RWC Pool D - Wallabies vs Wales - Sunday 29 September 2019 @ 5.45pm

[VassMan]

So they looked at those options. and picked the best one, Jordy.

That generally how selection process goes.

I'm definitely with you on Jordan Petaia being selected in the squad, really hoping he carves up in next two pool games and takes the starting spot in knockouts. But my personal preference would have been for Speight, Naivalu or Maddocks on the wing over Hodge, DHP or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[Sully]

I suppose there are two main decisions that have been made, and I see the logic behind both.

Once you determine Beale can't catch a high ball (and there is enough evidence to suggest that this is the case), then benching him against Wales is a prudent strategy. So DHP comes in, and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is quite literally the only winger we have left.

It's not an ideal scenario, but I think the strategy behind it is quite sound.

And once you determine Lilo is banged up (which is hard to tell from outside the camp), then putting Foley in his place is the only logical step.

I'm not entirely sold on Genia over White, given how good Nic was in Perth and the fact he's been decent enough since. But Genia is class so I can't argue too hard on that one.

The one thing I do like is our bench, with Beale arguably playing in his best position. If it's tight with 20 to play, we're in good position to make things happen in the late stages.

Hard to justify Hooper and Pocock starting again though.

 

[Sully]

I hope Jordan is half as good as the pedestal he's been put on. Talk about expectations.

 

[barbarian]

Hard to justify Hooper and Pocock starting again though.

Really? Both are world class players, and I reckon the Welsh would much rather face LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) than Pocock.

 

[Sully]

Really? Both are world class players, and I reckon the Welsh would much rather face LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) than Pocock.

Hooper was great first game but the pairing didn't really work.

 

[Dan54]

I would probably pick Foley ahead of CLL, I think quite often CLL is good, but I really believe Foley is CAPABLE of playing better at 10, he doen't always but the old risk and reward may come into play.
Have to agree with Barba on the back 3 , so not really too many surprises. It will depend a lot on the tighties a lot I think because the Taffs aren't too bad in that department.

 

[barbarian]

Hooper was great first game but the pairing didn't really work.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I thought it worked fine. We dominated the tight spaces around the field, and any dominance Fiji gained during the first 20-30 had very little to do with our backrow.

When Fiji began to tire, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) came on and played really well. I thought the tactics worked as well as they could have.

 

[fatprop]

I would probably pick Foley ahead of CLL, I think quite often CLL is good, but I really believe Foley is CAPABLE of playing better at 10, he doen't always but the old risk and reward may come into play.
Have to agree with Barba on the back 3 , so not really too many surprises. It will depend a lot on the tighties a lot I think because the Taffs aren't too bad in that department.

As it always does

 

[Adam84]

I'm not sure I agree with that. I thought it worked fine. We dominated the tight spaces around the field, and any dominance Fiji gained during the first 20-30 had very little to do with our backrow.

When Fiji began to tire, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) came on and played really well. I thought the tactics worked as well as they could have.

Really? Wallabies really struggled at the breakdown against Fiji, a team not renowned for their breakdown work and in an area Wallabies should have excelled with given two open side flankers in the lineup

 

[Spruce Moose]

Hooper was great first game but the pairing didn't really work.

Not sure who is the ref for this one, but think Pocock was unfairly targeted by BOK in the last one, who also had no interest in keeping the break down under control (as evident by Hooper just saying f*ck it in the 2nd half and coming in at a 90 degree angle). Both those guys will run hard into contact with the ball and tackle every welshman coming their way for 80 minutes. So happy to sacrifice a 4th Jumper in the line out for that.

 

[Derpus]

Really? Wallabies really struggled at the breakdown against Fiji, a team not renowned for their breakdown work and in an area Wallabies should have excelled with given two open side flankers in the lineup

Fijians got away with all sorts of nonsense at fuck time. Wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[dru]

I just read JOC (James O'Connor) cap 50 this weekend. Redemption James and sincere congrats.

Go well. No, go OUTSTANDING.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Fijians got away with all sorts of nonsense at fuck time. Wouldn't be too concerned.

Freudian slip?

 

[dru]

Really? Wallabies really struggled at the breakdown against Fiji, a team not renowned for their breakdown work and in an area Wallabies should have excelled with given two open side flankers in the lineup

Not just that, though. Agin Wales we could really use LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the line out.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

People are crying before they are hit, all the talk about the wingers, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a defensive strong man and its been quoted before by the wallabies and the Waratahs in 2014 that he is a key leader of that line. 3 world cups prior and finals each time doesn't get you no where. In Koroibete we have one of the world's in form wingers. Have faith in DHP returning to where he belongs if he starts in a Gold Jersey.

The Wallabies will cause headaches for a Welsh team who are all to happy to keep telling the world that they're crack hot (Justin Tipuric)

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been a steady performer and I am personally bit sick of all the grandpa comments as I doubt there would be much difference speed wise between DHP, Hodge and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He is 35 not 40. And AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is actually has a very good test record as a reliable performer and solid defender. Ok accept that a Pulu or Speight as specialist winger selected for the squad may have been a better selection, but squad selected long time ago and for me with Hodge out much prefer to see him on the wing then DHP who was pretty aweful in his last outing on the wing.

 

[dru]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been a steady performer and I am personally bit sick of all the grandpa comments as I doubt there would be much difference speed wise between DHP, Hodge and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He is 35 not 40. And AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is actually has a very good test record as a reliable performer and solid defender. Ok accept that a Pulu or Speight as specialist winger selected for the squad may have been a better selection, but squad selected long time ago and for me with Hodge out much prefer to see him on the wing then DHP who was pretty aweful in his last outing on the wing.

I’m happy with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). More than that, chuffed at his opportunity. Show them what experience means, bloke.

Wallabies by 12.

 

[Up the Guts]

Not just that, though. Agin Wales we could really use LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the line out.

Yep, I'm far more concerned about the lineout than I am about lineball decisions about whether to pick a battered Lilo vs a rested Foley or whether or not Kurindrani would be a better substitute winger than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[dru]

Yep, I'm far more concerned about the lineout than I am about lineball decisions about whether to pick a battered Lilo vs a rested Foley or whether or not Kurindrani would be a better substitute winger than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

I’d add the starting hooker to this convo, but let’s presume training has him ace-ing his throws (and his work around the field is fab).

 

[Adam84]

Not just that, though. Agin Wales we could really use LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the line out.

This...

Isi Naisarani is a poor lineout option, meaning wallabies are going in with only 2 primary jumpers... absolutely ridiculous, it’s offensive Cheika thinks that it’s a suitable option. Didn’t work last week against a team without a lineout, won’t work this week against a team with a lineout.

 

[dru]

This.

Isi Naisarani is a poor lineout option, meaning wallabies are going in with only 2 primary jumpers. absolutely ridiculous, it’s offensive Cheika thinks that it’s a suitable option. Didn’t work last week against a team without a lineout, won’t work this week against a team with a lineout.

Just yep.