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Wallabies vs Russia - last game before the QFs!

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Kaz

Ted Fahey (11)
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/poolstage.html

As this is Australia's last game before the QFs and we will have new players in the squad, it will be interesting to see who makes the 22.

Really hoping RD uses this opportunity to bring in a specialist 7 as a Pocok backup. Not sure what the stats say but it feels like we have won scarce few breakdowns.
 

nathan

Watty Friend (18)
As bad as it sounds, we're unlucky that it wasn't McCalman that came up sore instead of Palu. It'd be best for the team, as we'd be able to bring in a replacement specialist 7.

I see that the decision on McCabe and Horne will be made in the next 24 hours. I'm assuming that Ben Tapuai and Matt Giteau will be it, but at a long shot we may also see Morahan and Turner take the second spot over Gits.
 

BDA

Jim Lenehan (48)
If mccabe and Horne both need to be replaced id probably bring in Robinson and Giteau. perhaps even Tapui would be worth a look.
 

waratahjesus

Greg Davis (50)
Backs wise I would assume turner and tapuai would be next in line, I would love Gits to go over but he is a creative player and I think Robbie has made the call it's nit what he wants.

Would love to see

15-Cooper
14-JOC (James O'Connor)
13-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12-Beale
11-Mitchell
10-Barnes

For the back line.
I think Beale is up to defending at 12 so no swapping needed, quade can inject himself when the play opens up which I think would make him even more dangerous. Beale running from the line, he seems to always be getting around the first man so having more support closer in is going to open gaps.

Forward wise, all depends on the pococks back.
 

Swarley

Bob Loudon (25)
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8351396
Deans waiting on RWC medical update

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans won't call Australia for reinforcements for at least 48 hours following Friday night's brutal Rugby World Cup win over the USA.

Deans and his medical team will sift through the carnage before deciding whether or not to send players home, with centres Rob Horne and Pat McCabe the two in most danger of missing the rest of the tournament.

Horne fractured a cheekbone while his replacement McCabe dislocated a shoulder in the costly 67-5 rout of the American second stringers in Wellington.

While Horne's campaign seems over, Deans on Saturday was reluctant to rule out the luckless youngster before a thorough medical examination over the next two days.

"Obviously there was a consequence from the game last night," Deans said.

"But at first glance it doesn't look as grave possibly. It's only a minor displacement, to use the medical term.

"We'll do some further investigation when we get to Christchurch and make a decision with him.

"We'll need to know more before we know how to handle him going forward."

Likewise, the Wallabies will further monitor McCabe, fellow centre Anthony Fainga'a, who was knocked out but "presented well this morning", and back-rower Wycliff Palu, who requires an MRI scan after straining his hamstring.

Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, whose fastest ever hat-trick between the 59th and 66th minutes was the highlight of Australia's 11-try rout, jammed his ankle and is also in doubt for next Saturday's final pool clash with Russia.

While maintaining a brave front, Deans conceded it would be a devastating blow for Horne if the 22-year-old had to be sent home.

The classy midfielder sat out the entire Tri Nations series with an elbow injury after being dogged by chronic hamstring troubles for the previous two seasons.

"He's been hugely unlucky," Deans said.

"He's in great shape (fitness wise) so if this does rule him out it will be a bitter pill for him to swallow.

"But I guess the plus is that it's not a hamstring, which is what his historical challenges have been. He's put that behind him and he's in great shape.

"Whether he plays any more rugby in this tournament or not, there's no doubt he's got a big future."

Deans said any potential replacements would almost certainly come from the shadow players who missed original selection after being involved in the preliminary 40-man squad picked for the Winter Tests.

He said 92-Test veteran Matt Giteau was among those "in the frame".

