ACR
Bob Davidson (42)
If Wales win it could only be under 12 points. I agree that the Wales 1-12 margin is perhaps worth a punt at $3.40 on sportsbet.
Wallabies vs Wales - Suncorp Stadium June 9
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If Wales win it could only be under 12 points. I agree that the Wales 1-12 margin is perhaps worth a punt at $3.40 on sportsbet.
biggsy
Chilla Wilson (44)
Slipper
Moore
Benn
Sharpe
Simmons
Pocock
Higgers
Mowen
Genia (C)
Barnes
Harris
Ant F
Diggers
Tomane
ACC
1st and 2nd 5 will at least get the ball out to the wings.
Added a few tahs, only because of injuries.
After a lacklustre debut, Harris is pretty lucky to be in the 22 again.
Biggsy- so for all your bellyaching and refusing to watch the test, you would only make five changes to the XV. And minor changes at that.
- A Harris-Fainga'a centre combination would be very much similar to a McCabe-Horne combo.And since the former got a shot on Tuesday (admittedly in horrible conditions) I can't see why the latter can't have a go.
- Can you see the rational for resting Moore after playing a game on Friday and then another 80 on Tuesday?
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- A Harris-Fainga'a centre combination would be very much similar to a McCabe-Horne combo.And since the former got a shot on Tuesday (admittedly in horrible conditions) I can't see why the latter can't have a go.
- Can you see the rational for resting Moore after playing a game on Friday and then another 80 on Tuesday?
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biggsy
Chilla Wilson (44)
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
Lol Biggsy, I didnt have the nerve - he's a lot bigger than me. Plus I like him
. Got my fingers crossed he goes well against Wales.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Interesting: virtually no posts re (a) captaincy and (b) this team's tactical nous and tactical agility. 99% comments re selections only.
IMO, it was poor - or perhaps inexperienced - captaincy plus poor tactical nous up around the Scots line that lost us the Scotland game, selections were of limited contribution, positively or negatively. And these observations may be intertwined.
We mix up our Pocock player/wonderful bloke love for some kind of derived view that his fabulous skills and new-age persona will auto mutate into great Test captaincy. Not happening, as yet. Genia would have been a better risk/reward package as captain in my view - and, if we want to win more than anything else and forget our endless 'development' drooling, Sharpe could have served well, huge experience. Deans is always a risk taker, just so often takes them in the wrong places.
The Wales match will be gruelling and tight. If we make poor calls on points to be taken and don't think creatively (from captain and 9 and 10 principally) on our feet in tight situations v Wales, all the selection variations in the world won't count for a hill of beans.
IMO, it was poor - or perhaps inexperienced - captaincy plus poor tactical nous up around the Scots line that lost us the Scotland game, selections were of limited contribution, positively or negatively. And these observations may be intertwined.
We mix up our Pocock player/wonderful bloke love for some kind of derived view that his fabulous skills and new-age persona will auto mutate into great Test captaincy. Not happening, as yet. Genia would have been a better risk/reward package as captain in my view - and, if we want to win more than anything else and forget our endless 'development' drooling, Sharpe could have served well, huge experience. Deans is always a risk taker, just so often takes them in the wrong places.
The Wales match will be gruelling and tight. If we make poor calls on points to be taken and don't think creatively (from captain and 9 and 10 principally) on our feet in tight situations v Wales, all the selection variations in the world won't count for a hill of beans.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Cyclo; agree where Horne tackling gets it wrong, but he just doesn't fall off, he often gets stepped and completely beaten. Again, it's the same problem, as he seems to set his feet too early and look for the big hit, and he gets caught out by a decent step.
He could take a leaf from the Tom Carter school of tackling and make more of the percentage tackles, and then only go for the big hit when it's on. A hint: it's generally not on when it's a one on one in the 13 channel.
