WBs around him can step up we might stand a chance of at least making it a contest. I also want to see him shut up that parochial kiwi crowd. Other than a win nothing would please me more.

Horne needs to stand up more than most. As a young player he showed a tonne of attacking promise but has failed to deliver on the international stage. Although I don’t think he is as bad as most here he really needs to repay the faith Deans is showing in him. Barnes inside him (always sounds wrong) might be a point of difference. Ant is not exactly a ball playing 12 which pretty much relegates Horne to helping out at ruck time once Ant invariably gets tackled. So maybe he is being too harshly criticised for something not exactly under his control. I only half believe this btw.

Barnes at 12 offers the WBs more options. Plain and simple. Two play makers will always keep the opposition guessing. Considering their different styles this can only be all the more true. I’d like to see a few swaps by these 2 in the same set of phases to emphasise this. Guile is something the WBs have lacked for a while now. Time to get it back.

Should be a good game I hope. I don’t think it’ll be the blow out some others are suggesting. I do think it’ll be much the same scoreline as last week with both sides playing better. Always happy to be wrong though.

C’mon the Wallabies!
- jrsONE
  
  Just to add to your comments on Barnes: Beyond acting a additional playmaker, putting him at 12 actually removes a lot of the nagging issues in his game. He tends to kick when under pressure, and generally he kicks poorly in these situations. Will be great to see him getting the ball after Quade has already absorbed a bit of that pressure. I think the key is that the loose forward will be too far away from Berrick to tackle him- and if he is kicking, he will be able to produce a more accurate result. Would love to see us pin the All Blacks in their own 22 and put the pressue back on them.
- Brumby Runner
  
  Have always believed AAC offers more at fullback. He is more than capable under the high ball (rare in Aust teams) and runs the ball back strongly. Poor passing game works against him at 13.
  
  Barnes is also a better 12 than 10. But, if fit (which he clearly wasn’t last week) Beale would offer a lot more at 12.
Expo

Every rugby fan in Aus expected the attacking performance supplied by BB, AF and RH. RD must have built his game plan around this style. Does this now mean we have a brand new game plan to execute, or will QC be required to continue the square peg, round hole experiment of the world cup?
Rusty

I am not going to lie…. Now Steve Moore is starting we are looking better. However why did we have to wait till three days before the second test match to get a semi decent team!!! Horne etc I can live with few bad choices however I would have loved to see this team have that three weeks prep and play last sat. Good luck boys
Slayer

its really a game, come win or lose, will be of great benefit to aussie rugby

If we win – fucking great! this silly eden hoodoo is broken, the bledisloe is still alive and the arrogant kiwi will be silenced for a few days.. maybe

If (as i expect) we get smashed – then its another big nail in the Deans coffin. He seems a nice bloke but all together an inept and clueless one. I want him so gone its starting to hurt so lets hope if we are on the end of a hiding his tenure will also be approaching the end

We cant lose!
- Robson
  
  Hmm, two bob each way eh?
JJJ

If Deans didn’t want QC in his match-day 22 but didn’t want the media hounding him about it he couldn’t have picked a better game to drop him into. No doubt in my mind that he’s hoping Quade plays a poor game win or lose.

And in the hardest venue in the world in front of possibly the most personally hostile crowd in rugby, short of match-time, the odds are stacked against a good game from him.
Queenslander

Unfortunately whoever gets picked has to ‘play what is in front of them’ whatever the f*&^ that means. In this case it will be a bloody great wall of black jerseys. Deans gives the players no structure and consequently no hope. Little chance at Eden Park with their baying supporters. They all get up at 6.00 o’clock clean their tooth and head to the rugby
Trys NOT Kicks

I actually like this backline–I have been asking for it for a few years now…but WHY has it been given when players are underdone? Drew is surely underdone (if he performs its a real sign of class) Copper to I feel has not had the time back for the baptism of fire in Eden Park for his return (and we have already seen that class does not precede match fitness/exposure, I mean check out Beale.

Finally the forward pack just aint that great…shame we lost Pocock but at least Hooper should be a good replacement. But the props may mean we are smashed at scrumtime. Timani certainly wont help this….

Still Wallabies by 6 says the heart (the head has to be wrong sometime)
murph

Let’s discuss each selection and estimate the percentage contribution from Deans’s six selection criterion:

Discoverability – Robbie gets to potentially exhibit his talent spotting virtuoso…potentially…and thereby further cement his mythical reputation for being the genius that discovered Cooper, Beale, Pocock, O’Connor, Horwill & Genia all living as unknown cave dwelling hermits on the face of Mt Sinai. The fact that nobody else can see the potential in McCabe, McCalman, Maafu, Mumm , Timani, Phipps & Vuna simply reinforces Deans’s view of Robbie Deans’s unique genius.

