Australia v Scotland, 3:00pm 17 June Sydney Football Stadium

[Scrubber2050]

I agree with Carter starting. His performances in Super rugby and as captain have been rewarded by Cheika and that is surprising in itself.

Australia should win by plenty. Very uninspiring test match and hardly worth an hour's drive from the Goldie . Suncorp will only be half full which is always a bad look on TV

 

[Braveheart81]

Australia should win by plenty. Very uninspiring test match and hardly worth an hour's drive from the Goldie . Suncorp will only be half full which is always a bad look on TV

Is there any potential June test series you wouldn't be complaining about this year?

If it was France you'd (quite reasonably) complain that they were only here three years ago.

If it was England, Ireland or Wales you'd complain they were B sides due to the B&I Lions tour.

As it stands, Scotland is the fifth ranked side in the world and haven't lost too many players to the B&I Lions.

 

[Joe Blow]

I agree with Carter starting. His performances in Super rugby and as captain have been rewarded by Cheika and that is surprising in itself.

Australia should win by plenty. Very uninspiring test match and hardly worth an hour's drive from the Goldie . Suncorp will only be half full which is always a bad look on TV

Isn't this game in Sydney? You had better give it more than an hour if you want to make kick off Scrubber unless you are coming by helicopter.

It is going to be a very tough game.

 

[Sully]

Yep. I think Scotland will be more than competitive And Lang Park will be less tjan half empty.

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[Scrubber2050]

^^^^^^^

OK - my fuckup guys

 

[fatprop]

Aus by 3

 

[Ignoto]

Is there any potential June test series you wouldn't be complaining about this year?

There's just no pleasing some of the glass half empty crowd! Honestly, some people need to speak to their GP, get on some anti-depressants, mix it with a few beverages and loosen up.

 

[barbarian]

I actually think if the weather holds up there will be a good crowd at Allianz tomorrow. Plenty of my mates going.

Forecast isn't great, though.

 

[fatprop]

I actually think if the weather holds up there will be a good crowd at Allianz tomorrow. Plenty of my mates going.

Forecast isn't great, though.

It is much better than it was earlier in the week

BOM now says only 30% chance of rain and not much at that

Min 12​

Max 19​

Possible shower.​

Possible rainfall: 0 to 0.4 mm​

Chance of any rain: 30%

​

Sydney area

Cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of a shower. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.

 

[Braveheart81]

If I was a betting man, and I am, Scotland with a 14.5 points start look pretty good.

The last five tests between the two sides have been decided by less than a converted try.

I think Australia will win but I'll be very surprised if there's a double digit margin.

 

[Mr Doug]

I agree with Carter starting. His performances in Super rugby and as captain have been rewarded by Cheika and that is surprising in itself.

Australia should win by plenty. Very uninspiring test match and hardly worth an hour's drive from the Goldie . Suncorp will only be half full which is always a bad look on TV

I agree Scrubber, that's why Mrs Doug, Miss Doug, and myself will be taking the train from the Goldie. We will, however, wait until next Saturday to make that trip!!

 

[Micheal]

I actually think if the weather holds up there will be a good crowd at Allianz tomorrow. Plenty of my mates going.

Forecast isn't great, though.

Turnout should be decent. I'm going with around 20 mates for a friends birthday.

Nothing better than a bitta arvo footy.

 

[amirite]

There's no reason to doubt the quality of this Scottish team.

Scotland's back 3 is pretty depleted, and they're missing their best forward through injury (Ritchie Gray). But, that's no worse than a reasonable amount of injury back luck would do to you.

The starting and reserve 9s are very arguably better than the one that's on the Lions tour (though not captain material).

The side has Nel, Strauss, Swinson, and Ford on the bench, all good players.

They've also had warm-up test and a good amount of prep (unlike Fiji).

My tip, Wallabies by 8-14.

 

[Highlander35]

Richie Gray hasn't been our best forward for some time Amirite.

Hamish Watson has been the best forward of the last 12 months, and Jonny has been better than his bro since the 2015 Six Nations. Chuck on genuinely elite Nel, and a resurgent Barclay and I'd have him 5th best forward with all available.

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[amirite]

Richie Gray hasn't been our best forward for some time Amirite.

Hamish Watson has been the best forward of the last 12 months, and Jonny has been better than his bro since the 2015 Six Nations. Chuck on genuinely elite Nel, and a resurgent Barclay and I'd have him 5th best forward with all available.

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I'll be honest and say I got my Grays mixed up. Correct, Jonny is the better Gray and he's the one playing.

Watson has been good too, but IMO Jonny is the heartbeat of your forwards and I'm quiet surprised he isn't the captain for this tour.

 

[wamberal]

I am surprised that Gray did not make the Loins. One of the very best going around.

 

[neilc]

Finn Russell, the number 10 is pretty handy, I've liked the look of him when I have seen him previously - thought he might have made the Lions tour.

 

[Braveheart81]

Finn Russell, the number 10 is pretty handy, I've liked the look of him when I have seen him previously - thought he might have made the Lions tour.

You could certainly make the argument that he's a better option than Dan Biggar.

 

[amirite]

You could certainly make the argument that he's a better option than Dan Biggar.

Dan Biggar is an excellent tactical kicker, and British rugby know where they can get outcomes.

 

[The torpedo]

My pick for the bench:

16. Moore
17. Sio
18. Kepu
19. Arnold
20. Hardwick
21. Powell
22. Cooper
23. Hodge

16. Stephen Moore (118 Tests)
17. Scott Sio (30 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu (78 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (10 Tests)
20. Richard Hardwick (1 Test)
21. Joe Powell (1 Test)
22. Quade Cooper (68 Tests)
23. Reece Hodge (11 Tests)

Scott Sio is healthy again and joins the bench in place of Toby Smith.