RWC: AUS v URU (Villa Park, Birmingham): POOL A; 9pm (AEST) Sunday 27 September
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Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Guys you CAN'T pick in the 23 for next weekend based on performance:
Palu
Tomane
Smith
Skelton, and not because of his injury
Borderline:
Quade is a big decision - not only because of what he brings, but what the exclusion of others involves.
Beale - this is part of the equation above, because late in the game he brings much the same things as QC (Quade Cooper).
Guys I'd take on the bench:
McCalman
Mumm
The rest of it is up to Cheika and how he best thinks he can beat England.
Palu
Tomane
Smith
Skelton, and not because of his injury
Borderline:
Quade is a big decision - not only because of what he brings, but what the exclusion of others involves.
Beale - this is part of the equation above, because late in the game he brings much the same things as QC (Quade Cooper).
Guys I'd take on the bench:
McCalman
Mumm
The rest of it is up to Cheika and how he best thinks he can beat England.
ChargerWA
Mark Loane (55)
Does anyone know Qwertys family? I think it's time for an intervention.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
Good hit out. Pretty sloppy performance but the result is what we wanted. Scored lots of tries and didn't let any in. That's probably the main positive.
Other than that its hard to take much away from this performance given that the majority of our starting players were rested.
I thought drew mitchell was impressive. As the game wore on he seemed to be really finding his feet. He was finding gaps and was really solid in contact, lots of tackle busts. For mine he's earned a starting spot next week.
McCalman and McMahon were also good. If Cheika wants an extra backrower on the bench next week I'd be happy with either.
The only downside was Skelton's injury. Hard to say how serious it is. If he's not available that opens up a spot on the bench. I'd go with McCalman. If it's a long term injury I'd bring Horwill straight into the squad and onto the bench for the England game.
TPN must be pushing Moore too. His scrummaging strength would be very handy to have on the field next week.
Other than that its hard to take much away from this performance given that the majority of our starting players were rested.
I thought drew mitchell was impressive. As the game wore on he seemed to be really finding his feet. He was finding gaps and was really solid in contact, lots of tackle busts. For mine he's earned a starting spot next week.
McCalman and McMahon were also good. If Cheika wants an extra backrower on the bench next week I'd be happy with either.
The only downside was Skelton's injury. Hard to say how serious it is. If he's not available that opens up a spot on the bench. I'd go with McCalman. If it's a long term injury I'd bring Horwill straight into the squad and onto the bench for the England game.
TPN must be pushing Moore too. His scrummaging strength would be very handy to have on the field next week.
I think this is an overreaction.
Cooper definitely had a good second half although his goal kicking was generally poor throughout.
He won't force his way into the 23 for the England game on that performance but I think his good second half balanced out an average first half.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I don't think anyone has played there way into the A team with the exception of McCalman being promoted to the bench............
Phipps/To'omua/Beale will remain as our backline options.
Edit: Based on that second half Mitchell could be selected on the left wing because he can somewhat kick a ball..........
Phipps/To'omua/Beale will remain as our backline options.
Edit: Based on that second half Mitchell could be selected on the left wing because he can somewhat kick a ball..........
Pedrolicus
Dick Tooth (41)
I'm really struggling to understand how serious people are being in this thread.
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Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
We can only have one of these two on the bench. I suspect Cheika will go with Beale if he goes for either. Much depends on the split of the bench and who else is there.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Yeah that is a fairly decent assessment of proceedings.
Bench Forwards are decided:
TPN, Sio, Holmes, Mumm, McCalman (McMahon unlucky)
Bench backs as you say, BUT:
What if Cheika decides to go 6/2 on the bench and include Skelton/McMahon?
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Surely McMahon has made a better case than McCalman?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
You reckon Slipper will be promoted for England?
I wouldn't be surprised as Sio was forced to backup today..............
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I'm kind of thinking experience will count for a lot against Cole, and - let's face it - Poite.
This is the biggest threat to our chances next week: Poite being a cockstack at scrum time and handing the Poms lots of kickable penalties.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Scratch that, just remembered Skelton's gone. McCalman for the bench.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
I'd be surprised. Simmons and Douglas are both 80-minute players. We need one lock on the bench.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Maybe not gone through injury, either. Effectiveness limited, and Poms won't be scared of monstrous brown people as they're packing a few of their own.
Benaud
Tom Lawton (22)
McMahon and McCalman were excellent. That's gunna be a tough battle for one bench spot. Beale was probably 3rd pick.
Not sure anyone did enough to force a starting berth. Mitchell for Horne maybe - depends how much risk you want to take. Offers a lot more in attack than Horne but it often backfires. To'omua was quiet and seems to do better running hard at tired players late. Cooper did some exceptional things that only he can, but overall very inconsistent. Phipps solid if a bit quiet.
Decent enough hit out for the second division.
Not sure anyone did enough to force a starting berth. Mitchell for Horne maybe - depends how much risk you want to take. Offers a lot more in attack than Horne but it often backfires. To'omua was quiet and seems to do better running hard at tired players late. Cooper did some exceptional things that only he can, but overall very inconsistent. Phipps solid if a bit quiet.
Decent enough hit out for the second division.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
I think we can. McMahon plays 6, 7 and and 8 perfectly well. He loses nothing from anyone else in physicality. The only deficit is height.
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