2012 Rugby Championship Game 1 Australia vs New Zealand - 18 August

[fatprop]

Agree wholeheartedly about Cooper, but if he isn't starting surely at least have him on the bench?

I don't see Cooper as a guy who can just step into the conservative, defensive structure Deans has set up and not overplay his hand.

Start the prick, sit Barnes at 12 and pick mobile pigs and try to go with the ABs in an up tempo, attacking test match.

 

[Lance Free]

Here's the official test side:

15. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
10. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds, vice-captain)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
7. David Pocock (Western Force, captain)
6. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
2. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)

Run on Reserves:

16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
19. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
20. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
21. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
22. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)

 

[Braveheart81]

Forum meltdown in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

 

[Jiggles]

Cooper can play a defensive game plan and has done so a number of times in his career. What he can't do is pull a rabbit out of his hat when there is no game plan. That's what we saw last year.

 

[Richo]

I like this business about 'Will Genia backs Barnes' (reported in a similar way to below by channel 9 this morning).

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/t...ver-quade-cooper/story-e6frf4qc-1226449575624

What Will really appears to be saying is - 'I think Cooper should be selected ahead of Barnes, but I know he isn't going to be and I've been told to tow the line'.

The headline is the best "Play Barnes ahead of Quade: Genia". Errr, not sure that's what he said, Mr Sub-Editor.

 

[Swat]

Meh, well it's not too far off what I predicted.

 

[Richo]

Or what I feared.

 

[Jiggles]

Inspiring....

 

[tigerland12]

I think I'm going to be sick........................

The only good change in that side is Slipper>Alexander.
There is no chance in hell we can beat the All Blacks with that team.

 

[I like to watch]

nah, you start Cooper (I would) and build a structure that suits his strengths (and weaknesses) around him.

If that means adding mobility to the pigs, then you do it.

If that means you have a better chance of winning, but may also increase the chances of being routed, you live with it

Instead, we have the safe option, they will keep close (until the bench is used - Samo ) but are highly unlikely to get over the line.

On Samo, for all the whinging about the backs, how did this slip through to the keeper?

That's the problem though isn't it.
I agree that it appears that our only chance to beat the AB's is to go "all in" and punt on Quade.
But Quade has not demonstrated the form since he returned that would justify "putting your house" on him.
A couple of big losses to the AB's and Robbie knows he will get shot.
He can handle a couple of honourable narrow losses, but not any blowouts.
Back self preservation every time.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I have an uneasy feeling about this selection.

Come Sunday morning, Dingo will either be a national hero or complete villian. No half measures with this squad.

When are the Lords of Darkness announcing their squad?

Are they in Olde Sydney Towne yet?

 

[kronic]

The 5/2 split is a concern.

If one of our inside backs is injured...

 

[Braveheart81]

@ HJ - I don't think New Zealand fly in until Thursday.

Assuming he gets on the field, Samo will move up from 8th to 5th on the oldest players to appear in a Bledisloe Cup test list. Still a way to go to get to the top!

 

[Braveheart81]

The 5/2 split is a concern.

If one of our inside backs is injured.

I guess it's on the basis that KB (Kurtley Beale) backs up 10, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) backs up 12 or 13, Mitchell backs up 11 or 14 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Mitchell backs up 15.

 

[No4918]

What is TPN still doing in the starting side?

Timani is lucky. Simmons playing consistently near his best is definitely a better choice but who knows what we will get. Both bad options.

Good to see the end of Alexander at test level.

Cannot see how Samo on the bench provides anything. Cooper must have done the dirty on Dingo's daughter to lose his bench spot to him.

 

[kronic]

I guess it's on the basis that KB (Kurtley Beale) backs up 10, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) backs up 12 or 13, Mitchell backs up 11 or 14 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Mitchell backs up 15.

That or Phipps/Samo on the wing

White unlucky TBH. Mind you, it's just warming the bench.

Hope the Tahs the players continue their form of under performing at provincial level and excelling for Australia.

 

[Brisbok]

8 Waratahs in the 15 and no Brumbies after their respective seasons is interesting. Although given injuries etc. the only Brumby who could possibly feel hard done by is Moore. Still....8 Waratahs in the 15 after their season is a bit of a surprise.

 

[Braveheart81]

Clearly the Waratahs' players timed their training and workrates so they'd be ready for the test season rather than being competitive in Super Rugby.

 

[No4918]

AB's have closed from $1.55 to 1.45 since last night.

 

[Joe Blow]

That puts an enormous amount of pressure on Genia and KB (Kurtley Beale) to make something happen in attack.
The 5/2 split is a good one as most of the backline can play in multiple positions.
Quade must really be in a bad place right now. Will he get a run in club rugby this week? He is not going to get any closer to playing by being in the stands on Saturday.