Wales v Australia

[ACT Crusader]

Why do OZ name a 24th player? They used to name a 23rd previously. Is there something in the CBA that requires them to an/or they get a match payment even if they aren't in the finalised side?

 

[fatprop]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Horne or Cooper miss out with the extra forward carried

 

[something]

interesting selections. bit different to what everybody proposed on gagr. a very strong team given the circumstances.

 

[KOB1987]

Why do OZ name a 24th player? They used to name a 23rd previously. Is there something in the CBA that requires them to an/or they get a match payment even if they aren't in the finalised side?

usually they only name 23 but 24 always warm up..one has to be omitted from the official 23 though

 

[Strewthcobber]

What's the weather forecast like? On a dry track that team should do what needs to be done. If it's wet, then I'm putting my money on Wales

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

I'm pretty sure either Horwill or Skelton will be the one dropped. There would be no good reason to have two locks come on, especially since neither have really played in any other position.

 

[troxler]

What's the weather forecast like? On a dry track that team should do what needs to be done. If it's wet, then I'm putting my money on Wales

The roof will be closed, so dry track and lots of tries to the Wallabies

 

[ACT Crusader]

usually they only name 23 but 24 always warm up..one has to be omitted from the official 23 though

They've named a 24 before, and under Eddie Jones and Knuckles they often named a 23.

My curiosity is that I don't recall any other nation doing it.

So does that 24th guy doing the warm up get a match fee that others in the squad not selected don't get?

 

[Ash]

When Link used Skelton, he usually used him as a large flanker mainly - I struggle to recall Skelton replacing a lock. Mainly Cheika has the same intention, maybe not.

 

[GTPIH]

Millennium has a roof, so should be dry assuming they close it.

 

[KOB1987]

They've named a 24 before, and under Eddie Jones and Knuckles they often named a 23.

My curiosity is that I don't recall any other nation doing it.

So does that 24th guy doing the warm up get a match fee that others in the squad not selected don't get?

no he doesn't even get a kit, just there in case there is an injury during the warm up

 

[chasmac]

Lucky; Tomane, Alexander and Genia
Unlucky; Speight, White, Robbo, Tomoua
Well Done; McMahon, Lilo, Faulkner and Horwill.

I think Horwill and Lilo have been the big improvers so well done to them.
I like Speight so am a bit biased about him v's Tomane.
However, it does seem that Speight needs a bit more time and I feel that he will end up starting before the end of the tour.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The shortage of reserve props made it a decision between the two Ben(n)s on the bench. I am a bit surprised Ben A got the nod over Benn R, but I would really like to see Cheika revert Ben A to the LH side. Even if his scrummaging isn't strong on either side, his general play is much stronger when he plays LH rather than TH. And I understand Faulkner plays either side.

Sad for Matt To'omua but I think Christian plays more to the style that Cheika wants, and one was doomed to fall out of the 23 if Quade made it back in.

Doesn't surprise me a lot that Henry missed out. Still some doubt over his match fitness, and Tomane has played better than many posters here give him credit. Biggest concern is that if both Joe and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) have strong games, Henry might not be able to force his way in at any stage on the tour. But the bench is not the place for a specialist winger imo.

There was little dispute that Nic White outplayed Will in the Baa Baas game, but once he decided to go with Quade on the bench I can see Cheika's reasoning to include Will for the sake of combinations.

If McCalman goes down with injury, we could end up with a midget backrow (relatively speaking) of McMahon, Hooper, Hodgson. Not good at all in my books and could be our archilles heel. I'm assuming here that Skelton will be the player to drop off the bench. I'd have preferred Luke Jones on the bench to keep an option to introduce some size in the backrow, but probably lack of recent game time counted against him. In retrospect, he should have had a run in the Baa Baas game.

Wales look to be particularly strong if all are in form, but I think this Wallabies' side can bring home the bacon on Saturday.

 

[Viking]

There was little dispute that Nic White outplayed Will in the Baa Baas game, but once he decided to go with Quade on the bench I can see Cheika's reasoning to include Will for the sake of combinations.

I actually think Genia is holding Quade back at this stage. Imagine how much better Cooper would play with quick service. I have a feeling a White/Phipps combo with Quade would be much much better.

 

[Braveheart81]

Can you imagine if someone had said even a year ago that Nick Phipps was going to be easily the first choice halfback for the Wallabies?

It would have been met with complete ridicule.

 

[BDA]

Don't like this team at all. The pack looks light weight. We'll probably give up 40kg to the Welsh 8. To'omua is dropped completely from the 23 despite the fact that he's our best defensive centre and Wales will clearly be looking to bash it up at 12/13. Tomane over Speight?! Faulkner in but Alexander stays?

 

[Slim 293]

No Speight?

 

[chasmac]

I actually think Genia is holding Quade back at this stage. Imagine how much better Cooper would play with quick service. I have a feeling a White/Phipps combo with Quade would be much much better.

I have a question based on Gaggers analysis on the front page today.
Can Cooper play as flat as Foley?
I don't get to see alot of games but I was under the impression that QC (Quade Cooper) used to play very flat but hasn't been doing so this year.
If Phipps threw some passes out to where Foley usually stands QC (Quade Cooper) would have to play flat. This could really stir things up if he's still got a running game after his injuries.
Lots of If's

 

[emuarse]

There was little dispute that Nic White outplayed Will in the Baa Baas game, but once he decided to go with Quade on the bench I can see Cheika's reasoning to include Will for the sake of combinations.

Again, I beg to differ with this opinion, Brumby Runner, as indeed does Cheika, and BDA.
White needs to pick up his passing speed, and his accuracy, to be considered for the bench.
also Cheika would appreciate that Ginea's coming back from injury, and can only improve with each outing.

Quoting BDA Post #69
" White's speed at the ruck was maybe better than previous games but he still slowed things down too much in my opinion. On at least two occasions he let the ball sit at the base of the ruck for about 4 or 5 seconds. His passing wasn't as good as Genia's either. He didn't have the sweet flat passing game of Genia nor did he put any blokes through a gap. Cant remember him going for a run either"

 

[swingpass]

Can you imagine if someone had said even a year ago that Nick Phipps was going to be easily the first choice halfback for the Wallabies?

It would have been met with complete ridicule.

not by this little black duck. always impressed by him at the Rebels.

and i think Meehan will be better than all of them in 3 - 4 yeaers