RWC - Wallabies v Italy - 11th September 2011
- Thread starter Lee Grant
- Start date
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R
Richard D. James
Guest
It's an interesting draw for us. Heading into the quarters (if all goes to plan) off the back of our two "easier" games will lead to some interesting selection choices...
Only a week to go, all these threads are making me excited!
Only a week to go, all these threads are making me excited!
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
Was going to see this game in Christchurch, alas now I'll be watching in a bar in Dunedin. Anyone know of a good rugby bar to watch the game there?
I think Robbie would be mad not to trot out the same 15 that started last up, they deserve first chance imo. Should see some changes to the bench though with TPN & Slipper there at the least, Palu would also be in need of some game time.
I think Robbie would be mad not to trot out the same 15 that started last up, they deserve first chance imo. Should see some changes to the bench though with TPN & Slipper there at the least, Palu would also be in need of some game time.
jollyswagman
Ron Walden (29)
I would think Robbie will be wanting to give Mitchell some game time prior to the finals. I am really interested to see where he is at and how far off his best form he is. I am hoping he will start some pool games as opposed to coming off the bench. Agree TPN & Palu too need some time on the field.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
I don't think Burgess and Barnes will start, it was probably just a normal training run with rotation of players
Tangawizi
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I expect to see an unchanged starting pack but I think Barnes might get a run at 12.
There's been a lot said that O'Connor will get the wing spot back due to his goal kicking but I think it might well be Barnes to 12 and goal kicking with JOC (James O'Connor) to the bench.
I don't think playing a team below full strength would be a good idea at all after the Samoan incident. And Italy nearly beat us over there a couple years ago. So I would prefer we go with our best lineup and belt them.
I am going. Sitting near halfway but on the open side so hoping for good weather.
There's been a lot said that O'Connor will get the wing spot back due to his goal kicking but I think it might well be Barnes to 12 and goal kicking with JOC (James O'Connor) to the bench.
I don't think playing a team below full strength would be a good idea at all after the Samoan incident. And Italy nearly beat us over there a couple years ago. So I would prefer we go with our best lineup and belt them.
I am going. Sitting near halfway but on the open side so hoping for good weather.
C
chief
Guest
It's impossible for Deans to pick a top 15 players right now, there's 25/30 people in the squad who deserve some time and who I would be happy seeing in the team. I won't be critical if he picks Barnes, Mitchell, Sharpe, and TPN and Palu (bench) in the team. Just butter them up for the Ireland game. As a lot of those players have and could easily be eying off starting positions.
We shouldn't write the Italians off, they've nearly beaten us before.
PS: Just an idea. But for the RWC, can we get like a sub forum. There's just going to be so many games, and I want to sift through all the posts so that could be easier.
We shouldn't write the Italians off, they've nearly beaten us before.
PS: Just an idea. But for the RWC, can we get like a sub forum. There's just going to be so many games, and I want to sift through all the posts so that could be easier.
D
daz
Guest
The problem with that Slim, is that should we lose a key player at the pointy end of the tournament, the back-ups will have had no game time and little combo knowledge. I don't mind rotating during the pool stage as long as we have a full load of top shelf players for the knock-out games.
C
chief
Guest
Is that because we need to worry about Will Genia getting injured? If not, elaborate with reasoning
light
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Cause if Genia goes down at any point we are F*****. Plain and simple, I want to know that we have a back-up plan.
Bruwheresmycar
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
The BP here would be nice. I'd like to see a pretty similar team. Either Cooper or Genia should play, i wouldn't take both out. (because a new attacking combo will struggle to get a BP against Italy who will be trying to disrupt us all game).
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
If I had a dollar for everyone who said that about some player this year I'd be rich.
The word 'fucked' is seriously overused. Even Genia can be successfully replaced.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
People should be reminded that Sanchez had a mediocre 2010 EOYT by his standards and yet we still had one of our best wins ever - against France.
This retreat from brilliance was reflected in the amount of votes Genia got in the Eales award the other night, before this year's 3N.
He is our most valuable player player, but irreplaceable? No.
This retreat from brilliance was reflected in the amount of votes Genia got in the Eales award the other night, before this year's 3N.
He is our most valuable player player, but irreplaceable? No.
Burgess needs some serious game time. He really only played a handful of minutes during the Tri Nations. I also don't think that playing most of a game against USA or Russia will really give the match practice needed. The opposition need to at least be decent.
I think giving him a start is a good idea because you can almost guarantee there will be one game at the pointy end of the tournament where we will need him for more than the five minutes he's got in most of the 3N games.
I also think Barnes is likely to be given a shot to regain the starting 12 position.
I think giving him a start is a good idea because you can almost guarantee there will be one game at the pointy end of the tournament where we will need him for more than the five minutes he's got in most of the 3N games.
I also think Barnes is likely to be given a shot to regain the starting 12 position.
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