Search results

haha man this Michael Cheika has some balls. I love it. He's either a lunatic, or a genius. We'll find out Saturday I guess. A few thoughts:- I actually think that looks pretty close to our strongest team on paper, both in terms of the backs and the pack (minus Simo's lineout presence)...

fixed

Well reports from the training paddock are suggesting that might be the case. I'm in two minds. There has been a lot of talk about the All Blacks losing the collisions last week, so I wouldn't be surprised if they will concentrate on bashing the wallabies this weekend and try to roll over the...

I'd say of the wingers, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell and Horne (if he's fit when the squad is selected) are all on the plane to the RWC. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell are both very well rounded and both played well against the All Blacks. Both were chosen in some capacity against the Boks and Blacks and will again this...

Really cant see us winning this game. From Saturday's game I think its clear that the team has come a long way under Cheika and they appear to have closed the gap on NZ since last year. Still I don't think we've progressed far enough to beat New Zealand at Eden Park, where they'll have a massive...

My team for Saturday:- 1.Sio 2.Moore 3.Kepu 4.Horwill 5.Mumm 6.Fardy 7.Hooper 8.Pocock 9.Phippps 10.To'omua 11.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 12.Giteau 13.Kuridrani 14.Speight 15.Folau 16.TPN 17.Slipper 18.Holmes 19.Skelton 20.McCalman 21.White 22.Cooper 23.Mitchell

Excuse my ignorance but what happened to Barrett? I assume the Blacks will go all out attack on Saturday. he seems like a good choice. Also I wouldn't be surprised in Nadolo gets a run. He could create havoc for the wobs.

Well I think Kiap hit the nail on the head. He's only there to assist the players who will be selected, and in terms of preparing for Nonu's attacking game, he's a good fit. I'm hoping that Cheika has released Lilo because he would prefer for him to get some proper game time against a quality...

Re Kerevi, I'm guessing that's more a development situation, as was Rory Arnold.

I'd bring in George Smith if there's a late injury

a fit JOC (James O'Connor)

One thing you can say about Cheika is that he's prepared to take some risks if he thinks he can get an advantage. Most coaches would have been too gun shy to play 2 no.7s for the first time against the all blacks, but Cheika was prepared to roll the dice. Then again, how many changes do you...

At the risk of playing the man and not the ball I'm gonna put this out there - Tomane is an alsoran in my opinion. He just doesn't stand out in any particular area. I'd take a fit JOC (James O'Connor) over Tomane in a heart beat.

I don't see selecting Speight as a major risk. He's fully fit atm and I understand he played a game on the weekend (before anyone writes anything, yes I realise club rugby is not the same as playing the all blacks). He also he the ability to be a game changer in a game like this. Whilst I love...

The big head scratcher for me is still the make up of the 10/12 group of players. If To'omua starts at 10 this weekend, and does a decent job, I'd argue categorically that we cant take both Foley and Cooper. We only need 2 no.10s and neither Cooper nor Foley is a genuine 12. Giteau is shaping...

I certainly agree that the All Blacks wont have the same error rate as they did in the first game, but anyone that suggests they were "unforced errors" (cough Hansen cough) is kidding themselves. Nearly all of the All Blacks errors came off the back of a huge amount of pressure from the...

Pretty hard to force a team not to play field position / conservative set-piece rugby unless you have a dominant scrum / line-out / maul defence.

I'd say the 2 half backs and Giteau option is now very likely considering that Giteau was probably better there than Phipps on Saturday

Again I'm not saying that the lineout in this particular game can be blamed on Pooper, but it's a pretty common concept that the reason you don't play 2 no.7s is that it effects the balance of the forward pack. I thought it helped more than hindered, but there may be games where that's not the case.

I like the wing combination of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) / Mitchell. Both staunch defenders, both can kick, both have the ability to bust tackles, both very experienced. Exiting our own half is paramount. Certainly one of the most noticeable strengths of Cheika's side this season is their resolute defence, so we may...