Bledisloe #4 New Zealand vs Australia Nov 7 2020

[Brumby Runner]

Sio has been pretty poor though. I would have probably picked HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) but Bell is hugely promising.

His scrummaging needs to improve a fair bit still but I think it will happen and he'll be our best LHP.




Could be the plan is for Philip and Simmons to play very close to 80 minutes and the planned subs are Swinton and Wilson.

Of course. Bell is a Waratah. One of the chosen ones. But seriously, I reckon he would make a better No 8 than prop. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is a far better option imo but seems to have done an Ala'alatoa and swapped to the tighthead side. Now he's behind both Ala'alatoa and Tupou.

 

[Viking]

I like the team. This key to beating the ABs is defense. Play at the right end of the park, defend well and cut the unforced errors and we are in with a shot. Personally I think the obsession with 'playmaking' ignores the history of the matches we've played against them, and the reality is that the looser things get, the worse off we are.

Although Hodge has a big boot he is a terrible general play kicker, so slow. So playing 'at the right end' of the park is going to be difficult without a solid kicking game. At least Banks is there for that.

 

[Viking]

Yes, I don't understand why Rennie didn't make attempt to lure back any of Kerevi, Arnold, Rodda, Skelton or Latu?

Those guys are experienced and proven test quality players & you're missing a few of those guys at the moment.

All you have to do is get rid of the bloody Giteau's law so you can actually field a competitive side - because you're probably going to get your dicks kicked in with this team..

It's pretty understandable in Covid times. Might not even be possible to get them back. Might as well take this as an opportunity to blood some youth.

 

[Lorenzo]

When To'omua was injured he should have pulled someone in from outside of the squad. It was highly unlikely that we would also lose JOC (James O'Connor), but there you go. Same for lock. We lose LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and all of sudden we do not have a recognised lock on the pine.

It’s a learning experience for him as well I guess. Playing Hodge at 10 achieves nothing. At least play Lolesio or Harrison and Hosea or Neville from the bench.

He needs a W. Do any of those options give him a better chance of winning? I doubt it

 

[Viking]

He needs a W. Do any of those options give him a better chance of winning? I doubt it

Yes. The ceiling is higher for all those options.

 

[Joe Blow]

I guess if Hodge sees us through the first 20-30 minute onslaught and we can then introduce Lolesio? It just seems such a negative selection

 

[Pfitzy]

Dry track predicted for Suncorp.

Sweaty crack predicted at Suncorp. The RelHum at this time of year in Brisvegas can be less than ideal

 

[Pfitzy]

He played a bit of lock at the Tahs. Although I understand your perception (like when Fardy played lock) but I haven't seen any evidence Hanigan is a poor scrimmager at lock.

It isn't perception. Our scrum is under enough pressure at the moment with actual locks.

But if we're going to fart-arse around with the team put that big lump Hosea on the bench.

 

[Lorenzo]

Yes. The ceiling is higher for all those options.

sure, but that doesn't help much this weekend. NL looked like he forgot what sport he was playing.

 

[Dctarget]

Sweaty crack predicted

Sorry to hear that mate, I hear baby powder can help?

 

[The Phoenix]

Of course. Bell is a Waratah. One of the chosen ones. But seriously, I reckon he would make a better No 8 than prop. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is a far better option imo but seems to have done an Ala'alatoa and swapped to the tighthead side. Now he's behind both Ala'alatoa and Tupou.

Bell couldn't make the Waratahs' starting side, shouldn't have been in the extended squad, but will be making his test debut on Saturday. Tell me that would happen to a player from another state.

 

[Viking]

It isn't perception. Our scrum is under enough pressure at the moment with actual locks.

But if we're going to fart-arse around with the team put that big lump Hosea on the bench.

Hanigan plays lock at the Tahs and I bet will play there more often next year. He's the same mould as LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (in terms of the set-peice). Until I see the scrum going backwards I will reserve my judgement.

 

[Viking]

sure, but that doesn't help much this weekend. NL looked like he forgot what sport he was playing.

Fair point. I wonder if Quade Cooper is around....

 

[rodha]

My main issues with this team is that Hanigan is on the bench covering lock (when it should be Hosea), AND Paisami is selected out of position at 12, I would've given Simone another start there, the backline is much less balanced with Paisami at 12, he's bit one dimensional, crash-ball type. Whereas Simone is more of a genuine second playmaker at 12 and has even played 10 previously in the youth grades..

 

[Rugby Head]

I actually see this All Blacks team as stronger than the one named last week, my only subs would be Smith back into 9 and Clarke back in over Sevu.
Absolutely frightening as a Wallabies supporter realising how little depth we have and the fact NZ could name about 3 test quality sides.

 

[Joe Blow]

Fair point. I wonder if Quade Cooper is around..

We would take him right now wouldn’t we, or Foley?

 

[Up the Guts]

I actually see this All Blacks team as stronger than the one named last week, my only subs would be Smith back into 9 and Clarke back in over Sevu.
Absolutely frightening as a Wallabies supporter realising how little depth we have and the fact NZ could name about 3 test quality sides.

If you had To'omua or JOC (James O'Connor) available to play ten the team wouldn’t look nearly as bad. If both Mo’unga and Beauden were injured and the ABs were forced to start Josh Ioane they wouldn’t look nearly so good either.

 

[eastman]

I'm guessing the backline was picked for defence. I don't think the ball is going to get to Petaia or Tom Wright very much.

The selections pretty much show that the Wallabies can't and won't even try to match the All Blacks by playing expansively. The game plan will be conservative and there's an element of 'hoping' we can remain competitive through box kicks/ up and unders, making our tackles and accruing penalties.

 

[eastman]

If you had To'omua or JOC (James O'Connor) available to play ten the team wouldn’t look nearly as bad. If both Mo’unga and Beauden were injured and the ABs were forced to start Josh Ioane they wouldn’t look nearly so good either.

They would start McKenzie who has plenty of experience/ talent and would waltz into the Wallabies 10 position.

 

[RugbyReg]

It isn't perception. Our scrum is under enough pressure at the moment with actual locks.

But if we're going to fart-arse around with the team put that big lump Hosea on the bench.

yep - I feel for Bell who is going to have to debut with Hanigan likely the man trying to give him weight from the back.