Reputation – The media, the man, the myth. It works. How else would Matt Dunning achieve 45 caps?

Tahdness – Good breeding or, even better, a servile untermenschen convert hunting for a Wallaby jersey

Unflushability – Selection equivalent of booking a berth on the Titanic…in May, 1912.

Cool Hair – Ogden Nash: “‘Tis always tempting to impute unlikely virtues to the cute”

Form – Booooring. Zzzzzzz

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 40%
Tahdness 30%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 10%
Form 20%

Gets shifted by Deans into any position where there’s a dearth of Waratahs or some non-Waratah has had a single bad game. Will be forever rewarded for his role in scuttling Andy Friend’s reign at the Brumbies and then jumping ship to the Tahs. Lucky that Beale was dropped as was in line to be selected at tighthead prop after Kepu pulled up lame.

14. Drew Mitchell

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 50%
Tahdness 35%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 15%
Form 0%

Dreadful selection with no basis in merit or form. Has played virtually no rugby in 9 months. The form that he has shown has been poor. Injury prone. No match fitness. But he plays for the Tahs! Right now, Dom Shipperly must be looking at contracts in France & Japan; unless he signs with the Tahs, in which case a Wallaby cap will be dispatched by DHL Express, forthwith.

13. Rob Horne

Discoverability 25%
Reputation 20%
Tahdness 15%
Unflushability 30%
Cool Hair 10%
Form 0%

One of Deans’s Unflushables. Keeps floating to the surface despite contributing nothing. Doesn’t quite achieve the maximum Tahdness factor having gone to a non-GPS school. Ball hog: those outside him may as well settle down for a kip. Apparently runs good lines, which is true if you believe persistently running into Digby’s space meets that particular criterion. Also, rides the myth of being a good defensive centre. Worst tackling stats for any regular #13 in S15, backed up with 50% missed tackles in last weekend’s turkey shoot have done nothing to sink the myth. Makes one wonder why Nonu bothered to run decoys when he could’ve just danced straight over Horne’s face.

12. Berrick Barnes

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 20%
Tahdness 45%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 0%
Form 35%

Not great form in S15 and was out of sorts against the ABs and didn’t control the game particularly well. Good form against Wales but not great. Is better at 12 than 10 – an observation that a three year old could make. Worries a lot; lately at being eventually usurped by Deans’s favourite backline discovery, McCabe who is currently preparing for a return journey via the S-bend.

11. Digby Ioane

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 20%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 5%
Form 75%

No brainer for anyone with more than two neurones, so it’s lucky that Robbie has developed exactly three; although, a pony of mid-strength or a difficult encounter with a revolving door could see that change. Tries hard and manages to contribute despite having to subsist on receiving ball from around the ruck. Only Reds player standing behind the 5/8th, despite the Reds being vastly superior to the team which, incredibly, has landed the contract to supply Every. Single. Other. Player. Possibly in danger of being dropped if Robbie goes for the Blue Flush. There can be never enough Tahs in the 3/4 line.

10. Quade Cooper

Discoverability 10%
Reputation 50%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability -30%
Cool Hair 15%
Form 55%

Not much game time in S15 but form grew rapidly upon return. Was on a roll until an unfortunate collision with an Oscar-winning Sookface that gave SANZAR the casus belli to commence the derailment of the Reds. Can be solely blamed for last weekend’s loss: he dared to disagree with Deans and, therefore, selfishly ruled himself out of contention for selection. For his trouble, he’s been thrown the hospital pass of the century whilst being plunged headfirst into a steel smelter.

9. Will Genia (c)

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 20%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 0%
Form 80%

Best halfback in Australia for a country mile. Unfortunately, stands too close to slow things. Hence gets blamed for that thing being slow, even if he’s doing what he’s told to do and so is it.

8. Scott Higginbotham

Discoverability 10%
Reputation 40%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability -10%
Cool Hair 10%
Form 50%

A bit like vegemite, either loved or loathed. Great S15 form. Grudgingly selected. Not so great international form. Probably should be playing at blindside flanker but that could potentially torpedo plans for an all Waratahs backrow of Hooper, Dennis and Palu and would allow Queensland-bred scum like Schatz and Mowen into the mix. Has a cool name that’s unfortunately difficult to reduce to a nickname, thus causing great angst and awkwardness.

7. Michael Hooper

Discoverability 10%
Reputation 30%
Tahdness 45%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair -25%
Form 40%

Good S15 form. Showed flashes of brilliance but also occasionally blew cold. Fearless. Consequently possesses a head, and likely a brain, that resembles a dropped pie. Made the correct choice of signing with the Tahs which has guaranteed selection over Liam Gill who played all over him when they came head to head.

