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Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 5am 24 Nov 2013

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A mutterer

A mutterer

Chilla Wilson (44)
I think the spanner in the works was kuridrani's 5 weeks more than the bans.

Did I also read somewhere tomane is out with a hammy?
 
Try-ranosaurus Rex

Try-ranosaurus Rex

Darby Loudon (17)
I think the Link will go with Lilo for a straight swap with To'omua. CFS to OC as he is the only out and out OC in the squad available to play.

With To'omua and Kuridrani out I think we'll miss a little starch in the centres come the Welsh test. I'm confident the centres for that game will be Lilo and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (which isn't the worse combination in the world as they have played together). I just think we'll miss To'omua's defence and Kuridrani's running.

The biggest head ache for me will be the composition of the back three. Given Betham's lack of preparation time, I see the only available combination being Folau on the wing and Foley in at 15.

So for Scotland....

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Tomane
12. Lilo
13. CFS
14. Folau
15. Foley

and Wales (pending injuries... touch wood)

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Tomane
12. Lilo
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Cummins
15. Folau
 
fatprop

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Ash said:
Not since the Lions series - not with McKenzie, as far as I can remember?

It makes sense to go back to the RC squad at first choice, as he worked with those guys up to just a few weeks ago, and Betham started in the last game before the tour anyway.
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I don't disagree, it was more a comment about who had and didn't have Wobs experience this season. That said Horne starting at 13 on Saturday (despite his best position being 12) would give me a fair bit more comfort that a unit who is just so raw.
 
Braveheart81

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
I think CFS is the only logical starter at 13. He's the only genuine 13 left in the squad.

Clearly it would be better to give him more games on the wing first, but I'd prefer him playing 13 than a more experienced test player with much less experience playing 13.

It's certainly a bit of a baptism of fire, but there aren't really any better options. Better to put someone there that knows the position than someone who doesn't.

I also think we should move Folau to the wing and Foley to fullback. Betham could slot straight onto the wing but it will be a tough ask after 24+ hours flying and only one training run plus the captain's run to get himself up to speed. I'd prefer to see him on the bench.

There should be no quarms about giving Foley a go at fullback. In every cameo he's had off the bench he's looked good and hasn't put a foot wrong.

We've been presented with an inconvenient set of circumstances for various reasons and we have to adjust to them. There's no point trying to hide certain players or make sub-optimal selection decisions because we don't want to reshuffle any backline players around. This situation calls for both those things.
 
fatprop

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Braveheart81 said:
I also think we should move Folau to the wing and Foley to fullback. Betham could slot straight onto the wing but it will be a tough ask after 24+ hours flying and only one training run plus the captain's run to get himself up to speed. I'd prefer to see him on the bench.
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Betham starting will depend on how he pulls up after the flight, I assume he is/was in business class so the flight isn't that onerous.
 
troxler

troxler

Sydney Middleton (9)
Hammeroid said:
God dam. Why do we always get injuries/suspension all at the one time. We might sneak pass Scotland but Wales will tear us apart
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I dont think so, we will have the suspended players back for Wales. Wales are also having their own problems with injury presently they have,

Not to be released by their clubs---James Hook, Paul James

Injured---Adam Jones, Rhys Patchell, Corey Allen, Scott Andrews, Jonathon Davies, Eli Walker, Aaron Jarvis

Not sure-Scott Williams, Bradley Davies.


Should even things up..
 
Viking

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
BDA said:
Kind of agree. Can anyone explain why Harris was picked? we didn't need another kicker with Cooper and Lilo both in the squad
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Maybe Cooper wasn't seen as a genuine kicking option until recently. I know I didn't.

But even so, Mike Harris is lucky to be there even if it is only for his kicking.
 
Ash

Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
Richo said:
But instead of Horne in the squad, we have Mike Harris because something something something.
Click to expand...

The only reason I can think of is that Harris is a goal kicking utility who has played 10, 12, 13 and 15.

I wouldn't select him, especially as he had a(nother) injury interrupted year, but I guess he's nice coverage on a tour. My guess is that Link sees something in him as Link ended up preferring Harris to Tapuai when Harris was (very briefly) fit towards the end of the season.
 
Joe Blow

Joe Blow

John Hipwell (52)
To'omua is a huge loss. Lilo never made the position his own and really held is place more on the back of his goal kicking.
Matt To'omua has been a revelation at 12 for the Wallabies.
Hope Christian can prove me wrong in the next couple of weeks.
 
Viking

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
Christian certainly has a lot of potential. However he hasn't hit his gear in the 12 position like he did when he played 10 for the Brumbies. Also I hate to say this but I think his defence is overrated.

But the potential is certainly there. Godwin or JOC (James O'Connor) are probably the only other candidates at 12 with a higher potential.
 
Brumbieman

Brumbieman

Dick Tooth (41)
Lealiifano is a much better 10 than 12. The extra responsibility to create plays seems to suit him, whereas the nature of 12, (not necessarily creating things but more being the commander of the cavalry charge instead of the army's general), suits To'omua more. He just seems to revel in smashing people and taking hit ups.

Lealiifano seems to revel when he's directing play and creating options for other players to use.
 
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