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England v Australia - Twickenham, 14 Nov, 4:30am AEDT

upthereds#!

Ken Catchpole (46)
Tuilagi on the wing - Easy steamroller BUT perhaps an opportunity to catch him wrong footed or in poor position in the backfield. HOWEVER I have doubts we can take advantage of that.
 

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
Tuilagi on the wing - Easy steamroller BUT perhaps an opportunity to catch him wrong footed or in poor position in the backfield. HOWEVER I have doubts we can take advantage of that.
Also I think really they’re just moving speed around. They’ll have Furbank, May, and alternating Smith & Farrell roaming the back with Tuilagi & Slade defending first up. EJ (Eddie Jones) is just getting his best men on the park
 

Tex

John Thornett (49)
Has he ever been that effective against us? He was a physical specimen in midfield who has had some stellar performances, but what is his form on the wing?

It's not as though every hulk can immediately turn into a Lomu or Savea or Naiyaravoro, let alone defend the wing and deal with backfield kicks.
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
Has he ever been that effective against us? He was a physical specimen in midfield who has had some stellar performances, but what is his form on the wing?

It's not as though every hulk can immediately turn into a Lomu or Savea or Naiyaravoro, let alone defend the wing and deal with backfield kicks.

You would have to think that Eddie picked him there thinking he would match up with Perese
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Counting down until BR trots in to defend the honour of Tom Wright and every other Canberran linked to the national setup.

This match is one to watch quietly on replay. 4.30am when you're likely going to get pantsed is a pretty grim proposition.
It's Sunday morning this time, right?
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
yeah you get the impression a guy like Daugunu could take advantage of any poop positioning or slow feet by Tuilagi than Wright could.

But we have a pretty dangerous back 3 from a counter attack perspective. That's where Wright (and Beale) are most dangerous.
 

Tex

John Thornett (49)
You would have to think that Eddie picked him there thinking he would match up with Perese
I'm not qualified to comment on Tuilagi in depth as I don't follow the premiership or have any idea of form, but i'm just not convinced he's a big risk. Johnny May on the other hand - with elite speed and a dependable finish - is a more damaging prospect.
 

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
My first thoughts were f*k me not KB (Kurtley Beale) at fullback.

But the more I thought about it the more it made sense. Whilst I think he is a liability on defence, high ball, and anytime he goes into contact, what he does well, he does very well. His playmaking/distributing and broken play running has always been world class. With Cooper out, JOC (James O'Connor) fairly ordinary, Kerevi out, we really are lacking punch in the backline. I think KB (Kurtley Beale)'s skills in attack is exactly what we need.

I just hope he has a good game under the high ball, runs into contact low, and underplays his hand i.e. doesn't throw many 50/50 passes (he is capable in these area, just not consistent).

I also fear for the scrum. I think scrum penalties will ultimately be our downfall.

Their backrow is scary good too. But ours ain't too shabby.

EDIT: Beale also has a decent kicking game which will come in handy.
 
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Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Wright has a bit of size about him. He is no pushover.
He kinda is. That Japan try springs to mind.

He had time to just hit the receiver of the ball. Instead he shimmied in front of the player and proceeds to get absolutely shredded by a bloke with a standing start.
 

Hookerbytrade

Stan Wickham (3)
you would hope he was a little more clinical than last week where he got stepped badly at least once. The flipside of your comment is that Smith is smart and talented enough to evade a missile like Hunter and then there's a gap in the line that he is fast enough to make the most of.
From the way Marcus has played for the Harlequins this year, RR you're correct in what you say. Test match rugby is a completely different beast, although I agree with your comment of his ability and rugby smarts, 3 tests into your career he may not be ready and "mature" enough to do that. I don't believe shooting out of the D line to smack Marcus will b of any use and wasn't my point, I specifically mean the wallabies key defenders and ball runners to make use of running and whacking Marcus when the opportunity arises, rattle his cage early and the pressure will revert to Farrell to dictate and direct play w Marcus feeling a little worse for wear and cautious to lead the team around the park after some some high quality D and attacking pressure put against him by the Wobs.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
I think they both played a part and Kerevi would not have been as effective if Cooper was not there.

In the one test Kerevi played without Cooper (Bledisloe 3), in the GAGR MOTM votes Kerevi got 5x 3 votes, 8x 2 votes, 4x 1 votes and only one person didn't give him a vote.

As I said, Cooper was great but Kerevi has really been the difference between our backline looking pedestrian versus looking threatening.
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
In the one test Kerevi played without Cooper (Bledisloe 3), in the GAGR MOTM votes Kerevi got 5x 3 votes, 8x 2 votes, 4x 1 votes and only one person didn't give him a vote.

As I said, Cooper was great but Kerevi has really been the difference between our backline looking pedestrian versus looking threatening.
How did we go that day?
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
One big problem in the last two games has been the lack of go forward in the backs

We started the season relying on Koro, we then added Kerevi to provide punch and that consistent go forward changed the dynamic

They have been replaced by players with "other skills" I am surprised Perese wasn't given the 11 jersey as a partial solution

The forwards? We are in for a torrid time
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
How did we go that day?

We lost 38-21.

It doesn't mean that Kerevi wasn't our best or second best player.

I don't think it is an overstatement saying he's the most important player we have in our backline. He made a monumental difference the moment he stepped into the team and it's left a huge gulf when he departed. I think it's far harded for us to replace Kerevi than Cooper and am certain that Kerevi will be first choice for the next RWC whereas I'm not convinced Cooper will be.
 
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