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RWC Pool D - Wallabies vs Uruguay -Saturday October 5 2019 @ 2:15pm

molman

Peter Johnson (47)
We should just clam possession up in the first 40 in pod after pod after pod, like Ireland.

Then loosen up in the second half.

Are we disciplined enough to do this without any errors. I just don't think we can play like Ireland and even Ireland is struggling to play like Ireland.... throw in a greasy pill and you have issues.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Are we disciplined enough to do this without any errors. I just don't think we can play like Ireland and even Ireland is struggling to play like Ireland.. throw in a greasy pill and you have issues.
Our forward pack is, for sure.
 

MarkJ

Bob Loudon (25)
If you need someone at 10 to soak up the rush defence in the first half then To'omua’s the guy surely, more robust than Foley or CLL and more willing just to charge it up. If he’s still in one piece after half time then space might open for him, or if he’s worn out then CLL or Foley come on when the going’s easier.

Either that or start Tupou at 10
 

Strewthcobber

Mark Ella (57)
Toomu has started at 10 4 times for the Wobs. Twice in big losses to NZ in ancient history and a nice win against a pretty poor Italy on tour last year.

The 4th is the big loss to England last year. Encouragingly we went into half time all square at 13 all in that game, but then they blew us away after half time.

Think we are a fair bit better than that team now, we were missing JOC (James O'Connor), White, Poey, Arnold, Isi, and LLT among others.
 

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
Toomu has started at 10 4 times for the Wobs. Twice in big losses to NZ in ancient history and a nice win against a pretty poor Italy on tour last year.

The 4th is the big loss to England last year. Encouragingly we went into half time all square at 13 all in that game, but then they blew us away after half time.

Think we are a fair bit better than that team now, we were missing JOC (James O'Connor), White, Poey, Arnold, Isi, and LLT among others.


He was pretty fresh and a different player back when we had those 2 big losses to NZ too. Wouldn't read too much into that.

He has always been a solid 10 option for the Brumbies, he was just a little one-dimensional and lacked a running threat. I think he's developed that game now so I'm backing him to be a solid 10 over the next few years.
 

molman

Peter Johnson (47)
He was pretty fresh and a different player back when we had those 2 big losses to NZ too. Wouldn't read too much into that.

He has always been a solid 10 option for the Brumbies, he was just a little one-dimensional and lacked a running threat. I think he's developed that game now so I'm backing him to be a solid 10 over the next few years.

Will the Rebels play him at 10 though with Deegan on board? or will he be a Owen Farell type who plays 10/12 as needed. I just get a sense that it is one of Australia's issues in letting the players really own a position.

Either way, I agree To'omua might be our 10, which is why I'm not sure they will play him next game or save him.
 

A mutterer

Desmond Connor (43)
Well im pretty confident for this game.

I'm confident Chieka has done fuck all research on opposing team to see if they have any interception merchants. Their ruck strategy? Like fuck he will, oh look a hill. Start running lads.

I'm also confident he'll continue swapping players. Combos? Like fuck, there's some hills to run up. Turn the music up.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
I am surprised at the apparent turnaround in a lot of posts about Matt To'omua. Just a few weeks ago, he was regarded by most as being No 3 in the No 10 stakes and many said he was fortunate to make the RWC squad just on his versatility. Many a poster said he was at best a 12 able in an emergency to play 10.

Now he's all the rage at 10. Smacks again of fans looking for the next big (or best) thing. I see as being the first choice No 10 because he was one of the two players selected for that position. He is arguably a better player than Foley based on Super form through the whole of 2019, and their respective form lines in tests this year, albeit not great by either of them. Add to that, that Foley has been really poor over most of his test matches in the last 4 year period and he is demonstrably at the lowest ebb of his career right now. For my money, CLL should be the starter in big games for now, but To'omua does warrant a chance by starting in one of the two remaining pool games to see what he offers. Time for Foley has run out imo.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
I am surprised at the apparent turnaround in a lot of posts about Matt To'omua. Just a few weeks ago, he was regarded by most as being No 3 in the No 10 stakes and many said he was fortunate to make the RWC squad just on his versatility. Many a poster said he was at best a 12 able in an emergency to play 10.


This is just based on watching the last few test matches the Wallabies have played. Foley and Leali'ifano have been crap and To'omua has been good.

The turnaround has been pretty stark. To'omua was pretty poor against South Africa and Argentina but then much better against NZ in our win, not horrible in our loss and then good against Samoa and our two RWC games.

Rugby Heaven is reporting that To'omua is likely to start at 10 against Uruguay.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
He came on against Argentina and couldn’t pass a ball a la Foley on Sunday. Thankfully, he’s improved ten-fold since then but I’d still be keen to have CLL start and MT from the bench (in the quarters at least) as I think To'omua is better at running into space himself at the end of games.
 
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molman

Peter Johnson (47)
So this is Rugby Heavens/Stuff.co's (https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/r...led-for-rugby-world-cup-match-against-uruguay) guess at the starting 15;

1. Slipper
2. Fainga'a
3. Tupou
4. Simmons
5. Coleman
6. Lukhan
7. Pocock
8. Dempsey
9. White
10. To'omua
11. Petaia
12. Beale
13. Tevita
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. DHP

.. not far off my own guess except they've gone with To'omua and White, the former who I thought they might rest. I wonder if they have some actual insights or are just speculating like the rest of us.
 

molman

Peter Johnson (47)
... oh and they give Marika a rest unlike me. Guess I just like seeing the man run around too much :)
 

Bobas

Darby Loudon (17)
No one thinks there's a chance Foley could start in 9? He is only in the squad to be our third choice scrumhalf now.
 

KOB1987

Rod McCall (65)
Interesting and echos my own thoughts on the situation hence why I had Genia/Foley with To'omua off the bench for the next game.. interesting that he believes we just run out with our best 15 for the next two games too.
There’s some merit in it considering the run some of the others have into the finals, e.g England. But on the other hand we want to protect our MVPs as much as possible. I’d say all of the 31 players will get trotted out these two games and there will be an emphasis on combinations.
 

molman

Peter Johnson (47)
There’s some merit in it considering the run some of the others have into the finals, e.g England. But on the other hand we want to protect our MVPs as much as possible. I’d say all of the 31 players will get trotted out these two games and there will be an emphasis on combinations.

You'd have to imagine so... I'd expect some of the starting 15 on the bench to run some combos later in the match and/or to be there if things go pear shape, similar to how Eddie didn't bring on players like Farrell till later in the USA match.
 
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