Argentina v Australia TRC Round 4 Sunday 8 September 5am (AEST)

[TSR]

Yeah - I don’t get to watch Between the Sticks very often but enjoyed listening to Hooper & Foley last night.

 

[PhilClinton]

I wouldn't be rotating anyone out who played well last game.

One of our major issues for the past decade is we've had players in specialist positions (hooker and halfback are main ones) where we haven't settled on who is our clear #1 and let the rest fight it out.

Faessler is developing into a clear first choice hooker for mine and Bobby V is a must pick at either 6 or 8.

Other 'specialist' players like Noah and Jake Gordon who aren't shooting the lights out I think are free game for a swap with other squad members. Give Donaldson another crack at starting, he will be on a high after icing the game last week.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'd be open to rotating LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Bobby V, but I'd be picking first choice Bled backline to give them all a shot and some prep in dry weather (presuming the rain is holding off).

My assumption is that that would include Gordon and Lolesio

 

[PhilClinton]

I hope they give Kellaway the flickeroo.

I've never been a fan of his at this level. I understand why others rate, there is some nostalgia from a while back when he was the only shining light whilst the Wallabies played like turds. Give Toole a crack.

 

[Tomthumb]

Is there any merit in resting more players with an eye to NZ? We are not going to win the rugby championship but we could sneak the bledisloe. Extremely unlikely I know but we have a favourable draw playing them at home first and then away in Wellington.

There is a week off in between the games so if anymore HIAs they should still still be clear to play but wouldn’t hurt to give Valetini a rest for example and start Gleeson or Hooper etc

No we cant be wasting tests, need every one of them to build for the Lions next year

 

[cyclopath]

Agree, we need to build combos and familiarity; we can't chop and change. It's not like we have the luxury of playing an almost 2nd string team, like the Bokke and (to a degree) NZ, because we are not better than many teams!

 

[Slim 293]

I hope they give Kellaway the flickeroo.

I've never been a fan of his at this level. I understand why others rate, there is some nostalgia from a while back when he was the only shining light whilst the Wallabies played like turds. Give Toole a crack.

When you say a while back, do you mean the last few years?

I agree he's underperforming this year and is at risk of losing his spot, but probably would've been the next name after Ikitau named in the backline since 2021... unless your name is Eddie Jones.

 

[Dctarget]

Koroibete had a pretty forgettable test too. He did more bad than good whereas Kellaway was just invisible. Wasn't really a game for the wingers and the Argentinian wingers were anonymous as well. But I am also keen to see Toole and Jorgensen get 60 minutes+ so I wouldn't hate swapping him out.

 

[Slim 293]

Koroibete didn't have his best game, but he at least seemed to be involved...

Kellaway has been almost invisible in all of the tests this year.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I’m on record as saying that Kellaway and Wright don’t work well together and that I’d drop the former at this point in time but devil’s advocate may point out that we aren’t leaking points out the back really and we haven’t been getting humiliated in kicking duels. That’s probably the base line of performance that Schmidt is seeking.

 

[John S]

Kellaway seems to come and go - probably last year and this he's been not brilliant. However, year before was pretty involved, and seemed to go ok.

 

[Sully]

Look, I'm not a fan of Kellaway, Koroibete, and Wright as a back three but, this wasn't a game for wingers so for one game I think we should lay off him.

Personally, I'd pick a couple of faster wingers, but I don't think he deserves criticism for this game. I also don't think Wright and Kellaway are working as a team.

 

[Pfitzy]

Wright has ironed out some of his hoppy-skippy brainfarts, but I still get twitchy when he gets the ball...

 

[Joe Blow]

Kellaway is a solid player. makes good decisions and has speed and a well rounded skill set. It seems with this kick to the wings mantra that he is sitting wide, almost on the touch line? A couple of times in the last few games he has been open with Wright unable to get the last pass to him and has been disconnected from the play. He just needs more opportunity. Jorgo and Toole have more gas and will be good in the game later when it opens up. Its nice to have the depth out wide.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Kellaway had 1 carry, zero kicks, 2 passes and 1 tackle on the weekend.

It's actually pretty impressive how little he was involved. With those number, it must have been an Argentinian tactic, to not kick to that wing. Jorgenson basically had no involvement either.

It's hard to imagine that being repeated on a dry track

 

[Tomthumb]

Tom Wright has been good this year, I've think he's cemented that 15 jersey

I'm not really a big fan of Kellaway, personally I'd have Toole and Jorgenson on the wings. I think we lack pace and x factor

 

[nathan]

Tom Wright has been good this year, I've think he's cemented that 15 jersey

I'm not really a big fan of Kellaway, personally I'd have Toole and Jorgenson on the wings. I think we lack pace and x factor

This is a perfect example of why picking and sticking pays off. Hes matured into the position with experience and added to his game.

 

[Joe Blow]

It stands to reason that there will be as little change as need be. That was their best game under Schmitty. Obviously Slipper comes in and that is a slight upgrade. The others deserve the chance to back it up.

 

[barbarian]

Jeez it must be a good week when the only bloke we can put in the gun is our winger, and only because he 'didn't do much' in driving rain.

Breathe it in because that might be as close to true happiness that we can all get.

But in all honestly if I'm Joe I'm picking an unchanged lineup and I'm doing it with a smile.

 

[Dctarget]

It stands to reason that there will be as little change as need be. That was their best game under Schmitty. Obviously Slipper comes in and that is a slight upgrade. The others deserve the chance to back it up.

Rebels bias but Kailea has been better than anything we've seen of Slipper in 2024.