Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Hooper had a *huge* game.
Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC
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Hooper had a *huge* game.
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
Tonight showed how invaluable Hooper is to the wallabies, he's an absolute terrier with a 2000 volt heart. After all this fabricated crap about him not contributing to defence he absolutely stripped the Boks Biltong. Pocock came on and also made a terrific appearance at 8. Go figure. I think Skelton filled the bulldozing role well; while at times being out of position in defence. Higginbotham didn't let us down (stupid kick) but lacked a presence at the ruck (as was to be expected).
Sio and Holmes scrum masterclass had me shivering, our scrum hasn't dominated like that in ever. Sio is now my favourite Loosehead, especially when you consider his work around the turf.
What really stood out to me was how far behind the pace Giteau was, for at least the first half, then he seemed to warm up to it. I guess that comes with 4 year gaps between playing test matches. It will be interesting to see if To'omua gets the nod ahead of him in the future.
Anyway, alls well that ends well I suppose
Sio and Holmes scrum masterclass had me shivering, our scrum hasn't dominated like that in ever. Sio is now my favourite Loosehead, especially when you consider his work around the turf.
What really stood out to me was how far behind the pace Giteau was, for at least the first half, then he seemed to warm up to it. I guess that comes with 4 year gaps between playing test matches. It will be interesting to see if To'omua gets the nod ahead of him in the future.
Anyway, alls well that ends well I suppose
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
Really baffled me with this one, Horne out and a misfiring Speight gain favour? How is Cooper still in your team? How is Hooper on the bench after that riot? and WHY IN ALL HELL would Carter be selected ahead of anybody? Apart from his first test where he played alright, he really hasn't shown the ability to turn the wheel. I think we need to invest in Coleman and Jones rather than settle for mediocrity
something
Jim Clark (26)
Seeing as the whole double openside's thing seemed to work - what's thoughts on Pocock starting at 8 for the rest of the season? It would mean having Horwill start over Skelton. I think the positives outweigh the negatives - the scrum certainly didn't seem to be affected (it got actually better, I'm not saying that's because poey's at 8 though)
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
I thought Giteau played well, very confident, Speight would be a good addition, add Pocock earlier or start him, hooper had some massive plays but wallabies had too many balls lost in the rucks / mauls..
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Something I think nobody doubted dual opensides was a workable solution, the issue was Skelton was the leading lock contender.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Yeah looked good when he got dominantly tackled for a turnover, held up for a maul and passing the ball over the sideline.
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
He made plently of good plays too... He was activily involved with good results... Sure a bit of misfiring by all last night... He certainly wasnt the problem
If hooper is replaced by pocock, is it a direct swap in defensive duties?
Hooper's work defending at 10 off lineout was immense
Also I don't know if there is an actual correlation, but the Boks didn't do much mauling until Skelton was replaced
The Argie's most potent weapon was the maul on Friday.
Hooper's work defending at 10 off lineout was immense
Also I don't know if there is an actual correlation, but the Boks didn't do much mauling until Skelton was replaced
The Argie's most potent weapon was the maul on Friday.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
He was a big problem. Not his poor play. More so that what he offered didn't feel what we needed at 12.
He's an excellent runner and a reliable tackler. He's not dominant in contact.
He's an excellent runner and a reliable tackler. He's not dominant in contact.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
This highlights the big problem which selectors have to grapple with. Rugby is a very fluid game. Thirty players and a referee. Change one variable (e.g. make one substitution) and the game changes. And it can be difficult to work out cause and effect.
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
With Genia and Horne out, I'd say take a couple of risks.
1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Holmes
4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Mitchell
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Folau
16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Kepu
19. Arnold
20. McCalman/Higgenbotham
21. McMahon/McCalman
22. Giteau
23. Tomane
Reward the good form of Horwill and To'omua with starts, give Arnold a chance off the bench. With 3 lineout players in the side we can try the 2 opensides for 80 minutes. Run a 6-2 split off the bench, and trial Gits as the emergency 3rd scrum half. He's not the best 10 or 12 Aus has on the evidence of last night, but if he's capable there, he would be a more valuable selection than selecting a pure 3rd Scrummie.
