The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I think that's right. Successful RWC teams seldom have the level of uncertainty around selections we have right now.
Bledisloe 1: 29 July @ MCG
- Thread starter Tex
- Start date
I think that's right. Successful RWC teams seldom have the level of uncertainty around selections we have right now.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I just think Jones is playing the cards dealt to him as best he can. Cooper was the logical choice but he’s clearly still a bit underdone. White was the logical choice at 9 but has been a bit sub par too - although personally I don’t think he should wear as much blame as he has been as neither his forward pack nor kick chasers have been helping him.
On the flip side McDermott and Gordon have done well with the opportunities given to them. But that has been off the bench and, as we’ve seen, that is no guarantee of success when you start. Tough starting gig for Gordon but there are no other opportunities in the near future to get a start. He has to do it sometime. At least he will have experience all around him and in front of him and a couple of genuine big ball runners to dish off to in need.
On the flip side McDermott and Gordon have done well with the opportunities given to them. But that has been off the bench and, as we’ve seen, that is no guarantee of success when you start. Tough starting gig for Gordon but there are no other opportunities in the near future to get a start. He has to do it sometime. At least he will have experience all around him and in front of him and a couple of genuine big ball runners to dish off to in need.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
How much uncertainty is there really. To me there are three main questions -
- is Tupou fit enough to make an impact?
- who is out 7?
- Is there a changing of the guard in the halves (beating in mind that White and Cooper can come straight back and and/or are good enough to play as closers from the bench).
Maybe the only other question is whether Ikitau will make it back but Petaia has plenty of experience at 13 and I feel like Kellaway was always our fullback in waiting.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
I think White's been great tbh. His kicking has saved us a few times and I'm yet to see Tate be able to match that. But I'm excited either way. This is easily our most flashy x-factor backline we've had in years with McDermott, Gordon, Kerevi, Petaia, Nawaqinatawase and Koroibete. Only thing missing is Wright at fullback.
I agree with this. It's overwhelmingly likely that the goal was that the bulk of the first team picked remained as the best 23 and key players returning from injury slotted in over the next few weeks.
The way the team has played combined with a couple of injuries has dictated that this wasn't really possible.
At this point I think we're pretty clear on the following:
1/17 - Bell/Slipper
2 - Porecki
3/18 - Ala'alatoa
5 Skelton
8 Valetini
11/14 Koroibete/Nawaqanitawase
12 Kerevi
Would be good for Kellaway, Petaia and Tupou to make successful returns and lock in places in the best 23.
It would also be good to get some more certainty on who the preferred lock options are by players really putting in good performances.
Carter Gordon I assume.
Iain Payten's article last night still had Perese as the starting 13 so who knows what happens there.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
That was my guess, it is a lot of extra pressure to lump on a guy that doesn't kick for his super rugby side though. That said there's not really any other option with the side as rumoured.
It's probably a bit of pain we can wear for the moment with an eye to the future, as long as Carter takes the tee for the Rebels going forward. Should be much more likely with Hodge gone at least.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I’d suggest Arnold, Frost & Philip are the other 3 locks, Holloway & Leota are the 6s, White, Cooper, McDermott and Gordon are your halves and I reckon Kellaway is a good bet for XV.
One of Leota, Samu, Gleeson or McReight will fill the bench role.
So I guess if the certainty we are looking for is being able to name close to the team 1 - 23 I agree there are a few calls to be made. But I think we have the bones of the squad in place.
Can they find the cohesion and execution to play to ‘potential’. Well that’s an entirely different question.
I think there is uncertainty around:
- who of Slipper or Bell starts and who finishes
- who of AAA or Tupou starts and who finishes
- who plays hooker
- who are our best locking combos
- who plays 6 and 7
- who plays 9
- who plays 10
- who is the other winger to Marika
- is Samu fit enough to last?
- who plays 13 if Ikitau is out longer term
- who is our best 15
- do we got a 6/2 or 5/3 bench split
- who is captain
- who is kicker
- whats our game plan
Other than that I think we are pretty well clear
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
There are some absolutely important questions in there that need answering but a lot aren't detrimental to our long term success.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I don't think this at all, we have loads of quality options, no-one has worked out what the best ones are though. Making it harder is that Valetini and Skelton aren't really jumpers so potentially both our flankers need to be.
All of the reporting seems pretty clear on Hooper returning at 7 when fit so that seems likely to me. I certainly didn't think McReight did anything against Argentina to shift that thinking (Hooper still needs to improve though).
If Holloway starts at 6 again I'd firm on him being likely to continue in that position.
If Holloway starts at 6 again I'd firm on him being likely to continue in that position.
With the comments of Perese practising catching bombs etc, the bench makes more sense
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
I think we have two 7s who are fine but wouldn't start in.. 7/10 of the other nations .It's a big problem and part of the reason we have 0 ball.
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
Carter Gordon was always going to be starting this test ahead of Cooper…
Even if Cooper is the more polished product I think Eddie was always going to reward the token start to Carter playing in his super rugby hometown.
The question is if Cooper ever starts another game for the wallabies?
… I suspect we could be witnessing a change of the guards here if the wallabies go on to win the bledisloe (easier said than done)
Even if Cooper is the more polished product I think Eddie was always going to reward the token start to Carter playing in his super rugby hometown.
The question is if Cooper ever starts another game for the wallabies?
… I suspect we could be witnessing a change of the guards here if the wallabies go on to win the bledisloe (easier said than done)
The Ghost of Raelene
Simon Poidevin (60)
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Be hard to blame him. The best Wallaby team has confused and blown up coaches for years. In the past 10 years 4 of the pack may go well and the next week you want to pull them. It would drive anyone mad, the lack of consistency in the players performances is very hard to get your head around.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
This makes the game compulsory viewing. A big pack with the talk about Frost at 6 and T. Hooper at 7 (not a supporter yet} could be very interesting to see who is in the team tomorrow. If FOketi is at 13 I'll be comfortable enough with the backs and if they get quick ball from Tate we will go OK and that's all I want to see, a win could be in the cards. I'll be watching and cheering from Bali.
Disagree with the White and very much against Wright at FB ever again.