RWC QF 4 AUS v SCO (Twickenham) 19th Oct 0200 AEDT

[jollyswagman]

I don' think they'd play Hooper & McMahon together, it will be McCalman if they rest Poey.

Agreed KOB....you would start Fardy-McCalman-Hooper and McMahon would be on the bench covering all three in a pinch (assuming Poey is out for one reason or another as opposed to being "rested"). If all looks safe with 15 to go let the mad-dog out of the cage and rest the big-dog.

 

[jollyswagman]

Assuming Izzy is gone....what does the backline & bench look like then?

 

[Tahtrajic]

Assuming Izzy is gone..what does the backline & bench look like then?

Beale to start @ 15
Cooper on bench for Beale
Minimum changes from now on would be the way to go in my mind.

 

[qwerty51]

I think Tomane would find himself on the bench over Cooper given To'omua is already there.

 

[Joe Blow]

I think Tomane would find himself on the bench over Cooper given To'omua is already there.

Horne will probably be available.

 

[Viking]

Horne will probably be available.

But will he start or go to the bench? I think Mitchell was pretty good last night with a couple of nice block-busting runs, I'd prefer him on the wing.

 

[jollyswagman]

How the f**k can Horne pop his shoulder out and only miss one week? We got some magic Fijian leaves on tour?

 

[Joe Blow]

How the f**k can Horne pop his shoulder out and only miss one week? We got some magic Fijian leaves on tour?

If so then he should be replaced.....no?

 

[Braveheart81]

I thought the backline covered amazingly well with Horne's absence. Rod Kafer brought it up at one point in the commentary that Horne's omission resulted in wholesale changes to our defensive positioning.

Whilst the overall structure obviously remained the same, each player's role was one spot different to what they've been primarily used to in the previous games.

I tend to think Horne will be straight back into the starting side when and if they're confident that his shoulder is alright. There just might be an extra order of strapping tape placed this week. We managed to keep Pat McCabe sticky taped together in 2011 so I don't see why we can't do it this time around!

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Beale to start @ 15
Cooper on bench for Beale
Minimum changes from now on would be the way to go in my mind.

I doubt Cooper would be on the bench as does not offer the versatility as reserve back. He either starts at 10 (no chance of that now for this RWC unless Foley gets an injury) or out of 23.

Assuming Horne back from injury and starts. Michell would be better reserve back option as covers wing/fullback. To'omua covers 10/12. While Horne/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) could be switched to outside centre if injury etc requires it.

 

[Braveheart81]

If Beale starts because Folau is out the choice of who replaces him on the bench will come down to whether you are more looking for versatility or the ability to provide late spark. At the moment Beale is playing very well and providing both which is a huge asset to the side.

Cooper would provide more late spark but less versatility.

Mitchell more flexibility but less spark.

I'd have no issues bringing Cooper on in the last 15 minutes and having him notionally playing on the wing but acting as a potential first receiver/extra playmaker on attack. Ultimately this is what Beale has done against England and Wales.

 

[jollyswagman]

.....I'd have no issues bringing Cooper on in the last 15 minutes and having him notionally playing on the wing but acting as a potential first receiver/extra playmaker on attack. Ultimately this is what Beale has done against England and Wales.

Go wash your mouth out with soap BH......you of all people!!!!

 

[BDA]

Regarding selections for next week, you'd be tempted to rotate some of the forward pack but i think you have to treat each game like a world cup final. I'd keep changes to a minimum but i wouldn't be too concerned if Cheika started (for example) his bench front row, because we really lose no quality in my opinion.

Obviously if Pocock is 100% fit you have to play him, but i presume he'll be sitting this one out.

Re Folau I'll simply say this - he does seem to be going through a poor patch of form, which i assume is due to him carrying an injury. HOWEVER, even in his current form he's still more dangerous than most players on the field. He was uncharcteristically poor under the high ball but he still got us going forward on numerous occasions. If he's fit, as with Pocock, you play him. But again I suspect he'll need a week on the side line.

 

[the sabanator]

On an un-game-related point, does anyone know what (I think it is) ITV's commentary team make up will be for the remaining games? Personally I don't know I can back to Clarke, Kafe and Kearns after listening to Gordon Bray on Gem

 

[cyclopath]

Had this sent to me. Seems apt to help sharpen the focus!

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I'm actually with MHCS on resting Pocock & Izzy for Scotland.

Someone should ask Doug Howlett how saving starters for the semis works out oh shit yeah great idea

 

[Braveheart81]

Re Folau I'll simply say this - he does seem to be going through a poor patch of form, which i assume is due to him carrying an injury. HOWEVER, even in his current form he's still more dangerous than most players on the field. He was uncharcteristically poor under the high ball but he still got us going forward on numerous occasions. If he's fit, as with Pocock, you play him. But again I suspect he'll need a week on the side line.

I agree.

For everything he didn't do well he still made a couple of crucial defensive plays, created our best opportunity of the game which would have been pretty close in resulting in a try if he hadn't slipped over and several other good runs.

His bad games still put him in our best players.

On a side note, I think our backline as a whole is improved by having AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Giteau and Folau who all manage to turn in consistently good performances. It's looking like more of a backbone to a good overall backline performance.

 

[drewprint]

If there's carrying injuries that mean they'll be less effective than their possible replacements though then I'm all for it.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Possibly already mentioned but each QF will be NH v SH & I reckon we've a good chance of a clean sweep........

Also re the possible/ notional Wobblies Grand Slam, AB's did it in '95: Ireland & Wales in the Pool, Scotland QF & England SF.

Final random thought/ question: in order to "Bring Back Bill" you'll need to beat five top-10 sides in consecutive matches: when did you last achieve that? Not saying it can't be done but you're going to need a charmed run in all respects, not least injury-wise.

 

[jollyswagman]

On an un-game-related point, does anyone know what (I think it is) ITV's commentary team make up will be for the remaining games? Personally I don't know I can back to Clarke, Kafe and Kearns after listening to Gordon Bray on Gem

Was thinking the same thing. I have been watching most of the games on ITV and really enjoying the commentary. The silky sounds of Gordon Bray take me back to my rugby happy place. I have been watching the replays on foxtel go and after the England match I was thinking how bloody terrible Clarke is. How about a #BringBackBray push?