Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug

[TahDan]

yeah but not as a 10

No, but I imagine Link wants his distribution skills (unparalleled with Cooper out) but without compromising defence in the critical 12 channel.

I actually think it's quite a shrewd move. It's risky and time will tell, but there's definitely a case for it.

 

[FrankLind]

Beale at 10.

A stroke of genius or madness?
Saturday will tell.

 

[Braveheart81]

yeah but not as a 10

He didn't have 10 on his back but he played first receiver as much if not more than Foley.

He certainly has a stronger presence in calling the play.

 

[Viking]

McKenzie does has a knack of getting the best out of his players. So Beale at 10 could surprise a lot of people. I've bashed Beale a lot, and while I don't think he can compare to the likes of Cooper I am quietly expecting him to perform well-enough. Just please no more brain farts.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Beale at 10 won't be a stroke of madness. But it may turn out to not be a very best available option there.

 

[TahDan]

McKenzie does has a knack of getting the best out of his players. So Beale at 10 could surprise a lot of people. I've bashed Beale a lot, and while I don't think he can compare to the likes of Cooper I am quietly expecting him to perform well-enough. Just please no more brain farts.

To be fair, Cooper was just as big a liability in defence as Beale a couple seasons ago and used to drift too much in attack. He fixed a lot of that and on this season it seems so has Beale

 

[lewisr]

Jesus Christ Ewen, I hope you know what you're doing.

Will be a master stroke or a complete disaster.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fatprop]

Beale starting at 10? baffling, fark

 

[Bowside]

I honestly have no idea what is going to happen on saturday.

It could be a towelling or an emphatic win.

 

[KOB1987]

It is what it is and now all we can do is get behind the boys and hope for the emphatic win!

 

[Ballboy]

Big deal Beale , backs score trys but forwards win matches and this is a big one , unfortunate disruption up front so hopefully we can hold our own but the back five is where the fun is ,if they play to their capabilities for 80 mins there is a chance , cant wait .

 

[KevinO]

ARU trying hard to keep Beale in Union is the only thought that explains him starting at 10.

 

[KOB1987]

upon thinking, with the much talked about combos of White/To'omua in the halves, and Beale/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the centres, we may see a bit of switcheroo going on..they are just numbers on their backs remember..

 

[Viking]

To be fair, Cooper was just as big a liability in defence as Beale a couple seasons ago and used to drift too much in attack. He fixed a lot of that and on this season it seems so has Beale

Cooper last Test run was very good. Couldn't have asked for more. His weaknesses didn't seem to be an issue any more. Especially his game against the AB in NZ where he has the added pressure of being constantly boo'd. So I hold him in high esteem now.

Beale is yet to prove himself at Test level as his weaknesses are still prevalent.

Beale might produce some glimses of brilliance this saturday but I would be looking closely at his actions whilst under pressure, decision making & composure , his crabbing, and his defence.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Train Without a Station

you must be suicidal that James Horwill didn't make the team.

 

[TahDan]

ARU trying hard to keep Beale in Union is the only thought that explains him starting at 10.

Another thought would be his success at first receiver this year for the Waratahs in securing their maiden title. Watch the lead up to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s first try. Beale's flat, long ball to Foley was critical and without Cooper available, he's the only guy in Australia that can pull that off right now.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm keen to see how Beale goes..........

There's a lot of cool heads in that backline, and like Quade's second coming might not turn out to be not be such a gamble..........

 

[KOB1987]

the other thing that hasn't really been mentioned..the fact that Higginbotham is in the '24' would imply, one would think, that there is an issue with one of Fardy, Palu or McCalman..

 

[Scrubber2050]

Beale starting at 10? baffling, fark

Yep agree - honestly thought Foley had done enough to warrant selection - as said earlier Hooper will be covering KB (Kurtley Beale) in general defence and probably slipper off defensive lineouts will defend in 10 chanel.

Hope it works Link.

 

[Slim 293]

the other thing that hasn't really been mentioned..the fact that Higginbotham is in the '24' would imply, one would think, that there is an issue with one of Fardy, Palu or McCalman..

Or maybe he's been bracketed as an outside back?

*boom tish *