Bledisloe #2 - AUS v NZL, Eden Park, Auckland, August 15th

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^ Posted earlier by Strewthcobber:

20.3 Binding in the scrum

(f) Binding by all other players. All players in a scrum, other than front-row players, must bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm prior to the scrum engagement.
The locks must bind with the props in front of them.
No other player other than a prop may hold an opponent.

 

[swingpass]

i thought there was a rule stating you couldn't join the front row, i.e. there must be three and only three, and therefore the flankers have to stay bound to the locks

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I can recall in my playing days flankers getting pinged for playing as effectively fourth front rowers. They were told to bind with the arm on the second row and with the shoulder on the props backside.

 

[BDA]

I have a feeling that Chekia's going to role out a different game plan for this weekend, with a starting back 5 of Horwill Skelton, Fardy Hooper Palu, and really throw some big bodies at them, and not attack the breakdown as much to start with.Finish with the Pooper..

Well reports from the training paddock are suggesting that might be the case. I'm in two minds. There has been a lot of talk about the All Blacks losing the collisions last week, so I wouldn't be surprised if they will concentrate on bashing the wallabies this weekend and try to roll over the top of our pack. In that respect a bigger pack might be negate that game plan. At the same time, historically the All Blacks have opened up against us at Eden Park. THat's probably more likely. The Pooper worked so well last week defensively I'd probably go with more of the same.

 

[No4918]

Skelton with Pooper won't happen.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'll be interested to see if there are nearly as many changes as suggested.

It seemed like half the changes to the first XV were based on players who sat out training which is pretty common on a Tuesday after a game.

There's probably also an element of the bench players like To'omua needing time with the starting side because they are going to spend some of the match with those players even when coming from the bench.

I'd be surprised if The Farty Pooper doesn't stink up our backrow again... and by stink up, I mean be awesome.

 

[KOB1987]

I think you are right BH, it's logical that the non-starters and even those who are outside the 23 will run with the locked in starters. they'd want to make sure every combination is tried and tested. Plus the media gets wind of things and beats it up which is more than likely nothing but smoke and mirrors to what is really going on, whether intentional or not. I would say they would rehearse with the starting side and swap in the finishers at the session that the media aren't allowed at.

 

[Tip]

My problem is that Cheika can't have Palu & Skelton on the field at the same time as the Pooper.

And that means that one of them is likely to start with another coming off the bench. Which I don't like at all, not one bit. Both should be "finishers" due to lack of fitness and their game-limitations particularly come line-out time.

 

[No4918]

Palu is done. Won't be in RWC squad. Finished.

 

[Braveheart81]

And that means that one of them is likely to start with another coming off the bench. Which I don't like at all, not one bit. Both should be "finishers" due to lack of fitness and their game-limitations particularly come line-out time.

Palu sure. He doesn't have the motor of McCalman or Pocock at number 8 but I disagree on Skelton.

Horwill can't play 80 minutes these days (he played very well but was cooked when he came off after 58 minutes) and Mumm only got through 80 minutes by having some significant periods where his workrate dropped substantially.

I would have thought that if Palu and Skelton are both in the matchday 23 it makes sense to start one and finish with the other for the reasons you've mentioned above. If Skelton starts he gets replaced by Horwill. If Palu starts he gets replaced by Pocock/Hooper.

Personally I'd be going with the same starting pack and forward reserves from the Sydney test. Palu could replace McCalman on the bench which wouldn't change a whole lot.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I can recall in my playing days flankers getting pinged for playing as effectively fourth front rowers. They were told to bind with the arm on the second row and with the shoulder on the props backside.

The law was changed in 2009. They added the "prior to the scrum engagement" part to the law

Binding by all other players. All players in a scrum, other than front-row players, must bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm prior to the scrum engagement. The locks must bind with the props in front of them. No other player other than a prop may hold an opponent.

It was done to prevent the Number 8 slingshotting, but it had the added effect of making the flankers/No 8 changing their binds at least quasi-legal after engagement.

