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

[stillmissit]

I'm happy for Joseph but I reckon he should be at 12 and not 13. It does answer the centre sizing question though. All season we've been saying that our midfield is too small, so now we have our solution. I'm hoping that they absolutely kill it out there.

I hope so too as they are going to be doing a lot of tackling.

 

[stillmissit]

Because Schmidt had never seen him and we aren't exactly flush with 12 talent

If you knew that he was a 2nd grade Japan and playing poorly why didn't Schmidt know it. Not sure who he would have brought in but if building is what it is all about give the slot to someone else.

 

[dru]

Fuck me you're a depressing lot. Whinge and bitch because your favourite players aren't picked, because your expert, armchair analysis isn't validated. Fuck this.
Go Wallabies, do your best to do country and jersey proud. That's all a supporter can ask for.

Not so sure, Spam. We might be building but we are #9 at Twickenham. I can understand the call around Skelton from many directions but surprised.

At he same time, I'm intrigued with our development and to see how the centres roll. I'm definitely on board and cheering. It would be hilarious if we do defeat England, worth a punt on that basis alone. Go gold.

 

[duckbill]

3pm game UK time for a 1am start in Brisbane... Who decides the fixtures times and do they purposely want low viewership figures? The kiwi games are 6am kickoff so they obviously care a bit more...

 

[kiap]

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.

I would actually like to see this.

To be fair to Schmidt, I don't think he's locked in to Wilson as captain. He has specifically avoided nominating Harry as more than "in the leadership group" when asked in recent weeks.

If Skelton gets his start next Test, it may well be McReight is captain...

 

[stillmissit]

Because Schmidt had never seen him and we aren't exactly flush with 12 talent

So you are suggesting that he has been in charge since January and has had no opportunity to find out how Kerevi was travelling? BS he wants to build on what is here and has little or no interest in overseas players ie New Zealand's approach. It could work but I am, based on what happened in this selection starting to wonder. Happy to be proven wrong.

 

[stillmissit]

3pm game UK time for a 1am start in Brisbane... Who decides the fixtures times and do they purposely want low viewership figures? The kiwi games are 6am kickoff so they obviously care a bit more...

I suggest its the numbers of eyeballs of NZ v AUS

 

[Wilson]

Are the BIL going to be any different for Skelton's availability next year?

Yeah, aside from the month or so and probably 2 tests playing he'll get with the squad on this tour to lay a base with Schmidt's Wallabies, the release period for the Lions tour begins on on the 1st of July, almost three weeks before the first test:

(i) The quadrennial British and Irish Lions Tour is a Designated Event and all Players selected to participate shall be released. The Release Period shall, for men, ordinarily commence on 1 July and ordinarily conclude on the first weekend of August in the relevant year. The Release Period shall, for women, be confirmed from Council from time to time.

Regulations | World Rugby

Information about the game's laws and regulations, including the World Rugby Laws app

www.world.rugby

Even if La Rochelle ends up in the top 14 final that takes place on the 28th of June, so there's no blocker for him showing up straight away (though he might be on light duties that first week). It's also a lot easier for him to keep working on getting and keeping up to speed with the team once he has spent time with them, even if he's on the other side of the world.

If we are going to look at any more euro based players I wouldn't mind Schmidt running a session or two with them in the mean time if there's any availability, but I think he'd need to pull them in on this tour for that to be worthwhile. Sio is the only one I think really should've been included, I don't really see any of the others significantly strengthening our 23.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Not so sure, Spam. We might be building but we are #9 at Twickenham. I can understand the call around Skelton from many directions but surprised.

At he same time, I'm intrigued with our development and to see how the centres roll. I'm definitely on board and cheering. It would be hilarious if we do defeat England, worth a punt on that basis alone. Go gold.

That's the spirit Dru. I appreciate well constructed opinion and analysis. It's the constant moaning without giving the blokes chosen unwavering support that shits me.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Agreed, but my concerns will be how much NRL is still in his DNA, especially higher tackle lines and defensive reads at 13 against multiple runners under pressure

I am thinking there is a real YC/RC risk with Sua'ali'i. Hope it doesn't eventuate but as you say the tackle lines he's used to are likely to be carded in rugby.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Loving the old man yells at sky vibes.

