Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Gordon had some injuries. Joe has showed he thinks Tates a finisher.. so that leaves White
Wales v Australia, Monday 18 November 3:10am AEDT
- Thread starter Dctarget
- Start date
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
The biggest issue facing Rugby in Australia is a lack of interest in the game by the public and mainstream press. Interest was up greatly after the win last week and in particular the arrival of a great hope in JAS. We now simply must win or all of the gains made with eyes on the game will be immediately lost and Schmidt will be pilloried in the press for not starting the new messiah.
It is a risky approach that Schmidt is taking as any goodwill he gained with last week's win will disappear the moment the game ends if the result is not in his favour.
It is a risky approach that Schmidt is taking as any goodwill he gained with last week's win will disappear the moment the game ends if the result is not in his favour.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
I’ve been having this debate with some people lately and also a few forum members.
I don’t think these games being played now hold anywhere near as much weight in terms of public perception that the Lions series will have.
I’m fair more comfortable with some experimental combinations against Wales than waiting until Lions test #1.
Casual sports fans won’t be seeking out the result of a 3am Monday game, but the Lions series will be properly in the media, if not largely on part due to the tourism nature it will bring.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I doubt the future of rugby in Australia will turn very much on the outcome of a Monday morning game against Wales TBH.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think with an eye on the Lions and RWC we should probably have moved to Lonergan. White at his peak was much better than Lonergan but these days I don't think there is anything in it.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I was wondering while watching the games this morning why a lot of the games during the tour window are at viewer friendly times for us Aussies except for the ones with the Aussies actually playing in them. E.g. why couldn't we play at Twickenham last week at the same time as this morning's game? Or any of the next 3 games for that matter, i do appreciate they are on Sundays but would it make any difference to the home crowd if they were played at 6pm their time, which is 5am our time.
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PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Yeh I’m guessing the touring rugby body gets zero say in when games are played?
Even if we played a Sunday arvo game here against a NH team, at least they can still watch it on their weekend.
2am/3am Monday morning would have to be one of the worst times ever to watch a live game and it seems odd when it’s involving the national side.
At least here in QLD it’ll all be done and dusted by 5am so I can wake up early and watch a replay before work.
Even if we played a Sunday arvo game here against a NH team, at least they can still watch it on their weekend.
2am/3am Monday morning would have to be one of the worst times ever to watch a live game and it seems odd when it’s involving the national side.
At least here in QLD it’ll all be done and dusted by 5am so I can wake up early and watch a replay before work.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
I suspect the Welsh will put pressure on Wright with plenty of high kicks and chase hard to close him down. Kerevi will open up opportunities and needs to offload in the middle, apart from McReight who will be there to take advantage of it? Frost and Skelton slow out of the row/breakdown and Valetini and Uru are not quick enough to be on Kerevi's shoulder. It could be Lolesio getting there but I hope Schmidt gives Jorgensen freedom to roam off his wing. If Kerevi is forced to take the tackle then it won't be so much of an issue but we need to use Kerevi to score off.
Spamnoodle
Larry Dwyer (12)
I can't, leave for work at 5am...
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
My condolences.
Pretty inconsiderate that the Welsh Rugby Union didn’t check with Spamnoodle before booking the game.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
How quickly some people forget the loss against Italy and the dire repercussions that had on rugby in the country.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Nah i remember but let’s be fair - Italy have always been firmly in the tier 2 nation category, particularly in the eyes of casuals.
Wales have been regarded as a strong rugby team and their players are involved in the Lions.
rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
Definitely, if it was 1-2am I could sleep before and after the game but for a 3.15am kickoff, I'd probably end up staying awake given it's on a Monday
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
So, even more reason not to have made the number of changes that Joe has done. Breaking the centre partnership was one bridge too far.
Yoda
Cyril Towers (30)
Wallabies just played badly against Italy. Dropped the ball from the kick off from memory.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
The selection of the team that lost to Italy was worlds away from the one here. Mass changes, leaving available starters out of the side entirely, with no eye to combinations and a lot of debuts handed out. It was very clearly a 2nd string side, where as this one is still arguably our best side available.
Looking at the two seemingly unforced changes (Kerevi and Skelton coming in), both seem like good moves. As a good as Sua'ali'i was in attack he was at sea defensively at times - look at the Kellaway try from a loose ball he makes a bad read and jams in opening a massive hole. If the pass doesn't go to ground it's game over. That's exactly the sort of thing that will be targeted a week later, but naming Kerevi and Ikitau (9 tests, 7 starts as a pair) is a much safer unit defensively, while still offering plenty of threat. Throw in Skelton to nullify Wales' one real strength against us earlier this year (the maul) and it feels like the smart, safe tactical play.
Looking at the two seemingly unforced changes (Kerevi and Skelton coming in), both seem like good moves. As a good as Sua'ali'i was in attack he was at sea defensively at times - look at the Kellaway try from a loose ball he makes a bad read and jams in opening a massive hole. If the pass doesn't go to ground it's game over. That's exactly the sort of thing that will be targeted a week later, but naming Kerevi and Ikitau (9 tests, 7 starts as a pair) is a much safer unit defensively, while still offering plenty of threat. Throw in Skelton to nullify Wales' one real strength against us earlier this year (the maul) and it feels like the smart, safe tactical play.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
And if JAS and/or Ikitau aren’t fit for the Lions next year, everyone would be screaming how we should have given Kerevi a run earlier to see if he’s still got it.
I know there are two pretty distinct sides of the argument at the moment and that is fair enough. I am cool with it, you aren’t and that is fine. Let’s see what happens at 3am tomorrow.