Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[Uh huh]

Christy Doran is reporting that the backline will be the same and the forwards will feature Skelton, Valetini, Gleeson and Porecki with a 6:2 bench.

Faessler, Champion de Crespigny and Hooper likely to miss out. I assume Kellaway also misses if we go to a 6:2 bench.

I agree with most of it, but of all the back five players in the 23, Hooper is surely the last one that should be dropped?

 

[Braveheart81]

I agree with most of it, but of all the back five players in the 23, Hooper is surely the last one that should be dropped?

Tizzano was pretty good when he came on so I'm not really sure. If this is the bench backrower who might play the last 15 minutes then arguably Tizzano is probably more suited to providing impact in that role.

 

[KOB1987]

If this is what Joe is going with who will cover 12 and 13 in case of injury?

It's a valid question but I assume it would be Donaldson and Potter respectively, in attack at least anyway.

 

[The Red Baron]

So based on that, you'd assume that one of Skelton, Williams or Frost would be on the bench? If it's a 6-2 split, then the bench forwards would likely be:

Pollard
Bell
Robertson
Skelton / Frost / Williams
Gleeson
Tizzano

If the backline is unchanged, then the last two would have to be McDermott and Donaldson.

 

[Joe Blow]

Christy Doran is reporting that the backline will be the same and the forwards will feature Skelton, Valetini, Gleeson and Porecki with a 6:2 bench.

Faessler, Champion de Crespigny and Hooper likely to miss out. I assume Kellaway also misses if we go to a 6:2 bench.

Tough on Fez but his throwing was a little off. Not convinced Porecki is ideal against a big mobile pack?
Lineout needs to be fixed though and made to work when Skelton is on the paddock. Wilson, Valetini and Gleeson are all reasonable targets.

 

[Tomthumb]

Christy Doran is reporting that the backline will be the same and the forwards will feature Skelton, Valetini, Gleeson and Porecki with a 6:2 bench.

Faessler, Champion de Crespigny and Hooper likely to miss out. I assume Kellaway also misses if we go to a 6:2 bench.

It’s make or brake time for Joes plan

i genuinely hope I’m wrong and this team does the business as Australian Rugby needs this win

 

[Braveheart81]

Tough on Fez but his throwing was a little off. Not convinced Porecki is ideal against a big mobile pack?
Lineout needs to be fixed though and made to work when Skelton is on the paddock. Wilson, Valetini and Gleeson are all reasonable targets.

I think Porecki is the most physical defender of the hooker options and is good at leading the defensive linespeed. He just needs to avoid getting concussed with one of his low tackles (which is certainly not a given).

Faessler looked pretty off the pace in the first test.

 

[emuarse]

It's not like Lynagh is some gun hotshot streets ahead of Donaldson. I don't understand it. The Lions will target him if he is selected again. Probably even more so. Joe knows best ... apparently.

Disagree. Gordon is the most skilled half back we have.

 

[Strewthcobber]

If those reports are true and we are trading centre injury coverage for an impact backrower to bring the team home, I'm in. Back the team to be lucky and get it done. There's no more chances after this game, may as well push it all in against Red

 

[Wilson]

Tizzano was pretty good when he came on so I'm not really sure. If this is the bench backrower who might play the last 15 minutes then arguably Tizzano is probably more suited to providing impact in that role.

Reckon it probably makes more sense to have Skelton and Hooper there to replace both locks, particularly of they're looking at a wetter, forward dominated match

 

[Derpus]

People complained about the refereeing last night (and largely were right to) but would refereeing of that style actually suit us better compared with Ben O'Keefe's style of refereeing?

Ben O'Keefe is arguably the top flight referee who will most try to underplay foul play and not hand out cards.

What's the bet we come out attempting to match last weeks physicality and actually cop the cards the Lions should have.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Flook has replaced Daugunu after his concussion (he was already training with the squad):
View attachment 22789

He's pretty unlikely to be in the 23, but it's not unbelievable the ends up on the bench given he covers centre and wing.

The fact Daugunu played this match indicates fairly strongly that he was not being considered at all for the test on the weekend. It would then be strange if his replacement, without any recent match form, were to be selected even on the bench. Would almost be an acknowledgement that Joe got it wrong in the first place. Can't see that happening even if warranted.

 

[Wilson]

What's the bet we come out attempting to match last weeks physicality and actually cop the cards the Lions should have.

Pretty good now that you've voiced it

 

[LeCheese]

There's no more chances after this game, may as well push it all in against Red

Are you suggesting that… we… are… Red?

 

[Derpus]

You should be used to it as a Wallabies supporter.

 

[Wilson]

The fact Daugunu played this match indicates fairly strongly that he was not being considered at all for the test on the weekend. It would then be strange if his replacement, without any recent match form, were to be selected even on the bench. Would almost be an acknowledgement that Joe got it wrong in the first place. Can't see that happening even if warranted.

I don't think he'll be there*, I only mentioned it because this is the match thread and the fact that he will have been with the squad for the week makes it an outside chance.

*A late injury could see him rocket into contention, though that's much less likely if we're going 6/2.

 

[TSR]

If you really believe in your heart of hearts that he was treated the same as any other 17 year old and was brought across purely based on his absolute superior talent and athleticism I stand corrected. Please accept my sincere apology.
Maybe we scout the UK for more 17 year old exceptional talent that might be floating around.

On the flip side if you, in your heart of hearts think Les Kiss & Joe Schmidt (a Kiwi) are picking talent to be nice to a bloke they never played with - well, good luck to you I guess.

 

[Joe Blow]

Reckon it probably makes more sense to have Skelton and Hooper there to replace both locks, particularly of they're looking at a wetter, forward dominated match

Then surely you start with Skelton and let him rip for 30-40 minutes

 

[noscrumnolife]

People complained about the refereeing last night (and largely were right to) but would refereeing of that style actually suit us better compared with Ben O'Keefe's style of refereeing?

Ben O'Keefe is arguably the top flight referee who will most try to underplay foul play and not hand out cards.

Yes I have been saying this

Even if it can frustrate, as a pure rugby fan, I prefer BOK style of reffing. It emphasises the player's winning the game, and generally the dominant physical team willing to play on the edge wins out under BOK. This IMO is how the game should be reffed. Much prefer it to the ticky tacky NH style we saw in the FNP match. If you are going to penalise some things, you have to penalise everything - however this is just not possible, the game is too complex and too many variables.

however, it probably suits the wallabies more, especially if we lean into a power game. more opportunities to accumulate points, curry gets pinged more often, more stop-start contest where its hard for one team to get the momentum (which is likely to be the Lions in a continuous game based on the talent disadvantage).

 

[Spamnoodle]

On the flip side if you, in your heart of hearts think Les Kiss & Joe Schmidt (a Kiwi) are picking talent to be nice to a bloke they never played with - well, good luck to you I guess.

And Brad Thorn before them...