England v Australia - Twickenham, 14 Nov, 4:30am AEDT

[Pfitzy]

If both are ruled out it leaves Australia without a single specialist tight-head in the squad, a disaster heading into a Test against a formidable English pack.

Less of a problem if our second rowers actually front up. Arnold was blergh...

 

[Cancelled Account]

Does anyone give us any chance of beating the Poms this weekend? I know they're a side in transition, but they still have plenty of attacking weapons who I think are going to trouble us across the park.

I was attempting to be optimistic in my previous comment BUT essentially we are fucked. Eddie by 14.

 

[dru]

Less of a problem if our second rowers actually front up. Arnold was blergh...

Eh?

The locks, if they front up, will make up for not having any recognised tight heads? Against England?

Pfitzy, Pfitzy, Pfitzy - where are you bro? I'm on my way and I want some of what you are smoking.

 

[upthereds#!]

I still scratch my head that we don't have Harry Wilson as an option for number 8. The guy just gets the job done and gives us go forward which we aren't getting.

Anyway, maybe Rennie will pull a surprise and pick Perese or Foketi in the centres. We know what we are going to get out of the current 2

He wasn't picked because at test level he WASN'T getting go forward. which is correct.

 

[qwerty51]

Call it off.

 

[Jets]

Think we should stick with the centre pairing from last week. While they weren't great in attack we'll need their defence to stop the English. Also, if they made a couple of different options things could have been different, why did Lenny throw that ball away at the start???

In regards to THP I'll be glad if Tupou doesn't play. We need him long term for Wallaby success and head knocks are a real worry, especially with how he plays.

 

[RugbyReg]

Eh?

The locks, if they front up, will make up for not having any recognised tight heads? Against England?

Pfitzy, Pfitzy, Pfitzy - where are you bro? I'm on my way and I want some of what you are smoking.

from a scrumming perspective? Abso-bloody-lutely.

Watch those early scrums and see how terrible Arnold is packing. Thats the lack of combination that picking from outside the squad provides

 

[BDA]

Foxsports reporting that AA will likely play. I hope they're right.

 

[qwerty51]

Foxsports reporting that AA will likely play. I hope they're right.

Seems pretty contradictory to what Fairfax is reporting.

 

[John S]

Unless either publication has an accurate source on the inside, seems like they're just making a 50/50 bet on the outcome.

 

[Dctarget]

I predict an absolute routing by the Poms. Playing a wing at fullback, playing a centre at wing, debuting a prop who should never be near the side, having Slipper switch sides. Multiple players not knowing the systems at all.

Kerevi, Cooper, Koroibete, Banks, Hodge, Petaia is an entire backline of first choice players missing.

Hope I'm wrong. Bookies have us at $5

edit: on Skelton and to a lesser extent Arnold, I expect them to come good this weekend (or at least better). They were destined to fail after so little time with the squad, they're quality players and it'll show.

 

[Jets]

I think Arnold is worth persisting with, Skelton doesn't seem to add much and giving Swain more time would be a better option in my view.

 

[RebelYell]

Call it off.

Uncontested scrums for safety!

 

[Tex]

Depends on the flow of the game. If it's a wet and heavy track, Skelton is exactly who I want out there.

 

[BDA]

Seems pretty contradictory to what Fairfax is reporting.

Yeh, although I re-read the Fairfax article and it wasn't categorical. the headline was (states both "set to miss" the game), but then the article itself just states its a real possibility, so who knows. I assume the wallabies are still hopeful that AA will pass the protocols but are planning for the worst. seems like a lottery

 

[Rugby Head]

I think Arnold is worth persisting with, Skelton doesn't seem to add much and giving Swain more time would be a better option in my view.

England are a big physical pack, all I can envision is Swain get absolutely dominated. After 1 game to settle in, I think Skelton will make a statement against some of his old mates from Saracens.

 

[Derpus]

If you are dropping Skelton it's for Philip.

 

[Joe Blow]

I agree Derpus but I reckon Rennie will stick with Big Willy.

 

[Joe Blow]

It would be great if one of our THs was available but also best to err on the side of caution. Eddie will be licking his lips and England may go in too confident.

 

[qwerty51]

I said this before but this would be the game to play Phillip at 6.