Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Seb, think you'll find that Wright had the most or second most steals in SRAu. He is very effective jumping at 2 in the lineout.
But obviously Hooper should be dropped now for him. Apparently...
Wright played out of position in Bledisloe 2. He is a 7, not a 6 though passable there too at Super Rugby level. I don't think there would be a player anywhere who hasn't had the ball stripped from them by one of the NZ No 9s. Doubt it will happen again any time soon.
Liam Wright would be no higher than 3rd in line to play 7 for the Wallabies, and that may be generous. You cannot be captain unless you are an automatic selection. Hooper is that at 7 right now, as captain or not. McReight may challenge him in the next few years but right now thats just what it is.In my ideal world, KOB, Liam Wright would not only play 7 but would be captain.
The 7 is rarely a jumper. The fact that Wilson and Naisarani aren't great jumpers are their own shortcomings, not Hooper's.
This is where I don't understand BR's absolutely doggedness- no open side breakaway in the world is selected for their line out ability.
For the AB's the major changed I'd make would be to give Cane a rest, Akira a go at blindside, and Jordan a run on the wing. I'd eschew a complete XV overhaul because A) I'd rather try and keep the pressure up on the young Wallabies outfit; and B) we have the Pumas match for that.
1. Moody
2. Coles
3. Tu'ungufasi
4. Tuipulotu
5. Whitelock (C)
6. A.Ioane
7. Papali'i
8. Sotutu
9. Smith
10. Mo'unga
11. Clarke
12. Goodhue
13. Lienert-Brown
14. Jordan
15. B.Barrett
16. Aumua
17. Hodgman
18. Lomax/Laulala
19. Vaa'i
20. Savea
21. Webber
22. Laumape
23. J.Barrett/R.Ioane
Aumua brought in because it seems Coles has stolen Taylors life essence, as he's been flat across the Bledisloe series while Old Man Coles has risen like Lazarus. I don't think S.Barrett has been that effective after his long injury layoff, so would look to give Vaa'i another run instead. Webber because I've had enough of Perenara's terrible passes.
Also a bench of Aumua, Savea, Laumape, and (potentially) R.Ioane could be a hell of a late match power punch.
So we have three choices to replace LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), being Simmons, Neville or Hosea. All have merit, but for mine I would start Simmons and have Hosea on the bench. Bring Samu onto the bench for McReight, and the rest of the pack unchanged. I am unconvinced by White, but it's probably not time for a change. If he put the effort he currently expends on yacking and baiting other players into making some f.ing tackles it would be a start. JOC (James O'Connor) definitely returns to 10, I would keep the centres as they are, Wright replaces Daugunu and DHP retains 15. Tate, Harrison and Hodge on the bench.
This is where I don't understand BR's absolutely doggedness- no open side breakaway in the world is selected for their line out ability.
If you look at the A game against Argentina they threw successfully 3 times to Valetini at 2. He had a solid 20 minutes.Because they pick 6s and 8s who can jump effectively. We don't atm have that advantage. Samu can jump at No 2 and makes steals on oppositi90on ball, but apparently Rennie isn't enamored. Hanigan jumps (but did he even take a catch in either Bleds 2 and 3?) but he lacks physicality in his play otherwise. None of Valetini, Wilson or Naisarani jump effectively at all. Wright plays 7 but just happens to be the best lineout option among the potential backrowers.
I think dropping daugunu and giving Wright a run makes sense.So we have three choices to replace LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), being Simmons, Neville or Hosea. All have merit, but for mine I would start Simmons and have Hosea on the bench. Bring Samu onto the bench for McReight, and the rest of the pack unchanged. I am unconvinced by White, but it's probably not time for a change. If he put the effort he currently expends on yacking and baiting other players into making some f.ing tackles it would be a start. JOC (James O'Connor) definitely returns to 10, I would keep the centres as they are, Wright replaces Daugunu and DHP retains 15. Tate, Harrison and Hodge on the bench.
I think dropping daugunu and giving Wright a run makes sense.
I would drop Hanigan though and put Wilson at 6 and Samu at 8.
JOC (James O'Connor) definitely at 10 and would hunter at 12. I would drop irae and put maddocks on the bench with hodge.