Super Rugby Rd 1: Waratahs vs Brumbies Friday, 24th February

[Wilson]

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson

RESERVES: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Te Tera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo

BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Connal McInerney, Allan Ala'alatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford

 

[qwerty51]

Like the 6:2, not sure about Gamble and Hooper starting, especially beginning a match. Could be a set-piece disaster.

Lolesio can't even start for the Brumbies, not a good look.

 

[whitefalcon]

Debreczeni over Lolesio - form, rest or tactics?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Noah hasn't played since the Wales test. Nothing more than that I'd say, seeing that Nic White is also on the bench after not having any trial time too.

In fact, five of the current Wallabies squad are on the bench.

 

[Tomikin]

That's a different team than expected, but really does have a strong bench to finish the game, and gets some experience in the front row across the game. Bringing White and Noah back via the bench when they haven't had any trial games isn't a bad idea.

Maybe there's something we aren't seeing at training.

 

[Wilson]

Brumbies easing quite a few of their wallabies in from the bench, if the tahs can't build an early lead they might be wiped off the park in the last 20.

 

[Adam84]

Jeez, Swain and Lolesio bumped to the bench.
I get Nic White might be getting eased back, but it's not like the other two have played an abundance of test rugby recently.

 

[Wilson]

Jeez, Swain and Lolesio bumped to the bench.
I get Nic White might be getting eased back, but it's not like the other two have played an abundance of test rugby recently.

Of those Swain is looking most likely to have been dropped rather than rested/rotated, certainly Frost and Neville looked to be above him in the Wallabies pecking order by the end of the season. His yellow card in the trials probably didn't help his case.

 

[scrans21]

That's a naughty bench. Keep an eye on Van Nek, he's a monster scrummager (MOTM in the Hospital Cup final for Easts a few years ago by basically scrumming UQ off the park). Have no idea why the Reds never tried to sign him but he has a huge future.

 

[Derpus]

Of those Swain is looking most likely to have been dropped rather than rested/rotated, certainly Frost and Neville looked to be above him in the Wallabies pecking order by the end of the season. His yellow card in the trials probably didn't help his case.

Swain is better than Neville, I think. But I guess Neville is the Brumbies primary caller?

 

[Derpus]

So I guess Gamble is being played at 8?

 

[Dctarget]

So I guess Gamble is being played at 8?

Not sure why with Gleeson & Harris too.

But very happy to see Swinton and Perese back. Add some real mongrel and explosiveness that was so vital in the '14 team. I think this 'Tahs team is going to pump some teams.

 

[Adam84]

That's a naughty bench. Keep an eye on Van Nek, he's a monster scrummager (MOTM in the Hospital Cup final for Easts a few years ago by basically scrumming UQ off the park). Have no idea why the Reds never tried to sign him but he has a huge future.

if you ask some on here, they will argue he is too short

 

[Dctarget]

Like the 6:2, not sure about Gamble and Hooper starting, especially beginning a match. Could be a set-piece disaster.

Lolesio can't even start for the Brumbies, not a good look.

Never really saw Nadolo as a super sub but I'm sure he can throw a mean spiral pass too.

 

[qwerty51]

I would only consider him a super sub really. If he started, expect the Brumbies kick a lot to him and try turn him around heaps and move him out position.

 

[Dctarget]

I would only consider him a super sub really. If he started, expect the Brumbies kick a lot to him and try turn him around heaps and move him out position.

Supersub = sub that covers lots of positions no?

He's a specialist winger sub. Maybe 13 at a stretch. Wouldn't want Donaldson going down then Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase). You'd either have Nadolo fielding bombs at the back or debutant Jorgensen there.

 

[swingpass]

if you ask some on here, they will argue he is too short

i read somewhere, by implication, that the problem at the Rebels was he was too full of himself rather than not up to top line rugby

 

[qwerty51]

Supersub = sub that covers lots of positions no?

He's a specialist winger sub. Maybe 13 at a stretch. Wouldn't want Donaldson going down then Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase). You'd either have Nadolo fielding bombs at the back or debutant Jorgensen there.

Ah right thought you meant just an impact player off the bench. There’s so much versatility in the starting backline don’t think it matters to have single position players on the bench. Jorgenson or Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) could cover 15, Donaldson covering 10 in case Edmed goes down.

If either centre goes down you play Edmed at 12. I think everything is covered.

 

[Maulalltheway]

Like the 6:2, not sure about Gamble and Hooper starting, especially beginning a match. Could be a set-piece disaster.

Lolesio can't even start for the Brumbies, not a good look.

worst read of the day goes to...

 

[Maulalltheway]

That's a different team than expected, but really does have a strong bench to finish the game, and gets some experience in the front row across the game. Bringing White and Noah back via the bench when they haven't had any trial games isn't a bad idea.

Maybe there's something we aren't seeing at training.

the brums also love to squad manage across a season.