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Wallabies 2023

Marce

John Thornett (49)
Yeap - what is factually incorrect about what I posted?

If anything you proved the point. The liabilities that Folau has/had were overcome due to the athlete he is/was.
Most of the Pacific Islanders have laddish behaviour, conservative and extremist christians. In my case I'm open minded

Once a upon a time, I took a bus in Greater Western Sydney and an Islander sat next to me and I said him: "I like the Pacific Islanders players, you play good footy" and he answered me: "I like girls" lol
 
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qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
My predicted Eng 23 for the 1st test:

1. Genge
2. George
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Lawes
6. Curry
7. Underhill
8. Vunipola
9. Care
10. Smith
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Marchant
14. Cokanasiga
15. Steward

16. Cowan-Dickie
17. Vunipola
18. Heyes
19. Isiekwe
20, Willis
21. Randall
22. Porter
23. Nowell
 

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
I'll have a crack at what I think England's first XXIII will be so we can compare. Sadly EJ (Eddie Jones) added Billy Vunipola at the last minute, which is a real shame because he's so destructive right now. And it allows Curry to play his best position.
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Ewels
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Vunipola
9. Randall
10. Smith
11. Nowell
12. Farrell
13. Marchant
14. May
15. Steward
16. George
17. Vunipola
18. Heyes
19. Hill
20. Underhill
21. Care
22. Freeman
23. Furbank
 

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
My predicted Eng 23 for the 1st test:

1. Genge
2. George
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Lawes
6. Curry
7. Underhill
8. Vunipola
9. Care
10. Smith
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Marchant
14. Cokanasiga
15. Steward

16. Cowan-Dickie
17. Vunipola
18. Heyes
19. Isiekwe
20, Willis
21. Randall
22. Porter
23. Nowell
Damn, me and my slow typing. Pretty much agree with yours. Though I think LCD gets the nod over George, I think he prefers Lawes at 6. Also surprised if Care comes straight into 9, Randall is the incumbent there. Also wouldn't think Cokanasiga starts, too many frailties.

They have a real weakness at tight head, hopefully Bell can work them over. Centres also looking light beyond starting pair.
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
They're very light on centres aren't they? Smith was incredibly poor v Barbarians and I think they'd prefer Farrell at 10 but there's no really no other proper centres except Marchant and uncapped Dingwell and Porter.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
I'm certainly no expert on English players but Ewels wasn't much chop against the Baabaas and Nowell must be one of the slowest wingers in the game.
 

John S

Chilla Wilson (44)
I'm certainly no expert on English players but Ewels wasn't much chop against the Baabaas and Nowell must be one of the slowest wingers in the game.
What, even slower than Reece Hodge (when he's played wing was pretty stodgy)?
 

Ignoto

Greg Davis (50)
Hodge isn't that slow he just looks it because he has an odd gait.
Always does my head in seeing Reece in person when his biceps dwarf his calf size.

Didn't Nathan Sharpe have a similar issue that he had to spend time in the gym working on lower body exercises?
 

SamoanNo8

Fred Wood (13)
Can anyone see Rennie starting Vunivalu at 14?
It would remind me of Ewen McKenzie’s decision to debut Folau at 14 against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp in 2013. Folau at the time was a raw, unproven prospect in the 15 man code, but brought with him incredible athletic ability and pedigree. Vunivalu is much the same, except he grew up playing the game and has two (albeit disrupted) professional seasons under his belt.
I back it.
Would the Poms rather have Tom Wright running at them from ten metres out, or a specimen in Vunivalu?
 

Wilson

Michael Lynagh (62)
Can anyone see Rennie starting Vunivalu at 14?
It would remind me of Ewen McKenzie’s decision to debut Folau at 14 against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp in 2013. Folau at the time was a raw, unproven prospect in the 15 man code, but brought with him incredible athletic ability and pedigree. Vunivalu is much the same, except he grew up playing the game and has two (albeit disrupted) professional seasons under his belt.
I back it.
Would the Poms rather have Tom Wright running at them from ten metres out, or a specimen in Vunivalu?
Deans coached the wallabies for that lions series.

As far as Vunivalu goes I won't be surprised to see him get a debut, particularly if there is a plan not to have Koroibete back throughout the rugby championship so they can look at both Skelton and Arnold. More likely it'll be later in the series though, Koroibete and Kellaway will likely get first crack. It might depend a bit on how Banks goes (assuming he is first up) at fullback, and how long they're inclined to persist with him knowing he's headed overseas.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Deans coached the wallabies for that lions series.

As far as Vunivalu goes I won't be surprised to see him get a debut, particularly if there is a plan not to have Koroibete back throughout the rugby championship so they can look at both Skelton and Arnold. More likely it'll be later in the series though, Koroibete and Kellaway will likely get first crack. It might depend a bit on how Banks goes (assuming he is first up) at fullback, and how long they're inclined to persist with him knowing he's headed overseas.
Jeez you wouldn't take Arnold or Skelton over Koroibete eh. I know he's only a winger but he's basically the only winger with impact we have in the entire country.
 
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