RWC: AUS v ENG (Twickenham): POOL A; 6am (AEDT) Sunday 4 October
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WTF?
Tom Lawton (22)
There is one thing that is bothering me about the Wallabies backline at the moment and that is Tevita Kuridrani. He just does not seem to have that ability to break the line like he did last year. I don't think his defence has been rock solid either. I think To'omua or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 is offering more at this stage.
On another note, I thought Cooper did some good things last night, but far too many bad ones like major crabbing sideways, passing to no-one and his two kicks in play were woeful - one went out in goal and the second straight down the throat of the opposition who made good meters. I don't need to say anything about the place kicks.
On another note, I thought Cooper did some good things last night, but far too many bad ones like major crabbing sideways, passing to no-one and his two kicks in play were woeful - one went out in goal and the second straight down the throat of the opposition who made good meters. I don't need to say anything about the place kicks.
drewprint
John Solomon (38)
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore (c)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rob Simmons
5. Kane Douglas
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Rob Horne
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Greg Holmes
19. Dean Mumm
20. Ben McCalman
21. Will Genia
22. Matt To'omua
23. Kurtley Beale
That's the team that knocks England out of their home World Cup.
I'd have Genia over Phipps, and maybe Mitchell over Horne, but essentially I agree. This game will be massive!
TheBigDog
Nev Cottrell (35)
I think we will see a completely different game plan than the one which the Wallabies played against Uruguay. Last night there was lots of 2-3 man cut passes with the idea being the Wobs wingers could get one on one with the less experienced players, that won't work the same against at England (frankly I don't think it worked last night either) but I think Cheika is a good coach to know that.
I know comparisons to league are sometimes frowned upon on these forums but I see England's defense as very similar to how most rugby league teams organise themselves, rushing up quickly to shut down the ball playing space. Good league teams explot that with properly executed second man plays, especially with big forwards taking the ball to the line and then giving a second pass to a man running off the hip. I think the Wallabies will play that style of game as they have a very good attacking forward pack.
I also wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper on the bench and the Wobs finishing with a 10. Foley 12. Cooper combo in order to put our best attacking passer on the back end of some second man plays.
I know comparisons to league are sometimes frowned upon on these forums but I see England's defense as very similar to how most rugby league teams organise themselves, rushing up quickly to shut down the ball playing space. Good league teams explot that with properly executed second man plays, especially with big forwards taking the ball to the line and then giving a second pass to a man running off the hip. I think the Wallabies will play that style of game as they have a very good attacking forward pack.
I also wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper on the bench and the Wobs finishing with a 10. Foley 12. Cooper combo in order to put our best attacking passer on the back end of some second man plays.
TheBigDog
Nev Cottrell (35)
I spend quite a bit of time up the Sunshine Coast and I think you'll be hard pressed to find a pub that will stay open that late/early. Although I'm not really hip the whole club scene so might be wrong.
There is an Irish bar at Noosa that might show it but I'm pretty sure it turns into a night club around 10pm or something.
There is an Irish bar at Noosa that might show it but I'm pretty sure it turns into a night club around 10pm or something.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
Kurtley Beale has that gig.
teach
Trevor Allan (34)
Something similar worked well for Wales to nullify the rush defence and get some width.
I think the team Qwerty posted will be it except Genia will retain the 9 jersey and Phipps will be on the bench.
McCalman for Skelton will be the only change to the 23 from the Fiji game.
McCalman for Skelton will be the only change to the 23 from the Fiji game.
neilc
Bob Loudon (25)
English newspaper report "And it is now understood that Joseph’s injury is more serious than first thought and he is now likely to be sidelined for two to three weeks." They're saying 3 weeks.
Lee Enfield
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Well, if Foley is 10, the Wallabies will not score enough tries to beat the English. They will just grind it out and take 3 points via penalties and drop goals. The English will hold no fear of the ball getting wide enough quick enough to create space with Foley at 10. The outside backs will have limited ball and no space, cause Foley couldn't crack a safe with the combination, let alone an international defence. With Foley at 10, Poms to win 25-13.
And I suppose if Quade is 10 we'll win comfortably?
I think Quade needed an outstanding performance to take the 10 jersey from Foley. It didn't happen and it would seem very unlikely that he'll be in the 23 next weekend.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Some interesting comments. It seems GAGR would have half the number of comments if not for Quade Cooper.
My two cents worth - I actually thought Quade showed more than enough to show he is a much better pick than Foley around the field. I confess to being a Quade fan, but up until yesterday I didn't think he had showed nearly enough form/confidence in himself this year and Foley was the much better choice.
Unfortunately, Quade's goal kicking let him down, while Foleys has been more consistent recently and I don't think we can take on the Poms & the Welsh without an accurate kicker. So, whilst I think Cooper is the better playmaker I think Cheika will and should stick to Foley.
I am somewhat tempted to suggest that Cooper and Beale should both be on the bench as they work extremely well together and could really spark the attack in the last 15, but we would be stuffed with an early injury, so To'omua needs to keep his spot as he is much better rounded, and Cheika seems more likely to sub Giteau than Foley.
I do think Cheika needs to add some attacking spark and that might be enough to get Mitchell a jersey in front of Horne.
My two cents worth - I actually thought Quade showed more than enough to show he is a much better pick than Foley around the field. I confess to being a Quade fan, but up until yesterday I didn't think he had showed nearly enough form/confidence in himself this year and Foley was the much better choice.
Unfortunately, Quade's goal kicking let him down, while Foleys has been more consistent recently and I don't think we can take on the Poms & the Welsh without an accurate kicker. So, whilst I think Cooper is the better playmaker I think Cheika will and should stick to Foley.
I am somewhat tempted to suggest that Cooper and Beale should both be on the bench as they work extremely well together and could really spark the attack in the last 15, but we would be stuffed with an early injury, so To'omua needs to keep his spot as he is much better rounded, and Cheika seems more likely to sub Giteau than Foley.
I do think Cheika needs to add some attacking spark and that might be enough to get Mitchell a jersey in front of Horne.
So your game plan would be to go wide and for all out attack against England?
Interesting, we would then select who outside him - how would you pick a side?
Personally, I see the game being a grinding dock yard brawl.
I see England wanting to invest heavily in slowing our ball, while playing stop/start rugby, wanting to play from set piece to set piece and rushing big time in the backs.
So those "opportunities" to go wide to be off slow, back foot ball most of the time and deep in our own territory.
jollyswagman
Ron Walden (29)
Lee Enfield
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Not at all....I think it will be a tough tight encounter and if the wallabies win, it wont be comfortably. I think the poms will get around 25 points, and Cooper gives us the best chanceto get more than 25.
Foley: Poms 25-13
Cooper: Aus 31-25.
B
Bobby Sands
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