Bledisloe #4 New Zealand vs Australia Nov 7 2020

[Rugbynutter39]

I think we have to stack the starting side with experience and hope we can keep the scoreboard respectable, then give some of the youngsters a chance to open the game up at the back end. Something like:

1. Slipper
2. Uelese
3. Alan
4. Simmons
5. Philip
6. Wilson
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. Hodge
13. Kuridrani
14. Petaia
15. DHP

16. BPA
17. Sio
18. TT
19. Hosea
20. McReight
21. McDermott
22. Lolesio
23. Maddocks

I’m assuming LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is out

Yep that looks more balanced - nasarini at 8 sounds a plan - and give Kuridrani a defensive weapon becoming open to the idea.

 

[Silverado]

Why mate, why? Any insights after a more level headed viewing?

No. It was a hideous mistake. Turned on the TV when I got up on a rainy day, the replay was just starting and just left it on. Would have been better off watching Live Island reruns. It was just as hard going the second time around, but at least I was prepared for the result

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think we have to stack the starting side with experience and hope we can keep the scoreboard respectable, then give some of the youngsters a chance to open the game up at the back end. Something like:

1. Slipper
2. Uelese
3. Alan
4. Simmons
5. Philip
6. Wilson
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. Hodge
13. Kuridrani
14. Petaia
15. DHP

16. BPA
17. Sio
18. TT
19. Hosea
20. McReight
21. McDermott
22. Lolesio
23. Maddocks

I’m assuming LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is out

I could go along with that approach, however, unlikely that TK will come into the squad. Has he even been playing club footy? JOC (James O'Connor) might also be unlikely so your starting backline could be a bit disrupted.

On the bench, I think Harrison should replace Lolesio, and actually start if JOC (James O'Connor) is unavailable. I would also not have McReight on the bench with Hooper in the side. That was another mistake by Rennie yesterday. McReight is an out and out No 7, not one who can play at 6 or 8. Just like Hooper. Can't afford the two of them in the same match. Now, if in some imaginary world, someone like Liam Wright was to start at 7 with Wilson at 6 and Naisarani at 8, then McReight would be a good selection on the bench. Wright can cover 6 if necessary, and either of Wilson or Naisarani can play 8. Too much balance I fear.

And to save you the trouble of having another shot at me about Michael Hooper, I will say outright that he is a remarkable player. But my concern is that he causes an unbalance in the backrow, and has done so for many years, and I think we can do better even if Wright isn't yet the full deal. I sincerely think McReight will be but only at 7. MH is also rather uninspiring as captain. I think we should be starting to think about his replacement at least.

 

[KOB1987]

I could go along with that approach, however, unlikely that TK will come into the squad. Has he even been playing club footy? JOC (James O'Connor) might also be unlikely so your starting backline could be a bit disrupted.

On the bench, I think Harrison should replace Lolesio, and actually start if JOC (James O'Connor) is unavailable. I would also not have McReight on the bench with Hooper in the side. That was another mistake by Rennie yesterday. McReight is an out and out No 7, not one who can play at 6 or 8. Just like Hooper. Can't afford the two of them in the same match. Now, if in some imaginary world, someone like Liam Wright was to start at 7 with Wilson at 6 and Naisarani at 8, then McReight would be a good selection on the bench. Wright can cover 6 if necessary, and either of Wilson or Naisarani can play 8. Too much balance I fear.

And to save you the trouble of having another shot at me about Michael Hooper, I will say outright that he is a remarkable player. But my concern is that he causes an unbalance in the backrow, and has done so for many years, and I think we can do better even if Wright isn't yet the full deal. I sincerely think McReight will be but only at 7. MH is also rather uninspiring as captain. I think we should be starting to think about his replacement at least.

I agree that it’s unlikely TK will be selected, I assume he has been playing in the Cambra comp though? Rennie says JOC (James O'Connor) is fit for next week.

I get your concerns re Hooper but as you say he is a remarkable player and the back row is all about balance so it can be worked around. In an ideal world he’d be 8 inches taller and playing 6, but he ain’t and who really gives a fuck about the number on his back. He simply has to be there. That said, I don’t mind exploring alternatives for captain, but who in the current 23 is locked in, and capable?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think we have to show some patience with the youngsters and give them more game time. There isn't a tougher baptism of fire in world rugby than four tests on the trot against the All Blacks. From this some good will come, I'm fairly certain. In the backs I'm not sure there is a lot of choice anyway, given the current injury situation. On that basis I'd be giving Noah another run if JOC (James O'Connor) isn't fit for the next game. He's probably not ready but how many other 10's do we have right now? Same goes for Simone.

 

[Viking]

I agree that it’s unlikely TK will be selected, I assume he has been playing in the Cambra comp though? Rennie says JOC (James O'Connor) is fit for next week.

I get your concerns re Hooper but as you say he is a remarkable player and the back row is all about balance so it can be worked around. In an ideal world he’d be 8 inches taller and playing 6, but he ain’t and who really gives a fuck about the number on his back. He simply has to be there. That said, I don’t mind exploring alternatives for captain, but who in the current 23 is locked in, and capable?

Slipper or AAA.
Personally, I like the idea of To'omua as Captain. But if we are doing the usual building to the next World Cup then it might only be temporary anyway, and I can't any of them doing that much better then Hooper. At least Hooper always leads with effort and workrate.

And I do think a Naisa, Wilson, Hooper backrow is pretty damn balanced.

 

[Joe Blow]

Naisarani didn’t look great in the trial match on Friday. He might bring a little more than Hanigan.
We will have to see how LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is going with his ankle.
Assume there will be multiple changes after the result. Rennie will have to be careful with that policy.