With the players available and taking the unavailability of some players to start due to the conditions on Tuesday, there's only a few positions from that team I'd change (e.g. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), perhaps Palu, perhaps Higgers). I'd love to see Mowen with a shot. But still, that doesn't mean that I'm not extremely underwhelmed at what has had to be selected, particularly some of the backs, where I think Wales currently outpoint us on paper.
He could take a leaf from the Tom Carter school of tackling and make more of the percentage tackles, and then only go for the big hit when it's on. A hint: it's generally not on when it's a one on one in the 13 channel.
With the players available and taking the unavailability of some players to start due to the conditions on Tuesday, there's only a few positions from that team I'd change (e.g. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), perhaps Palu, perhaps Higgers). I'd love to see Mowen with a shot. But still, that doesn't mean that I'm not extremely underwhelmed at what has had to be selected, particularly some of the backs, where I think Wales currently outpoint us on paper.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Not sure on the bolded part. I think Wales might like to have a crack at us in the backs. Traditionally, they are a side that likes to play with a bit more width.
@ RedsHappy
I agree with you that Pocock is yet to assert himself as a good captain. I personally don't think the lead by example captain is ever the best option. Rocky Elsom was also like this and he wasn't great.
We are sorely lacking in leadership options at the moment without Horwill (and even he is still learning. His leadership wasn't great at the RWC). Robinson hasn't been great at the Tahs, I don't think Genia is that good yet and neither is Barnes.
We've got a bunch of players who are there or there abouts but no one screams out that they should be captain.
Stephen Moore possibly deserves greater consideration but having a hooker as captain is tough because they generally get replaced and the last 20 minutes is potentially when you need your captain the most.
Maybe Hugh Pyle will be that guy in the future. We could really do with a new John Eales.
I agree with you that Pocock is yet to assert himself as a good captain. I personally don't think the lead by example captain is ever the best option. Rocky Elsom was also like this and he wasn't great.
We are sorely lacking in leadership options at the moment without Horwill (and even he is still learning. His leadership wasn't great at the RWC). Robinson hasn't been great at the Tahs, I don't think Genia is that good yet and neither is Barnes.
We've got a bunch of players who are there or there abouts but no one screams out that they should be captain.
Stephen Moore possibly deserves greater consideration but having a hooker as captain is tough because they generally get replaced and the last 20 minutes is potentially when you need your captain the most.
Maybe Hugh Pyle will be that guy in the future. We could really do with a new John Eales.
Spot on Ash. Someone else posted the stat that he has only missed 5 tackles in the last 4 games. From what I've seen, he has been more conservative in his style which has probably helped. I suspect, with a few tries in those games, and better defence he is getting a bit more confident, as it looked shot in the first 6-8 games. Carter defends less well the further he goes out, as his lateral and backwards movement is not as flash. In the 12 channel, he's hard to beat.
Wales backs are good, even with no Roberts.
Nusadan
Chilla Wilson (44)
Still managed to put another bet on Wales this morning at 2 to 1...the other bookie that got my first bet at the same odds lowered his odds overnight...
Got a free bet in return for the second one so might use it to cover that using odds of Wales with 9 pt start at 1.91!
Got a free bet in return for the second one so might use it to cover that using odds of Wales with 9 pt start at 1.91!
vidiot
John Solomon (38)
I agree with the last bit. He was lucky to be in the squad, and still is.
There wasn't much lustre to be had outside Barnes on Tuesday night, though, unless he was kicking it to you.
The place-kicks Harris missed were a stretch in tough conditions and the high ball he kicked that ran though the in-goal was not drastically dissimilar to the one that Genia failed to field and was as close as Scotland came to a try, it just ran and ran.
Maybe he could have positioned himself better and run nice lines off Barnes. Maybe. He would be the first person who managed that in a long time, though. I hope McCabe can.
I like Barnes, (and yes, I'm leading into a criticism) but I don't think he is getting his positioning, timing and momentum quite right at first receiver and the rest of his backline needs to run off that.
