RC - Wallabies vs Springboks, Gold Coast Sunday 12 September 8:05 PM

[fatprop]

It's not that surprising if QC (Quade Cooper) is in and Hodge replaces Banks.

Hodge is not a Test 10, he is a better fullback and there seems to be more upside to Lolesio than Banks.

What has happened to O'Connor?

 

[KOB1987]

What has happened to O'Connor?

Doran's article said that he is fit but was overlooked because he'd been away from the team for 1 month and hadn't played for 3. Chance he's on the bench though.

 

[fatprop]

Doran's article said that he is fit but was overlooked because he'd been away from the team for 1 month and hadn't played for 3. Chance he's on the bench though.

At least he can tackle

 

[cyclopath]

So many untruths in this sentence.

For starters, I've never even been to Queensland.

Except by VPN?

 

[Teh Other Dave]

Quade & DP were installed into the squad by virtue of already being in Queensland

That's a massive deviation from the status quo

 

[John S]

Two years out from a Rugby World Cup, the Cooper pick looks like a short-term fix with a side serving of ‘fingers crossed’.

In like Finn: Did Scottish maverick pave the way for Cooper’s Wallabies return?

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie - and director of rugby Scott Johnson - would know all about Finn Russell, and it’s safe to assume his performance against the Springboks was not missed.

www.smh.com.au

Interesting comment from Paul Cully. Can't say I totally disagree

 

[dru]

Kerevi taking the heavy load from a Quade delivery, Koroibete off his hip, Kellaway primed to chase the kick pass. Tate taking them on around the ruck or White bullying the pigs and boxing over any overcommitted Bok D.

Get the balance right and it gives something to look forward to on Sunday. With a bit of luck any lost ball is likely to be handed back pretty quickly.

Or of course, it could be the rugby wind-up of the year!

 

[Bullrush]

What has happened to O'Connor?

QC (Quade Cooper)/Lolesio, Kerevi, JOC (James O'Connor) would be a pretty good backline.

 

[eastman]

Quade & DP were installed into the squad by virtue of already being in Queensland, there's more than a bit of a Covid influence here. So the mantra of always selecting your best team for test matches, became select your best team that's from players who are in Queensland. I suspect that Rennie is regretting not at least keeping another up and coming 10 in the squad, whether that's Harrison or Gordon or someone else. There isn't much downside from doing that, it's all development and experience. However, I agree, Hodge did the job last year and should have been given another shot, although it sounds like Banks is being punted too, so maybe he is filling that role. And the media could be wrong, that's never happened before right?

Maybe Rennie sees Hodge at training everyday and doesn't think much of him as a flyhalf?

 

[Rob42]

Wow not only a worse rugby player but also an unpatriotic coward!

In like Finn: Did Scottish maverick pave the way for Cooper’s Wallabies return?

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie - and director of rugby Scott Johnson - would know all about Finn Russell, and it’s safe to assume his performance against the Springboks was not missed.

www.smh.com.au

Interesting comment from Paul Cully. Can't say I totally disagree

Yes, Cully's compulsory reading for insights like this. That Lions test instantly changed when Russell came on. But can Quade still deliver that kind of impact?

 

[Derpus]

When is the team announced? the SA team was announced almost a day ago...

 

[eastman]

Yes, Cully's compulsory reading for insights like this. That Lions test instantly changed when Russell came on. But can Quade still deliver that kind of impact?

I like Cully - he's considered and genuinely seems to 'get' rugby - but he seems to change his opinion fortnightly.

 

[KOB1987]

When is the team announced? the SA team was announced almost a day ago.

almost 2 days ago in fact. 12.45 I believe

 

[Tomikin]

Has the team been named ?

 

[KOB1987]

1. Angus Bell (8 Tests)

2. Folau Fainga’a (17 Tests)

3. Allan Ala'alatoa (49 Tests)

4. Izack Rodda (26 Tests)

5. Matt Philip (15 Tests)

6. Lachlan Swinton (4 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (c) (111 Tests)

8. Rob Valetini (10 Tests)

9. Tate McDermott (8 Tests)

10. Quade Cooper (70 Tests)

11. Marika Koroibete (39 Tests)

12. Samu Kerevi (34 Tests)

13. Len Ikitau (5 Tests)

14. Andrew Kellaway (5 Tests)

15. Tom Banks (17 Tests)

Replacements

16. Feleti Kaitu’u*

17. James Slipper (106 Tests)

18. Taniela Tupou (31 Tests)

19. Rob Leota*

20. Pete Samu (11 Tests)

21. Nic White (38 Tests)

22. Reece Hodge (49 Tests)

23. Jordan Petaia (10 Tests)

 

[KOB1987]

Leota & Kaitu'u debut.

Don't get the Tupou on the bench thing. Fuck the other fullback options must have gone poorly at training.

 

[KOB1987]

Maybe Rennie sees Hodge at training everyday and doesn't think much of him as a flyhalf?

Only as a back up one by the looks of it.

 

[Derpus]

Isn't Leota a loose forward?

Gotta say, not that impressed. Definitely over the Valetini & Swinton combo. Where the hell is Wilson?

I am excited to see Kaitu'u get a cap though.

 

[KOB1987]

Isn't Leota a loose forward?

Gotta say, not that impressed. Definitely over the Valetini & Swinton combo. Where the hell is Wilson?

I am excited to see Kaitu'u get a cap though.

4/5/6 Leota.

I don't mind the 'building combinations' thing as long as they work or at least show some promise. Swinton/Valetini doesn't and neither does Banks/anyone.

 

[Ignoto]

15. Tom Banks (17 Tests)