Wallabies vs Lions , 19th July Suncorp

[rugbyAU]

The Lions clearly have a stronger side but let’s not forget they’re an underperforming side

This century they’ve only won 1 out of 6 tours and have lost to sides like Arg, Aus A, SA A, Brumbies, Blues, Highlanders etc

Very poor for the best of the UK

 

[Yabby]

Hot prediction

 

[dru]

For mine, we need to start our strongest XV.

Here is the thing. With respect, I doubt you are Schmidt. And I suspect that it is pretty likely that the coaching team are putting forward what they see as their strongest team.

Just my poor thinking, I guess.

 

[lpd]

i think this team might work for the first test, as it should be strong at line out and breakdown. We the lions will still be getting used to each other (and this lineup haven’t played test level players yet), so disrupting their line out and breakdown could cause some chaos.

In subsequent tests, i imagine they’ll be too cohesive and we’ll need to fight their power game more (so hopefully Valetini, Skelton are right by then)

 

[emuarse]

Gotta feel for Donaldson and McDermott. Donaldson has sat behind Lolesio for 30 Tests of mediocrity and now has a bloke who has been injured and not played for over a month jumping him. Then Tate has played fantastic and gets snubbed by a guy, again who hasn't played for over 5 weeks. On top of that Gordon and Lynagh have never played together and Lynagh is playing his first run on Test! I'm suspecting Joe has given Gordon and Lynagh the series to start, win lose or draw. In Joe we trust. Do we?

My take on this is that both Lynaugh & Gordan might run out of gas/not have the match fitness & need to be replaced earlier than expected. I think we're going to see a fast, intense game.
In Joe I trust.

 

[SamoanNo8]

Here is the thing. With respect, I doubt you are Schmidt. And I suspect that it is pretty likely that the coaching team are putting forward what they see as their strongest team.

Just my poor thinking, I guess.

Some groundbreaking thinking from you, dru.

My post was rather alluding to the composition and split of our best players across the starting side and the bench.

Take the example of James Slipper and Angus Bell. Most members of this forum would agree that between Angus Bell and James Slipper, Angus Bell is the superior loose head (at this current stage of their respective careers). Schmidt has (perhaps) elected to keep Angus Bell on the bench to provide starch at the back end of the game (and potentially arrest any momentum the Lions may have).

I, however, would have started Angus Bell in the interests of building ascendancy from the outset.

That said, I have the utmost confidence in Joe Schmidt as a coach and his ability to guide us to a win.

Regards

 

[Mr Pilfer]

If we are going into this with an eye on getting these players back for the 2nd test we are going to get pumped.

I cannot see how we are going to get any carries bending the gain line with that team. Surely with all the players out then Bell had to start.

Tizzano is a good call off the bench though, not picked as another “jackler” as some suggested, he is just hard and will give 120% and runs the ball hard and will tackle everything, that is what you need at the end of the game

 

[Tomthumb]

While outside of Wilson we don't really have any great ball carriers, we do have a really mobile pack with high engine guys there. Frost & Williams are very mobile for locks and Wilson & McReight are far more mobile than there opposites

Goal really needs to be to run them around. No point running into brick walls, play at pace and with movement. We have the better backline IMO and Lynagh does play in an up-tempo system at the Reds so he may just fit the bill

 

[JRugby2]

Yes, Tom, I was plugging Donaldson copping criticism when all others kept plugging Noah. If Australia wants to be a dominant force in rugby again, we need a flyhalf with all the skills including athleticism, a second row that commands the same respect as Etzebeth, a hooker that can throw and make meters (if only Pollard could throw better though he has improved), a backrow that can get over the advantage line and able to run until their legs drop off. An inside center or fullback that can slip into fly half with ease, two props that won't get pushed off the ball at the set peace yet can push other teams off the ball. An outside center with speed, a great passing game and can push over the advantage line and a back three with speed, size and vision. All backs and forwards able to defend. This does not say Donaldson has all the attributes required currently but of what we have got, he is definitely the most athletic, has a big boot on him and his goal kicking has improved substantially. Based on what I have said above, the cattle we currently have are likely to be battling between 5th to 9th place on the international rankings for some time. I hope Lynagh goes well and proves me wrong and the team proves me wrong, however I am not sure we have the cattle for this and I think the Lions are far better prepared. Just my thoughts. How the Tahs could of let the Scottish/Lions inside center along with his younger brother go I would never know.

