Ireland v Wallabies - Sunday 1 Dec, 2:10 AEDT

[Slim 293]

With no Gordan I am hopeful that Harrison has a long run with no injuries. I feel that he will be the guy for the next RWC if he can string some games together.

Not unless he bails out of his Japan contract and comes home...

 

[Derpus]

It is a shame what happened with Harrison. Always thought he had the most promise out of everyone in this approximate age bracket.

But exploding knees aren't good for anyone's career.

 

[TSR]

Might have had something to do with his versatility, but I don't think under 20s means much once they've got years of pro rugby under their belt. Lots of players haven't even settled into a consistent position yet

That was a wild year for u20s flyhalves though - 10 Will Harrison, 12 Noah Lolesio, 15 Isaac Lucas and 23/Squad Ben Donaldson. Kind of wish we could've spread them out over a few more years

If memory serves me correctly Gordon, Pasitoa and Parata were all the next year along.

 

[Jets]

Not unless he bails out of his Japan contract and comes home...

Didn't realise that. Guess that won't happen now.

 

[upthereds#!]

Perhaps more likely that he misses altogether again if he's not fit to start.

I don't think he should be starting anyway. His impact is his superpower. He has never been outstanding when starting as everyone else is fresh. When they are tired - he can turn the tide, starting with winning scrum penalties (something he rarely does as a starter, but regularly does as a finisher)

 

[Sully]

None of this should be in a match thread.

 

[BDA]

Perhaps more likely that he misses altogether again if he's not fit to start.

Yeh we got burnt last year playing tupou off the bench when he wasnt 100%...if alatoa goes down injured in the 20th minute ya fuckd. I think you start him and hope he can last 35 mins

 

[Silverado]

Hopefully he gives Edmed more than 5 minutes at the end of the game. We are a Lolesio injury away from utter disaster at 10 vs the Lions with no other 10 been given the chance

Donaldson has played for about 20 minutes on the wing in 3 tests. If Edmed gets a go at 10 he'd have to.be pissed off

 

[Purce]

Wallabies team to play Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday November 30 at 3:10pm GMT/2:10am AEDT (Sunday)

1. James Slipper (142 Tests) – Bond Pirates

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (19 Tests) – Southern Districts

3. Taniela Tupou (57 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (24 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5. Jeremy Williams (9 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

6. Rob Valetini (51 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (24 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (21 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (28 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10. Noah Lolesio (28 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Max Jorgensen (6 Tests) – Balmain Wolves

12. Len Ikitau (38 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i (3 Tests) – The Kings School

14. Andrew Kellaway (38 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (36 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Billy Pollard (5 Tests) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

17. Angus Bell (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

18. Allan Ala'alatoa (79 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (40 Tests) - Randwick

20. Langi Gleeson (13 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (40 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Tane Edmed* - West Harbour Juniors

23. Harry Potter (1 Test) - Moorabbin Rams

*denotes uncapped

 

[kiap]

IRELAND

1. Andrew Porter (69)
2. Rónan Kelleher (36)
3. Finlay Bealham (45)
4. Joe McCarthy (15)
5. James Ryan (66)
6. Tadhg Beirne (55)
7. Josh van der Flier (67)
8. Caelan Doris (46)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (37)
10. Sam Prendergast (2)
11. James Lowe (35)
12. Bundee Aki (59)
13. Robbie Henshaw (76)
14. Mack Hansen (24)
15. Hugo Keenan (41)

Replacements
16. Gus McCarthy (1)
17. Cian Healy (133)
18. Tom O’Toole (15)
19. Iain Henderson (83)
20. Peter O’Mahony (109)
21. Craig Casey (17)
22. Jack Crowley (18)
23. Garry Ringrose (62)

Coach: Andy Farrell

 

[Purce]

Let's FKN get it! C'mon boys!

 

[Dctarget]

Funky front row arrangements. Keeping Tupou and Bell separate seems like mitigation.

 

[Overtime]

IRELAND

1. Andrew Porter (69)
2. Rónan Kelleher (36)
3. Finlay Bealham (45)
4. Joe McCarthy (15)
5. James Ryan (66)
6. Tadhg Beirne (55)
7. Josh van der Flier (67)
8. Caelan Doris (46)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (37)
10. Sam Prendergast (2)
11. James Lowe (35)
12. Bundee Aki (59)
13. Robbie Henshaw (76)
14. Mack Hansen (24)
15. Hugo Keenan (41)

Replacements
16. Gus McCarthy (1)
17. Cian Healy (133)
18. Tom O’Toole (15)
19. Iain Henderson (83)
20. Peter O’Mahony (109)
21. Craig Casey (17)
22. Jack Crowley (18)
23. Garry Ringrose (62)

Coach: Andy Farrell

Donaldson at the moment has to be the unluckiest man in Australian Rugby. I am OK with Edmed on the bench but would have preferred Donaldson to start.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Aside from the front row this XV is essentially the English match replicated. I can’t see any of the props getting big minutes unless forced to anyway. Seems Joe is pretty settled on his best team and other than Bell and maybe Faessler I’d predict this starting team against the Lions, notwithstanding Skelton if available.

