I think we need to start the front row as we finished last night, with Slipper going to THP and Bell at LHP. Pone and Schoup on the bench. No problem with Tom Hooper as a player, but he's a 6, we need the speed and energy of Hooper or McReight at 7. If we are going to start Gordon at 10 again (I would, despite his awful night with the boot) I would start Lonergan at 9. His passing will be more accurate than Tate, and he can kick goals. I would go with the same for the rest of the backs, although someone needs to have a chat to MK about his positioning in defence. Faessler to replace Uelese on the bench, and Tate to cover 9. Phillip to replace Arnold, I don't think the big bloke is offering anything.
I think you have nailed the front row. The only improvement come RWC time if Tupou and Ala'alatoa don't make it back would be to bring Scott Sio into the squad.
After his defensive efforts last night, I can see Eddie persisting with Tom Hooper at 7. This is the way the game is going internationally, and the pack last night was more effective than it has been for quite some time.
I also agree with your questioning of Richie Arnold, but on statistics, Will Skelton offers very little more than Richie too. However, Skelton probably should be retained but I'd certainly favour either Philip or Neville as the backup.
I hope Gordon is retained at 10. His kicking game was poor last night but out of character with the way he has controlled the game for the Rebels. I put it down to nerves, and expect he will show decent improvement in his next games. Lonergan needs to be there if only for his goal kicking, although he offers a lot more than that.
Good to see someone else having the balls to call out Marika for his poor defensive positioning. I am sick of seeing him attempting big hits on his opposite only to miss completely and finish up rolling on the ground because he was no where near close enough to make the tackle in the first place.
We do not yet have the backline sorted. Kerevi is a shadow of his former self and he, along with Pataia if he stays at 13 need to have their kicking feet amputated. They are both there to break up the defensive line with hard straight running or with footwork but neither are doing that with consistency or impact at the moment. For next week, I'd ;like to see Foketi at 12 and perhaps Kellaway at 13, but I wouldn't be against Flook also being parachuted in to see how he goes as a proper 13.
