RWC Pool D: Wallabies v Fiji, Sat 21st September, 2.45pm AEST, Sapporo Dome
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Australia to get it done unconvincingly by 11 points.
But how bloody exciting is this, 10 days to go. 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. We’ll get there.
But how bloody exciting is this, 10 days to go. 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. We’ll get there.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
I can relate. Although I must say, the fact that the game schedule fits so brilliantly with our time zone means I'm going to need to do a lot less explaining than during the last world cup.
In terms of a pick, Australia are traditionally slow starters so I think the first 30 minutes of this game will be key. Let in a couple of early tries and Fiji will get their tails up and the crowd behind them and we could struggle. Start well and we should be able to control the game. I'd play a set piece territory game early, kick to the corners, pressure them at lineout and scrum and take the crowd out of it a bit.
The bookies have Fiji at 6 to 1 and I think that's about right. capable of an upset and the game should be close but we'd have to play pretty poorly to lose. might put a sneaky $50 on fiji just to take the edge off the severe pain if we somehow lost. I remember putting $200 on England to beat the Wallabies in the 2011 quarters at 5.30-1. I went immediately to the strip club for a well earned shoulder to cry on.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I would actually much prefer a timezone similar to the previous RWC.........
Being able to watch pool games undisturbed from 11pm onwards with beers and snacks was great.........
I'm going to have to try and avoid the results and watch most of the matches on delay that night.
Being able to watch pool games undisturbed from 11pm onwards with beers and snacks was great.........
I'm going to have to try and avoid the results and watch most of the matches on delay that night.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I recall going to a pub at 2am to watch a game for them to say "sorry it's against our licence to serve alcohol past 1am - but there's no rule against us giving it away for free!" so we all got free jugs of beer !!
Actually I think that was the Brumbies semi-final in South Africa but I'd expect the same treatment or better for the wallabies!
Don't think we'll be getting any freebies in prime time and large crowds
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Hate to be that guy, but man, so illegalI recall going to a pub at 2am to watch a game for them to say "sorry it's against our licence to serve alcohol past 1am - but there's no rule against us giving it away for free!" so we all got free jugs of beer !!
Actually I think that was the Brumbies semi-final in South Africa but I'd expect the same treatment or better for the wallabies!
Don't think we'll be getting any freebies in prime time and large crowds
Silverado
Dick Tooth (41)
Everything fun is illegal now
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Only if you get caughtEverything fun is illegal now
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Couldn't agree more Dc!
Fortunately after a few years of marriage Mrs Dan54 knows exactly what goes on in World Cup, she knows I am available for talk etc outside of any game being on, but I also add she gets told she still only in trail period of relationship, we still got almost 4 years to go before we been married 50 years and I decide she can stay be a keeper, so there can be no argument!! actually she has learnt to be pretty keen on rugby (not sure who taught her), and will no doubt be watching all AB games and most Wallaby ones too.
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
Sounds like you've trained her well in the dark arts of RWC viewing!
I'm so stoked about the timezone. I'll add this to the general thread too, but go through this link to save EVERY FUCKING MATCH into your phone/computer calendar, complete with alerts and reminders.
https://rugbyworldcup.calreplyapp.com/global/schedule
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Ah this is my partner's first RWC cycle, hopefully first of many. Long way to go before she's watching it with me though.
So we're two days out from the first team being named. A Fox Sports article today predicts Dempsey at 6 and Genia and Foley in the halves. I think Dempsey is more likely than the others although I still don't think it will happen. I'll be very surprised if Genia and Foley start. Neither played well against Samoa and I can't see White and Leali'ifano being squeezed out without anything happening on the field.
My prediction is business as usual:
1. Sio
2. Latu
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Arnold
5. Rodda
6. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
7. Hooper (c)
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. Leali'ifano
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. JOC (James O'Connor)
14. Hodge
15. Beale
16. Fainga'a 17. Slipper 18. Tupou 19. Coleman 20. Pocock 21. Genia 22. To'omua 23. DHP
My prediction is business as usual:
1. Sio
2. Latu
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Arnold
5. Rodda
6. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
7. Hooper (c)
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. Leali'ifano
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. JOC (James O'Connor)
14. Hodge
15. Beale
16. Fainga'a 17. Slipper 18. Tupou 19. Coleman 20. Pocock 21. Genia 22. To'omua 23. DHP
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
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."
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Still not 100% apparently. All other players are fully fit including Poey (who a one S. Warbuton just said is better than McCaw, way to set the cat amongst the pigeons).
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Yeah and nah.
We aren't going to send the B team out but a few marginal selections won't surprise against Fiji. Wales a week later is when we will truly test the A team. The media have been surprisingly on song this year when they've pre-empted the side that will be selected. I haven't seen the context of the article though.
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.