Bledisloe 1 - Wallabies vs All Blacks, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 8:05pm

[Scrubber2050]

No problem with the squad other than Mumm... Just why he's needed as a Second Row option I'm blown away for an answer.

Yep - Fardy could easily "cover" that spot.

Bit surprised Cooper didn't ride the pine.

Congrats to Allan re first cap coming up

 

[Viking]

No problem with the squad other than Mumm... Just why he's needed as a Second Row option I'm blown away for an answer.

Was about to say the same thing. Would have loved to see Coleman on the bench.

Not a fan of Horne on the bench either but I can see his value in covering most positions in the back-line.

Got no issues with Fardy being dropped for McCalman, Fardy needs to work on his discipline and I think McCalman's skillset balances nicely with the Pooper.

 

[Viking]

He's the backup lineout caller.

I guess that none of the other locks are currently regarded as being up to that task.

Thought Fardy could take over that role, Or Coleman if he was selected. Guess they aren't rated in that regard.

 

[Viking]

Actually I wonder why they didn't go with Poey/Hooper at 6 and McCalman at 8. Though Big Mac would be better at the back of the scrum.

 

[KOB1987]

Actually I wonder why they didn't go with Poey/Hooper at 6 and McCalman at 8. Though Big Mac would be better at the back of the scrum.

I would have though the same. The selection is actually Pocock over Fardy, not McCalman over Fardy. With the back row we have been running we have been missing the workhorse characteristics of a #8 and despite BR's aversion to him Big Dog is a real life proper #8.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Actually I wonder why they didn't go with Poey/Hooper at 6 and McCalman at 8. Though Big Mac would be better at the back of the scrum.

Actually I agree with you.

BUT almost everyone seems to say that the number on your back bears no relevance - that is Hooper and Pocock.

So Poey will wear 8 and play like a 7, McCalman will wear 6 and play as an 8 and Hooper will wear 7 and play an all rounder game.

 

[RebelYell]

I don't understand Mumm over Timani. Fardy being dropped to the bench actually covers lineout caller and/or extra lock. It's the perfect opportunity to unleash LT

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't understand Mumm over Timani. Fardy being dropped to the bench actually covers lineout caller and/or extra lock. It's the perfect opportunity to unleash LT

Has Fardy ever been the lineout caller for the Wallabies (at least under Cheika)? I don't think he has.

 

[Viking]

Actually I agree with you.

BUT almost everyone seems to say that the number on your back bears no relevance - that is Hooper and Pocock.

So Poey will wear 8 and play like a 7, McCalman will wear 6 and play as an 8 and Hooper will wear 7 and play an all rounder game.

True for general play. But I think the numbers on the back indicate their position come scrum time. Why wouldn't you have Poey at flanker and McCalman at 8 where both players have more experience?

Or maybe McCalman will still scrum at 8.

 

[KOB1987]

Actually I agree with you.

BUT almost everyone seems to say that the number on your back bears no relevance - that is Hooper and Pocock.

So Poey will wear 8 and play like a 7, McCalman will wear 6 and play as an 8 and Hooper will wear 7 and play an all rounder game.

That's it - I'd nearly have Pocock at the back in defence to help cover the openside and MCCalman there in attack.

 

[Viking]

That's it - I'd nearly have Pocock at the back in defence to help cover the openside and MCCalman there in attack.

That's actually a fair call. Poey at 8 for defensive scrums and McCalman at 8 for attacking scrums.

 

[Scrubber2050]

TK must be on his last chance

Shit he has been quite poor for a time. We have a couple of pretty handy blokes to cover 13 - Folau or Kerevi

 

[Tip]

So Poey will wear 8 and play like a 7, McCalman will wear 6 and play as an 8 and Hooper will wear 7 and play an all rounder game.

That's a polite way of saying he'll make some tackles then stand on the wing.

The ruck stats from the England series paint a terrible picture for Hooper. Considering he was completely ineffective in attack, I'd be dropping him to the reserves for some meat & potatoes.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Has Fardy ever been the lineout caller for the Wallabies (at least under Cheika)? I don't think he has.

Is it really THAT hard. Fuck he has been playing for years at lock or 6 both at Super and Wallaby levels - surely he's not that stupid that he couldn't call some safe lineouts at the back end of a game.

 

[swingpass]

Hookers usually charge $100 an hour if your interested

only the cheap ones

 

[KOB1987]

TK must be on his last chance

Shit he has been quite poor for a time. We have a couple of pretty handy blokes to cover 13 - Folau or Kerevi

Throw AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in that mix too

 

[Scrubber2050]

That's a polite way of saying he'll make some tackles then stand on the wing.

The ruck stats from the England series paint a terrible picture for Hooper. Considering he was completely ineffective in attack, I'd be dropping him to the reserves for some meat & potatoes.

Perceptive there Tip.

But if I had said anything negative about Hooper I would have been flogged by a few biased posters (you know who you are), who cannot see ANY negatives in Hooper's style of play as a 7.

 

[KOB1987]

That's a polite way of saying he'll make some tackles then stand on the wing.

The ruck stats from the England series paint a terrible picture for Hooper. Considering he was completely ineffective in attack, I'd be dropping him to the reserves for some meat & potatoes.

That wasn't hoopers fault though, it was part of the game plan. From memory it was mostly the second half of the second test. Given it didn't work, hopefully they will shelve it.

 

[Viking]

Is it really THAT hard. Fuck he has been playing for years at lock or 6 both at Super and Wallaby levels - surely he's not that stupid that he couldn't call some safe lineouts at the back end of a game.

You'd think a player who has been an integral part of line-outs his whole career would know a thing or two about calling a line-out.

Surely can't be a significant reason why Mumm was chosen. I think Cheika just likes Mumm, or maybe doesn't have confidence in Coleman.

Arnold is injured so he might have got the gig otherwise.

 

[fatprop]

McCalman is a very good unit, he does a load of the hard on ball work. He would be rated much, much higher if he didn't play in Perth