 

[dru]

Should be able to gauge differences in the line out with this back 5 compared to last week. I guess also any change in maul performance. Front row and bench is interesting, presume it is pushed by relative fitness rather than jostling for scrum balance? Maybe not?

I'm also watching JAS - it would be sad if his crazy aerial re-gather against England was a one-off. The back three worked really well in that game coming off JAS, I'd love to see it again.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Should be able to gauge differences in the line out with this back 5 compared to last week. I guess also any change in maul performance. Front row and bench is interesting, presume it is pushed by relative fitness rather than jostling for scrum balance? Maybe not?

I'm also watching JAS - it would be sad if his crazy aerial re-gather against England was a one-off. The back three worked really well in that game coming off JAS, I'd love to see it again.

Yeah Lolesio needs to pursue getting JAS involved as a first option in the middle. I think it’s clear he is more of a SBW than a Folau and we’ll score more tries off him than by him. If Ireland choke Lolesio JAS will end up doing more silly stuff on D trying to impose himself.

 

[TSR]

Donaldson at the moment has to be the unluckiest man in Australian Rugby. I am OK with Edmed on the bench but would have preferred Donaldson to start.

He had all of super rugby season and has been in camp with the Wallabies for 4 months to push his claims. At no stage on the field has he stood up and shown there is a material difference between him and the other options.

The mere fact that they are giving Edmed an opportunity off the bench should tell you that Donaldson clearly isn’t doing enough with the chances he’s getting.

I don’t want to sink the boot into the bloke but I don’t really understand this narrative he has to be given a shot. Why? What has he actually done to earn it? Other than Lolesio apparently not being up to it.

Who knows - maybe this will be the making of him and he’ll go away and work on being a better player.

 

[Tomthumb]

He had all of super rugby season and has been in camp with the Wallabies for 4 months to push his claims. At no stage on the field has he stood up and shown there is a material difference between him and the other options.

The mere fact that they are giving Edmed an opportunity off the bench should tell you that Donaldson clearly isn’t doing enough with the chances he’s getting.

I don’t want to sink the boot into the bloke but I don’t really understand this narrative he has to be given a shot. Why? What has he actually done to earn it? Other than Lolesio apparently not being up to it.

Who knows - maybe this will be the making of him and he’ll go away and work on being a better player.

Because Donaldson had a really good year despite the revisionist history from people that didn't actually watch Force games. And he has all the raw tools required (something Noah doesn't)

Lolesio has had 30 tests and has shown no material improvement. It's completely reasonable to look at other options and think if only they had been given the countless chances he has then maybe we would have a 10 that could win a kicking duel or break the line once in a blue moon

 

[TSR]

Because Donaldson had a really good year despite the revisionist history from people that didn't actually watch Force games. And he has all the raw tools required (something Noah doesn't)

Lolesio has had 30 tests and has shown no material improvement. It's completely reasonable to look at other options and think if only they had been given the countless chances he has then maybe we would have a 10 that could win a kicking duel or break the line once in a blue moon

I watched plenty of the Force. He did lots of good things. So did Noah with the Brumbies and Lynagh with the Reds.

I would have no problem with Schmidt giving him or others a chance. But I’ve never seen chopping and changing or have an each way bet as an overly great strategy either.

Schmidt sees this guy day in day out. I’m sure he is aware of what Donaldson’s attributes are. Aside from his first test Donaldson (playing fullback) he’s never played any better than Lolesio has at test level. And he HAS been given opportunities.

I’m not anti the guy and I’m not pro Lolesio. I just see the logic of a pick and stick strategy in this case and I don’t follow the narrative that Donaldson is unlucky. Certainly not the unluckiest guy in Australian Rugby (I’d suggest Liam Wright is well in front in that score). He’s fit and healthy and gets to show what he’s got in front of the selectors every single training session.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Funky front row arrangements. Keeping Tupou and Bell separate seems like mitigation.

Or managing workload for Bell. Hopefully Slipper will last longer than 10 minutes as a starter.