Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug

[fatprop]

Beale was one of five personnel changes made by coach Ewen McKenzie from the last outing against France, with the star playmaker replacing NSW teammate Bernard Foley to add “additional x-factor” to mission Bring Back Bledisloe.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/t...bledisloe-opener/story-e6frf4qc-1227021485596

This is what I have an issue with, this “additional x-factor” stuff.

You see, I don't think the AB's beat us so consistently beat us by having
“additional x-factor” they do it through their attention to detail and the whole team doing the 1% stuff for 80 minutes.

Yet, we keep going back to flawed, but brilliant units to turn a game.

Yeah, I rate Foley, he just doesn't make bad decisions, he does those 1%'ers and he doesn't throw the ball to someone in a worse position than himself.

 

[Bullrush]

Palu has had his best season since I can remember. When he comes to play he has the ability to lift other players around him - probably more so than other players. For us to win, Cliffy needs a huge game with big runs and blockbusting tackles.

You're really asking for Palu to play better against the ABs than he pretty much ever has before. I remember going thru the GAGR rating for him against SA & the ABs a couple of years ago and he averaged about a 6 or 6.5. He hasn't played a lot the last couple of seasons but admittedly, he seems to be back to his best so maybe he'll find another gear this RC.

 

[Viking]

You're really asking for Palu to play better against the ABs than he pretty much ever has before. I remember going thru the GAGR rating for him against SA & the ABs a couple of years ago and he averaged about a 6 or 6.5. He hasn't played a lot the last couple of seasons but admittedly, he seems to be back to his best so maybe he'll find another gear this RC.

Yes. Expecting a big game from Palu.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Not sure why all the focus is on the Beale selection (IMO the guy is a natural 10 that has played a bit everywhere else on the park for varying reasons), and not on the tight 5.

Some very good players in there no doubt. Guys who have performed at S15 level but there are still question marks (some big ones) at test level.

Slipper has had his troubles against O. Franks and Faumauina. Charles and Carter are still finding their feet at test level. Kepu albeit has had a great year and has the experience behind him, however Simmons whilst experienced has shown to drift in and out of test matches and doesn't provide the work at the ruck that you would hope.

It's going to be a massive game on so many levels. Can't wait.

 

[TahDan]

Not sure why all the focus is on the Beale selection (IMO the guy is a natural 10 that has played a bit everywhere else on the park for varying reasons), and not on the tight 5.

Some very good players in there no doubt. Guys who have performed at S15 level but there are still question marks (some big ones) at test level.

Slipper has had his troubles against O. Franks and Faumauina. Charles and Carter are still finding their feet at test level. Kepu albeit has had a great year and has the experience behind him, however Simmons whilst experienced has shown to drift in and out of test matches and doesn't provide the work at the ruck that you would hope.

It's going to be a massive game on so many levels. Can't wait.

Agreed. There is undue criticism and focus on Beale at 10, when our ability to win will first and foremost be decided up front.

Charles is technically great, but this is a big step up and Carter and Simmons haven't played in a game like this either.

Beale will be ok - every other player in the back line are bone rattlers.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The fatties worry me, particularly given the Match Officials named.

We could be in for a very, very long night.

 

[FrankLind]

What's Beale's kicking game like - line kicking, field position and up and unders?

I am assuming he will take those duties and be hidden away on defense.

 

[Tip]

Beale missed 27 tackles this season for the Waratahs while being "hidden away on defense"

That's 31% of all the tackles he attempted.

Sadly there's even less scope to hide in International football. I'm predicting Beale will be the game-breaker for the Wallabies on Saturday. Whether he breaks it our way or theirs will remain a mystery until full time saturday.

 

[emuarse]

That's just fucking great. Peyper will strangle the game to death and penalise everything.

except McCaw

 

[BDA]

The Beale over Foley decision seems odd but it really is much of muchness. Not a big difference between Foley and Beale at 10. Both are in good form. Playing Beale at 10 gives us a bit more spark and variety in attack (such as the ability to have Beale move to 12 on attack or the ability to have Beale counter from deep. A Foley/To'omua combo doesn't offer these same options. This and other decisions all suggest that Link is prepared to throw the kitchen sink at the All Blacks, and that is an exciting prospect. Beale aside, the backline otherwise looks to be a strong defensive unit.

The selection of Skelton is likewise a decision not to go conservative. This game could be an absolute cracker.