6. Dave Dennis

Discoverability 10%
Reputation 0%
Tahdness 40%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 0%
Form 30%

Good S15 form but not great. However, being the best in the Waratahs, much like winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics, has attracted great attention and, therefore, allowed him to cement a spot ahead of Schatz, Hodgson and Mowen despite the latter having shown, at least, equivalent form.

5. Nathan Sharpe

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 10%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair -20%
Form 90%

For want of a better cliché, like a good Margaret River Red that gets better with age. Pumped up in the face of his own mortality, he plays every game like it’s his last. Good bloke. Don’t know how he slipped through the net.

4. Sitaleki Timani

Discoverability 25%
Reputation 15%
Tahdness 30%
Unflushability 30%
Cool Hair 0%
Form 0%

Achieved the feat of not being able to make the underperforming Waratah’s regular starting pack but still makes the Wallabies. Incredibly unfit, but big and hairy which must make Deans’s wee-wee feel funny. Lumbering oaf who makes Garrick Morgan’s career at the Queensland Crushers look like that of Steve Walters’s at the Raiders. Deans considered rolling an Easter Island monolith statue down the tunnel at Eden Park, instead, but thought that might be too scary for the locals.

3. Ben Alexander

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 25%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability 75%
Cool Hair 0%
Form 0%

Has played loosehead prop all year the Brumbies so is a natural replacement for Kepu over Slipper, who is the incumbent reserve prop and has played tighthead prop all year for the Reds. Is normally on the bench due to his innate & unique ability to play equally as badly on either side of the scrum.

2. Stephen Moore

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 25%
Tahdness 0%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair -10%
Form 85%
Form hooker in the Australian conference so, naturally, has ridden the pine whilst TPN, who cannot throw straight and cannot last more than 55 minutes, has started. Probably wishes he signed for Ireland…or Saudi Arabia.

1. Benn Robinson

Discoverability 0%
Reputation 25%
Tahdness 70%
Unflushability 0%
Cool Hair 0%
Form 5%

More Fat than Cat these days, mainly due to the Tahs new training regime which involves rushing between the PR agents office & the male grooming salon, attending social media classes, lunching with Sydney-based sports journos, getting wankered and doing chores around the Deans’s and O’Neills’s. Is not in great form but is the default choice given that there are no other looseheads in the country other than Greg Holmes & Pek Cowan who played their entire S15 season in a dimension that remains strangely undetectable from the lofty heights of Crows Nest.
- squidknuckle
  
  Gold!
- BloodRed
  
  Bloody hell.Going to need quinine tablets to deal with the cramps I’ve got after reading that. Best post of the year Murph.
- wannabprop
  
  That was f&%$?!! hilarious. The best laugh I’ve had the last few days while in a state of utter depression over the impending disaster across the dutch. Have you ever considered stand up?
  - murph
    
    Cheers mate. I’m actually just trying to amuse myself about the whole thing now. The anger and annoyance consumed me and turned me into more of a twat than I already am.
    
    You have to laugh. It’s all that’s left.
Justtacklehim

Why continue to waste a bench spot in case Genia gets injured? Surely a utility back that could step into halfback is a better option than having someone ride the pine all season. Especially at the speed we recycle ball. Maybe Lucas deserves a shot?
- murph
  
  I think Lucas is still out injured…
GregT

Change in the backline means nothing if they don’t get swift service from Genia at the breakdown and abandon the practice of launching pointless and predictable forward drives from behind the gain line.
Bruiser

What a fucken joke. Alexander at TH…just what we need a loose running prop playing the hardest nosed position on the field. Oh and not to mention he gets pinged more than Al. Watch the hand on the ground at ‘Engage’.

Tamani should be a wrecking ball, instead he runs around like he’s trying to work out whats going on and occasionally does some damage. And all respect to Sharpe but there’s better out there. He does his job but he’s no Big Kev.

Beale deserved to be dropped particularly as I saw him laughing it up with SBW post match after we got wipped. If only for that. That said he’s a game breaker with a platform, but needs also to suck it up. Quite disappointing from a father’s perspective letting his son watch and question why he’s all happy after the match.

Cooper in, should have been last match, now Dingo throws him to the wolves. Mitchell after how long out? What about Shipperly?

And don’t get me started about Horne…or all the Tahs for that matter. You include mediocrity I guess that’s all you get. Blame Foley for that perhaps, but Deans with the majority of the side Tahs certainly hasn’t done any better.

