Wallabies v Pumas - Saturday 17 September, nib Stadium Perth

[KOB1987]

Cheika's blind-sided us again but with Simmons this time. Douglas is probably there for the long haul but he could probably do with the break after 3 tough games back from injury and not showing a lot.

Reckon McMahon will be bushed to give Lopeti a run, we need the 3 backs on the bench.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Thought Simmons at best would have got a bench spot. I would have started Coleman and Arnold.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Are the Wallaby lineouts determined by Chek depending on field position ?

In other words the lineout caller doesn't make the genuine call on the field.

Sounds ridiculous, but it's something I heard recently.

I suppose those with stats knowledge would be able to determine that better than me.

 

[KOB1987]

Thought Simmons at best would have got a bench spot. I would have started Coleman and Arnold.

not just yet. Simmons there to provide a bit of guidance I suspect. If he is resting/dropping (whatever) Douglas then it had to be he or Skelton. And the latter wouldn't have gone down so well!

 

[cyclopath]

Thought Simmons at best would have got a bench spot. I would have started Coleman and Arnold.

I think if Simmons or Douglas play, they start, as they are more there for workrate (hitting rucks etc) rather than impact running, so I think it makes sense that he starts. Plus, one experienced and one new-ish lock on probably wiser than 2 new-ish ones. I don't mind it, but in the longer term, we will see the Coleman / Arnold combo at some stage.

 

[KOB1987]

Are the Wallaby lineouts determined by Chek depending on field position ?

In other words the lineout caller doesn't make the genuine call on the field.

Sounds ridiculous, but it's something I heard recently.

I suppose those with stats knowledge would be able to determine that better than me.

Maybe there's something in that, and the All Blacks hadn't worked out the calls but rather they had worked out we throw it to # x or y depending on field position, etc.

 

[Tip]

Er, did you watch Arnold in the NRC?

I did! I saw a giant neanderthal running as upright as possible against amateurs.

His body height at contact is atrocious.

He hits the ball at pace though, so it was probably a little unfair to lump him into the ineffective category.

 

[galumay]

Eeyore - is that you again.??

Do we really need the personal shit? I thought a discussion forum was for discussions?

If you think I am wrong and the Wallabies are a good chance to win I would be interested to read your reasons.

 

[Tip]

I'm very curious about the reaction of Douglas' dropping. Plenty of posters here are saying "he needs a rest" etc.

I'd like to believe that Chieka dropped Douglas because he wasn't out best option in the 2nd row. He's been a completely ineffective passenger for the Wallabies for the past 3 games.

Are people surprised that Chieka dropped Douglas for Simmons because Cheika dropped his teachers pet, or because Chieka reinstated his least favorite student? Or is it because Chieka did something that was common sense?

For me, it's about 40/40/20, because I don't believe Chieka does anything that's common sense because we still have Bernard Foley playing out of position at 12 when he was bloody atrocious playing 10.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Cheika's blind-sided us again but with Simmons this time. Douglas is probably there for the long haul but he could probably do with the break after 3 tough games back from injury and not showing a lot.

Reckon McMahon will be bushed to give Lopeti a run, we need the 3 backs on the bench.

Why 3 bechie backs? I'd opt for 2 only and go with 6 piggies.

Argie forwards will run ours ragged, particularly Sio and Keps. Moore has not been playing well for quite a while. All the forwards will be under the pump in the first 50-60 minutes.

Reckon McMahon is just the type of high energy player to be injected in the last 20 (replacing either Poey or Hooper - probably Poey)

 

[Train Without a Station]

Douglas has played a total of what? 6 games in 2016.

Yeah just needs a rest.

 

[KOB1987]

Why 3 bechie backs? I'd opt for 2 only and go with 6 piggies.

Argie forwards will run ours ragged, particularly Sio and Keps. Moore has not been playing well for quite a while. All the forwards will be under the pump in the first 50-60 minutes.

Reckon McMahon is just the type of high energy player to be injected in the last 20 (replacing either Poey or Hooper - probably Poey)

Well it's interesting you say that. I don't know if someone at Fox rushed this out without checking it (or just put the first 23 names on the list)

 

[Scrubber2050]

Well it's interesting you say that. I don't know if someone at Fox rushed this out without checking it (or just put the first 23 names on the list)

First I've seen it.

BUT I like it

 

[Pfitzy]

Probably some template that an intern got hold of

 

[Braveheart81]

I think they just left off the last reserve in the list which is Speight.

I don't think they know anything the other media organisations don't.

I think Cheika should just call World Rugby's bluff and have Speight run onto the field in the 24 jersey.