At least at international/pro level it's pretty much been accepted by the refs.

 

[fatprop]

Palu is done. Won't be in RWC squad. Finished.

I bet he plays Saturday. Finished? We will see

 

[Viking]

Can anyone see Cheika doing a sneaky and not starting the 'Pooper'?

I mean the AB's will probably be spending all week with tactics to nullify their impact so it would actually be a good idea to come out and play a different tactic - we expect more space out wide since the AB's should be committing more players to the breakdown, starting some-one like Higgers or McCalman or giving Palu a run could be beneficial.

 

[Braveheart81]

Higgers isn't even in the squad.

I won't be surprised if Palu plays this weekend. I'd put him on the bench and start the same backrow though.

 

[Lindommer]

If Cheiks doesn't start the Pooper I'm going to send him an invoice for consulting services. I suggested it a few days ago, SV.

The ABs are going to up their physicality at the breakdown, there's no way we shouldn't expect it, besides, they've told us they're going to rectify that part of their game. Could I suggest:

1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Mumm
5. Skelton
6. Fardy
7. Pocock
8. Palu
16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Holmes
19. Horwill
20. Hooper
21. McCalman

Mumm and Skelton to be eventually replaced by Fardy and Horwill, finishing back row of Pocock/Hooper/McCalman.

 

[Viking]

If Cheiks doesn't start the Pooper I'm going to send him an invoice for consulting services. I suggested it a few days ago, SV.

The ABs are going to up their physicality at the breakdown, there's no way we shouldn't expect it, and, besides, they've told us they're going to rectify that part of their game. Could I suggest:

1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Mumm
5. Skelton
6. Fardy
7. Pocock
8. Palu
16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Holmes
19. Horwill
20. Hooper
21. McCalman

Mumm and Skelton to be eventually replaced by Fardy and Horwill, finishing back row of Pocock/Hooper/McCalman.

I never thought I'd say this, But I'd start with Hooper over Pocock. I think the All Blacks will attack out wider or very close to the ruck where their large forwards can get to the ruck quick and hard.

They attacked the 10-12 channel last week thinking Foley and Gits are the weak-links (which they are) but it played right into the hands of the 'pooper' who was covering the channel and the other second man in. I think the All Blacks will stay clear of the 10-12 Channel this time around.

It would make more sense to start Hooper who can play wider more effectively. Pocock will have very limited chances in close I pressume.

 

[Scoey]

Usually, I'd be right in the thick of discussions about who we should select and who we'd be fucking pants on head crazy to select etc etc leading up to something like a Bledisloe, let alone a decider. BUT.....

For the first time in a long time, I don't really feel like contributing. Why? Because I'm pretty content in the confidence that Chieka will select a squad with a solid and considered plan in mind and they will, in all likelihood, go out and have a decent crack as a team. That's all I need.

Geez it's a good feeling!

Go you Wallabies!!!

 

[Intruder]

Palu is done. Won't be in RWC squad. Finished.

Palu set to start for the Wallabies

 

[TOCC]

Hooper and Pocock won't start with Skelton, the Wallaby line out struggled last week with 3 jumpers. Including Skelton will weaken it further.


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[KOB1987]

Can anyone see Cheika doing a sneaky and not starting the 'Pooper'?

I mean the AB's will probably be spending all week with tactics to nullify their impact so it would actually be a good idea to come out and play a different tactic - we expect more space out wide since the AB's should be committing more players to the breakdown, starting some-one like Higgers or McCalman or giving Palu a run could be beneficial.

I was thinking myself how amusing it would be if the ABs announced 6. McCaw 7. Cane and then we came out with one of them on the bench. The rationale being to bring home the bacon in the second half when their two 7's are buggered.

However, the main argument against that is that it's such a point of difference for us that the best way to use it is for 80 minutes, rather than trying to maximise the impact of it for 30 minutes. Teams will expend a lot of energy trying to counter it, and unless they have 2 world class 7's with such complimentary skillsets as our two, it will create opportunities for us elsewhere.