RWC: AUS v URU (Villa Park, Birmingham): POOL A; 9pm (AEST) Sunday 27 September

[Braveheart81]

If Giteau is locked as the starter why isn't he kicking goals? Surely his % has been better then Foley's recently.

It could be a sign Foley is locked in but To'omua may start against England.

Hard to say. Maybe Foley's performance against the USA and then the way they've been kicking at training has pushed him ahead of Giteau.

 

[dru]

I see the 10/12 channel paired with 1x stable predictable and 1x playmaker. That way I don't see To'omua challenging Gitts, nor Cooper challenging Foley. Unless the pair changes. That's not to say that they might not challenge each other for the pine, depending on how Chieka/Larkham want to run the finishers to a particular game.

But I don't see QC (Quade Cooper) offering enough flexibility to be a finisher, it was tried and not solid.

Personally my A team for 9-10-12 would be exactly what we are expecting for URU. But in Cheika we trust!

Mitchell challenging for a starting A team wing? You betcha and I hope so.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Personally I think the only spot that is really up for grabs is between Horne and Mitchell. I tend to think Mitchell might start against England for his kicking. I don't think Speight is in the frame and I tend to think Tomane will be overlooked because his defence is far inferior to Horne and he doesn't have the kicking game of Mitchell.

Douglas needs to be more physically abrasive but I don't really see his position in danger. Everything went better when our starting locks were on the field than our finishing locks. Out of that though, I thought Skelton did a few good things in his time on the field. I don't see him taking a starting jersey though.

I think Giteau is pretty locked in as a starter. To'omua will remain on the bench.

With Fardy, Pocock and Hooper all being 80 minute players I think we'll continue to have two locks on the bench with Mumm or Fardy being the backup number 8 option.

I'd be surprised if Cooper gets the starting spot against England even if he has a blinder. I think Foley did enough and Cheika won't be disappointed by his performance.

Cheika and co have said multiple times that they've been training with these two XVs since before the USA test. I don't think selection decisions are as open as some people may suggest or wish. It seems that mostly those thinking that is the case do so because they want someone who isn't in the team to be there in place of someone who already is.

And conversely, those who think there will be no/little change probably do so because they favour someone already there over an alternative who might be playing better rugby.

IMO, players like Phipps, Cooper, To'omua, Mitchell, Speight all have an opportunity to show they are in better form than their counterparts who started against Fiji.

I also disagree about Big Will having some good touches when he came on. According to Forcefield, he was involved in two rucks only and one or both was/were ineffectual. He didn't make any damaging runs with the ball, I think averaging 1m per run, and he didn't put any supports away. What exactly did he do? I would really like to see him live up to his promise and hype because atm our lock stocks are very thin on the ground and none of those over there are really top notch.

 

[KOB1987]

I think where Braveheart is coming from is the whole reason for the makeup of the squad is so that the England starters don't have to also start against Uruguay. So anyone that starts against Uruguay is unlikely to be promoted for next weekend. Obviously that is subject to injuries. He wasn't inferring any favourtism to the incumbents.

 

[qwerty51]

If Giteau is locked as the starter why isn't he kicking goals? Surely his % has been better then Foley's recently.

It could be a sign Foley is locked in but To'omua may start against England.

He missed one from in front during the RWC and has little range. Frankly I'm not willing to trust Giteau's kicking again, especially against England.

 

[Hawko]

I think where Braveheart is coming from is the whole reason for the makeup of the squad is so that the England starters don't have to also start against Uruguay. So anyone that starts against Uruguay is unlikely to be promoted for next weekend. Obviously that is subject to injuries. He wasn't inferring any favourtism to the incumbents.

Agree when we are talking 1-10 but the fatigue factor for backs 11+ should allow them to play two matches in six days. I reckon Mitchell is a real chance of starting vs England, with Horne coming back against Wales.

 

[KOB1987]

Agree when we are talking 1-10 but the fatigue factor for backs 11+ should allow them to play two matches in six days. I reckon Mitchell is a real chance of starting vs England, with Horne coming back against Wales.

In principle I agree but if that was the internal thinking then there would be one less winger and one more J Hanson in the squad. Mitchell may well be starting v England but if that's the case I think we'll see Horne named tonight for the Uruguay game.

 

[swingpass]

It's a shame McMeniman's time is over. I'd like to have seen a McMeniman, McMahon, McCalman backrow.

We need a genuine 7, McCutcheon can play 7 while McMenimen goes to lock.

if we add McDuling in the second row

we nearly have Big Mac Pack

 

[qwerty51]

Well let's get this going then

1.
2. McInerney
3.
4. McDuling
5. McMeniman
6. McMahon
7. McCutcheon
8. McCalman
9. McKibbin
10. McIntyre
12. McDougall
13. McCabe
14. McKenzie

Coaches: McKenzie, McIssac and McGahan

Recent Aus players only.

 

[KOB1987]

Current Aus players only.

Bugger, Duncan McRae was a shoe in for the 12 jersey

And I had Ronald McDonald penciled in on one wing purely for entertainment value, work kit and all.

 

[swingpass]

Well let's get this going then

1.
2.
3.
4. McDuling
5. McMeniman
6. McMahon
7. McCutcheon
8. McCalman
9. McKibbin

Coach: McKenzie

Current Aus players only.

10 Jordan McGregor (Stars)
12 Michael McDougal (Rams)

there must be a McDonald or two playing somewhere

 

[KOB1987]

The team has to be in by 9pm so I'm taking a punt it will be announced during Rugby HQ. So I'm settling in to that now!

(the Wallabies that is, not the McWallabies!)

 

[KOB1987]

Ours can't be far away

 

[Mr Doug]

Captain Quade?!

 

[KOB1987]

Captain Quade?!

McCalman for mine

 

[Mr Doug]

Love that Uruguay #7 M(ore) Beer!

 

[qwerty51]

Surely Mumm is the favourite to captain.

 

[Mr Doug]

C'mon Cheika, where's this bloody team?!

 

[Mr Doug]

Surely Mumm is the favourite to captain.

Maybe it will be Two-Dads?

 

[qwerty51]

Maybe it will be Two-Dads?

From the bench?