Australia vs British and Irish Lions - 1st Test (Brisbane)

[ACT Crusader]

Barnes looms as super-sub: http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8675834

So from the word around it seems Beale at 15, McCabe at 12, JOC (James O'Connor) at 10 and Folau on the wing.

SO are we looking at a starting 15 of:

1/ Robinson
2/ Moore
3/ Alexander
4/ Douglas
5/ Horwill
6/ Mowen
7/ Hooper
8/ Palu
9/ Genia
10/ JOC (James O'Connor)
11/ Digby (or Cummins)
12/ McCabe
13/ AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14/ Folau
15/ Beale

Not bad, but Lilo should be starting at 12.

Hey GF, long time no post

I think Digby is definitely outski for the 1st test so Cummins would be a lock.

If Barnes is the favoured bench option it will be interesting to see what happens if say JOC (James O'Connor) gets injured, if Beale goes to 10 or Barnes. Alot of talk that Beale has been training at 10 as well, so he looks the most likely, however Barnes has played plenty there under Deans as well.

 

[Bullrush]

I was just thinking....

In NZ, Ma'a Nonu is usually the preferred 12 no matter what kind of Super Rugby form he's had. Israel Dagg is given a chance to re-find his 'mojo'. Rene Ranger can barely get a look-in over Conrad Smith. ABs who have performed in the past aren't easily displaced.

Meanwhile, many here are already calling for Gill to replace Hooper - possibly your best forward last year.

I really don't get you guys......

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Hey GF, long time no post

I think Digby is definitely outski for the 1st test so Cummins would be a lock.

If Barnes is the favoured bench option it will be interesting to see what happens if say JOC (James O'Connor) gets injured, if Beale goes to 10 or Barnes. Alot of talk that Beale has been training at 10 as well, so he looks the most likely, however Barnes has played plenty there under Deans as well.

Occasional poster, full-time lurker...

Read this about Digby in a News Ltd story about Folau starting on the wing:

Deans reported tackle-shedding flyer Digby Ioane had made significant strides in his return from knee surgery and was a realistic chance of also starting on the left wing on Saturday night.

But to counter that there's now word that Palu may be injured...

In the Barnes article is says Barnes was also training at 10 and 12, but given Robbie's preference of Beale at 10 in last year's EOYT he may slot in there first with Barnes going to 15.

 

[Zander]

Barnes should be starting at 15, he is going to take the goal kicks. If Ioane and Folau are on the wings you'd want someone with a better boot than Beale at 15.

 

[Scotty]

Barnes looms as super-sub: http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8675834

So from the word around it seems Beale at 15, McCabe at 12, JOC (James O'Connor) at 10 and Folau on the wing.

SO are we looking at a starting 15 of:

1/ Robinson
2/ Moore
3/ Alexander
4/ Douglas
5/ Horwill
6/ Mowen
7/ Hooper
8/ Palu
9/ Genia
10/ JOC (James O'Connor)
11/ Digby (or Cummins)
12/ McCabe
13/ AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14/ Folau
15/ Beale

Not bad, but Lilo should be starting at 12.

I think this is a smokescreen article to be honest. The team will be more like:

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Alexander
4 Douglas
5 Horwill
6 Mowen
7 Hooper
8 Palu
9 Genia
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Ioane
12 Lilo
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Folau
15 Barnes

Fa'aingaa, Kepu, Slipper, MMM, Gill, Phipps, McCabe, Beale

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

I hope MMM and McCabe are good to go on Saturday (off the bench I'd assume). It will undoubtedly be a physical game and I can't think of two better guys to have as re-enforcements. Might tip either one of them for a late try.

 

[Zander]

Nailed it Scotty. Best 23 possible.

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

One thing i would MORE THAN LIKE to see a crackdown on this weekend (apart from the list that Bob Dwyer kindly provided) - is all this talking to the ref and having mid-pitch discussions by those other than the Captains... WAYYYYY to much chatter going on in Southern Hemisphere Rugby this year... I would like to see them marched 10 metres EVERY time a non-captain opens his trap - and 10 more if he complains (or throws away the ball).