 

[KOB1987]

I'm very curious about the reaction of Douglas' dropping. Plenty of posters here are saying "he needs a rest" etc.

I'd like to believe that Chieka dropped Douglas because he wasn't out best option in the 2nd row. He's been a completely ineffective passenger for the Wallabies for the past 3 games.

Are people surprised that Chieka dropped Douglas for Simmons because Cheika dropped his teachers pet, or because Chieka reinstated his least favorite student? Or is it because Chieka did something that was common sense?

For me, it's about 40/40/20, because I don't believe Chieka does anything that's common sense because we still have Bernard Foley playing out of position at 12 when he was bloody atrocious playing 10.

For me I don't care personally whether he's been dropped or rested as long as the right player was picked for the job at hand. But as TWAS (I think) said, neither Douglas or Simmons are impact bench players so they either start or they're not they're at all. I confess to being one who said that perhaps he needed a break, but I think you'll find the inference is (at least from my perspective) that he hasn't been at his best since he came back from injury, so perhaps he needs more time. For me 'dropped' is out of the squad altogether and back playing NRC.

That all said, find me one poster who had Simmons in 'their' 23 in for this game, assuming you can't you've probably got the answer to your question. i.e. it's simply that no-one expected it

 

[cyclopath]

I'm very curious about the reaction of Douglas' dropping. Plenty of posters here are saying "he needs a rest" etc.

I'd like to believe that Chieka dropped Douglas because he wasn't out best option in the 2nd row. He's been a completely ineffective passenger for the Wallabies for the past 3 games.

Are people surprised that Chieka dropped Douglas for Simmons because Cheika dropped his teachers pet, or because Chieka reinstated his least favorite student? Or is it because Chieka did something that was common sense?

For me, it's about 40/40/20, because I don't believe Chieka does anything that's common sense because we still have Bernard Foley playing out of position at 12 when he was bloody atrocious playing 10.

2 so far have speculated he is being "rested", not that "he needed one". Smallish number for plenty.
I don't think Douglas has been an ineffective passenger, he's been doing a fair bit of the ruck work, while other tight 5 players are not, which is all probably by instruction, right or wrong. He certainly has not been at his best. Simmons was unfairly maligned in the past for "doing nothing" or being "invisible" when in fact he did much the same - ruck work. Neither are flashy and obvious.
Starting Simmons is fine - he's been a good lineout operator and can be a good workrate lock. I think Douglas is well down on form - maybe he'll find it. I think it's being dropped, not "rested" personally.

 

[dru]

That all said, find me one poster who had Simmons in 'their' 23 in for this game, assuming you can't you've probably got the answer to your question. i.e. it's simply that no-one expected it

Yes for that. For me Simmo wasnt under consideration as he wasnt just dropped to NRC, but didnt seem to be playing well. A couple of times where he just seemed to lose all confidence and walk back behind the line with a hang-dog expression (after a missed tackle). I was thinking, "hell, what do we do with this bloke to get him back up before next seaon's super rugby at the Reds?

Completely unexpected to see him line up at the Wallabies.

 

[Twoilms]

I'm very curious about the reaction of Douglas' dropping. Plenty of posters here are saying "he needs a rest" etc.

I'd like to believe that Chieka dropped Douglas because he wasn't out best option in the 2nd row. He's been a completely ineffective passenger for the Wallabies for the past 3 games.

Are people surprised that Chieka dropped Douglas for Simmons because Cheika dropped his teachers pet, or because Chieka reinstated his least favorite student? Or is it because Chieka did something that was common sense?

For me, it's about 40/40/20, because I don't believe Chieka does anything that's common sense because we still have Bernard Foley playing out of position at 12 when he was bloody atrocious playing 10.

People are surprised Cheika dropped Douglas for Simmons because Simmons has been and is shit and is struggling to perform even in the NRC which is several tiers below Test level.

If you drop Douglas logic dictates you pick Arnold, particularly because a) Coleman has been calling lineouts and b)Mumm is on at 6 and can call lineouts. Simmons gets picked because lineouts but we don't need him for lineouts. Hence the surprise.

Nothing to do with favorites so lets not have any of that nonsense.

 

[RebelYell]

Would love to see a 6-2 split with TK missing out. Saw Simmons live on GC last weekend and while he didn't have a standout game, he never stopped running and showed great leadership. I have no issue with his selection.

What I am more disappointed about is the fact that Fardy and Douglas haven't been selected (from what I can see) for the NRC. Not sure re: Skelton. Can understand having Smith & Hanson stay in Perth as replacement options.