Because he wasn't good at the time?

 

[Slim 293]

For Melbourne folks…

Stan Sports will be filming the crowd at Barbarian Brewing in Kingsville on Saturday night.

The owner is British and loves his rugby, so it’s always on the screens, incl. next day Six Nations/Premier League replays.

 

[Super Hooper]

Think Ringrose being injured is, whilst sad, a good thing for them because Jones and Tuipulotu are much more creative and Aki is not in much form.

Tuipulotu has been mediocre at best in this tour so far. On the other hand, Jones is on fire. It will be a big concern

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Because he wasn't good at the time?

He was good. Foketi was playing well at the time though so it was hard to see them needing a replacement.. though they have stuck by Walton the most underwhelming of centre choices.

 

[Wilson]

As much as I love to hate on the tahs, I'm not entirely sure where this narrative that they let Sione go have come from - it was very clearly a failing of the Rebels, where he actually played for his entire career in Australia.

Not a one off for the Wessels era (or Foote/Stiles era) when the Rebels should probably have been much more focused on building a core of Melbourne players where they actually had them, and recruiting judiciously where they didn't. In another world we might even be seeing the the Melbourne Rising centre pairing from 2017 (Sione Tuipuloto, Hunter Paisami) running out in gold on Saturday night.

 

[Dctarget]

In another world we might even be seeing the the Melbourne Rising centre pairing from 2017 (Sione Tuipuloto, Hunter Paisami) running out in gold on Saturday night.

Why you gotta hurt me like that

 

[Wilson]

Why you gotta hurt me like that

Not to heap misery on top of misery, but that 11-15 from round 1 of 2017 NRC could've been a championship backline a couple of years ago if they all stayed together.

 

[fatprop]

Some groundbreaking thinking from you, dru.

My post was rather alluding to the composition and split of our best players across the starting side and the bench.

Take the example of James Slipper and Angus Bell. Most members of this forum would agree that between Angus Bell and James Slipper, Angus Bell is the superior loose head (at this current stage of their respective careers). Schmidt has (perhaps) elected to keep Angus Bell on the bench to provide starch at the back end of the game (and potentially arrest any momentum the Lions may have).

I, however, would have started Angus Bell in the interests of building ascendancy from the outset.

That said, I have the utmost confidence in Joe Schmidt as a coach and his ability to guide us to a win.

Regards

I think Bell at the back end is to balance our ball carrying options, he also improves our mobility as the game opens up

 

[Upthemaroon!]

While outside of Wilson we don't really have any great ball carriers, we do have a really mobile pack with high engine guys there. Frost & Williams are very mobile for locks and Wilson & McReight are far more mobile than there opposites

Goal really needs to be to run them around. No point running into brick walls, play at pace and with movement. We have the better backline IMO and Lynagh does play in an up-tempo system at the Reds so he may just fit the bill

Is Frost really that mobile? Don't get me wrong, he is fast in a straight line, but I've seen road trains do quicker three point turns than him.

 

[JRugby2]

He was good. Foketi was playing well at the time though so it was hard to see them needing a replacement.. though they have stuck by Walton the most underwhelming of centre choices.

He didn't play at the Tahs.

 

[dru]

Some groundbreaking thinking from you, dru.

My post was rather alluding to the composition and split of our best players across the starting side and the bench.

Take the example of James Slipper and Angus Bell. Most members of this forum would agree that between Angus Bell and James Slipper, Angus Bell is the superior loose head (at this current stage of their respective careers). Schmidt has (perhaps) elected to keep Angus Bell on the bench to provide starch at the back end of the game (and potentially arrest any momentum the Lions may have).

I, however, would have started Angus Bell in the interests of building ascendancy from the outset.

That said, I have the utmost confidence in Joe Schmidt as a coach and his ability to guide us to a win.

Regards

To be fair I see a number of head scratchers. High on my list is an injury to either Ikitau or JAS. If it happened early we may be seeing the game through a back line double shuffle. Halves pairing ignoring combination is another.

Like you though, I don't see Schmidt doing anything other than presenting what he believes is the strongest team. What will be intriguing is the game plan and how it is intended to counter the BIL.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

He didn't play at the Tahs.

Yet everyone blames them for not picking them up.