That's a worrying sign. He should be fine, but we shouldn't risk those niggles against minnows- no offence Russia.
With Horne, Fainga'a, McCabe all definitely gone, and Beale, Palu and Ioane in doubt with hamstring and thumb troubles respectively (however Beale is likely to play), Deans is going to need to make some changes. Hope he brings in Robinson, Turner and Tapuai, but I think he'll more likely bring Hodgson than Beau.

With the injury situation in mind, I'd like to see:
1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill (c)
6. Higginbotham
7. Robinson/Pocock
8. Samo
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Barnes
13. Tapuai- who else is there?
14. O'Connor
15. Beale
-----------------------------
16. Polota-Nau
17. Ma'afu- Deans said everyone would get game time, so this is likely- not that I think he should be there...
18. Vickerman
19. Elsom
20. McCalman
21. Phipps- See Ma'afu
22. Turner

with Vickerman and TPN coming on pretty early.
 

No4918

John Hipwell (52)
Sounds to me like McCabe and Horne are definitely gone. Horne played well enough in his time on the park to at least earn a spot in the 22 and will be missed. He runs smarter lines than both McCabe and Fainga'a. Barnes and Horne with Fainga'a backup look good going forwards in the centres. Sorry to all the McCabe fans out there but he doesn't offer enough that close.

Turner and Gits to replace them. I really would like to see Tapuai given a chance but Giteau is definitely next best and coming into a WC final is not the time for Taps to have a shot.
If Palu is out then Robinson needs to get over their ASAP.

If those 3 are out this is the side i'd like to see vs Russia.

1. Slipper
2. TPN
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Horwill
6. Higgers
7. Robinson
8. Samo
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. OConnor
15. Beale

16. Moore
17. Alexander
18. Vickerman
19. Elsom
20. Burgess
21. Gits
22. Turner

Rotate Pocock, Moore, Elsom & Vickerman back into the XV for the QF and hopefully Digby will be ready to go and put Mitchell back onto the bench. Still more than good enough to knock SA over.
 

Godfrey

Phil Hardcastle (33)
My opinion if we have to bring in new players we should try to get players that may add something new rather than people who have had a number of missed opportunities. People who juuuussstt don't cut the mustard versus people who may on paper be worse choices but may add some x-factor. Now, please don't say this is Reds bias but some such players off the top of my head (who would impress against Russia and be useful unknowns if required against bigger teams) would be Liam Gill, Ben Tapuai (especially after his Baa-Baas game), maybe Luke Morahan, Beau Robinson. Players I think we'd be more likely to see are Giteau, Turner, Hodgson, Shephard etc. These are players who we know just aren't quite up to it.
 

No4918

John Hipwell (52)
Godfrey, I agree your opinion about Gits and Hodgson. Turner though hasn't disappointed when called up so i'm less concerned about him. Morahan is a star of the future but we still have Digby, Mitchell, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and OConnor there to cover the wing.
 
T

tranquility

Guest
God forbid if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) goes down, I think our only option then would be Diggers at 13.
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Didn't think Horne played that well to see him replace McCabe, but it's pointless now that they're both probably going home...

I want to see Barnes at flyhalf again. He might have Cooper's supposed 'x factor', but he has excellent passing, kicking, tackling, and all without the brainfarts.
 
T

tranquility

Guest
Didn't think Horne played that well to see him replace McCabe, but it's pointless now that they're both probably going home...

I want to see Barnes at flyhalf again. He might have Cooper's supposed 'x factor', but he has excellent passing, kicking, tackling, and all without the brainfarts.

Really? I love patty mccabe, he is a very industrious performer. But Rob Horne is so far superior to him, even with all the rust crusting his joints and timing. Rob Horne is a superstar, however, I just can't help but feel he and Ben Tune will become very good mates in the future.
 

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
Sounds to me like McCabe and Horne are definitely gone. Horne played well enough in his time on the park to at least earn a spot in the 22 and will be missed. He runs smarter lines than both McCabe and Fainga'a. Barnes and Horne with Fainga'a backup look good going forwards in the centres. Sorry to all the McCabe fans out there but he doesn't offer enough that close.

