RWC Pool D: Wallabies v Fiji, Sat 21st September, 2.45pm AEST, Sapporo Dome

[Dctarget]

Also that article isn't the journalists observing anything at training, rather their own assumptions from past games.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I’ve already had the precautionary “talk” with the partner about my behaviour and availability over the next month. She understands the importance of the big matches, but she’s a bit slow to understand why Italy v Namibia & Georgia v Uruguay are non negotiable.

"Look, over the last 4 years I have worked too hard to throw it all away by failing to adequately scout potential banana skin teams that could theoretically impede the progress of Australia towards World Cup glory. Therefore it is CRUCIAL that I thoroughly scout ANY and ALL potential rivals....."

"But those crappy teams aren't even in Australia's group you dickh....."

"WOMAN! What happens if a tornado hits and after a couple of defaulted nil-all draws Australia find themselves pitted against an unknown quality such as Somalia? And if my dossier of scouting reports is ill-prepared then where does that leave me? WHERE? This isn't some fly by night/flying by the seat of my pants operation. I need to be throughly prepared for all eventualities and that includes losing to Laos."

"God, you are a

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I read the article and agree with some of the points but I think it is a big risk if you play a different halves combination against Fiji (eg Genia and Foley) with the intention of playing White/Lilo a week later. I think they would potentially be too rusty as it will have been a fair while between games.

Also Pocock needs to start. We might lose 2 lineouts having him in the side but he would get 3 turnovers more than anyone else so it is a net gain.

 

[Braveheart81]

Also Pocock needs to start. We might lose 2 lineouts having him in the side but he would get 3 turnovers more than anyone else so it is a net gain.

He didn't against Samoa. I think he had one.

I'll be surprised if we're reverting to the Pooper. It doesn't seem likely given we now have a good number 8 and better backrow alternatives in general.

 

[John S]

Last world cup was great. Our daughter was just born, so I had good reason to "get up and settle her" - there was rugby on. And I had dad leave, so didn't need to worry about going into work.

This time around, will need to organise time to watch and look after the kids at the same time, keeping our No. 2 child away from anything important, like the remote/power/hot things/heavy things etc.

 

[Dan54]

Haha, "trail period" sounds even rougher than "trial period."

"Don't walk ahead of me, woman. And for God's sake, bow your head when you speak."

Geez do some women actually walk ahead of their men?? Geez next you will be telling me they are allowed to decide who to vote for!!!!

 

[Dctarget]

Last world cup was great. Our daughter was just born, so I had good reason to "get up and settle her" - there was rugby on. And I had dad leave, so didn't need to worry about going into work.

This time around, will need to organise time to watch and look after the kids at the same time, keeping our No. 2 child away from anything important, like the remote/power/hot things/heavy things etc.

Lesson I'm taking from this is my future kids will be born a few months ahead of RWCs, 4 years apart. Genius.

 

[John S]

Lesson I'm taking from this is my future kids will be born a few months ahead of RWCs, 4 years apart. Genius.

Yep, was good having one born right on RWC. No 2 child born 17 months ago, so he dudded out, broke the rule

 

[KOB1987]

This is the article.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/...i/news-story/a078c3d6d48167e5a6ea3035e164582d

Like my posts in this thread, I think the article was largely written out of boredom and needing to produce content in the couple of days where this is little to report (but lots of interest).

I agree that a few tinkering changes from what might be the A team are quite possible. I certainly don't think that will be in the halves though. I expect whoever starts there against Fiji will be the planned pairing for Wales and I think that will be White and Lilo.

Dempsey starting at 6, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) the reserve lock and Pocock the reserve backrower seems like the most likely selection option if it isn't sticking as closely as possible to the team that played NZ twice.

Yes, now that I've seen the article it isn't the 'this is the team' type one that we saw during the RC/Bledisloe, it's Doran's thoughts on what he thinks it will be. But maybe he has some intel. I'll be surprised if it's the exact XV that played in the Bledisloes, but I also won't be surprised if it is, if that makes sense! I agree that Dempsey starting won't surprise, we all presume that the intention was to start Genia/Foley in Bled 2. That combo started v Samoa and didn't set the world alight, but Bernard also didn't go as bad as Lilo did in Bled 2. So there's still some tinkering possible and as DCT says we don't know what's going on at training.

We will know this time on Thursday, pretty exciting really! How good are RWC's

 

[Braveheart81]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...ml?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

That's cool. I didn't realise Latu and Fainga'a were second cousins.

