Wales v Australia

[TahDan]

Gotta say, just thinking about our back line, part of me would love to See:
9.Phipps
10. Foley
11. Folau
12. To'omua
13. Kurindrani
14. Speight
15.Cooper


Cooper’s defence has gotten a lot better, and his kicking game is definitely better than Folau’s. On top of that, at test level I always feel like Folau hasn’t ever looked quite as good as when he first started last year as a winger.

 

[fatprop]

Skelton is not bound on anyone - his hand is resting on the LHP arse

don't get too excited, the 8 hasn't engaged, hips haven't dropped either etc

 

[Marcelo]

This is bullshit.

Chek has inherited a very good football team. A team right on the cusp. Fuck we drew with the AB's (and should have won it except for a stupid captaincy decision), Got flogged in Auckland and should have won the last game.

The team is full of champion footballers. Games are won or lost on a dropped ball, missed tackle, stupid decision forward pass blah blah.

The team is off being the best in the world by a few degrees. Cheks job is hard, nio doubt.

Its all about some "fine tuning" not a fucking engine rebuild.

That's the positive attitude that I like to read. We have a good team, we have good players, we just have to adjust some details. People say a lot of nonsense about our team just because we couldn't beat the ABs in recent years

 

[Sword of Justice]

Not a lot of rumoured teams or tips on starting players in the media this week. Maybe players and management are keeping quiet in the presence of journos? or maybe i'm just being ridiculously optimistic

 

[Viking]

thought the team was being announced today? Any news?

 

[Ash]

3pm.

 

[I like to watch]

That's the positive attitude that I like to read. We have a good team, we have good players, we just have to adjust some details. People say a lot of nonsense about our team just because we couldn't beat the ABs in recent years

I think what needs the biggest adjustment is some peoples expectations.
It's great to aim to be the best,but it's not realistic to expect it to be a regular thing.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

don't get too excited, the 8 hasn't engaged, hips haven't dropped either etc

The rules used to be don't change your grip and don't move your feet once you pack.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I think what needs the biggest adjustment is some peoples expectations.
It's great to aim to be the best,but it's not realistic to expect it to be a regular thing.

First sentence - agree

if we improve by a few degrees , success can become a regular thing

 

[Braveheart81]

 

[Ash]

Looking back to last year's result, there was less than a try in it, but we never looked like losing. A solo try by North put Wales in touch mid second half. I also recall Genia bombing a try in the first half, after Cooper put Tomane away.

I don't know about Wales' form this year, but last year Wales was our last match on the EOYT, and the Wallabies were playing very well - Cooper, Kuridrani and Fardy in particular were in red hot form, and the combination between Cooper and To'omua was a revelation. This year Cooper's still fighting his way back from injury and Fardy is out. Kurdrani this year is playing a lot better, if anything. Moore (out this this year), Simmons. Folau and Hooper were also very good last year.

I think this game will be close, as similar to our previous couple of games vs Wales. I actually think Wales should be favourites. We should have done better against the Baabaas, and are still adapting to a new coaching regime. We don't have as many players in top form as last year.

A lot will depend on how Wales adjusts to a few injuries (their first two 13s, for instance), and if they are successfully ushering out some if the older generation of players.

 

[Troy]

No Speight

Good to see Quade and Will in the mix again and well done Sean!

 

[Braveheart81]

Surprised that Robinson is gone and Faulkner is in. Is he or Alexander the reserve LHP?

Leali'ifano gets the nod over To'omua and both the incumbent wingers who were rested last week get the start.

Genia, Cooper and Horne get the nod on the bench over White, To'omua and Speight.

One person to be dropped. You'd assume it will be Skelton.

 

[KOB1987]

no To'omua no Speight and what is Alexander doing still there?

 

[Ash]

Props are interesting. FatCat dropped again, Alexander lucky but he was better around the park, not in the scrum.

Think either Horwill or Skelton will likely drop out, unless Cheika decides to go with a 6/2 split then Cooper will likely drop out.

Speight pretty unlucky, I thought that Speight was better vs the Baabaas than Tomane has been. Horne probably even more unlucky. To'omua is probably pretty unlucky too.

Cheika said that he is rewarding/sticking with the players who played against the NZ in the third Bledisloe, and he's held to that.

 

[Ash]

Both Alexander and Faulkner can play both sides, I think. Going by numbers alone, Faulkner is the reserve LHP.

 

[oztimmay]

Team announcement sheet notes that Higgers is injured. Read earlier in the week he might have been sent home if the injury was deemed bad; reading between the lines here it appears he is still on tour and might feature in other matches.

Well done Sean on your debut and Tetera on your potential debut. I'm frankly not surprised fat cat was given the arse.

Bring on Sunday morning!

 

[KOB1987]

we are a bit light on lineout height with Hooper, Hodgson & McMahon all there so I suspect that one of the 4 locks is being considered to play at 6 or 8 in the back part of the game, hence the indecision..if Hodgo misses out I wouldn't be surprised to see fresh locks run on and Simmo or Carter move to 6 or 8

 

[Godfrey]

I feel sorry for To'omua but also think that he is the type of player to fight back hard for his spot, it will only be good for him. I really like backs with great ruck technique like him.

 

[KOB1987]

unless Cheika decides to go with a 6/2 split then Cooper will likely drop out.

That's something I didn't consider and Cheika did the 6:2 split a lot for the Tahs so you could well be right there