Australia v British & Irish Lions, 3rd Test (Sydney)

[GaffaCHinO]

My guess is that Simmons has been dumped.which would mean no reserve specialist lock, McCalman, Palu & Mowen would have to cover that..mobility! Or RD may have dropped one of the reserve props knowing that Alexander can cover both sides..either way RD would be hoping the game doesn't come down to a Lions 5m scrum as the final play!

He cant drop a prop from the bench you must have 2 res on the bech 6 fron rowers in total 4 props 2 hookers.

 

[BDA]

How could McCalman get a run ahead of Kimlin?!?
1) Kimlin has played more recently
2) Kimlin is in career best form
3) Kimlin can play lock
4) Kimlin was best on park against the Lions two weeks ago
5) We already have someone covering 7/6 on the bench (Gill or Smith)

That selection is stupid on so many levels... but it's Deans so lock it in

 

[Ignoto]

Ben McCalman and Jessie Mogg are reported as being in the 23.

This seems strange. I wonder who is injured in the forwards?

Maybe Douglas is still rattled from Saturday night? Seemed like he copped a few hits to the head?

 

[KOB1987]

He cant drop a prop from the bench you must have 2 res on the bech 6 fron rowers in total 4 props 2 hookers.

OK didn't know that..Simmons it is then, unless there is an injury nobody has told us about..or RD has lost his marbles and overlooked both Gill & Smith! Or possibly the report is wrong.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

McCalman on the bench? That's a dingo special. Not a bad player but others deserve it more, especially if it's over Smith.

Maybe it heralds more changes? Douglas gone Simmons starting? Simmons gone all together? Hooper gone for Smith? Gill gone? Who knows.

Mogg on the bench isn't a surprise, I guess Barnes hasn't recovered from the head knock.

 

[BDA]

Could there possibly be an extra forward on the bench to accommodate Smith? probably not ideal with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at risk of succumbing to an injury during the game

 

[Bowside]

Has McCalman been confirmed as part of the 23?

 

[Joe Blow]

I wouldn't be surprised if Mogg retains his place on the bench but McCalman?
I doubt it when there is some in form quality ahead of him.

We will see. Come on Dingo.....last roll of the dice son.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Has McCalman been confirmed as part of the 23?

Sounds like it:
https://twitter.com/iainpayten/statuses/352213733940019200

 

[Tex]

Smith can cover halfback, can't he? He'd do a better job than Mike Phillips in the first test.

 

[Slim 293]

Sounds like it:
https://twitter.com/iainpayten/statuses/352213733940019200

Jesus Christ...........

 

[ACT Crusader]

I think this possibly points to Mowen covering lock if Douglas is goneski. So a genuine 6/8 cover would be needed late in the game when Simmons runs out of gas.

4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Mowen
7. A. Openside
8. Palu

19. McCalman
20. A. Openside

 

[Slim 293]

I wouldn't use either Mowen or McCalman at lock........

 

[nathan]

Fuck GAGR is going to go into a mess if this is true.

In all seriousness though, McCalman? I could maybe understand if we were scraping the bottom of the barrel for injuries but at my count we have Mowen, Hooper, Smith, Palu, Kimlin, Madness, Gill and even Dennis who are in much better form and are all healthy and ready to go. I'm a bit of a loss to what he brings to the table over these guys, even when you take into consideration previous test experience.

 

[KOB1987]

I just can't work out where he would logically fit in..if there is an injury we would know about it, so it means someone has been expensed..it would be silly not to cover lock so it has to be Palu, Mowen, Gill or a reserve back. Can't be right I don't think, maybe it's just a ploy to get everyone like us talking!

 

[barbarian]

Always hard to know the condition of players in training, and also how they look on the training field. MMM could have bumped into the goalpost and broken 3 ribs, or McCalman could just be training the house down.

It's a weird one though, and points to a 6-2 bench.

16. Fainga'a
17. Slipper
18. Kepu
19. Simmons
20. Gill/Smith/Hooper
21. McCalman
22. Phipps
23. Mogg
.

 

[Starch]

Smith AND mccallum..... So two of the above

 

[barbarian]

I wonder if there is a question mark over Ben Mowen's fitness.

He sat out training on Monday. Obviously they aren't comfortable with no 6/8 cover on the bench, so they may be doubting his ability to get through the full 80.
.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I wonder if there is a question mark over Ben Mowen's fitness.

He sat out training on Monday. Obviously they aren't comfortable with no 6/8 cover on the bench, so they may be doubting his ability to get through the full 80.
.

I think this might be the case. However, I would much prefer Kimlin as cover than McCalman. Ben McC is one of those good S15 players who doesn't seem to have the edge to make a big impact at test level.

 

[Slim 293]

According to Iain Payten George Smith is no chance of playing on Saturday, so does that mean McCalman has taken the loose forward spot on the bench?

And does that mean one of Gill or Hooper has been dropped?