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TRC2021 - Wallabies v Boks @ Suncorp 18/09

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
I’d guess that Banks will retain his spot as he is pretty good in the air and we know what’s coming. Hope to see JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench and maybe he gets a run there late in the game.

True, I think Hodge is solid under the high ball too. Wouldn't mind seeing him get a crack. Although maybe he should be punished for kicking the ball away last match with only a couple minutes to go.

Also, whilst Banks has been far from good. I don't think he has been bad either, far from a liability.
 

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
I'd like to see JOC (James O'Connor) take Banks' spot. Would like to see our attack with a second playmaker at 15, rather than someone who is solid under a high ball and kicks well for line off a penalty.

Hopefully Banks has a blinder and proves he is more than that.

Not a good strategy against the Boks. I'd take the solid high ball FB every time.

I don't get the JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback love, I just don't see him being effective there at all. Banks would probably have a better broken play running game then him these days, and thats saying a lot given Banks doesn't have much of one at all.

The playmaker thing is a bit over-rated with Cooper in the team, and Kerevi stepping up his distribution game.
 
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Derpus

George Gregan (70)
True, I think Hodge is solid under the high ball too. Wouldn't mind seeing him get a crack. Although maybe he should be punished for kicking the ball away last match with only a couple minutes to go.

Also, whilst Banks has been far from good. I don't think he has been bad either, far from a liability.
Clever ploy to milk a penalty from the resulting scrum. Straight out of the Bok playbook.
 

wamberal

Phil Kearns (64)
Banks is the best 15 we have at the moment, happy to see an upgrade, but the other options suggested are really no better and don't play there enough
We will need to get our skates on to find a suitable 15. I have said it before, but my money is on Vunivalu. Long odds at the moment, but worth a flutter.
 

KOB1987

Rod McCall (65)
Banks is the best 15 we have at the moment, happy to see an upgrade, but the other options suggested are really no better and don't play there enough
You’re right, there are a few players with potential but haven’t been playing there much e.g Petaia, Kellaway and others coming through the system e.g. Harrison/Donaldson, Vunivalu. Hodge played there a bit this year but even so is probably more valuable as a utility from the bench.

Given the obvious weakness up the back I was initially surprised not to see KB (Kurtley Beale) there as a target for one of the overseas returnees, however I note the targets are specifically for RWC 23, and it’s probable they’ll have it sorted by then, or at least expect to, within the current group.

That said if Banks doesn’t come good I’ll be very surprised if KB (Kurtley Beale) doesn’t get the call up for the EOYT given it’s in the test window (the window that WR (World Rugby) give a fuck about that is).

For now, lift, Mr Banks!
 
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The Nomad

Bob Davidson (42)
Not a good strategy against the Boks. I'd take the solid high ball FB every time.

I don't get the JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback love, I just don't see him being effective there at all. Banks would probably have a better broken play running game then him these days, and thats saying a lot given Banks doesn't have much of one at all.

The playmaker thing is a bit over-rated with Cooper in the team, and Kerevi stepping up his distribution game.
Just think JOC (James O'Connor) would bring more from the back field than Banks can . Maybe create something on the counter? Step into a second playmaker on a wide blindside to put a little more indecision in the defensive alignment?

Not like he hasn’t done it before , regularly fields kicks in back play for the Reds , similar to Quade in his glory days where the counter was a weapon, maybe just not as quick anymore, but still quick between the ears.

For me Banks biggest attacking threat is his running lines off set plays , I’m just not that convinced of his rugby IQ in general play, which is why I would like to see JOC (James O'Connor) there.

Could well be way off the mark and if so wouldn’t be the first time. Happy to see Banks prove me wrong tomorrow night.

Go the Wallabies!
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
I think we lose this one. SA were already tightening up the game by the second half after a rusty first and won it. If we want to win i think we need an early lead of more than a try again.
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
Most players rugby IQs wouldn’t be as high as JOCs, but Banks brings other skills. It’s just a position where we don’t have someone playing the house down - but I agree with the comment above that Banks hasn’t been fantastic, but he hasn’t been terrible either. He got out jumped a fair bit by the Boks last weekend, but I don’t think there is anyone available who would’ve been better under the high ball.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Hodge or JOC (James O'Connor) get a chance, but I won’t be expecting a major improvement if either do.
 

KOB1987

Rod McCall (65)
I think we lose this one. SA were already tightening up the game by the second half after a rusty first and won it. If we want to win i think we need an early lead of more than a try again.
I’ve actually been getting a bit more bullish on this game as the week went on. We knew what the Boks were going to bring but I don’t think we were 100% ready for it, especially the maul droll. They will be better this week but I think we will counter better.

Good guys by 6
 

tragic

John Solomon (38)
Hope Quade has had his citizenship granted.
Based on the current metric for decision making there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll be f@#ked again by Sun.
 

Namerican

Bill Watson (15)
Banks has been middling. If they are going to make a change I would think they would do it against Argentina as it gives them time to get someone else up to speed at 15. I assume they figure Hodge is not an upgrade based on selection to date.

Banks is a step ahead of the rest as he is an outright 15.

Someone else called him Jessie Mogg 2.0 and I think that is true, though Banks is perhaps better under the high ball, worse at kicking, Mogg a bit quicker, but not as big. They both do fullback like things in terms of the aerial game, but do not offer much in attack via their feet and passing. If that is your game you better be absolutely clinical. Willie Le Roux and Halfpenny (these days...yes they do offer a bit more running game...but general comparison) are similar-ish, but they are clinical.
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
Ultimately Petaia is our best option at 15. Hes good under the high ball, has a decent boot and has the rugby IQ with speed to burn. Hopefully we will see him there in Super Rugby next year. He is best when in space.
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I’ve actually been getting a bit more bullish on this game as the week went on. We knew what the Boks were going to bring but I don’t think we were 100% ready for it, especially the maul droll. They will be better this week but I think we will counter better.

Good guys by 6

Im not sure what to make of it, after watch the Boks in the B&I Lions series, the physicality they demonstrated was on another level that I didn't think the Wallabies would be able to match.

Maybe that style of play doesn't work against non-NH teams? or maybe they were undercooked... haven't decided yet.
 
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