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Wallabies v Italy - 9 November

Major Tom

Major Tom

Chilla Wilson (44)
Brumby Runner said:
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) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the row with Williams on the bench. But not to be and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (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.
Click to expand...

Hang on. You don’t like the mass changes but advocate for Len to come in? I think he’s wife is expecting anyways.

I don’t hate this team. The bench looks better than last week. The lack of 2nd row is a risk but you’d have to think that Hooper will move to the 2nd row late. Valetini is a great player but hasn’t had the same impact with his stop start season. I like him coming off the bench and ripping in late.

Faesler is a good option to start. Pollard now has the maturity to close a test.
I think AAA would be managing his shoulder so don’t have a problem with Zane replacing him. He’s a step down scrum wise but probably a better option ball carrying wise. Ross is a step up from Robertson IMO so I’m more than happy about that.

Samu is interesting. I think he will come on for McReight if we can afford it. McReight still our best 7 by a while but he’s playing a lot of minutes. Tizzano would be ideal but picked up an injury after Japan so he wouldn’t have had that full training prep that Schmidt likes (not sure I agree with it). Schmidt probably should have played Samu against Japan in hindsight.

The backs are shuffling again which is frustrating. I believe jorgo is sick and Pietch picked up a head knock in training (classic us). I actually would not have minded jorgo to the back and Peitch and Potter to the wings but this looks like the best we can do. Daungunu if the bench is a no brainer with his ability to play multiple positions.

I’m not worried about goal kicking I’m more worried about kicking for the line.
 
dru

dru

Jason Little (69)
Brumby Runner said:
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.
Click to expand...

BR, it's disappointing but it is not the Japan squad. This seems based off the First XV with some juggling. Still, ...

Brumby Runner said:
This side is not close to our best, and this game deserves our best. Lose it and the damage will be felt hard.
Click to expand...

I'm with you there.
 
The Ghost of Raelene

The Ghost of Raelene

Tim Horan (67)
Pollard on the bench also feels like timely move even for a week. He's been the main Hooker for a while now and is probably due a reduced week and his speed could be valuable in the last 25-30. Faessler is also in need of game time after a disrupted season. That change doens't worry me and these two in the squad is an improvement on Nasser.
 
Dctarget

Dctarget

Jason Little (69)
So sounds like all the changes are forced except for Gordon at flyhalf. Can't really fault Joe then.

I was wrong earlier about Italy not having any big outs. Their backline is class and I'd take their 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 over ours.

But their backrow is missing captain Michele Lamaro and Sebestian Negri, that's 110+ caps between them. Really, really important for us to get the wood on them up front.
Italy XV
15. Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse, 28 caps)
14. Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)
13. Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 46 caps) – captain
12. Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
11. Monty Ioane (Lyon, 39 caps)
10. Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 47 caps)
9. Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
8. Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)
7. Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)
6. Ross Vintcent (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
5. Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
4. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps)
3. Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 66 caps)
2. Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français, 34 caps)
1. Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints, 55 caps)

Replacements
16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
17. Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
18. Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 34 caps)
19. Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)
20. Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
21. Martin Page-Relo (Bordeaux, 18 caps)
22. Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, 86 caps)
23. Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)
 
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