Need a good honest clean out, starting with the under achieving coach who can’t get his players to respond.
boutbloodytime

@Murph….great read to have a laugh while the brain explosion that is the R Deans experiment continues…

My obvious 2 questions of this weekend’s team are these:
1. Why start Drew Mitchell this week without giving him a run for at least 20 minutes last week to give him some exposure & match fitness? (Cos come Sunday morning, we will probably all be saying he looked way underdone)…Kurtley could/should have been yanked last weekend at halftime & the entire backline experiment could have been tested in match conditions, along with AAC’s effectiveness from fullback.

2. Why isn’t Kurtley starting? He had a shocker last week & it looks like a reaction from media pressure that Deans dropped him this week. I’m totally pissed of with his laughing with the enemy last week post game but NOW is the time for Deans to pull him aside & say: You had a shocker, you f@#ked up royally, now get out there & prove to everyone what it REALLY means to pull on a Wallabies jersey….& get him fired up for a must win occasion.

All this weeks backline selections have done is substitute one ‘X-factor’ player for another…get 2 of them on the park with fresh legs at the start of the game to hopefully inject some pace, tear it up & get some confidence in attack, set the tone for the entire game, get the nuns second guessing a bit & see some running rugby.

As for QC at 10…I think with BB outside him as a stabilising influence will give him some composure & with only a few days in NZ, the pressure will hopefully be more manageable than during RWC2011…I think he’s got too much class to end up the rabbit in the headlights again.

And can someone please cork R Horne’s thigh so we end up with a half decent backline that can run AND pass?

As for the piggies…I’m about as clueless as Alain Rolland when it comes to the dark arts & scrumtime, but with the frontrow selection, it might be worth a look on sportodds to see what they’re offering on a penalty try to the nuns for our scrum constantly collapsing on our own 5m line.

Give the forwards a dozen redbulls each before kickoff (except Sharpie- just keep doing what you’ve been doing) & we might just be in with a shout.

Heart as always says Wallabies….but head says nuns by 8+, although I think if we nicked a win now, most of us would probably agree that it would have a longer term detrimental effect to rugby in Australia
Ozabroad

8 Waratahs in the starting side. Its just so infuruating to watch this over and over again. We will get pumped and by the end of season tour McKenzie will be in. He will pick on form and the team will have 2 -3 waratahs.

Hope is now all we have .

Q: Have reporters ever questioned Deans on why so many Waratahs are in the team.
murph

No. If they do, they lose favour, ‘access’ and their job. Ask Wayne Smith.
Galumay

What’s with all the hating on Beale & others for happily chatting with AB’s after the game? I could understand it from those that have never played the game, but even someone who had more than a passing interest in the game could observe that it’s one of the central things that separates rugby from lesser sports.

It’s as it’s always been, smash each other on the field for 80 minutes as a warm up and then enjoy the company and a few cold Speights! The after party has always been what rugby is truly about. If you don’t get that then piss off and watch diet rugby or fairy ball.

BTW, don’t hold much hope for the Wobblies on Saturday, I am off to watch Nelson v Cantebury tonite, that may well be a more entertaining game.
CT Hong Kong

I’m probably missing something, but why is Nick Phipps (a one-position player) on the bench again? Is Ben Lucas injured? If not, then surely we’d be better picking him as he can cover at least three back-line positions.
- REDinCPT
  
  there’s already 3 players in the team who can cover 10 – cooper, barnes and beale and 3 players who can cover 15 – aac, beale and mitchell. as much as i would like to see lucas given a go, i’m not so sure a utility 9 is required when going with a 4/3 bench split.
- murph
  
  I think Lucas is injured
CT Hong Kong

REDinCPT, that’s a fair point. I still just don’t see the point of having Phipps on the bench when he can only really cover one role and not sure I’d put him in the category of an ‘impact player’. Even less convinced when he’s there to cover a guy that never seems to get injured.
- Mighty Moth
  
  Totally agree, I would also say that Lucas would be a better 9 then Phipps. Sure, he hasn’t played there for a while but he kept Genia on the bench for some time. Gives a lot more options then Phipps by being able to play 9, 10, 12 and 15 well.
gerard flanagan

We’d smash the ABs if we could bring across Cronk, Slater and GI to name a few.

This is the great frustration. Aust basically plays RL.We actually have the best players between codes in people like Cronk, Slater and GI to name a few. Much better pickings than when we got Lote, Wendell and Rogers who themselves went ok.

Reality is we’d absolutely cream it in rugby if we got these guys sorted. We’d belt the ABs routinely if we supplemented these guys with other leagueys to add to the existing “spine”of union players……..
Wayne Owens

Steve, I’m trying to get hold of your contact details. The website contact link is down for some reason.

Regards,

Wayne Owens

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