RWC: Pool C - Wallabies v Fiji - Monday 18 Sep 2am AEST

[PhilClinton]

When do we get a team?

5.30pm Friday

 

[dusk]

I rate gorden over Donaldson as well but he is not kicking goals. And has missed kicks to touch, and missed tackles so just offering an opinion
I don’t think it will happen yet wither but jones had swung some pretty drastic changes after most games so would not be surprised to see anything atm

I would be highly surprised if Gordon is NOT training his goal-kicking.

 

[TSR]

I dunno. Georgia was a good game for Jones to give guys like Suli & Gleeson a run from the pine. I won’t be surprised if he doesn’t see them in his best 23 (or if he does).

 

[qwerty51]

Eddie is not doing much injury prep, we have such a favourable draw, 2 weeks before the QF (and the last match is Portugal which means 3 weeks since Wales) so we can play our best side 3 weeks in a row v Georgia, Fiji & Wales and then give our guys a big break.

Since we're young and inexperienced he wants his best XV to play together as much as possible here so I don't expect any non-injury changes to the XV for this match and against Wales.

However, we really haven't tested blokes in a position they might be required to play in case of injury. What if Hooper, McReight or Valetini get injured? The only other players who have started there this year (Holloway & M Hooper) aren't in the squad.

You'd assume Leota, Kemeny and Gleeson will be the backrow against Portugal but is that good prep for them in a QF?

Perese, Phillip & Jorgenson need to start getting minutes in case they're needed in the playoffs too.

This seems the perfect match to start Gleeson, either at 7 or 8. I'd start Phillip if Frost isn't right or at least have him on the bench. Perese and Jorgenson replacements if it's a 5:3 bench.

10 Gordon and 15 Donaldson is the plan for the big matches, no way that's changing here. Donaldson will start at 10 v Portugal.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'd be just as happy with Kellaway at 13 and Petaia in the 23 jersey. Maybe they could be mixed by playing alternate games.

 

[KOB1987]

Barring some shuffling on the bench I don't think we will see any unforced changes for the next 2 games. Philip or Frost to come in at 19, some well documented uncertainty around the front row make up, White/IFL @ 9/21 and Kellaway in for Vunilvalu.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, I say we run with the same starting XV (with the obvious need for a replacement at 9 - probably White) and bring a proper lock onto the bench and Kellaway to 23.

 

[qwerty51]

Players miss training all the time during the week, I know it's a World Cup but unless it's something serious we don't need an article every time a player misses training.

Oops. Looks like it is serious.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1702258103763579096

 

[Dctarget]

Oops. Looks like it is serious.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1702258103763579096

What’s the injury?

fuck that sucks. Really changes our team’s dynamic and chances. Slipper starts at tight head? Pone not back either…

 

[qwerty51]

Hamstring

 

[Goosestep]

Oops. Looks like it is serious.

dudes a beast , but super injury prone

 

[KOB1987]

We can navigate through the pool stages without Thor. There's a 2 week turnaround then between Portugal and the quarters, I can understand why they don't want to risk him. We need a second stringer to rip off a fingernail or something though so we can bring in some cover.

 

[qwerty51]

We can genuinely lose to Wales without Tupou although we've beat them before without him.

We have zero chance against England without him.

 

[KOB1987]

If we navigate through the pool stages successfully I doubt we will see England this RWC. Only chance could be in the final, you'd hope he'd be right by then. Regardless, I'm not factoring in England until we lose a game, but even then I'd back us to beat them.

 

[Slim 293]

Apparently Vunivalu is going to hang onto the 23 jersey…

 

[KOB1987]

There's a strong chance that all 7 of our Fijian heritage players are in the 23 for this game. I am OK with Suli being on the bench for this game but I'm assuming it wont be Lalakai at 22? Kellaway probably.

 

[rugbyAU]

If we navigate through the pool stages successfully I doubt we will see England this RWC. Only chance could be in the final, you'd hope he'd be right by then. Regardless, I'm not factoring in England until we lose a game, but even then I'd back us to beat them.

If Aus and England top Pool C & D, make it to a SF and lose to 2 of the Big 4, we'll play them in a 3rd place playoff

 

[rugbyAU]

So if we only have one THP what do we do??

Sources have told The Roar that Tupou is awaiting scans on his hamstring, but it can be revealed there are strong fears the world class prop could miss the rest of the pool stages with his injury likely to keep him sidelined for around three to four weeks.

- Also, doesn't sound like it's confirmed

 

[John S]

So if we only have one THP what do we do??

If he's gone for good, we swap him out for another THP, or if he'll be good in a few weeks we swap out someone who is just carrying bags, not likely to play for the replacement THP

 

[Derpus]

We are fucked. Do we have a fit tighthead besides Nongorr?

We might get away with it against the Fijians but definitely not the Welsh.