Argentina v Australia Sun, 7/8/2022, 5:10 am

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'd probably be going back to a 5-3 bench as well, not sure who between O'Connor, Vunivalu or Foketi I'd bring in though. Vunivalu if they are committed to giving him game time, otherwise it might depend on how everyone has pulled up fitness wise.

Maybe bring in Arnold as well to take a look at him, but I'm not sure I can really justify dropping one of our locks.

If they are serious about Vunivalu he needs to start getting game time now. It's 13 Months to the day until the start of the RWC.

Hodge on the bench as the 10,12,13 cover. You have Petaia on a Wing who can cover 15.

 

[Marce]

If they are serious about Vunivalu he needs to start getting game time now. It's 13 Months to the day until the start of the RWC.

Hodge on the bench as the 10,12,13 cover. You have Petaia on a Wing who can cover 15.

With this 23 and a 5/3 bench there's a spot for a specialist winger like Vunivalu

9 White
10 Lolesio
11 Koroibete
12 Paisami
13 Ikitau
14 Petaia
15 Wright

21 Gordon/McDermott
22 Hodge
23 Vunivalu

 

[dru]

Oh wow we’re still doing the 6 v 8 thing. You literally just pick #8 on who is better at the back of a scrum.

My understanding in most scrum setups, is that the force is applied via the "tripod" that is :
x Prop at the point
x flanker and lock behind.
x the locks bind it (the two tripods) together
Which means there is little actual weight from the 8 that goes through to the front. There's a big difference between 6 and 8 right there.

At least out of the scrum, 6 is going to be quicker to break to the first ruck, than the 8. So ideally the 6 would have more lateral dynamism that the 8.

The next issue is looking to the line out, where the 6 would usually jump ahead of 8. So ideally your 6 should be more lanky/tall than the 8. Which allows you to select an 8 that is blockier and heavy lifting in the rucks.

Of course how you play them on the field has little to do with the number on your back, but the set piece requirements seem somewhat different. Not necessarily different, but the focus is not the same, I reckon.

 

[tragic]

I don’t think the Argies looked that threatening - they were ahead due to the constant flow of penalties in the first half .
I’d work on the discipline, leave hodge at 10, put O’Connor on a 6-2 bench and see what he has to offer at the end of the game.
If he has another shocker and hodge struggles then it’s lolesio.
Need the question answered before the rest of the RC.

 

[qwerty51]

Arnold will be in the 23. You don't bring him back and not play him. We need him against SA and NZ and therefore needs to get a run here. Who drops out - don't know. Probably Frost.

 

[qwerty51]

My understanding in most scrum setups, is that the force is applied via the "tripod" that is :
x Prop at the point
x flanker and lock behind.
x the locks bind it (the two tripods) together
Which means there is little actual weight from the 8 that goes through to the front. There's a big difference between 6 and 8 right there.

At least out of the scrum, 6 is going to be quicker to break to the first ruck, than the 8. So ideally the 6 would have more lateral dynamism that the 8.

The next issue is looking to the line out, where the 6 would usually jump ahead of 8. So ideally your 6 should be more lanky/tall than the 8. Which allows you to select an 8 that is blockier and heavy lifting in the rucks.

Of course how you play them on the field has little to do with the number on your back, but the set piece requirements seem somewhat different. Not necessarily different, but the focus is not the same, I reckon.

Yes but in terms of pushing, whoever is at the position isn't going to change the push generally.
I do take the point of a 6 might need to be quicker off the scrum and I have seen on occasions 6/8 swap around depending on whether it's an attacking or defending scrum.

But, for the most part, the most important aspect is going to be who is at the back of the scrum on attack and that is who has the better hands/control of the ball and that will dictate who wears #8.

 

[Slim 293]

Arnold will be in the 23. You don't bring him back and not play him. We need him against SA and NZ and therefore needs to get a run here. Who drops out - don't know. Probably Frost.

If you were making a decision based on yesterday's game... you'd probably drop Philip.

 

[qwerty51]

If you were making a decision based on yesterday's game... you'd probably drop Philip.

Yeh that's fair but I don't think you drop someone off one game, Phillip has the runs on the board and Frost is behind him in the pecking order.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Let Frost keep grinding and earn it. Phillip has a hard edge with Holloway I think is useful against a pack like the Argies. Smash it for 60 mins then get Frost, Samu on for some speed on a slowing field.

 

[Joe Blow]

No, thanks. After last performance I'd rather Hodge as fly-half back up

I could live with Vunivalu as the extra back

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Yep I agree, keep Hodge on the bench as I think Rennie likes that versatility, no need for JOC (James O'Connor). Bring in Vunivalu for either Leota or Frost.

 

[Lightblue]

Given he wasn’t even in the Aus A’s, I’d say the only way he goes to the RWC is if he somehow carries the Rebels to a Super Rugby title next year all on his own.

And there’s about as much chance of that as Matt Giteau being picked!

 

[Dctarget]

Yep I agree, keep Hodge on the bench as I think Rennie likes that versatility, no need for JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor). Bring in Vunivalu for either Leota or Frost.

It was really nice having two loosies on the bench though. I thought Leota & Frost both provided needed energy and go forward when they came on and we all know about Pete's heroics.

 

[swingpass]

6:2 worked, and why not persist, i'd go Hodge and Gordon/McDermot if Lolesio starts (and imo should) or JOC (James O'Connor) and Gordon/McDermot if they stick with Hodge at 10. If they revert to 5:3, as good as he has been, Frost misses out and either Vunivalu or Foketi on the bench. I'd go with Vunivalu myself, they have cover at 12 & 13 already.