Bledisloe 2 2023 @ Dunedin 12:35PM Sat 5 Aug

[The Ghost of Raelene]

One player in the starting team with 50+ caps and four in the squad.

Makes it a lot less surprising to see their results when it’s like that.

 

[KOB1987]

Same back line and the expected tinkering in the back row. Leaving Slipper at LHP is a sure sign that Tupou will be OK by the RWC. Same locks but different pecking order. Re THP, thinking about it I'm a bit bemused that Tom Roberston wasn't added to the squad instead of Lambert as he can play both sides. Could be in consideration for France though.

So we're going back to a more dynamic 7, T Hooper/Leota/Holloway potentially playing off for the 6 & 20 jerseys, he's seen enough of Jed for now whether that's good or bad.

 

[Dctarget]

One player in the starting team with 50+ caps and four in the squad.

Makes it a lot less surprising to see their results when it’s like that.

Less than 100 caps between the forwards, averaging 12 caps each.

when NZ’s have an average of 50 caps each.

 

[John S]

Looking at that line up, I'm hopeful but not confident

 

[Dctarget]

Wonder if Skelton on the bench is to help Nonggorr into the game

 

[KOB1987]

Wonder if Skelton on the bench is to help Nonggorr into the game

Potentially - makes sense.

 

[rugbyAU]

I like the everything about the team all things considered…except for Arnold starting over Skelton and still no Ryan Lonergan and Faesslar

 

[Wilson]

Same back line and the expected tinkering in the back row. Leaving Slipper at LHP is a sure sign that Tupou will be OK by the RWC. Same locks but different pecking order. Re THP, thinking about it I'm a bit bemused that Tom Roberston wasn't added to the squad instead of Lambert as he can play both sides. Could be in consideration for France though.

So we're going back to a more dynamic 7, T Hooper/Leota/Holloway potentially playing off for the 6 & 20 jerseys, he's seen enough of Jed for now whether that's good or bad.

Robertson is injured, did his ACL at the end of May.

 

[Dctarget]

So with Slipper unlikely to usurp Bell, Ala'alatoa out. Hooper gone too, does this mean McDermott is preferred going forward over White?

or does it mean that Hooper is expected to be back for RWC and Eddie has him starting every game.

 

[Wilson]

I really like Skelton off the bench, assuming he gets good minutes. He played well last week but was cooked by the time he came off. Ideally I'd like to see him come on just before half time to rip in.

 

[Tomthumb]

Disappointing to not see Lonergan not given a chance as his kicking game could have really taken some pressure off Gordon

Skelton might be best suited to come off the bench if he can only go 35 minutes before running out of puff. Arnold really needs to go or get off the pot as there are plenty of locks in Aus that could take his spot

Good to see Jordan Uelese-Jones getting another well deserved cap

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

So with Slipper unlikely to usurp Bell, Ala'alatoa out. Hooper gone too, does this mean McDermott is preferred going forward over White?

or does it mean that Hooper is expected to be back for RWC and Eddie has him starting every game.

I have a feeling we've seen the best of White. His kicking game has been a bit less this year and the general play is good but not great. IMO the Brumbies looked better when Lonergan was starting.

Tate can throw some utter garbage but also provides another point of attack through his feet. Tate & Carter playing together is better for the Wallabies long term as well.

 

[Froggy]

I'm sorry, but some of these selections I just don't get. Arnold offers nothing off the bench so gets promoted to start. We want to play Gordon (agreed), Tate has a pretty ordinary game with his passing, so we change nothing, persist with a 9 with a loose pass and a talented 10 who isn't a test level goal kicker! Playing Lonergan at 9 just seems such an obvious choice. Pone can't play 80, and Nongoor has already established he's a year or two short of test level. And clearly Uelese still has those photos!!!
Having said all that, I like the move of Hooper to 6, he's a good player, let's play him in the right spot. I was at the Argentine game, thought McReight was really good, and if he isn't up to it and Hooper is still unavailable or not preferred, Wilkin is a proper 7 who had a great season.
Having said all that, I hope I'm as wrong as my wife always says I am and they put on a huge perfomance.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Wonder if Skelton on the bench is to help Nonggorr into the game

Is he that effective? Our starting scrum last week was stronger than our finishing scrum is likely to be this week and it was on skates all night. I am yet to see a dominant Wallaby scrum with Will Skelton part of it.

 

[Viking]

Not loving the backrow. For me it lacks a bit of punch. Would prefer to see how Leota goes at 6.
Hopefully Hooper can bring some more psychicality this time round.

 

[Viking]

Is he that effec5? Our starting scrum last week was stronger than our finishing scrum is likely to be this week and it was on skates all night. I am yet to see a dominant Wallaby scrum with Will Skelton part of it.

Pone starting though, so question marks on how he will go in the scrum.

 

[KOB1987]

Robertson is injured, did his ACL at the end of May.

Oh OK, that explains that then. For some reason I thought he played in the Aus A game v Tonga, I obviously had the wrong Tom.

 

[Tomthumb]

Is he that effective? Our starting scrum last week was stronger than our finishing scrum is likely to be this week and it was on skates all night. I am yet to see a dominant Wallaby scrum with Will Skelton part of it.

You could have ended the sentence right there

 

[Tomikin]

faults were set piece and falling off late (fatigue).

Same back line and the expected tinkering in the back row. Leaving Slipper at LHP is a sure sign that Tupou will be OK by the RWC. Same locks but different pecking order. Re THP, thinking about it I'm a bit bemused that Tom Roberston wasn't added to the squad instead of Lambert as he can play both sides. Could be in consideration for France though.

So we're going back to a more dynamic 7, T Hooper/Leota/Holloway potentially playing off for the 6 & 20 jerseys, he's seen enough of Jed for now whether that's good or bad.

Robertson's injured and out for the rest the year I think

 

[KOB1987]

You could have ended the sentence right there

Yeah, I thought the same thing, its a bit of a stretch to point the finger at big Willy. Our scrum hasn't been terrible, it would help if we could bed down a front row contingent.