Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 5am 24 Nov 2013

[RugbyReg]

Just numbers on a jersey guys. Harris had played 13 under link. I reckon he will play there a bit this weekend.


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[lewisr]

My fundamental point was that the wrong players have been chosen in the wrong positions. Even if we win by 50 that point won't change.

I would've put CFS at 13 and CL at 12. But I'm not watching them train, are you? Do you know how Lilo or Harris have been responding to those positions and what the regulations are on players being fast tracked into the 23? I don't. Please enlighten us all if you have the answers to these questions.

When Link selected To'omua at 12, who has had next to no experience in the position, it worked bloody well. If we win by 50, then absolutely they've been chosen in the RIGHT positions. How would that in any way substantiate your point that they were the wrong players for the wrong slots?

I'm more concerned, as Lindommer pointed out, why Kane Douglas isn't getting more of a shot. we've lost 5 backline players for god's sake. Link has the license to do whatever the fuck he wants in that position.

 

[Bowside]

I think we might lose this game. Progress has been slow and shaky this year and losing half the squad is going to hurt any team, especially the current wallabies.

 

[Paradox]

Anyone know how Lilo's ankle is, and how much it may or may not be affecting his performance?

That running spark and step has been missing for much of this year, and I wonder if it has been because of that ankle injury he's been carrying.

Ash, exactly my thoughts...which I posted just about your post

 

[lewisr]

I think we might lose this game. Progress has been slow and shaky this year and losing half the squad is going to hurt any team, especially the current wallabies.

I'm calling a tight win off the boot of either harris or lilo. But I can also see us losing.

 

[Ash]

Would've liked to have seen Kane Douglas get another shot too. He was good off the bench. I wonder how much of his struggles this year have been down to a combination of second year yips and losing his mother.

Anyway, it's very, very likely that they will play on a heavy, slow pitch at Murrayfield even if it doesn't rain. Remembering that, and also knowing that the Scots have major backline issues as well (and they have zero depth when they lose a good player like Hogg), I doubt that the midfield would be a place where we'd lose a game. It might dictate how much we may win by, but likely not be the cause of us losing.

 

[gel]

Harris won't let us down.

He is a very solid player.

 

[Tip]

There is a possibility that Quade could defend at ten, with Folau on the wing, whilst every back moves in 1 position. I don't like it but Ewen does have history with this and it is a distinct possibility

 

[RoffsChoice]

Harris won't let us down.

He is a very solid player.

Agreed. You know what you're getting from him every game.

 

[lemoen]

The comparison with Meyer's selections for the SA tour up north are stark. Meyer went with a fully planned out selection for all four games. He had planned out which new players he wanted to trial in which games in NH conditions.

interesting read
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SpringboksintheUK/6-Boks-left-tackling-bags-20131121

 

[KOB1987]

funny that with all the backline talk there hasn't been one mention of our forward pack..that's where our big strength is and I expect that's where we'll win the game. Give this backline plenty of ball and they will carve the Scots up even if there is one player out of position. And starve the Scots of the ball..leave it to the piggies for that

 

[KOB1987]

I suspect that the bigger implication of this is that Harris will be at 12 v. Wales.

 

[Ruggo]

I wounder how the Murrayfield surface will hold up. Generally one of the better ones in Europe but it was terrible in last weeks Bokke game. What are the set piece implications and who is the ref?

Quite nervous about this game. Given the recent history, the Scots will go into this game full of confidence and I would not be surprised if this is the one they lift for.

We are very disrupted which doesn't bode well for us and we will need to be on the top of our game.

Time for us to lift and get the job done. Go the Wallabies.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Murrayfield's been suffering from the dreaded nematode.

Jaco Peyper is the ref.

 

[Scotty]

Yes. Except for the bizarre center pairing it's a very good team.

I like it.

Harris is the closest swap for To'omua. He is a strong runner and front on defender.

Lilo is a ball playing outside centre that I have been wanting to see for a while (generally talking about JOC (James O'Connor) playing there). Lilo will play more like a Conrad Smith than a Mortlock.

It is a risk but will be interesting to see.

 

[Scotty]

I suspect that the bigger implication of this is that Harris will be at 12 v. Wales.

Good point.

 

[USARugger]

I suspect that the bigger implication of this is that Harris will be at 12 v. Wales.

At least they'll be sending out their 3rd string center pairing as well!

 

[Joe Blow]

I am interested to see how Lilo goes at 13.
To'omua has more or less sewn up the 12 jumper but 13 is still a little up in the air.
Lealifano may be a good fit.

 

[en_force_er]

Can't say that I've noticed this. Quade seems to have been defending mostly and pretty effectively in the 10 channel to my way of thinking.

It's been a mixture, I'll admit that. By faze 5 or 6 though he's always out on the wing.

 

[USARugger]

It's been a mixture, I'll admit that. By faze 5 or 6 though he's always out on the wing.

It's much easier and less disruptive to drop back for kicks from the wing than it is the midfield. This is a pattern you'll see from just about any international 10.