1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Holmes
4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Mitchell
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Folau
16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Kepu
19. Arnold
20. McCalman/Higgenbotham
21. McMahon/McCalman
22. Giteau
23. Tomane
Reward the good form of Horwill and To'omua with starts, give Arnold a chance off the bench. With 3 lineout players in the side we can try the 2 opensides for 80 minutes. Run a 6-2 split off the bench, and trial Gits as the emergency 3rd scrum half. He's not the best 10 or 12 Aus has on the evidence of last night, but if he's capable there, he would be a more valuable selection than selecting a pure 3rd Scrummie.
Getwithme
Cyril Towers (30)
I like that. Except I would bring in Speight when possible for Mitchell and maybe JOC (James O'Connor) over Tomane for added utility. How good was To'omua though? His aility to straighten our attack and play more direct at the line commited more defends and actually allowed us to use our two pass shift pattern well. Pocock also seemed very good in close and out wide and I think he should start at #8
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
I really don't understand what Horne has to do to win favour on these forums? He tackles his heart out, runs hard and never lets us down, yet people want to put Mitchell ahead of him... Mitchell didn't let us down either,but he's more in the frame of Ashley Cooper. Have one all round kicking/ running winger and one thrashing machine.
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
I'm really pushing for Lilo at 12, he's such an underrated player. Great defence, leadership and class. Kerevi will get his chance in the future, god help us if Cheika picks Beale instead.
Thought Chieka would have taken a lot away from that game. Good to have a fightback win for the character and morale of the team.
Forwards
You can talk all you want about the 10,12 dilemma but it won't matter if we can't get the scrum right, For that reason id like to see the front row we finished with sio, moore, Holmes given the start.
From there I think that the call to get douglas back became stronger last night. Skelton a liability and ineffective clearing out.
Australia has 3-4 world class players in my opinion pocock, folau, hooper and moore. its for this reason that both hooper and pocock need to be on for 80. Fardy at 6.
Backs
Genia was not terrible took a good high ball, but was found missing at a few rucks and unfortunately seems to have lost the ability to threaten with a snipping run like he once did. Phipps looked better although his pass a little wild at times.
The 10 -12 for mine has three option foley - toouma , toouma - gits or gits -To'omua. The fact that foley is by far the most accomplished goal kicker will see him take the reins. Quade not direct enough, has brilliance in him but seems to lack the composure of foley and tome at this level.
Pretty happy with the showing of the back four. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) showed his class. Horne hits the ball faster and harder then any other carrier. Folau was excellent and kuidrani solid.
Mitchell looked good when he came on very busy which is what you need.
VERDICT
for argentina
1 Sio
2. Moore
3. Holmes
4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. horne
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Folau
16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Kepu
19. Arnold
20. Mcmahon
21. Genia
22. Giteau
23. mitchell
With an eye on getting douglas in for horwill, (horwill surprised off the bench so deserves a start)
Forwards
You can talk all you want about the 10,12 dilemma but it won't matter if we can't get the scrum right, For that reason id like to see the front row we finished with sio, moore, Holmes given the start.
From there I think that the call to get douglas back became stronger last night. Skelton a liability and ineffective clearing out.
Australia has 3-4 world class players in my opinion pocock, folau, hooper and moore. its for this reason that both hooper and pocock need to be on for 80. Fardy at 6.
Backs
Genia was not terrible took a good high ball, but was found missing at a few rucks and unfortunately seems to have lost the ability to threaten with a snipping run like he once did. Phipps looked better although his pass a little wild at times.
The 10 -12 for mine has three option foley - toouma , toouma - gits or gits -To'omua. The fact that foley is by far the most accomplished goal kicker will see him take the reins. Quade not direct enough, has brilliance in him but seems to lack the composure of foley and tome at this level.
Pretty happy with the showing of the back four. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) showed his class. Horne hits the ball faster and harder then any other carrier. Folau was excellent and kuidrani solid.
Mitchell looked good when he came on very busy which is what you need.
VERDICT
for argentina
1 Sio
2. Moore
3. Holmes
4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. horne
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Folau
16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Kepu
19. Arnold
20. Mcmahon
21. Genia
22. Giteau
23. mitchell
With an eye on getting douglas in for horwill, (horwill surprised off the bench so deserves a start)
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Horne is injured, isn't he? Otherwise he'd be in the side.
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
You literally just ruined my day...
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Nic White and Nick Cummins join the Wallabies for their trip to Argentina replacing the injured Will Genia and Rob Horne respectively.
http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsAr...-on-Cummins-and-White-for-Argentina-Tour.aspx
http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsAr...-on-Cummins-and-White-for-Argentina-Tour.aspx
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