France v Australia, Saturday 19 November

[KOB1987]

I'm with Lindommer.

There's a lot of experience in the side, everyone's being given a chance to start and show what they can deliver, and we've got solid back up on the bench. The alternative would be to chop and change the team every week to give everyone a run.

It looks like Cheika has decided that Koroibete isn't ready yet and given Alphabet a bench spot ahead of him. I agree that the main weakness of this team is the lack of kicking in the back 3. Reckon we'll see everyone come in one in defence and Quade drop back.

 

[KOB1987]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Godwin goes. He was hot a couple of years ago but everyone had gone off him the last couple of years. He's basically only there as the last 12 standing and the fact he is being given a start implies that he's been training well, so maybe this environment will bring out the best in him.

 

[fatprop]

This should be fun, a load of players given the opportunities so many in these threads have been screaming for, and bugger all of those dud Tahs players who have been clearly holding back the team.

Game on

 

[Scotty]

I like most of the side but am worried about the back three. I think France will try to exploit their lack of kicking ability as well as of course our scrum.

Something that does interest me is if Morahan gets injured we might see Foley at fullback. Imagine a Cooper wide pass to Foley running hard in a second wave and looking to set up the outside men.

 

[Scotty]

Of course if Kurindrani gets injured I think we are stuffed. Going into a game with 4 wings is a big risk. Would have preferred to see Hodge on the bench.

 

[KOB1987]

Of course if Kurindrani gets injured I think we are stuffed. Going into a game with 4 wings is a big risk. Would have preferred to see Hodge on the bench.

Nah, Speight, Godwin, Naivalu can all play 13.

 

[Scotty]

Nah, Speight, Godwin, Naivalu can all play 13.

None have played there in a test and none play there normally.

Still think it is a weakness going into a test with 4 wingers. Balanced isn't what you'd call this team.

 

[RugbyReg]

I don't like this approach at all. I'm not against giving players a chance but these mass changes rarely work.

Good players sure but I'm not convinced that Allan A, Godwin and Latu are starting test players and throwing them all in (amongst a mass of team changes) is an unfair environment for them to find their way.

I can understand trialling mass combinations against a team like Samoa (at home) or perhaps Scotland (at home).

But not against France. In France.

This isn't a tour match. It's a test match. Jersey devalued yada yada.

The French should rightly be offended.


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[John S]

Reserves (one to be omitted)

Stephen Moore (c) (114 Tests)

Scott Sio (27 Tests)

Tom Robertson (5 Tests)

Will Skelton (17 Tests)

Dean Mumm (54 Tests)

Lopeti Timani (5 Tests)

Nick Phipps (50 Tests)

Bernard Foley (39 Tests)

Taqele Naiyaravoro (2 Tests)

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Please let the reserve to be omitted be Will Skelton

 

[KOB1987]

If I was being Machievalen and looking on the dark side it looks like setup to fail to quieten all the dissenting voices on his selections.

I had to put that in there PK, but it's meant largely in jest

Here's my read on things:

1. Incumbent side play in the first two tests.
2. Those who have shown enough at training to be given an opportunity v France and rest some key players
3. Select side for Ireland & England tests
4. Select side for French Barbarians game

RR, I don't see this as the B side at all. If the French are offended at this side then they are underestimating them.

 

[Scotty]

I don't like this approach at all. I'm not against giving players a chance but these mass changes rarely work.

Good players sure but I'm not convinced that Allan A, Godwin and Latu are starting test players and throwing them all in (amongst a mass of team changes) is an unfair environment for them to find their way.

I can understand trialling mass combinations against a team like Samoa (at home) or perhaps Scotland (at home).

But not against France. In France.

This isn't a tour match. It's a test match. Jersey devalued yada yada.

The French should rightly be offended.


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We will win this only if France play poorly.

I would have given Moore, Hooper, Foley and Folau a rest only.

Back row of Mumm (or Fardy), Timani and Pocock.

Cooper to 10, DHP to 15 and Morahan to wing.

The likes of Hodge, Timani and Arnold need as much time as possible at international level - and at the moment all are still improving. We also needed to see DHP at 15 as Folau is the only player we haven't seen a replacement for in a long time.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd be interested to see a list of Arnold's games over the last couple of seasons. It seemed like he had a smallish injury quite frequently. I'm guessing they don't think he can play 5 tests in 5 weeks and needed a break in the middle.

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[Scotty]

I had to put that in there PK, but it's meant largely in jest

Here's my read on things:

1. Incumbent side play in the first two tests.
2. Those who have shown enough at training to be given an opportunity v France and rest some key players
3. Select side for Ireland & England tests
4. Select side for French Barbarians game

RR, I don't see this as the B side at all. If the French are offended at this side then they are underestimating them.

You might not think it is a B side but Cheika certainly considers the front row and two of the back three plus 10 and 12 his B side.

In fact surely Morahan is his third choice 15 at best.

I'm worried about the scrum, lineout and continuity of the backline.

 

[Scotty]

This is the second time in a few months Cheika has devalued the jersey. Taking a bloke on tour who hasn't played professional rugby and now this team. Even more ridiculous is picking the bloke that should have been on tour and training with the team the whole time but missed out to a league player straight into the starting line up!

Seems he is focussed on the glory of the grand slam. If he were serious about winning all games while managing workload he would have made small changes between each test match rather than massive changes for one.

 

[MarkJ]

None have played there in a test and none play there normally.

Still think it is a weakness going into a test with 4 wingers. Balanced isn't what you'd call this team.

I think Speight may have played 13 in the RWC against Uruguay?

 

[Train Without a Station]

Unsurprising the flower mafia on this site can see absolutely zero wrong with Cheika's selections.

He could shoot somebody point blank in Pitt Street Mall and the same people would be digging up dirt on the victim trying to say it was justified.

 

[fatprop]

Cheika is damned when he does and damned when he doesn't.

"If" Cheika rotated more in the early tests there would have been complaints about his continual tinkering stopping the team developing cohesion.

"If" Cheika makes too many changes, he is devaluing the jersey

Cheika could be shitting golden eggs and there would be complaints that they aren't big enough

 

[KOB1987]

In fairness Train you could mount a similar argument about the usual Cheika haters.

I'm notoriously impartial and optimistic about selections no matter who the coach. I prefer just to support the side and to make judgement after the event because we can only speculate as to why a player has been picked.

Wallabies by 8

 

[A mutterer]

Unsurprising the flower mafia on this site can see absolutely zero wrong with Cheika's selections.

He could shoot somebody point blank in Pitt Street Mall and the same people would be digging up dirt on the victim trying to say it was justified.

 

[Hawko]

I hope that Naiyaravoro gets a good run this match, not the last five minutes. His first game for the Baa-baa's was absolutely sensational.