Aus vs NZ - 1st Test Sydney 17Aug2013

[Richo]

So much for the theory that 2 props on the bench would encourage specialization. Link has picked one LHP specialist and 3 both-side props -- all of whom have been playing THP all season.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Without a doubt. It was either Anae or Siliva, neither should be there but for TPN's and Hanson's (and Charles'?) injuries. I would be shocked if Anae gets a run at hooker.

Hopefully TPN will be rushed back in, although I also have concerns about the level that TPN will be at.

Siliva is the future. Will be around in 2015 for the RWC but cannot say the same with confidence about some of the others who are missing due injury atm. Won't be at all surprised if he makes the EOYT, and wouldn't have been disappointed if he had been selected now as the third hooker. But what has happened to Whittaker? He has some reasonable form at S15, better than Anae I'd say. Is he also injured?

 

[Scotty]

So much for the theory that 2 props on the bench would encourage specialization. Link has picked one LHP specialist and 3 both-side props -- all of whom have been playing THP all season.

No one has played under the new engagement laws though. In fact most of these blokes (all maybe?) are too young to have played under a 'no hit' scrum at all!

 

[Brumby Runner]

1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Fardy
5. Horwill
6. 3M
7. Gill
8. Mowen
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. JOC (James O'Connor)
12. Lilo
13. Kuridrani
14. Folau
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will do the job at 15. Mogg off the bench,

Thought we had all moved on from the Deans' failed strategy of selecting players out of their best positions. Leave AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at No 13. I like Kuridrani and think he'll have a big future, but for now bench support for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[Richo]

No one has played under the new engagement laws though. In fact most of these blokes (all maybe?) are too young to have played under a 'no hit' scrum at all!

Yep. And it's possible that Robbo was simply bad under the new rules. That, to my mind, is the only reason for dropping him that actually makes sense. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

 

[Slim 293]

Thought we had all moved on from the Deans' failed strategy of selecting players out of their best positions. Leave AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at No 13. I like Kuridrani and think he'll have a big future, but for now bench support for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

And we already have the likes of Folau and Mogg at fullback anyways............

There's no reason to play AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) back there.........

 

[Ash]

But what has happened to Whittaker? He has some reasonable form at S15, better than Anae I'd say. Is he also injured?

I believe so. The Force were stuck playing James Hilterbrand in the last game as Charles, Whittaker and Tessman were all out.

edit: I was wrong, Whittaker was on the bench. He was just way out of favour, I guess.

 

[Groucho]

I can tell you now mate where not going to get know where with this. I not a fan of him at all and that were I will leave it.

If I knew what that meant I'd leave it there as well.

 

[biggsy]

If I knew what that meant I'd leave it there as well.

It was Conversation between myself and another poster, could be the reason why.

 

[jamey jones]

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephan Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill
6. Scott Fardy/ Ben Mccalman
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben Mowen
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. JOC (James O'Connor)/ Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lelliafano
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Israel Folau
15. Jesse Mogg/ JOC (James O'Connor)

16. Albert Anae
17. Ben Alexander
18. James Slipper
19. Kane Douglas
20. Liam Gill
21. Nic White
22. Tevita Kuindrani/JOC (James O'Connor)
23. Matt Tumoa

 

[Bairdy]

The team 23 will be released but I thought I'd mull over Ewen's possible lineup.

I anticipate the XV could end up being:
Sio
Moore
Slipper
Simmons
Horwill
McCalman
Gill/Hooper
Mowen
Genia
Cooper
Cummins
Lealiifano
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Folau
JOC (James O'Connor)/Mogg

With a bench of Fainga'a, Anae, Alexander/Kepu, Hooper/Gill, White, To'omua, Kuridrani

The only changes I would prefer to this 'supposed' team would be MMM, or Douglas, over Simmons, with the former on the bench;

Fardy at 6 but would be content with a fit MMM at 6 if Ewen doesn't take the risk to debut him;

Slipper and Kepu at tighthead is 55-45 to Slipper atm because Woodcock isn't in form, and Crockett isn't renowned for his scrummaging;

I would favour Hooper only just, for the lack of impactful ball carriers in our forward pack;

To'omua over Cooper

 

[emuarse]

The team 23 will be released but I thought I'd mull over Ewen's possible lineup.

