Aus vs NZ - 1st Test Sydney 17Aug2013

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

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

Makings of a good team there.

Sub in AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for Kuindrani. As BH said above, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been playing solidly since being made a permanent fixture at 13. He's our most experienced back and with Lealiifano, Mogg, Folau, Cummins, Kuindrani & Tomane all there or there abouts for other backline positions, I think we need him there.

Also substitute Cummins for Tomane on the wing. With a backline full of ball players and "x-factor" players (I hate that term), we need ahard runner / grafter.

I doubt we'll see a Hooper / MMM / Mowen backrow (although I do like it). I think we're more likely to see McCalman at 8 and Mowen at 6.

I also doubt we'll see Fardy in the run on team immediately. His inclusion will likely come on the bench as 4/5/6 cover.

 

[Slim 293]

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

Tell me about it.........

How you can pick a one-eyed Brumbies-Wallabies dream team and not have To'omua at flyhalf is flabbergasting!

Chances of a late push for the cyclops award will be hurt with that minor indiscretion..........

 

[Richo]

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??
.

To be fair, Kimlin was hurt and Speight's not eligible.

 

[Braveheart81]

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

I'm not sure but I do know that Brumby Jack is currently being fitted with a pouch.

 

[mudskipper]

Water Boys a good chance too...

So you'd pick also-rans over proven 2013 contenders!! please stop it... we tried that it was call the Deans theory...
Oh you also forgot MM and Link were Brumbies too B-ian...

No point picking guys who are use to loosing to the ABs year in year out... McKenzie wants to try something new, so be it, bring it on, pick form players for this match I say... leave the bagage in the bus...

 

[barbarian]

No point picking guys who are use to loosing to the ABs year in year out. McKenzie wants to try something new, so be it, bring it on, pick form players for this match I say. leave the bagage in the bus.

I love it how you say that and then pick Cooper over To'omua. Of all people!
.

 

[Slim 293]

MM?

 

[mudskipper]

I love it how you say that and then pick Cooper over To'omua. Of all people!
.

Do only pick Cooper because of Genia this match and see how he goes... To'omua will get his chance soon enough...

 

[fatprop]

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 am surprised you haven't put up Andrew Smith as the bench option for "combination" reasons as well

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

MM

Michael Mooper?

 

[I like to watch]

Do only pick Cooper because of Genia this match and see how he goes. To'omua will get his chance soon enough.

I can accept that Cooper plays shit whenever Genia is missing.
I do not accept Genia plays shit without Cooper.
Link is entitled to pick his team, and to keep it intact if it is successful.
He should be on a tight leash however,and unsuccessful combinations at this higher level should be replaced sooner than later.

 

[Ash]

Michael Mooper?

Thought he meant HM, Hichael Mooper, the honourary 10th Brumby in the run on side.

In all seriousness, Tomane hasn't shown the form required in the back end of the season to hold down the blindside winger spot. I'd have Tomane as the last winger picked in the squad (behind Folau, Mogg, JOC (James O'Connor), Cummins, in no order) at this stage.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

So here it is... first Bledisloe of the year - anybody excited?

McKenzies first match in charge after 6 years under Deans - what can we expect? A real turning of the tide? A dead cat bounce like Deans got? Or more of the same from the last few years?

I think we look old and you look young. It shall be interesting to see who gets named - obviously Quade (booo...) is McKenzies boy so will start, probably against DC. It's the selection I'd make too, as it's worth the experiment until JOC (James O'Connor) pulls his head in and grows up. To'omua is a good player and will get his shot, but it's worth the risk surely to give Quade (booo....) a go under McKenzie.

Other big talking point is the return of his nemesis, the guy who sits in the polar opposite as has NOTHING left to prove to anybody. I think he'll be underdone myself. However, for the first time since I've been an AB fan, we don't seem to have a game-changing-7 waiting in the wings ready to take over. Weird.

Anyway, here's my prediction. I think the game is going to suck badly. I expect knock ons, screwed up combinations, no moments of brilliance, and a crap test match. I hope I'm wrong. Not going to predict a winner/score until final teams are in!

 

[Slim 293]

Thought he meant HM, Hichael Mooper, the honourary 10th Brumby in the run on side.

In all seriousness, Tomane hasn't shown the form required in the back end of the season to hold down the blindside winger spot. I'd have Tomane as the last winger picked in the squad (behind Folau, Mogg, JOC (James O'Connor), Cummins, in no order) at this stage.

Yeah, I stuck up for him leading into the Lions' series as his form looked to be back on the up, but since that last test he's provided very little...........

Maybe a bit of second year syndrome?

Cummins/Folau/Mogg back 3 for me..........

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Quade (booo.)

Speaking of looking old...

Anyway, I suspect you're right, it will be a scrappy match punctuated with perhaps sporadic moments of individual brilliance. The team that screws up the least will win. The new scrum will be interesting factor.

However I'm still hyped for it!

 

[nomis]

Does anyone think the Wallaby combinations will be a bit rusty compared to the All Blacks?

 

[Moono75]

This first game will be epic with the AB's knowing they only need to win once to retain the Bledisloe for another year and they will look to have it in the bag before any return confrontation in Wellington.

Link will no doubt have the boys fired up for a massive effort. Can't make too many predictions until the final teams are made. Stage fright could be a factor if there are a number of newbies in the Wallabies team.

 

[nomis]

out of the ashes we rise
our past defeats have shaped us
our past victories are yesterday
we don’t rest on them
we are only as good as we play today
this gold jersey is just on loan
we are just continuing the legacy
we will do that faithfully before we hand it on

we are not an individual
this is not about me
I will do my part
I will outplay my opposite number
I will lead by example
but together we ascend and dominate our foe
we don’t ever take our foot off the peddle
we don’t stop scoring tries when we’re winning
we show respect by urgent attack and ruthless defence
another try is never enough
we are always hungry for more

our forwards are a single organism
a pack of mongrel dogs
we will win every breakdown
we will keep the ball alive between us
skilled and crafty at every set piece
we never tire

our backs are as swift as wind
we love the thrill of the chase
we are always backing up
we are always thru the gaps
we are always looking to pass
today we must break free

we will absorb the hostile welcome with a wry smile
we are like a dust storm blowing across the land
a golden wave that stings the black night
we must overcome the darkness every time
we must smother the fields of green
we must poison the sea of blue
we must dry the blood that runs
we must stain the cloth of white
we will never rest until we die
Wallabies Forever

 

[Slim 293]

we are not an individual
this is not about me

You just lost the 3 amigos.........

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Speaking of looking old.

Boo's were written firmly tongue in cheek.... Never been a fan of them.

Nomis - that looks like something I heard the last time I watched an AFL post game.