Australia A (aka Barbarians) v England II, Gosford

[Aussie D]

Who is coming up to Gosford for this game? Is anyone up for pre-game drinks or dinner? The boss has given me permission to go out for the night (she may yet rescind the motion).

 

[the gambler]

Think I will be

 

[Moses]

I'm going up, will likely drive though so may be up for a pre-game dinner.. not sure if there's a pre-match press conference, if there is I reckon I'll head to that..

 

[Gooch]

I will be there, giving training the miss for the night. Drinks and maybe dinner at the Leagues Club before hand I reckon

 

[TheRiddler]

There is a minibus going up from Sydney at lunchtime. Stopping at Iguanas for lunch and then onto alternative hydration facilities through the afternoon (have been led to believe this may involve some form of dancing!!) before hitting the stadium. Should be an interesting outing.

 

[Brumby Jack]

The biggest intrigue so far is whether Hoiles will be Co-Captain since Walsh is reffing the match

 

[RugbyReg]

Walsh is reffing? Wonderful.

 

[cyclopath]

Shame we won't hear what is said out there - could be entertaining!! Hopefully Barnes telling Hoiles to STFU.

 

[Sagerian]

Not sure if I'm heading up yet. Are people just gonna have dinner/some drinks at the RSL thing next door?

 

[Aussie D]

Not sure if I'm heading up yet. Are people just gonna have dinner/some drinks at the RSL thing next door?

Most likely or Iguanas which is just up the road where there is plenty of parking.

 

[TheTruth]

Likely team ?????

 

[Brumby Jack]

Team has been named...

15. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
14. Nick Cummins (Western Force)
13. Will Chambers (Queensland Reds)
12. Anthony Fainga'a (Queensland Reds)
11. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
10. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
9. Josh Valentine (Brumbies)
8. Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies, captain)
7. Pat McCutcheon (NSW Waratahs)
6. Ben McCalman (Western Force)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
4. Mitchell Chapman (Brumbies)
3. Laurie Weeks (Queensland Reds)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
1. Pekahou Cowan (Western Force)

Run on reserves:
16. Huia Edmonds (Brumbies)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
19. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
20. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
21. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
22. James O’Connor (Western Force

Hoiles named as sole Captain when Walsh is refereeing, rather interesting...
Beale into 10 and the Qld centres combination gets another go.
TPN getting a start is good news.

 

[Ruggo]

Nothing interesting about it. Hoiles will have loearnt his lesson and there will be no issues.

 

[TheRiddler]

Team has been named...

No Kane Douglas? Does that mean he's lined up for the main game?

 

[DPK]

Umm... Beale at 10? It's been a while, I know he'll probably do it well but I thought Deans was keen on his outside back potential?

 

[en_force_er]

Either Douglas is broken or Robbie is in the mood to roll his dice again.

Robbie loves a risk, some haven't paid off (Tahu) and some have (Alexander). If he plays Douglas in the Wobs I'm pretty confident things will go swimmingly.

Umm... Beale at 10? It's been a while, I know he'll probably do it well but I thought Deans was keen on his outside back potential?

I like this move. Beale hasn't played much 10 in a while.

Having him refarmiliarise himself with the position this week will:
a) Make us more confident he can cover 10 off the bench, handy handy handy.
b) Make A.Fainga'a (or someone similar) more viable in the test arena because we would have out 2nd pivot at 15 rather than 12 opening up space for a second specialist center.

 

[MrMouse]

I like this move.

Must say I find the positioning of Beale at 10 rather bemusing and not a little depressing. He has just found his feet at provincial and international level as a fullback, and the coach decides to confuse the issue by putting him back at 10. I do think that your logic probably mirrors Deans', particularly point a.

Is it wrong that I hope Kane ISN'T able, rather than that Robbie et al have decided Jizz, Chap and Simmons are ahead of him? I have severe doubts that there is any intention to bring him into the Wobs if he's not one of the three locks in the A game. Will this be yet another example of Dingo's "selection by form [in the bedroom]"?

 

[Gagger]

Interesting. I was wondering on the weekend what Dingo would do if Quade got injured. Is this the answer?

 

[Scarfman]

Yeah - I agree Gags. He's next in line at 10, so needs some game time. Hynes needs a good shot at 15 as well.

Chis ahead of Douglas is a crime against nature, though.

 

[Lindommer]

Aussie D, you've asked for a meeting, as the convenor could you please call it to order. You need to advise: time, place and intended agenda. You should also ask those intending to attend to make their intentions known so's the caterers can organise themselves. Get cracking, son.

I'm driving up. Anyone who needs a lift, PM me.