He came close when he repeatedly attacked the line for the Tahs a couple of super games ago. Bring back running Barnes and put McCabe on one shoulder and Ioane on the inside line. Pocock will follow and secure the ball.
B
Bagger288
Guest
I'm surprised to see so many of you guys felling like there's no hope for the Wallabies.
Yes you have Injuries, but we have failed to beat you for a long time now I'm still acutely aware of the threat guys like Ioane, Palu and Genia pose.
It's true Wales probably have the upper hand in a few areas of the field. But the Wallabies will be hurting after that defeat to Scotland and I foresee a massively motivated and physical team take the field on saturday, For me it's to close to call.
Whoever wins, lets just enjoy the occasion. How many test series over the years have been used as a training Exercise's for you guys to the detriment of the game in general. This is test rugby as it should be, meaningful, hard and hopefully close.
Yes you have Injuries, but we have failed to beat you for a long time now I'm still acutely aware of the threat guys like Ioane, Palu and Genia pose.
It's true Wales probably have the upper hand in a few areas of the field. But the Wallabies will be hurting after that defeat to Scotland and I foresee a massively motivated and physical team take the field on saturday, For me it's to close to call.
Whoever wins, lets just enjoy the occasion. How many test series over the years have been used as a training Exercise's for you guys to the detriment of the game in general. This is test rugby as it should be, meaningful, hard and hopefully close.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yup, Carter's lateral movement has been shown up a few times in the 13 channel this year. Wonder if he's a step slower than last year. I remember the Tahs did a heap of sprint work last year, which maybe they haven't repeated this year.
Looking forward to seeing the massive George North in action again particularly, but Priestland, Davies, Phillips and Halfpenny are all good players indeed.
Surely Halfpenny would have to be far and away the smallest player in that backline. The rest of them would surely be about 100kgs or over, including Phillips. How often do you see a halfback being significantly larger than his fullback?
Looking forward to seeing the massive George North in action again particularly, but Priestland, Davies, Phillips and Halfpenny are all good players indeed.
Surely Halfpenny would have to be far and away the smallest player in that backline. The rest of them would surely be about 100kgs or over, including Phillips. How often do you see a halfback being significantly larger than his fullback?
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Our pack isn't too bad with injuries, with just Horwill really being badly felt. The biggest issue with the pack is that TPN and Palu aren't in particularly hot form, and I get the feeling that Sharpe is starting to show his age and has one foot in retirement.
The real problem with injuries is Beale and O'Connor, a fit Cooper and Mitchell, plus Lealiifano, who was in cracking form until his injury. Add those five players into the mix, and the side would look a lot different. Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Vuna/Tomane may not have even been in the 22 altogether.
I wonder how different the second team for Wales will look. Beale will hopefully be there at either 10 or 15, along with Moore back at 2, and if Palu struggles, I would like to see Dennis or Mowen there too.
The real problem with injuries is Beale and O'Connor, a fit Cooper and Mitchell, plus Lealiifano, who was in cracking form until his injury. Add those five players into the mix, and the side would look a lot different. Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Vuna/Tomane may not have even been in the 22 altogether.
I wonder how different the second team for Wales will look. Beale will hopefully be there at either 10 or 15, along with Moore back at 2, and if Palu struggles, I would like to see Dennis or Mowen there too.
If everyone was fit, our backline could look something like:
9 Genia
10 Lealiifano/Cooper
11 Ioane
12 O'Connor
13 McCabe
14 Mitchell
15 Beale
McCabe at 13 could bring back the days of Mortlock running crash ball at 13.
9 Genia
10 Lealiifano/Cooper
11 Ioane
12 O'Connor
13 McCabe
14 Mitchell
15 Beale
McCabe at 13 could bring back the days of Mortlock running crash ball at 13.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
That is a back line and a half, isn't it?
I'd really like to see McCabe at 13 after JOC (James O'Connor) comes back.
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