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

[stillmissit]

Isn't he a THP?

Can never remember, but if so it is cover for TT. Checked and he is a THP.

 

[Derpus]

Can never remember, but if so it is cover for TT.

I think Allan is probably still ahead of Nongorr.

 

[stillmissit]

I think Allan is probably still ahead of Nongorr.

I liked him and thought there was a decent future for him. Maybe AAA will take us to Lions and Nongorr's chance may come before RWC depending on how AAA and TT are travelling.

 

[KOB1987]

He's moved Len from 13 to 12 and Valetini from 8 to 6

They aren't reshuffling, they are (at least seem to be) permanent changes to facilitate his best team going forward.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Salakaia-Loto promoted to 6?

I think D's post can be read that LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) slides off the bench in favour of Frost moving there from the starting team.

 

[Yoda]

I’ve heard reports coming through that Pietsch is out with a torn calf and heading home….tough for him if that is correct…

In that case I’d have:

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 - AAA
19 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Donaldson/Edmed
23 - Kerevi/Potter

Don’t change a winning team should be the edict unless injuries occur. Especially now with the unexpected win v England.

Will Joe decide to give Edmed a run in this game off the bench though? Harsh on Donno, as I thought his call to run the last play obviously won them the game? Can’t see Edmed getting a start v Scotland or Ireland.
Not sure if Kerevi is up to speed in match fitness so does Potter get a bench spot? He has played plenty of English rugby and toured with Force recently so would be definitely fitter than Kerevi.

The test for the Wallabies will be to back up with another win, as that has often been an archilles heel for us.

Interesting times with Wallabies supporters coming out of the woodwork after the great win!

 

[Wilson]

Rugby.com.au is running with the Williams at 6 line:

Williams ready to fill Wilson void as Wallabies captain suffers concussion in England win

Wallabies breakout star Jeremy Williams has thrown his hand up to shift to the back row as Joe Schmidt weighs up his options for the Wales Test.

www.rugby.com.au

Far from definitive, but it definitely looks to be firming as the most likely scenario.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Wales were just beaten by Fiji in Cardiff - I'd say that is pretty woeful.

WBs are rightly favourites - I expect a 20+ point margin at the final whistle.

That's taking a lot away from an improving Fijian side.

 

[Dctarget]

Apparently Tupou was carrying a niggle in the England game, hopefully he's getting better.

 

[Spamnoodle]

He's moved Len from 13 to 12 and Valetini from 8 to 6

For the greater good

 

[Dctarget]

Apparently Tupou was carrying a niggle in the England game, hopefully he's getting better.

I think we start Alaalaatoa and captain him.

 

[Wilson]

I think we start Alaalaatoa and captain him.

Seems like a good bet, particularly if Tupou is iffy. Could even roll the dice and rest Tupou entirely based on his performance against England.

Doing that might also signal Schmidt is firming on Harry Wilson as his long term captain, whereas choosing McReight or Gordon it could be that he's looking in a different direction.

 

[LeCheese]

Apparently Tupou was carrying a niggle in the England game, hopefully he's getting better.

Seeing how heavily his knee was strapped, I don't think that's surprising. The bigger issue is he's seemingly been carrying niggles since he returned.

 

[Derpus]

Seeing how heavily his knee was strapped, I don't think that's surprising. The bigger issue is he's seemingly been carrying niggles since he returned.

Don't they all carry niggles - all of the time?

 

[Ignoto]

I think we start Alaalaatoa and captain him.

Naaahh, I'd rather see Bell or Fraser given the C over Alan at this stage.

 

[LeCheese]

Don't they all carry niggles - all of the time?

Naturally - but I guess there's niggles (those we hear nothing about), then there's niggles

 

[Hogan]

Ikitau and Sua'alii have the makings of a world class centre pairing. I would be inclined to give them as much time as possible playing together to work on their combination. I would only use Kerevi off the bench or as injury backup.

 

[dru]

Naturally - but I guess there's niggles (those we hear nothing about), then there's niggles

Right, so compared to "niggles", "niggles" means "an unfit, um, person"?

 

[Sword of Justice]

I think Fraser as captain. Schmidt has clearly come to the conclusion that Qlders are better natural leaders. As bad as Tupou was last match, I think the combos are working well at the moment vis a vis starting and bench. Therefore, Allan captain of the bench.

 

[Khun Phil]

I personally think that Kellaway must go he seems to always be missing tackles

He does a lot of other good things,though!A very smart rugby brain.