pissedoffihavetoregister
Alfred Walker (16)
great to see samu get a gig.
Wallabies v Italy - 9 November
- Thread starter rugbyAU
- Start date
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
No bench locks is interesting, but Hooper can move into the second row when required. Playing Samu and Bobby V off the bench suggests we're going to run hard at these blokes and try to beat them with ball movement and quick recycling.
Sword of Justice
Bob Davidson (42)
I’m generally in favour of the ‘can’t be picked first week back into the squad rule’ as the logic seems to make innate sense and we’ve been guilty of parachuting for years.
However, Ikitau would be pretty damn good right now.
However, Ikitau would be pretty damn good right now.
Yoda
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Didn't read it but great minds think alike!
TSR
Simon Poidevin (60)
Isn’t Ikitau out because his wife is due?
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Hard to say. No idea how much JAS has been doing at training but no in game stuff and Gordon Kicked at 66% in Q Cup which is fairly average.
If I'm Italy I push the boundaries at the ruck. Wallabies are likely to miss a shot.
Don't hate the side. I would have preferred a heavier partner with Frost. I think we all saw that helps free him up. Now we run two guys who physically don't intimidate.
If I'm Italy I push the boundaries at the ruck. Wallabies are likely to miss a shot.
Don't hate the side. I would have preferred a heavier partner with Frost. I think we all saw that helps free him up. Now we run two guys who physically don't intimidate.
Filipo Daugunu
Sydney Middleton (9)
I don’t understand the lack of goalkicking options in the starting xv. Aside from the experience argument, how can you have Jake Gordon a non-goalkicker along with Carter Gordon who is a non-goalkicker? This will be a very tight test match, and a lot of points will be left out there if CG is kicking. I hope JAS will be kicking. Then you leave Lonergan a goal-kicker and Edmed a goal-kicker on the bench to come on at the same time? Aside from that, I hope that CG can unlock the backline much better and will be attempting to put our two attacking weapons (JAS, Toole) in space to score.
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
100%
These guys ramp up in Jan to try and perform for their Super Rugby sides and for the Brums and Reds players got into the Finals so had the push to try and win the whole thing. Then selected into a Lions series which they are told is once in a lifetime stuff. After that they get sent to SA, brought back to Aus and Townsville for the Argies and then we pump them up again for a Bledisloe rightly so but that goes from NZ > Perth and now over to Japan and Europe which post Lions I don't think would hold the same feeling this year.
They've been revving high for long time now. I hope it doesn't catch up through next years Super Rugby season.
dru
Jason Little (69)
No. There are some names that we won't expect against France and Italy (and didn't play England) but "everyone get's a run" was the Japan test. This is nothing like that.
Have to agree on the risk of no bench lock - it's one of the hardest worked positions on the field with big bodies that tire. Flipside is a bench to provide plenty of forward dynamics to close the game. Interesting coin-toss this.
I feel for Jorgo, left holding the open wing with a planned nil wide ball movement and a green 10. Which makes for a quiet game. Now replaced. Perhaps back for the big games?
Carter at 10 is the Hail Mary. We would be complaining if he wasn't there but it does shriek of problems. It's your chance, Carter, blow the doors off. (Presuming that Schmidt is permitting any ball movement whatsoever.)
I'm happy to see Faessler starting.
God it's painful being a Wallabies supporter.
Major Tom
Chilla Wilson (44)
Yeah I would have had LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) to partner frost with Williams off the bench for cover. But whatever. Hopefully we dominate the first half and put Italians pack to sleep.
Linerunner2023
Johnnie Wallace (23)
Seems strange to have hooper there but no ikatau
Apparently jorgo got sick and then pietch copped a head knock at training late with Toole brought in late into the 15
Apparently jorgo got sick and then pietch copped a head knock at training late with Toole brought in late into the 15
Brumby Runner
George Gregan (70)
Six changes to the "best" XXIII put out against England. Hate to say it but it's looking like Joe has fallen for the same false sense of superiority that led to Rennie's demise.
Don't mind Faessler starting with Pollard on the bench. Not a lot of difference in quality there. AAA missing out altogether is a surprise.
One change I, and some others here, would have liked to have seen would have been LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the row with Williams on the bench. But not to be and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) misses out entirely.
Two changes to the backrow with Hooper at 6 and Samu on the bench. I would have preferred Valetini at 6 with Hooper on the bench, and while I always liked Pistol Pete, I wonder how he will fit into the playing structures not having played in a Joe Schmidt side before? From the selections here, it looks like Hooper will move into the second row when a lock comes off, while Valetini will then fill the 6 spot. McReight won't be replaced, so Samu is covering Wilson and injuries aside will see sweet fuck all game time is my guess.
The two Gordons in tandem leaves us short of a goal kicker for at least half the game, probably more. Unlikely to be any early penalty goals to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Probably have to win it with increments of 5 on the board.
Ikitau's absence will again hurt us in the backline.
Corey Toole's inclusion looks to be designed to give everyone a run on the European leg.
This side is not close to our best, and this game deserves our best. Lose it and the damage will be felt hard.
Don't mind Faessler starting with Pollard on the bench. Not a lot of difference in quality there. AAA missing out altogether is a surprise.
One change I, and some others here, would have liked to have seen would have been LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the row with Williams on the bench. But not to be and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) misses out entirely.
Two changes to the backrow with Hooper at 6 and Samu on the bench. I would have preferred Valetini at 6 with Hooper on the bench, and while I always liked Pistol Pete, I wonder how he will fit into the playing structures not having played in a Joe Schmidt side before? From the selections here, it looks like Hooper will move into the second row when a lock comes off, while Valetini will then fill the 6 spot. McReight won't be replaced, so Samu is covering Wilson and injuries aside will see sweet fuck all game time is my guess.
The two Gordons in tandem leaves us short of a goal kicker for at least half the game, probably more. Unlikely to be any early penalty goals to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Probably have to win it with increments of 5 on the board.
Ikitau's absence will again hurt us in the backline.
Corey Toole's inclusion looks to be designed to give everyone a run on the European leg.
This side is not close to our best, and this game deserves our best. Lose it and the damage will be felt hard.
Where's the beef
Larry Dwyer (12)
I am a little surprised with a few things here.
IMO, the team will be fine if they get an early lead and pull away.
If its a dogfight, which is what Italy will seek to do, then I am concerned.
I would not have Correy in my 23. He is fast, but, under the high ball......
Peitch would have been in.
Jorgo needs to do more looking for the ball.
Am very concerned that Loto not in the 23. Dare I say it WHERE IS THE BEEF.
I expect a far better performance this week because the Jet Lag of the last 2 weeks should be gone. 2 12 hour flights and 2 internationals in 7 days....A bit silly that.
IMO, the team will be fine if they get an early lead and pull away.
If its a dogfight, which is what Italy will seek to do, then I am concerned.
I would not have Correy in my 23. He is fast, but, under the high ball......
Peitch would have been in.
Jorgo needs to do more looking for the ball.
Am very concerned that Loto not in the 23. Dare I say it WHERE IS THE BEEF.
I expect a far better performance this week because the Jet Lag of the last 2 weeks should be gone. 2 12 hour flights and 2 internationals in 7 days....A bit silly that.
rugbyAU
Peter Johnson (47)
Gordon
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Head knock makes sense now.
Someone mentioned something about Lens Partner being pregnant? Good for him but shame for the side. His bag of tricks at 12 is a game changer for this side.