Australia v NZ. Bledisloe Cup Series 2024. Sep 21, Sep 28

[dru]

Just checked again today and we are still 9th. Still nothing to crow about.

World Rugby site takes a few days before it is updated. Check some of the calculator pages. We are #10

 

[capalaba]

Chay Fihaki is another Crusader, they could have called in AJ Lam who can cover Wing from the Blues or even Proctor from the Hurricanes. Fihaki is a bullshit call, which is good news for our midfield backs.

 

[Rhino_rugby]

World Rugby site takes a few days before it is updated. Check some of the calculator pages. We are #10

Yeah, the World Rugby site can be a bit slow with updates. In the meantime, those calculators are definitely the way to go for keeping track.

 

[Joe Blow]

For next game if all are fit.
Start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Williams in the row. Frost on the pine.
Kailea on to the bench in place of Slipper.
Start Pietsch in place of MK with Toole on the bench.

 

[rugbyAU]

For next game if all are fit.
Start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Williams in the row. Frost on the pine.
Kailea on to the bench in place of Slipper.
Start Pietsch in place of MK with Toole on the bench.

100% agree and maybe start BPA

I think Williams and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) should be our 2nd row combo going forward

The former in the last 2 games had 33 tackles (6 dominant), 4 turnovers and 2 line out steals

 

[rugbyAU]

Having scans today to determine the severity of the MCL injury. Even if there's no tear I doubt he'll be risked.

Yep confirmed:

Fletcher Newell should be back

Injured All Blacks centre Jordie Barrett out of Australia Test

New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett has been ruled out of the second Test against Australia in Wellington with a knee injury, the All Blacks said Tuesday.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Brumby Runner]

For next game if all are fit.
Start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Williams in the row. Frost on the pine.
Kailea on to the bench in place of Slipper.
Start Pietsch in place of MK with Toole on the bench.

You don't think Williams and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are competing for the TH Lock spot, with Frost and Canham the options at LH Lock?

 

[stillmissit]

Not in favour of Pietch over MK. Prefer MK's work and strength.

 

[rugbyAU]

Prefer MK's work and strength.

That hasn't really been on show recently

It would be great to be able to pick Petaia

 

[drewprint]

100% agree and maybe start BPA

I think Williams and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) should be our 2nd row combo going forward

The former in the last 2 games had 33 tackles (6 dominant), 4 turnovers and 2 line out steals

We know we lose a lot of forward running size and punch when Bell and Tupou get subbed off. With this in mind, are we better keeping LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and BPA on the bench to balance this out?

 

[Wilson]

We know we lose a lot of forward running size and punch when Bell and Tupou get subbed off. With this in mind, are we better keeping LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and BPA on the bench to balance this out?

I'd be bringing Salakaia-Loto in to start, we need his presence form the get go right now, but I'd be keeping Paenga-Amosa on the bench for the time being, as much to shore up the scrum when Bell and Tupou are off as anything else.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I get that but I also think we need to try and hit the ground with the strongest team possible.

Sure they Wallabies came back into it when they got a good chunk of possession but they also lost the Bledisloe within 20mins of the game starting.

 

[Joe Blow]

Fez is fine. In fact he is our first choice rake.
Having BPA to come in when we lose our starting front helps a lot, as Wilson suggests. Kailea will also help.

 

[stillmissit]

That hasn't really been on show recently

It would be great to be able to pick Petaia

I wrote my thoughts earlier about the work MK does off the ball that is underappreciated here. Will Petaia ever be fit enough for any rugby code?

 

[stillmissit]

Fez is fine. In fact he is our first choice rake.
Having BPA to come in when we lose our starting front helps a lot, as Wilson suggests. Kailea will also help.

Agree but can someone force him to read the rule book, that was one of the most stupid, blatant penalties and questioning the ref proved his ignorance.

 

[stillmissit]

I get that but I also think we need to try and hit the ground with the strongest team possible.

Sure they Wallabies came back into it when they got a good chunk of possession but they also lost the Bledisloe within 20mins of the game starting.

When you rack up that number of points easily it's hard to stay focused, I expect an Arg V2 effort from the darkness in the next.

 

[Tex]

I was ready to throw an Iraqi shoe at the TV after the first 20 minutes but bloody hell, that comeback was exhilarating.

 

[Joe Blow]

We need to shore up that defence. The attack is coming along but we just cannot give up any easy points, especially early.

 

[stillmissit]

We need to shore up that defence. The attack is coming along but we just cannot give up any easy points, especially early.

It is the Number 1 weakness, defence wins test matches. And for those of you (excluding you Joe) who think the breakdown is optional and being in the D is everything 2 points, 1 the successful breakdown stats in the first half tell a story. 2. It didn't matter not committing to the ruck, if you can't or won't tackle. Fisher is running out of time to fix this brain and train issue.

How the embattled Wallabies pushed the All Blacks to the brink

Joe Schmidt's men were painfully close, but again came up empty-handed against their old rivals.

www.rugbypass.com

 

[stillmissit]

We know we lose a lot of forward running size and punch when Bell and Tupou get subbed off. With this in mind, are we better keeping LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and BPA on the bench to balance this out?

DrewP, I think we need to keep Bell and possibly Tupoa (if he gets fit) on the pitch longer, at least to 60.