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

[Pfitzy]

I've just noticed several people talking about Simmons returning.


He isn't available.

He's injured.

So stop.

 

[Pfitzy]

Is Ben Smith ruled out for the game?

He passed all his concussion tests and is available.

And Nonu is likely to be available. And Retallick, Read, and A Smith are unlikely to have shockers.

So strap yourselves in, because its going to be a rough ride.

 

[Viking]

He passed all his concussion tests and is available.

And Nonu is likely to be available. And Retallick, Read, and A Smith are unlikely to have shockers.

So strap yourselves in, because its going to be a rough ride.

Nonu is in superb form, He will run over Gits (or anyone else) if given space - much more dangerous ball runner then SBW currently.

Fast line speed is a must to shut him down, all the more reason for To'omua to start.

 

[Viking]

It's difficult to select Speight for this game considering it's all on the line and he has no recent rugby behind him and hasn't excelled in his two tests last year.

I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell will probably keep their spots and on that basis, it could be hard to select Speight for the RWC squad ahead of Tomane. Mitchell's kicking will only become more useful against the likes of England at the RWC.

Speight's injuries last year and suspension this year couldn't have come at worse times.

Give AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) his ticket to the RWC, rest him for this game and give Speight a shot - problem solved.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has cemented his spot - his defence last game where came off his wing to shut down an over-lap saved us a few times. Tomane has never done this. Combined with his finishing, his good running lines, and work-rate and experience, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is first pick on the wing - but there is no need to pick him for this Test when we have some quality wingers in the line who deserve a shot.

I know we have the mentality to pick the strongest side, but in this case we don't lose much resting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), in fact we might actually unearth a quality test player in Speight.

Its worth a shot.

 

[Braveheart81]

I just can't see us doing anything than going all guns blazing to try and break the Eden Park hoodoo and win the Bledisloe Cup.

The fact that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has cemented his spot would be entirely why I'd pick him rather than giving someone else a go.

If we'd lost in Sydney then sure, rest AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), but I think Cheika will be desperate to go for the win.

Maybe Speight will start instead of Mitchell. It would seem like his best shot to get to the RWC. Hard to see him being selected in front of Horne, Tomane or Mitchell without playing a game.

 

[BDA]

I don't see selecting Speight as a major risk. He's fully fit atm and I understand he played a game on the weekend (before anyone writes anything, yes I realise club rugby is not the same as playing the all blacks). He also he the ability to be a game changer in a game like this. Whilst I love the pairing of Mitchell and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) neither are as dangerous in a one on one situation. His defence in Super Rugby is generally very good. I reckon he'd shine if given a start. Put one of Mitchell/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the bench as insurance.

If Cheika decides he doesn't want to tinker with the starting side I completely understand, but at the same time that puts a line through Speight's name IMO, which would be a shame.

 

[Viking]

Yeah its a tough one because I think Mitchell's left boot comes in handy (better boot then AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s) and more game time will do him good to get him up to speed. I think he was slightly off the pace last game (but so was Gits his first game back).

Resting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and playing Mitchell and Speight would be better for RWC preparations.

Playing AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would certainly be the safer option but not necessarily better as we don't know how Speight will perform yet.

So the question is... is it time to play safe or risk playing Speight?

 

[BDA]

At the risk of playing the man and not the ball I'm gonna put this out there - Tomane is an alsoran in my opinion. He just doesn't stand out in any particular area.

I'd take a fit JOC (James O'Connor) over Tomane in a heart beat.

 

[BDA]

So the question is. is it time to play safe or risk playing Speight?

One thing you can say about Cheika is that he's prepared to take some risks if he thinks he can get an advantage. Most coaches would have been too gun shy to play 2 no.7s for the first time against the all blacks, but Cheika was prepared to roll the dice.

Then again, how many changes do you want to make to a team that just beat the world's no.1 side.

 

[fatprop]

Give AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) his ticket to the RWC, rest him for this game and give Speight a shot - problem solved.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has cemented his spot - his defence last game where came off his wing to shut down an over-lap saved us a few times. Tomane has never done this. Combined with his finishing, his good running lines, and work-rate and experience, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is first pick on the wing - but there is no need to pick him for this Test when we have some quality wingers in the line who deserve a shot.

I know we have the mentality to pick the strongest side, but in this case we don't lose much resting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), in fact we might actually unearth a quality test player in Speight.

Its worth a shot.

Nah, Speight will get gametime in the US game, resting near our best back for the Bled match ...................

 

[MarkJ]

At the risk of playing the man and not the ball I'm gonna put this out there - Tomane is an alsoran in my opinion. He just doesn't stand out in any particular area.

I'd take a fit JOC (James O'Connor) over Tomane in a heart beat.

Would any of our other wingers have had the speed to score the try he did against Argentina? Not saying that he should necessarily be in the squad, but his pace does differentiate him a bit from the other options available.

 

[BDA]

Would any of our other wingers have had the speed to score the try he did against Argentina? Not saying that he should necessarily be in the squad, but his pace does differentiate him a bit from the other options available.

a fit JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[Viking]

At the risk of playing the man and not the ball I'm gonna put this out there - Tomane is an alsoran in my opinion. He just doesn't stand out in any particular area.

I'd take a fit JOC (James O'Connor) over Tomane in a heart beat.

But JOC (James O'Connor) isn't fit and isn't in form.

 

[Viking]

I just thought of a crazy idea.

Shift AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 13 and play Speight on the wing. Kuridrani can sit this one out he's been a bit quiet anyway.

 

[Hawko]

I just thought of a crazy idea.

Shift AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 13 and play Speight on the wing. Kuridrani can sit this one out he's been a bit quiet anyway.

Not so crazy as you think. It allows us to do three things:

1. Put Kuridrani on notice that quiet is not quite good enough.
2. Allows us to test Speight in the cauldron that is Eden Park.
3. Doesn't greatly weaken the overall team.

 

[Viking]

Not so crazy as you think. It allows us to do three things:

1. Put Kuridrani on notice that quiet is not quite good enough.
2. Allows us to test Speight in the cauldron that is Eden Park.
3. Doesn't greatly weaken the overall team.

4. Rewards AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for good performance.

 

[drewprint]

How about starting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Speight, and having Mitchell on the bench as back three cover? I know Cheika likes Beale to come on late and cause some havoc, but I'd feel much more comfortable with Drew there instead.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The only change I would be making would be to bring QC (Quade Cooper) on at 10 and pair him with either Giteau or To'omua. Whichever of the two Mat(t)'s doesn't start is on the bench. The rest of the 23 should remain as is for mine.

 

[Viking]

How about starting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Speight, and having Mitchell on the bench as back three cover? I know Cheika likes Beale to come on late and cause some havoc, but I'd feel much more comfortable with Drew there instead.

But Mitchell's left boot!

 

[Braveheart81]

I could see Speight replacing Mitchell but otherwise I don't see Cheika changing Kuridrani or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for the sake of getting Speight a game.

This is the first Bledisloe Cup decider we've created since 2007.