 

[Froggy]

Every year we get this debate about Hooper as captain, and I will say it again, some people are natural leaders, and that may not be particularly apparent looking from where we are. The fact is, the Australian U20’s coach at the time (can’t remember who it was), Link, Cheika, Gibson and Rennie have all chosen him as their captain. Do you really think all these professional coaches have no idea what they are doing?

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd certainly like to see a few players who haven't played a game get a crack in this one.

Harry Johnson-Holmes to replace Sio.
Trevor Hosea to replace Simmons.
JOC (James O'Connor) to start if healthy and Will Harrison to replace Lolesio.
Maddocks either at 15 or 23.
Hodge probably to 12 with Simone dropping out.
Wright to replace Daugunu.

 

[PhilClinton]

I’m actually more confident of us winning this game than the last (and I say I’m more confident not that I think we will win).

ABs have got the silverware, they may be inclined to take the foot off the pedal a bit. The debutants for the Wobs have been through the fire. Hopefully they now realise it isn’t Super Rugby AU anymore.

Depending how selections go, a few of these guys might be having their last crack at the ABs.

 

[Braveheart81]

I would also not have McReight on the bench with Hooper in the side. That was another mistake by Rennie yesterday. McReight is an out and out No 7, not one who can play at 6 or 8. Just like Hooper. Can't afford the two of them in the same match. Now, if in some imaginary world, someone like Liam Wright was to start at 7 with Wilson at 6 and Naisarani at 8, then McReight would be a good selection on the bench. Wright can cover 6 if necessary, and either of Wilson or Naisarani can play 8. Too much balance I fear.

I thought McReight did alright in the 12 minutes he was on the field. The game was already well and truly lost.

In general I think the second 7 is unnecessary and McReight isn't a good enough player (yet) compared to the other backrow options available to justify the unbalanced selection. I would bring back Samu either as a starter or bench player.

 

[Dctarget]

In general I think the second 7 is unnecessary and McReight isn't a good enough player (yet) compared to the other backrow options available to justify the unbalanced selection. I would bring back Samu either as a starter or bench player.

He surprised me with his running game - didn't think he had one.

edit: actually someone with a better memory can correct me but he was pretty instrumental in attack for the u20s? I seem to remember some runs/link plays.

 

[Joe Blow]

I'd certainly like to see a few players who haven't played a game get a crack in this one.

Harry Johnson-Holmes to replace Sio.
Trevor Hosea to replace Simmons.
JOC (James O'Connor) to start if healthy and Will Harrison to replace Lolesio.
Maddocks either at 15 or 23.
Hodge probably to 12 with Simone dropping out.
Wright to replace Daugunu.

Agree with most of those but think Simone might stay. Also Lolesio will be on the bench. Harrison is not ready if Friday is anything to go by. It’s no use just dishing these kids up to the ABs although now that he has done so with Lolesio and Simone he should follow through. Harrison should get a position on the bench against Argentina.
Either Samu or Naisarani might come in for Hanigan.
A lot will depend on how LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Petaia scrub up.

 

[Braveheart81]

He surprised me with his running game - didn't think he had one.

edit: actually someone with a better memory can correct me but he was pretty instrumental in attack for the u20s? I seem to remember some runs/link plays.

His running game is good and he's good in support. He very much does what a 7 should do in attack of being a good link player and support runner.

After Hooper he'd have the best attacking game of our 7s.

 

[eastman]

I'd certainly like to see a few players who haven't played a game get a crack in this one.

Harry Johnson-Holmes to replace Sio.
Trevor Hosea to replace Simmons.
JOC (James O'Connor) to start if healthy and Will Harrison to replace Lolesio.
Maddocks either at 15 or 23.
Hodge probably to 12 with Simone dropping out.
Wright to replace Daugunu.

Agree with most of this bar starting Hodge at 12. I think we should give Simone one more opportunity and hope that he was just overwhelmed by nerves in his debut and it was a one-off.
I'd also be inclined drop White from the 23, with either of Gordon/ McDermott to start/ reserve with Paisami and Maddocks rounding out the reserves.
Hodge and White are part of that batch who have been persevered for a long time now, and their good games are becoming too infrequent.

 

[Slim 293]

Every year we get this debate about Hooper as captain, and I will say it again, some people are natural leaders, and that may not be particularly apparent looking from where we are. The fact is, the Australian U20’s coach at the time (can’t remember who it was), Link, Cheika, Gibson and Rennie have all chosen him as their captain. Do you really think all these professional coaches have no idea what they are doing?

Actually, Colby Fainga'a captained that Junior Wallabies team.........

 

[fatprop]

I think we also learned that Petaia isn't ready to start at 13 in a test match, so talented, but the difference between the ABs and the Wobs is that they keep it simple ,effective and trust their processes not to fail under pressure

 

[Joe Blow]

He should start every test for the foreseeable future at 13 if fit. Who would you propose?

 

[fatprop]

He should start every test for the foreseeable future at 13 if fit. Who would you propose?

TK is our most solid, effective 13, I would play Petaia on the wing for a while, he is like a lot of young extremely talented backs, passing is something he only does if he has exhausted every opportunity - he doesn't put his teammates into better positions enough

It was one of IF major weaknesses as well and is quite apparent when compared to both the AB centres - they just do the basic so well

 

[Joe Blow]

Besides the fact that TK is not even in the squad, don’t you think going to him is taking a bit of a backward step?
A big problem of ours on the weekend was actually pushing passes that went to ground and became turnovers. No player should pass after a break unless its to someone in a better position. JP has shown that he takes pretty good options, the pass to Wilson in Bled 1 for example.
I doubt that we will see TK included this year unless we have a lot of injuries. After JP there is Paisami and then the young bloke from the Brumbies, Ikatau, who looked pretty handy for the As against Argentina.
You remove JP after losing To'omua and JOC (James O'Connor) and its not going to get any better.