I'm getting millennial needs instant gratification vibes.

 

[Spamnoodle]

I am thin king there is a real YC/RC risk with Sua'ali'i. Hope it doesn't eventuate but as you say the tackle lines he's used to are likely to be carded in rugby.

Hopefully he learnt that lesson in his state of origin debut match.
Definitely a concern.

 

[PhilClinton]

Hopefully he learnt that lesson in his state of origin debut match.
Definitely a concern.

So many people have said this but I don't even think he was one of the most penalised players in the NRL? Or even close. Origin was a severe outlier.

Maguire can deny it all he wants, but it was clear the NSW team were told to fuck Reece Walsh up big time and JS obviously saw the red mist and got it very wrong.

To my knowledge, Joseph doesn't have any unwarranted hatred against anyone in England so I expect him to be okay.

 

[Spamnoodle]

So many people have said this but I don't even think he was one of the most penalised players in the NRL? Or even close. Origin was a severe outlier.

Maguire can deny it all he wants, but it was clear the NSW team were told to fuck Reece Walsh up big time and JS obviously saw the red mist and got it very wrong.

To my knowledge, Joseph doesn't have any unwarranted hatred against anyone in England so I expect him to be okay.

To be honest, that's about the only part of his league career I've seen.
It was just poorly executed, it would seem he doesn't have a malicious bone in his body.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah, aside from the month or so and probably 2 tests playing he'll get with the squad on this tour to lay a base with Schmidt's Wallabies, the release period for the Lions tour begins on on the 1st of July, almost three weeks before the first test:

Regulations | World Rugby

Information about the game's laws and regulations, including the World Rugby Laws app

www.world.rugby

Even if La Rochelle ends up in the top 14 final that takes place on the 28th of June, so there's no blocker for him showing up straight away (though he might be on light duties that first week). It's also a lot easier for him to keep working on getting and keeping up to speed with the team once he has spent time with them, even if he's on the other side of the world.

If we are going to look at any more euro based players I wouldn't mind Schmidt running a session or two with them in the mean time if there's any availability, but I think he'd need to pull them in on this tour for that to be worthwhile. Sio is the only one I think really should've been included, I don't really see any of the others significantly strengthening our 23.

Still, Joe will need to change the way he's been operating with squad and team selections. Waiting until one week before the game will not see any overseas players released on 1 July.

 

[Strewthcobber]

3pm game UK time for a 1am start in Brisbane... Who decides the fixtures times and do they purposely want low viewership figures? The kiwi games are 6am kickoff so they obviously care a bit more...

The RFU is going to sell out 82,000 tickets at a stadium they own at 100gbp+ a ticket.

I doubt they even spare a though for broadcast here

 

[Strewthcobber]

If we are going to look at any more euro based players I wouldn't mind Schmidt running a session or two with them in the mean time if there's any availability, but I think he'd need to pull them in on this tour for that to be worthwhile. Sio is the only one I think really should've been included, I don't really see any of the others significantly strengthening our 23.

They have to be called into a squad to be released by their club don't they?

They can probably have a chat about things, but if you want to see them train it needs a call up

 

[Wilson]

They have to be called into a squad to be released by their club don't they?

They can probably have a chat about things, but if you want to see them train it needs a call up

Yeah, I should've been clear I was talking more chats and technical/tactical sessions then actual training that would require a release, but I think it only makes sense if there are a few of them to benefit from having that os group working together, if it's just Skelton then it's the standard keeping in touch and keeping him updated

 

[Wilson]

Still, Joe will need to change the way he's been operating with squad and team selections. Waiting until one week before the game will not see any overseas players released on 1 July.

He almost certainly will - part of the reason he didn't do early camps this year is he didn't see much point until he had got proper time with the squad, that changes now the team has played under him - they were running camps in the break between the Rugby Championship and this tour for example. Aside from that, they're looking at booking in a warm up match in that would necessitate them coming together earlier.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Well Joe Schmidt is rated as one of the best coaches in the world, and he's at all the players practice sessions, so he has his reasons. We'll see how it unfolds come Sunday morning early.

I tend to agree with this, but im worried his selection could have a bit of Vunivalu about it, because you know, they dont want to waste that money they're spending.