 

[BDA]

I'll be surprised if we're reverting to the Pooper. It doesn't seem likely given we now have a good number 8 and better backrow alternatives in general.

I don't think we will for the big games, but I could see a really good case for starting the Pooper in this game for a few reasons.
1. It's a good opportunity to give Pocock close to 80 minutes before the Wales game; and
2. The top echelon teams certainly have more tools in their Arsenal to combat the Pooper, but from everything I can see (and to be honest I might be underestimating Fiji's capability) as brilliant as Fiji are on the front foot, they seem still relatively one dimensional in that they will rely on quick ruck ball and inaccurate tackling to win this game. Bringing Pocock on the field makes quick ruck ball harder and gives you a tougher defensive line to crack.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think we will for the big games, but I could see a really good case for starting the Pooper in this game for a few reasons.
1. It's a good opportunity to give Pocock close to 80 minutes before the Wales game; and
2. The top echelon teams certainly have more tools in their Arsenal to combat the Pooper, but from everything I can see (and to be honest I might be underestimating Fiji's capability) as brilliant as Fiji are on the front foot, they seem still relatively one dimensional in that they will rely on quick ruck ball and inaccurate tackling to win this game. Bringing Pocock on the field makes quick ruck ball harder and gives you a tougher defensive line to crack.

Yeah, I agree with all that. Definitely a solid option to give Pocock most of a game playing the Pooper against Fiji even if the plan is for Pocock to be on the bench the following week against Wales.

 

[Scoey]

Last world cup was great. Our daughter was just born, so I had good reason to "get up and settle her" - there was rugby on. And I had dad leave, so didn't need to worry about going into work.

This time around, will need to organise time to watch and look after the kids at the same time, keeping our No. 2 child away from anything important, like the remote/power/hot things/heavy things etc.

My wife and I are expecting our 3rd child in 2 to 3 weeks (possibly sooner, who really knows with this stuff). I've always fulfilled the "sit up with the new one to settle them" role as lets face it, in the early weeks when they only really need that and feeding, I'm no good for the other. So I'll be going on 6 weeks leave in 2 weeks time and will be recording as many games as the shitty old MyStar (old regional version of Foxtel) box will allow so my night time viewing will be sweet!

 

[Dctarget]

Can we expect an announcement tomorrow?

 

[Braveheart81]

Can we expect an announcement tomorrow?

Yes. It will be tomorrow, most likely late morning after their training session.

 

[Viking]

If they play the Pooper and Pocock has a blinder, easily outplaying Hooper - which I predict would happen.
Then what happens? Cheika won't drop Hooper - which means he'll likely stick with the Pooper for the big games.

I'd rather Pocock/Hooper come from the bench. With the coach we have it's gunna be Pocock from the bench. Which in my view isn't as good as Hooper from the bench but still better then starting with the Pooper against Wales or into the QF's.

 

[fatprop]

If they play the Pooper and Pocock has a blinder, easily outplaying Hooper - which I predict would happen.
Then what happens? Cheika won't drop Hooper - which means he'll likely stick with the Pooper for the big games.

I'd rather Pocock/Hooper come from the bench. With the coach we have it's gunna be Pocock from the bench. Which in my view isn't as good as Hooper from the bench but still better then starting with the Pooper against Wales or into the QF's.

I think both will play solid minutes and contribute well to our wins and losses

 

[Braveheart81]

If they play the Pooper and Pocock has a blinder, easily outplaying Hooper - which I predict would happen.

I love this rationale.

Pocock has a solid game against Samoa without doing anything overly flashy. Hooper was comfortably the best 7 in the Rugby Championship and topped a lot of statistical metrics yet the perception exists (and you're clearly not alone) that Hooper is going to be poor for the Wallabies.

 

[Derpus]

I love this rationale.

Pocock has a solid game against Samoa without doing anything overly flashy. Hooper was comfortably the best 7 in the Rugby Championship and topped a lot of statistical metrics yet the perception exists (and you're clearly not alone) that Hooper is going to be poor for the Wallabies.

Hooper is stuck with his reputation at this point.

Fortunately coaches see his quality.

 

[Braveheart81]

Fox Sports reporting that Hooper and Pocock will both start in the backrow with Naisarani, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) will be on the bench (not sure if as a lock or backrower).

Latu will start with Uelese on the bench.