 

[Scrubber2050]

You're really asking for Palu to play better against the ABs than he pretty much ever has before. I remember going thru the GAGR rating for him against SA & the ABs a couple of years ago and he averaged about a 6 or 6.5. He hasn't played a lot the last couple of seasons but admittedly, he seems to be back to his best so maybe he'll find another gear this RC.

I would be very happy for Cliffy to play as he has in the second half of the Super 15 season + French games. Nothing more nothing less

Bullrush - mate you are worried about this game !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[emuarse]

Watch them force him across field with inside shoulder pressure

You mean 'Crab' Beale?

 

[ACT Crusader]

Even though the ABs have come out on the right side of the ledger more often than not over the past decade against the Wallabies, the test matches have been for the most part tight affairs.

Like fatprop referred to earlier it has often come down to the little things the team does when under pressure that has made the difference.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I don't see Beale's defence an issue at 10. Yes he is the worst defender in the team, but that's the same with the majority of flyhalfs. He will be in the best position for cover defenders to compensate for this too.

 

[Bullrush]

I would be very happy for Cliffy to play as he has in the second half of the Super 15 season + French games. Nothing more nothing less

Bullrush - mate you are worried about this game !!!!!!!!!!!!

Hahaha....any AB fan that isn't at least a little bit worried anytime they play the Wallbies is asking for heartbreak - and this year the Aussies look better than they have in more recent times.

Like ACTCrusader and a couple of others have noted though, I think the game will be won in the forwards and I really really like our forward pack. Locks look great and my favourite player - Kaino - is back in black and playing the house down right now.

Should be a great game but I'm still backing the ABs to take care of business....

 

[ACT Crusader]

Beale missed 27 tackles this season for the Waratahs while being "hidden away on defense"

That's 31% of all the tackles he attempted.

Sadly there's even less scope to hide in International football. I'm predicting Beale will be the game-breaker for the Wallabies on Saturday. Whether he breaks it our way or theirs will remain a mystery until full time saturday.

Is that you Eddie.....

I think the Qantas ACT Waratahs back line is pretty good. I think if Speight were eligible and available he would've possibly made his debut, but what this line up does is allows you to attack both left and right (with quality) from set piece. You may see formations with Beale AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Horne on one side and To'omua and McCabe on the other with Folau floating at the back.

Defensively if Beale doesn't go high in the tackle he should be okay.

 

[KOB1987]

I don't see Beale's defence an issue at 10. Yes he is the worst defender in the team, but that's the same with the majority of flyhalfs. He will be in the best position for cover defenders to compensate for this too.

that's 100% right, the role of the 10 is as the distributor and to create opportunities, they are selected there for their creativity in attack..other players are selected for their defense..

 

[Scrubber2050]

Hahaha..any AB fan that isn't at least a little bit worried anytime they play the Wallbies is asking for heartbreak - and this year the Aussies look better than they have in more recent times.

Like ACTCrusader and a couple of others have noted though, I think the game will be won in the forwards and I really really like our forward pack. Locks look great and my favourite player - Kaino - is back in black and playing the house down right now.

Should be a great game but I'm still backing the ABs to take care of business..

Fair enough mate no problems with 100% supporting your team..Likewise we have 2 industrious locks who are in form and a big bugger waiting in the wings. Conversely I think our piggies will have at least parity if not a little more at scrumtime than the AB's. Backs (not Blacks) will win it in a tuff match

 

[emuarse]

Certainly we need to roll the dice against the AB's and take the game up to them. Whether this is the way I don't know, but they'll all have my full support regardless.

Link has a very serious win/loss record against the Kiwi Super 15 sides with the Reds.
I'm backing him with these selections. He knows that he has to choose what he believes are his best options with the cattle he's got.
Interesting that he's got one extra on the bench though.
Either someone has a niggle, or more likely (IMHO) that he can't decide between Higgers and McCalman

 

[ChargerWA]

Haha, go Ewen. Way to throw the cat.

I fucking love Horne, McCabe and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all being on the field. The wingers while not previously considered specialist wingers are both abrasive and rock steady. You can rely on them to get the job done.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 had to happen. Kuridrani didn't show enough to keep AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) out. You just can't ignore that sort of form.

I assumed something interesting must have happen for this thread to have put on 8 pages since this morning. The KB (Kurtley Beale) decision I like. I view his selection as Link trying to put something together that can beat the AB's long term. We might have brought Foley in, and managed to win our home games. But would that be enough? I think Ewen wants to win the whole thing, so he is taking the gamble. I can live with that.