England v Wallabies, Twickenham, Sun 10th Nov 2:10AEDT / 1:10AEST

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Fraser is a huge inclusion. I hope he and Gordon can build a connection because both can open up the field around the ruck.

Yeah only one change from the last game's XV.

We have added a couple players through the year: Fraser is back, as is Paenga-Amosa.

Hopefully the lads have been practicing their defensive patterns.

Lets hope so. Will be a long tour if not and be a huge step back if they go looking for a new Defence coach starting 2025 which you'd have to if they get blitzed.

 

[Adam84]

When you pick a captain first then you end up here. Williams, McReight and Valetini would be our three strongest starters in the backrow and would strengthen our lineout, but we can't pick them because Wilson is captain. He should be on the bench.

Nahh... There is zero evidence that Williams should be a starting test 6, he is barely holding his own at lock let alone a position he has played only twice in the last 3 seasons of Super Rugby.

It's like trying to jam LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) into the 6 position, both are bad options although I would take LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) as a Wallaby 6 over Williams.

 

[chasmac]

Red headgear is under 7 stuff.. look at me! Don’t think I’ve ever seen an All Black in red head gear?

Isn't it a nod to the Gunnedah Red Devils ?

 

[stillmissit]

Wallabies team to play England at Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday November 9 at 3:10pm GMT/2:10am AEDT (Sunday)


1. Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2. Matt Faessler (12 Tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (56 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (21 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5. Jeremy Williams (8 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

6. Rob Valetini (48 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (22 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (19 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (27 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10. Noah Lolesio (26 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Dylan Pietsch (4 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

12. Len Ikitau (35 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i* – The Kings School

14. Andrew Kellaway (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (33 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (16 Tests) – Southern Districts

17. James Slipper (140 Tests)– Bond Pirates

18. Allan Ala'alatoa (76 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (37 Tests) - Randwick

20. Langi Gleeson (9 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (37 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (13 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23. Max Jorgensen (3 Tests) – Balmain Wolves

*denotes uncapped

Schmidt has gone too defeatist at this one. He is doing a Rennie ie sacrificing this game in the hope of winning Wales and Scotland. I'm NOT impressed at all.

 

[stillmissit]

Well Joe Schmidt is rated as one of the best coaches in the world

A crack is starting to show in my faith in him after this debacle of a selection committee. Poms are the 'old enemy' and a good shot at beating them is always expected. This selection is giving the boys the slimmest of chances. Sort of shit a very conservative person would pull.

 

[stillmissit]

It’s brave to throw JS in at 13 and slide Lenny in one for his first test at 12. If nothing else it will be very interesting. Hope they slay it!

No Skelton or Kerevi and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) off the bench are all unexpected

JB it's like he's brought these guys in and then said 'nah' we don't need you! I'd have the shits if I was Kerevi or Skelton particularly, as his window is short.

 

[fatprop]

 

[dillyboy]

Isn't it a nod to the Gunnedah Red Devils ?

There & Terrace I thought

 

[wamberal99]

JB it's like he's brought these guys in and then said 'nah' we don't need you! I'd have the shits if I was Kerevi or Skelton particularly, as his window is short.

I suspect that Schmidt had a close look at them and decided their day is over.

 

[fatprop]

I will be interested to see how we counter the poms defensive speed

 

[fatprop]

My prediction is that our 9 will get blamed for being too slow to find runners, while our 10 will have to constantly turned inside or throw another hospital pass

As squidge suggests above, they can either

1/ Try to go around
2/ Chip kicks
3/ Be smart enough to find mismatches

 

[stillmissit]

I suspect that Schmidt had a close look at them and decided their day is over.

Maybe with Kerevi but makes no sense with Skelton even with only one weeks prep, the moves ain't as complex as backs. Also as a coach he shouls have a decent idea of how these players are going he is connected to Deans for Kerevi and any number of Euro coaches re Skelton.
I wish the boys all the best and I will be cheering them on but this sticks in my throat.
JS can be as good as he likes won't matter a toss if our pack are monstered, why no LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the row. Frost who can be soft at times and Williams will add speed around the paddock but little to scrum and lineout.

 

[Ignoto]

No Skelton is unfathomable. He's only available for three games and has to play for La Rochelle when we play Ireland. Up against the second best lock pairing in world rugby and we leave him out completely. Maybe we think this game is unwinnable and Joe is saving him for the two easiest fixtures. I say again, against the selected England pack, its unfathomable.

I will challenge you on this.

This site and people around the country were shitty that Joe didn't bring Will in for TRC, but when you actually hear the reasoning;

In the World Cup I got injured and did my calf, and then I came back and two weeks before I was supposed to play Bayonne, I did my hammy [hamstring]. Then I played 10 games and then did my calf and was out for eight weeks,” Skelton said.


“The body was struggling a bit so I front-footed it and said ‘Hey Joe, I think I really need a pre-season’. He was already looking at going with guys at home anyway (in July), and I thought that was the best decision either way

So it sounds like Joe and Will are in communication on when he is available to play.

Looking at the Wallaby socials, Will only got to camp late (hard to say if it was Sunday or Monday). He's been absent from the Wallaby setup all year and having him start or be on the bench would have been more disruption.

It makes logical sense on why he isn't a factor this week.

Whatever feelings you have would be better directed at the French clubs, if Will was there when the Wallabies landed, I reckon he would have either started or been a part of the 23.

 

[LeCheese]

There & Terrace I thought

Devils, Terrace, and the Reds. But nah, let's make him put a black one on because colour and a bit of personality is too 'look at me'

 

[Derpus]

I will challenge you on this.

This site and people around the country were shitty that Joe didn't bring Will in for TRC, but when you actually hear the reasoning;


So it sounds like Joe and Will are in communication on when he is available to play.

Looking at the Wallaby socials, Will only got to camp late (hard to say if it was Sunday or Monday). He's been absent from the Wallaby setup all year and having him start or be on the bench would have been more disruption.

It makes logical sense on why he isn't a factor this week.

Whatever feelings you have would be better directed at the French clubs, if Will was there when the Wallabies landed, I reckon he would have either started or been a part of the 23.

That all makes sense. But then he starts Suaallii at 13 lol.

 

[Ignoto]

Harry needs to ditch the bright red beacon headgear

 

[LeCheese]

Simpsons did it first - pretty on-trend haircut these days

 

[Ignoto]

That all makes sense. But then he starts Suaallii at 13 lol.

Sure, but JS has been with the Wallabies since they were in Australia and needs to have his debut some time, so just rip the band aid off.

I also don't know how match fit Samu is (I dont know if he's played in any of the Japanese trials?) whereas JS finished NRL then came straight over.

 

[Yoda]

Devils, Terrace, and the Reds. But nah, let's make him put a black one on because colour and a bit of personality is too 'look at me'

He can obviously wear what he likes and obviously does …but he is representing his country in green and gold and not Gunnedah. It’s not about him but his country. As I said, the All Blacks are a team and I doubt, I could be wrong, but have never let anyone wear anything but black or white headgear as that is their team colours. They have definitely had some ‘personalities’ and plenty that could say ‘look at me’ … because they are bloody great rugby players…
Anyway Cheeseman.. Go Hazza! Red headgear or not … rip into ‘em son!

 

[Dctarget]

Sure, but JS has been with the Wallabies since they were in Australia and needs to have his debut some time, so just rip the band aid off.

I also don't know how match fit Samu is (I dont know if he's played in any of the Japanese trials?) whereas JS finished NRL then came straight over.

Kerevi definitely has played at least one pre-season.