Turner and Gits to replace them. I really would like to see Tapuai given a chance but Giteau is definitely next best and coming into a WC final is not the time for Taps to have a shot.
If Palu is out then Robinson needs to get over their ASAP.

If those 3 are out this is the side i'd like to see vs Russia.

1. Slipper
2. TPN
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Horwill
6. Higgers
7. Robinson
8. Samo
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. OConnor
15. Beale

16. Moore
17. Alexander
18. Vickerman
19. Elsom
20. Burgess
21. Gits
22. Turner

Rotate Pocock, Moore, Elsom & Vickerman back into the XV for the QF and hopefully Digby will be ready to go and put Mitchell back onto the bench. Still more than good enough to knock SA over.
Can I politely ask, what it is you see in Simmons? He has really underwhelmed in recent Tests. Sharpe was immense last night - I can't understand the unwillingness from coaches to play him more.
And Robbie seems to like Kepu as LHP (for some reason) and Slipper is a THP (more than a LHP, I think it's safe to say).

And following another post, I would really not want to see Digby at 13. He has been fantastic at wing, playing that position the way he does. While his one-on-one tackling is great, the organisation at 13 is not natural to him, and I think he is far more dangerous where he has been. That is one thing that aint broke (apart from the bloody thumb) so I hope it doesn't get tinkered with.
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Really? I love patty mccabe, he is a very industrious performer. But Rob Horne is so far superior to him, even with all the rust crusting his joints and timing. Rob Horne is a superstar, however, I just can't help but feel he and Ben Tune will become very good mates in the future.

When he plays far superior to him at test level I'll give him credit.

No doubt he's been an excellent outside centre in Super Rugby, but he was far from convincing at inside centre last night...
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Can I politely ask, what it is you see in Simmons? He has really underwhelmed in recent Tests. Sharpe was immense last night - I can't understand the unwillingness from coaches to play him more.
And Robbie seems to like Kepu as LHP (for some reason) and Slipper is a THP (more than a LHP, I think it's safe to say).

And following another post, I would really not want to see Digby at 13. He has been fantastic at wing, playing that position the way he does. While his one-on-one tackling is great, the organisation at 13 is not natural to him, and I think he is far more dangerous where he has been. That is one thing that aint broke (apart from the bloody thumb) so I hope it doesn't get tinkered with.

Agreed on both accounts...
 

Inside Shoulder

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Backs wise I would assume turner and tapuai would be next in line, I would love Gits to go over but he is a creative player and I think Robbie has made the call it's nit what he wants.

Would love to see

15-Cooper
14-JOC (James O'Connor)
13-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12-Beale
11-Mitchell
10-Barnes

For the back line.
I think Beale is up to defending at 12 so no swapping needed, quade can inject himself when the play opens up which I think would make him even more dangerous. Beale running from the line, he seems to always be getting around the first man so having more support closer in is going to open gaps.

Forward wise, all depends on the pococks back.

I think this is a masterstroke selection - or at least it would have been 2 years ago, 1 year ago or even against Samoa (I known BB was not available) but its a bit too radical this late in the process isn't it? I mean its only worth trying if we think we might get something from it for the next game....
 

Inside Shoulder

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Really? I love patty mccabe, he is a very industrious performer. But Rob Horne is so far superior to him, even with all the rust crusting his joints and timing. Rob Horne is a superstar, however, I just can't help but feel he and Ben Tune will become very good mates in the future.

I read all this praise for Horne. I've never see him play enough consecutive games to be satisfied he's got it. I dont think (but havent seen enough to be sure) he's in Tune's class as a footballer but if anything his injury track record is about twice as bad....
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I reall rate Horne, but last night I think he showed that outside centre is more his position...

Would've loved to have seen this tried out:

9. Genia
10. Barnes
12. McCabe
13. Horne
 
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