Wallabies v Italy - 9 November

[Wilson]

Super Rugby has these guys going from Perth to Fiji. Tests this year have been from SA, Perth, Townsville, NZ, Japan now Europe. It all adds up when we are often sticking guys on long flights when it would be better to be in recovery mode.

Particularly significant for mental/psychological fatigue as well, when much of their notional rest time is spent in transit or away from home.

 

[Yoda]

It would be a bold move to become the only serious test nation not to utilise the box kick from scrum half...

I think we box kicked every time! Used occasionally is ok. We can't even get the ball back so what's the bloody point!

 

[Yoda]

Jake Gordon should be benched. His slow service is stifling the outside backs and when we don’t make the add line because of it he puts up aimless box kicks that we never contest and win.

He is under instruction though so blame Schmidt!

 

[dru]

I think we box kicked every time! Used occasionally is ok. We can't even get the ball back so what's the bloody point!

Thought the stats showed Jake with 81 passes and 11 kicks from hand, but hey, maybe they plumb can't tell the difference.

 

[Yoda]

Thought the stats showed Jake with 81 passes and 11 kicks from hand, but hey, maybe they plumb can't tell the difference.

Yes Dru I know ... never let the facts get in the way of a good story though! I was just a frustrated spectator. The Poms could have put 40 on us. We were attackLESS!

 

[A mutterer]

Jake Gordon should be benched. His slow service is stifling the outside backs and when we don’t make the add line because of it he puts up aimless box kicks that we never contest and win.

Jake Gordon isn't getting lqb because are one out runs are helping english flop around the ruck harder than they usually do. Where we have forwards getting momentum they are often isolated or our clean out is late or ineffective.

klKeep blaming the halves but we're losing the contact and forward battle unlike earlier in the year.

 

[BDA]

When do we get a team announcement?

 

[rugbyAU]

Jake Gordon should be benched. His slow service is stifling the outside backs and when we don’t make the add line because of it he puts up aimless box kicks that we never contest and win.

He’s still our best option with no Tate

 

[rugbyAU]

When do we get a team announcement?

Later tonight

 

[Major Tom]

No argument there. Len and JAS are our long term options. I'd love to know why Len allegedly isn't playing.

It would be the ‘full training block’ reasoning as per usual. Personally, I think it’s weird. Just pick your best possible team.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It would be the ‘full training block’ reasoning as per usual. Personally, I think it’s weird. Just pick your best possible team.

Why is Hooper OK?

 

[Major Tom]

Assuming he’s passed his HIA protocols I wouldn’t mind seeing Canham named instead of Williams this week.

I think Canham still has some way to go as a top level lock - but he is one of the more athletic options available and has the bit of extra size Williams doesn’t have. I think Williams has been pretty solid for us over the year but it’s hard to see us getting more out of him then we are now, whereas I think Canham may have a higher ceiling.

Normally I wouldn’t be benching Valetini either but I think he’s still not back to 100% and with Hooper being so good this year I wouldn’t mind seeing Hooper start and then Valetini coming on with about 30 to go.

I’d start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) with frost. Williams off the bench to close it out.

 

[Major Tom]

Why is Hooper OK?

Yeah fair point. No clue then. Maybe he’s concerned about Bobby V’s minutes but still wants his strong carry and defensive starch and rates Hooper more than CDC (which is fair)?

 

[Giulia]

World Rugby approved Test Match window that players have to be released for. Australia keeps booking matches outside the window 'cause we need the money. UK and French teams don't have an issue because their players all play domestically they control their own competitions, releasing their players even if the match is outside the reg 9 window.

England league is full of private owners. Believe there's a formal agreement with the RFU to always release players selected for England.

 

[Major Tom]

England league is full of private owners. Believe there's a formal agreement with the RFU to always release players selected for England.

Formal agreement = RFU paid the clubs to release the players

 

[Wilson]

Why is Hooper OK?

Loop Hoop holes

 

[Slim 293]

Yes Dru I know ... never let the facts get in the way of a good story though! I was just a frustrated spectator. The Poms could have put 40 on us. We were attackLESS!

Hmmmmm…

‘Could’ve been 40-0’: Ex-coaches slam Wallabies ahead of crucial Test​

Former Wallabies coaches Eddie Jones and Ewen McKenzie have slammed Australia’s one-dimensional attack, as pressure builds on playmaker Tane Edmed ahead of a must-win Italy Test.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union

 

[Italophile]

Playing in Udine, way up north. Closer to the Austrian border than to Rome. Louis Lynagh to start for Italy. Been scoring tries for fun in URC.

 

[Dctarget]

Gordon Gordon halves.

No bench lock after Japan is a bold choice.
Uninspiring wings, no Pietsch or Jorgo..

 

[rugbyAU]

- Good team overall, Faessler back is good and Samu getting an opportunity
- interesting Toole in with no Pietsch (it was reported Pietsch would start)
- why is Valetini on the bench? and no reserve locks at all