Ireland v Wallabies - Sunday 1 Dec, 2:10 AEDT

[LeCheese]

The big one.

My heart says the Wallabies by 1 in a generation-defining game. Don't ask me what my head says.

 

[dru]

We'll need to see where we are with the first choice 23, less Skelton and possibly JAS.

If Tupou and Feassler are back, if the second row returns to normal service and leaves the back row with Valetini, Wilson and McReight, if Gordon and Lolesio somehow correct the effectiveness of their kicking, if a changed centre partnering can stay solid probably with Ikitau back to 13, and if our outside backs return to normal service...

We are up against a tier 1, I note FP (I think) recent admonition of the Wallabies being tier 3. My heart says go for it, only two teams on the field.

If our depth is tested again, I'd suggest we are in trouble.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Hoping for the following vs Ireland;

- Tupou and Faessler back
- Williams and Frost Second Row
- McReight back
- Donaldson starting, Edmed on bench
- JAS ok to play
- Kellaway dropped
- Maybe give Tom Hooper a run as well instead of Lukhan.

 

[A mutterer]

I'd prefer the same packs that we had against England, and possibly the same back line.

 

[drewprint]

Yep this is where some of this planned (and forced) load management will hopefully help us. Fingers crossed Tupou, Slipper, Faessler, Williams, and JAS are good to go, along with the return of McReight. I reckon this is the big one that Schmidt has been priming them for. If these guys are fit then I reckon we are a punchers chance.

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

What I think they will do:
1. Bell
2. Faessler
3. TT
4. Frost
5. Williams
6. Valetini
7. McReight
8. Wilson
9. Gordon
10. Lolesio
11. Potter
12. Ikitau
13. JAS
14. Kellaway
15. Wright
16. BPA
17. Slipper
18. AAA
19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Gleeson
21. McDermott
22. Donaldson
23. Jorgensen

I would prefer to see Donaldson at 10 and Edmed 22.

 

[Pfitzy]

Put Edmed in. We need more ranga power against Ireland

 

[Joe Blow]

Hoping for the following vs Ireland;

- Tupou and Faessler back
- Williams and Frost Second Row
- McReight back
- Donaldson starting, Edmed on bench
- JAS ok to play
- Kellaway dropped
- Maybe give Tom Hooper a run as well instead of Lukhan.

You drop Kellaway after a so so performance on the back of being one of our best on tour. Might have to drop about 12 of last weeks starting 15?

 

[Tomthumb]

You drop Kellaway after a so so performance on the back of being one of our best on tour. Might have to drop about 12 of last weeks starting 15?

I wouldn't drop Kellaway, but missing 7 tackles is hardly just a "so-so" performance

 

[Strewthcobber]

Sua'ali'i has been cleared of a broken arm, and still a chance to play this weekend

 

[Dctarget]

Sua'ali'i has been cleared of a broken arm, and still a chance to play this weekend

Surely just let him rest, we've been burned before with overplaying young injured players.

 

[Tomthumb]

Surely just let him rest, we've been burned before with overplaying young injured players.

Yeah but if he's fit you really need to give him the experience. He's only had 3 professional rugby games and the Lions are just around the corner

 

[drewprint]

Surely just let him rest, we've been burned before with overplaying young injured players.

I think we need to go hard at this final match. A lot to gain from a really strong performance (with a win being incredible of course). If possible, injury recovery dependant, we play JAS.

 

[rugbyAU]

Assuming JAS and Faessler out:

1 - Bell
2 - BPA
3 - AA
4 - Frost
5 - Williams
6 - Valetini
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson
9 - Gordon
10 - Lolesio
11 - Jorgensen
12 - Ikitau
13 - Flook
14 - Kellaway
15 - Wright
16 - Nasser
17 - Kailea
18 - TT
19 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Edmed
23 - Potter

 

[Derpus]

I wouldn't drop Kellaway, but missing 7 tackles is hardly just a "so-so" performance

It's almost like he's not a centre.

 

[Derpus]

I reckon Ireland will just out kick us into oblivion.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think we need to go hard at this final match. A lot to gain from a really strong performance (with a win being incredible of course). If possible, injury recovery dependant, we play JAS.

Yep, best side picked and balls to the wall. There is a rest period after this game so throw the kitchen sink at them.

 

[Tomthumb]

It's almost like he's not a centre.

He is a professional rugby player though. Moving in one spot should not render a man hopeless in 50% of the game

He's played center before. People acting like he was asked to walk on the moon or build the pyramids

 

[Derpus]

He is a professional rugby player though. Moving in one spot should not render a man hopeless in 50% of the game

He's played center before. People acting like he was asked to walk on the moon or build the pyramids

I mean it's well known its the hardest position defensively and this is the pinnacle of the game. I'm not even remotely surprised a winger and part-time fullback got exploited at centre.

Sure he played there for the Rebels but he was bad at it. Says more about the Rebels.

 

[Slim 293]

Kellaway is hardly new to outside centre, and I've forgotten which game it was a couple of years ago he had to fill in there for the Wallabies and defended excellently...