France v Australia
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In other news, they completely ballsed up the spelling of Leali'ifano.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
So who's the new Brumbies signing for half next year?
Nick White - been told to nick off if he continues with his aimless box kicks.
Seriously, I think Seb was talking in terms of the Wallabies backline. Nic will be the Brumbies main No 9 whenever fit. The backup is Dowsett who had some reasonable games last year but I think went backwards a bit in the NRC. After that, Powell who was one of the U20s No 9s this year, and I think has a load of potential. One of the best passing games I've seen from any halfback.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Think there has a loss of opportunity with these selections, but the bench could still have some changes I suppose.
I wouldn't want to change the team much for this test, but I would have liked to see both Jones and Speight get a start. Can't see Henry being on the bench as a specialist winger, so probably won't get to see him at all, maybe whole EOYT and that would be a shame. Also, looks like Cheika has settled on Foley at 10 and Lealiifano at 12, so one of Cooper/To'omua look like missing out on game time for the rest of the tour. Again, a shame. Hopefully, Jones gets a run off the bench in place of Skelton.
I wouldn't want to change the team much for this test, but I would have liked to see both Jones and Speight get a start. Can't see Henry being on the bench as a specialist winger, so probably won't get to see him at all, maybe whole EOYT and that would be a shame. Also, looks like Cheika has settled on Foley at 10 and Lealiifano at 12, so one of Cooper/To'omua look like missing out on game time for the rest of the tour. Again, a shame. Hopefully, Jones gets a run off the bench in place of Skelton.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has played 100+ tests and folks are still debating if he's any good by suggesting that he should be dropped.
When he retires the myth of his poor play will be continued by the same people.
But I honestly think that this guy and that is better they might say - but they've been saying it for year after year and he still gets picked.
Maybe our coaches since he made his debut haven't been the smartest guys in the room but I will back their opinion as a group more than critics of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as a group.
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When he retires the myth of his poor play will be continued by the same people.
But I honestly think that this guy and that is better they might say - but they've been saying it for year after year and he still gets picked.
Maybe our coaches since he made his debut haven't been the smartest guys in the room but I will back their opinion as a group more than critics of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as a group.
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Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Slipper will end up with a ridiculous amount of caps, given he could have another 2 cycles left.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
8 of this weekend's XV were also named to start in the last game against France (21/06/14) in the June tests.
4 of this weekend's XV were named for the previous fixture before the June tests, opening game of the EOYT tour of 2012.
(3 of these 4 also played in the 21/06/14 match).
Can anyone name the 8 or 4?
4 of this weekend's XV were named for the previous fixture before the June tests, opening game of the EOYT tour of 2012.
(3 of these 4 also played in the 21/06/14 match).
Can anyone name the 8 or 4?
8 - Slipper, Kepu, Simmons, Hooper, Foley, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Kuridrani, Folau
4 - Simmons, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Hooper, Phipps
Edit: Qwerty beat me to it!
Dumbledore
Dick Tooth (41)
Hopefully Jones makes the bench at least. Will have been a complete waste bringing him on tour otherwise.
hammertimethere
Trevor Allan (34)
Good side, we should probably assume that Higgers is either not yet ready or was touch and go for this week and is being held back for the Ireland game.
Reserves not named indicates that Cheik is still deciding how to approach that end of things, with a developmental focus, a tactical focus or a mix.
If he decides to use the French test (what appears on paper to be our easiest of the next 3 games) to give one or two opportunities to guys with potential then I'd say we'd be looking at
16. Hanson
17. Faulkner
18. Alexander (because who else?)
19. Skelton
20. Jones (McMahon adequately covers 7)
21. Genia
22. Cooper
23. Speight
If he is looking to take a more moderate approach to the bench I'd say we might see
16. Hanson
17. Robinson
18. Alexander
19. Skelton
20. Carter
21. Genia
22. Cooper
23. Horne
He may even include Hodgson at the expense of Carter (which I think he might) or Cooper in a 6/2.
Backline for now looks settled and threatening
Reserves not named indicates that Cheik is still deciding how to approach that end of things, with a developmental focus, a tactical focus or a mix.
If he decides to use the French test (what appears on paper to be our easiest of the next 3 games) to give one or two opportunities to guys with potential then I'd say we'd be looking at
16. Hanson
17. Faulkner
18. Alexander (because who else?)
19. Skelton
20. Jones (McMahon adequately covers 7)
21. Genia
22. Cooper
23. Speight
If he is looking to take a more moderate approach to the bench I'd say we might see
16. Hanson
17. Robinson
18. Alexander
19. Skelton
20. Carter
21. Genia
22. Cooper
23. Horne
He may even include Hodgson at the expense of Carter (which I think he might) or Cooper in a 6/2.
Backline for now looks settled and threatening
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
One of our best players for sure and let's hope he stays healthy and in form.
Our locks have been poor and Carter has disappointed me after his fine debut.
Who would have thought not long ago that our starting props would be better than our starting locks?
And Simmo, who is retained, gave up another bonehead penalty last week - you could see it before the ref blew his whistle. It's just as well that he is the lineout sergeant otherwise he may have been dropped.
They have to get early up into the guts of a maul as it starts and paw their way through, not do the Australian crawl around the edges. If they circle they are virtually telling the referee that they want to be penalised, because they make it easy for him to spot them; yet they put a hurt look on their faces for the TV cameras when they are pinged.
Not that Horwill exudes massive confidence in that area - but Cheika knows he will be auditioning for the Top 14 coaches for future employment and will expect a fine performance.
If there's anything more than a left-footed kicker that Cheika will be looking for when Super Rugby starts next year, it will be fresh blood for the second row.
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chiraag
Larry Dwyer (12)
Good looking team. I like the return of Horwill - he seems to be returning to some form of late and has increased his workrate. Could definitely be having more impact, but the signs are positive.
Given this is our "easiest" game on tour, and the starting side is settled, I'd like to see a bench of:
16. Mann-Rea
17. Robbo
18. Faulkner
19. Jones
20. Hodgson
21. Genia
22. Godwin
23. Speight
Given this is our "easiest" game on tour, and the starting side is settled, I'd like to see a bench of:
16. Mann-Rea
17. Robbo
18. Faulkner
19. Jones
20. Hodgson
21. Genia
22. Godwin
23. Speight
McMahon the luckiest bloke in the squad after last week's showing.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
He didn't set the world on fire did he? Dropping him was easier but Cheika gave him a second chance.
Good for him.
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Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Same people said the same about Izzy. Hunt was better at league and better at AFL he maybe better at Union as well.
If all our players are fit and firing though I dont think he makes the starting 15. Could possiably Jarg a squad spot if he has a steller year
brokendown
Bill McLean (32)
hope Faulkner gets a decent run off the bench.ATM he has a test cap without packing down in a scrum!
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Seems like Horwill has got the run-on opprtunity (as predicted by yours truly). he has worked for it and got it because the "incumbant" Carter has just not locked down the spot with great performances.
I agree with the selection of McMahon. Whist his performance last week was not so good it would dent his confidence to get dropped this week. Kid is a great prospect - lets nurture him for another few games
I agree with the selection of McMahon. Whist his performance last week was not so good it would dent his confidence to get dropped this week. Kid is a great prospect - lets nurture him for another few games
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Who gives a flying F--K about who was the better Leaguie, or AFL player.
Izzy has gone pretty well at our game. Time and history will show if Hunt can do the same and as quickly
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