 

[JSRF10]

British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts is set to miss the first Test against Australia after being rated "a grave doubt" for the match.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22920250

Given the contrasting form of Roberts and Davies he mightn't be a massive loss, that said he is always central to Gatlands game plan. Should help SOBs case for a starting spot as the Lions will need more players who can get over the gain line.

 

[Zander]

Where do you think O'Brien would start? Croft, Warburton, Heaslip seems pretty locked in.

Would go with 12. Davies 13. O'Driscoll surely.

 

[JSRF10]

I think his ball carrying at 6 might be necessary, Davies is in far better form than Roberts however he is a different player his selection means the Lions would lack someone to get them over the gain line. Personally I wouldn't have even picked Croft to tour, he is a luxury player but he is favored by the management to start I think. Heaslip is just as good at the lineout as Croft and better in every other facet therefore starting SOB at 6 gives the Lions a ball carrying option they'd otherwise miss and a tougher overall pack.

 

[Zander]

I would've gone Tom Wood over Tom Croft. Tom Wood just led England to am away series victory over Argentina.

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

I think this is a smokescreen article to be honest. The team will be more like:

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Alexander
4 Douglas
5 Horwill
6 Mowen
7 Hooper
8 Palu
9 Genia
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Ioane
12 Lilo
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Folau
15 Barnes

Fa'aingaa, Kepu, Slipper, MMM, Gill, Phipps, McCabe, Beale

In my humble opinion, I think there is zero chance of Folau being chosen on the wing, and If Fa'aingaa is our 2nd Best Hooker, then we will have big problems in that Department.

 

[JSRF10]

I would've gone Tom Wood over Tom Croft. Tom Wood just led England to a series victory over Argentina.

I agree, I've never got the Croft hype very much like Chabal for me gives a 30 second highlight reel play once every 3 games and does little else in between these. The try he scored against the Tahs aside, he has probably been the least effective back row on tour which is pretty damning considering there is a half fit Lydiate and Warburton in that group

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

I was just thinking..

In NZ, Ma'a Nonu is usually the preferred 12 no matter what kind of Super Rugby form he's had. Israel Dagg is given a chance to re-find his 'mojo'. Rene Ranger can barely get a look-in over Conrad Smith. ABs who have performed in the past aren't easily displaced.

Meanwhile, many here are already calling for Gill to replace Hooper - possibly your best forward last year.

I really don't get you guys..

Well, on the One hand, You are talking about actual All Black Selectors, and on the other hand, You are talking about some Mung on an internet forum - origins and IQ unknown...

I really don't get you guys.

 

[Scotty]

In my humble opinion, I think there is zero chance of Folau being chosen on the wing, and If Fa'aingaa is our 2nd Best Hooker, then we will have big problems in that Department.

Do you want to bet on it?

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Who was the last Wallaby outside back to not debut on the wing?



edit: I can think of maybe Morahan against Scotland. But in terms of players debuting in a full strength wallabies side, they seem to be a rare occurrence.

 

[Zander]

In my humble opinion, I think there is zero chance of Folau being chosen on the wing, and If Fa'aingaa is our 2nd Best Hooker, then we will have big problems in that Department.

You must live in a cave. Fainga'a is the chosen hooker in the squad so he will be the #2 hooker and all the press coming out of camp is Folau is already locked in at wing.

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

Do you want to bet on it?

Not much point really - I am a long way away from you, and to be honest... I have never felt any great compulsion to re-inforce my own opinion with a wager.

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

I would completely re-assert what I have said. I am well aware of who is in the squad, and I have watched Fa'aingaa for years - if he is really still our number 2 Hooker, then we are likely to be found in some trouble in that position this year - and this tour.

As to what is 'coming out of the camp' - well that is all well and good - but when I see who runs out onto the field next weekend, then I will know where Folau is playing. In my humble opinion, he will not be used on the wing.

It is a simple enough statement - not sure why it threatens your sensibilities.