Wales v Australia, Monday 18 November 3:10am AEDT

[LeCheese]

Couldn't have said it any better crashy. This tour has to be a big one for the preparation for the upcoming Lions tour. I think against Wales it may be worth blooding a few players as the next time they pull the jersey will be Lions after spring tour.

The best way to prepare for the Lions tour is to start winning. To start winning, we need to be playing our best possible side every week.

 

[rugbyAU]

1 - Bell
2 - Faessler
3 - Tupou
4 - Frost
5 - Skelton
6 - Williams
7 - McReight
8 - Valetini
9 - Gordon
10 - Lolesio
11 - Jorgensen
12 - Ikitau
13 - Sua'alii
14 - Kellaway
15 - Wright
16 - BPA
17 - Kailea
18 - AA
19 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Donaldson
23 - Kerevi

 

[Alex Sharpe]

The best way to prepare for the Lions tour is to start winning. To start winning, we need to be playing our best possible side every week.

Absolutely agree. Best XV on the park for all spring tour tests.

 

[KOB1987]

Schmidt's MO seems to be to avoid reshuffling and bring the next pick in that position to cover for an injury. If he wants to give Skelton a run then it will be at the expense of a lock, either way I think we will see Gleeson in the 8 jersey. The caveat here would be if Wilson is out for the tour in which case he may look at a longer term solution with Ireland in mind.

 

[Alex Sharpe]

Is Wilson definitely out for this week?

 

[cyclopath]

Is Wilson definitely out for this week?

Yep, concussion protocol.

 

[Braveheart81]

Is Wilson definitely out for this week?

Yes. The protocol was changed in 2022 to make it a minimum of 12 days for elite players before they could return to play.

It's no longer possible to play a week later.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Just a couple of points. I am also thinking there might be long term benefit bringing Kailea on to the bench in Slipper's spot for this game.

There seems to be universal acceptance of BPA as the bench hooker. In my eyes, he hasn't really offered anything constructive so far off the bench. I wouldn't mind seeing Pollard get time off the bench this game.

We should also bear in mind the England A/Australia A game is also on this weekend. Would be nice to turn the screws again on the old enemy. Maybe Slipper could strengthen our A side and maybe also either Pollard or BPA depending on test selections. Any others? Or would we need these players to stay with the test team in case of warmup injuries etc?

 

[Thalium]

Wilson definitely misses 1 match, Pietsch apparently should be okay after going off with a cork.

Do we know any injuries from the Wales v Fiji game?

Watched it live, there will definitely be some sore and bruised bodies. Some of the hits fiji got on exposed ribs had me wincing.

 

[Dctarget]

Having Sua'ali'i and Skelton on the field at the same time will be so dangerous. They each need two defenders to stop the offload, have McReight, Wright, Kellaway, whoever trailing Jo or Willy ready for the offload, it'll be beautiful.

On that though, I do think we got the literal bounce of the ball in our favour a few times, the ball was on the grass way too often during the England match, it won't always go in our favour.

 

[Henry]

Unfortunately, I think Slips time has come. He's been a great servant for the Wallabies, but came on for a scrum and was immediately penalised. Let him lead the young ones around in Aus XV and look to the next generation for the bench.

 

[Ignoto]

the ball was on the grass way too often during the England match, it won't always go in our favour.

True, but at the same time, I reckon Marcus could attempt those same grubbers another 10 times and it'd only come off perfectly like it did this weekend another once or twice. They were pin point.

 

[dru]

fify

Schmidt's MO seems to be to avoid reshuffling and bring the next pick in that position to cover for an injury. If he wants to give Skelton a run then it will be at the expense of a lock and a backrower making way for a second recognised jumper, either way I think we will see Gleeson in the 8 jersey. The caveat here would be if Wilson is out for the tour in which case he may look at a longer term solution with Ireland in mind.

 

[chasmac]

Skelton and Frost.
Then Williams / McRight and Bobby V.
Bench
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) for Skelton
Gleeson for back rower.
Feel sorry for Wright. He added alot earlier in the year.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Would've great if Cale was avaliable for this match.

I really hope we just put Wales to the sword in this match. Haven't seen us comprehensively beat a tier 1 nations in donkeys years.

The backrow with Williams at 6 looks good, allows us to fit Skelton in there.

 

[TSR]

Schmidt's MO seems to be to avoid reshuffling and bring the next pick in that position to cover for an injury. If he wants to give Skelton a run then it will be at the expense of a lock, either way I think we will see Gleeson in the 8 jersey. The caveat here would be if Wilson is out for the tour in which case he may look at a longer term solution with Ireland in mind.

I have my doubts that he will play Gleeson & Valetini together. Whenever he’s had a choice he’s replaced Valetini with Gleeson as they are very similiar player profiles.

If he does bring Gleeson into the starting backrow then I really can’t see him giving Skelton a start.

 

[BDA]

If there's a game id risk playing williams at 6 this is probably it.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Just a couple of points. I am also thinking there might be long term benefit bringing Kailea on to the bench in Slipper's spot for this game.

There seems to be universal acceptance of BPA as the bench hooker. In my eyes, he hasn't really offered anything constructive so far off the bench. I wouldn't mind seeing Pollard get time off the bench this game.

We should also bear in mind the England A/Australia A game is also on this weekend. Would be nice to turn the screws again on the old enemy. Maybe Slipper could strengthen our A side and maybe also either Pollard or BPA depending on test selections. Any others? Or would we need these players to stay with the test team in case of warmup injuries etc?

Did you miss BPA coming off the bench v All Blacks? Was a big reason for the comeback to go close to taking that game.
Also played a big part in Jorgenson try last weekend. He's not going anywhere.

 

[rugbyAU]

Did you miss BPA coming off the bench v All Blacks? Was a big reason for the comeback to go close to taking that game.
Also played a big part in Jorgenson try last weekend. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah also our best hooker at the scrum and offers some good size

 

[stillmissit]

Anyone heard how Uru is going? Not much talk about him but could be very useful in this game.