I anticipate the XV could end up being:
Sio
Moore
Slipper
Simmons
Horwill
McCalman
Gill/Hooper
Mowen
Genia
Cooper
Cummins
Lealiifano
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Folau
JOC (James O'Connor)/Mogg

With a bench of Fainga'a, Anae, Alexander/Kepu, Hooper/Gill, White, To'omua, Kuridrani

The only changes I would prefer to this 'supposed' team would be MMM, or Douglas, over Simmons, with the former on the bench;

Fardy at 6 but would be content with a fit MMM at 6 if Ewen doesn't take the risk to debut him;

Slipper and Kepu at tighthead is 55-45 to Slipper atm because Woodcock isn't in form, and Crockett isn't renowned for his scrummaging;

I would favour Hooper only just, for the lack of impactful ball carriers in our forward pack;

To'omua over Cooper

 

[emuarse]

I think the LH prop will be Slipper with Sio coming off the bench in that position. And for the TH prop I think, with an eye to the new scrumaging put in rule basically requiring stronger props, that Kepu will get the position with Benny coming off the bench.
If MMM has been training hard he will come in at 6 as he brings some mongrel into the pack, and he is more mobile than McCalman.
I see JOC (James O'Connor) as fullback, interchanging with Cooper occasionally for variation. Also JOC (James O'Connor) has test experience, which Mogg has very little of, so Mogg will come off the bench for fullback/wing.

Otherwise Bairdy, I'm with you for the remainder of the players.

Also I think Ginea is going to play a cracker in this test. He's fresh again, and will want to see Links have a win on his first outing as Wallaby coach, plus Cooper combining with him.

 

[fatprop]

OK, so Slipper to LHP.

Didn't this site generally have "issues" last season with players being played out of the position they had played the majority of their Super Rugby that year?

Wasn't there a driving agenda to play specialists?

 

[Scrubber2050]

IMO
1. Slipper (Sio bench)
2. Moore
3. Kepu (Alexander bench)
4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hoop[er
8. Mowen

Strong, busy pack

 

[mudskipper]

If Mckenzie is good to his word in the papers and really wants to try a new way, to win the Bledisloe... He needs to play new blood from the start...

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephan Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Fardy
5. James Horwill
6. MMM
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben Mowen
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lelliafano
13. Tevita Kuindrani
14. Israel Folau
15. Jesse Mogg

16. Albert Anae
17. Kepu
18. James Slipper
19. Simmons
20. Liam Gill
21. Nic White
22. JOC (James O'Connor)/ACC
23. Matt To'omua

I like MMM and Fardy on the field at the same time 2 angry hard players to rock the ABs... Have to go with the Brumbies in form frontrow this early into the international season... I can see the Brumbies multi fetcher hame plan being used too... laurie Fisher should be the Wallabies forwards coach...
Genia/Cooper combo in the halves...
Established Kuinadrina and Leallifano combo in the centers makes more sense... ACC wasnt scene this year... JOC (James O'Connor) managing to catch the team bus seems to be task enough for him...
Lealiifano goal kicking... which negates the need for JOC (James O'Connor) even more...

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd have thought that Adam Ashley-Cooper was in close to career best form but sure, let's drop him.

I feel like McKenzie has taken a bit of a risk with his public perception by dropping Benn Robinson. If our scrum struggles on Saturday night it will be a hard case to make that dropping the one prop most people perceive to be our only world class scrummager was the correct decision.

 

[mudskipper]

I'd have thought that Adam Ashley-Cooper was in close to career best form but sure, let's drop him.

I feel like McKenzie has taken a bit of a risk with his public perception by dropping Benn Robinson. If our scrum struggles on Saturday night it will be a hard case to make that dropping the one prop most people perceive to be our only world class scrummager was the correct decision.

Best form was a few years ago now... A good Combo is worth more than a single ACC... 80 tests I think he is bored, he doesnt make the difference anymore Tevita Kuindrani can... drop JOC (James O'Connor) and keep ACC then...

 

[barbarian]

Muddy's back!!

Only 9 Brumbies in that team, that's a bit rough on To'omua and White.

But to your credit you have advocated Brumbies for the coaching staff to make up for it. What's the Brumbies waterboy like??
.

 

[Richo]

Best form was a few years ago now. A good Combo is worth more than a single ACC. 80 tests I think he is bored, he doesnt make the difference anymore Tevita Kuindrani can. drop JOC (James O'Connor) and keep ACC then.

I don't really care if this ACC fellow is bored. I'm much more interested in the AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) who is the best 13 in Australia.