Wales vs Australia, 5 November 2016, (1:30am 6 November AEDT) @ Millenium Stadium

[KOB1987]

Pfitzy, you are probably on the money with that except I have a feeling we will see Pocock start and Hooper on the pine, which isn't to say he's been dropped, a tour like this is an ideal opportunity to rotate those 2 around.

 

[I like to watch]

I tend to agree on Hodge. To judge his ability at 12 based on one start against the AB's at Eden Park is a bit rough.

Yep, if the strategy is to sack forever,anyone who does not excel in their first game v AB's at Eden Park.
We will go through player ranks very quickly,and end up having to pick guys out of Randwick 2's.

 

[Dan54]

Yep, if the strategy is to sack forever,anyone who does not excel in their first game v AB's at Eden Park.
We will go through player ranks very quickly,and end up having to pick guys out of Randwick 2's.

Very true 'I Like' , besides which I didn't think Hodge or any of your players were that bad against ABs, to be honest I saw some very encouraging signs from a number of Wallabies, and none that I really thought was a "sack me" performance.

 

[Pfitzy]

Has Genia been released?

I was just thinking the same thing while reading an article at The Guardian.

This is outside the WR (World Rugby) official Test window, and I know the Wallabies were in negotiations with his club?

 

[PeterK]

I've been pleasantly surprised at how good Timani has been so early in his international career. Thought he was excellent last night doing the tough runs in tight. I hope they stick with him at 8 for this Wales match. Really keen to see him develop more during the Spring Tour.

Timani's work rate really please me.

4th highest ruck involvements, if scaled for the 80 mins it matches anyone else's involvement. His total involvements tackles, rucks and runs pro rata for 80 mins is 60 just behind Coleman at 61.

Not only work rate but impact. He gets over the ad line and tackles hard driving them back.

If only he was selected last year during the RC.

 

[PeterK]

One thing I'd fault him on - he took a pick n go early when there were no other forwards in cooee.

Just needs to tighten up his attacking ruck work - though a lot of them need that.

We cut a couple of stupid offloads, find a winger for Speight, and that team will pound anyone.

Naivalu for Speight

 

[PeterK]

Timani must be retained. Pooper does not work.

I prefer Pocock to start for the tight play. Hooper on the bench for impact to use his speed and lift the temp when players tire.

6 should be Fardy for the lineout. McMahon out of the 23. I do see an argument for starting Hooper for balance for his wide running since both Fardy and Timani do good work at the ruck. 50/50 call.

Backs.
Folau at 12. He played there against NZ when Kerevi was off and his involvements were very strong.
DHP to 15.
Naivalu and Hodge the wingers.
This gives 2 good kickers in the back 3.
Kuridrani at 13 for his tackling.

Cooper at 10 despite Foley's rare good game.
Hodge and Cooper to do the goal kicking.

01 Sio
02 Moore (must retire eoy though)
03 Kepu
04 Arnold
05 Coleman
06 Fardy
07 Pocock
08 Timani
09 Frisby for his combo with Cooper (Gneia when available)
10 Cooper
11 Hodge
12 Folau
13 Kuridrani
14 Naivalu (adds the necessary pace)
15 DHP

16 Latu (his physicality a bonus)
17 Slipper (not at all convinced on Robertson)
18 Alaoaato
19 Simmons
20 Hooper
21 Phipps
22 Foley
23 Speight (I would Morohan there instead)

 

[Micheal]

Folau at 12. He played there against NZ when Kerevi was off and his involvements were very strong.
Naivalu and Hodge the wingers.

//

09 Frisby for his combo with Cooper (Gneia when available)

Well, then.

Aren't we lucky that you aren't the coach?

 

[PeterK]

Well, then.

Aren't we lucky that you aren't the coach?

Good analysis there Michael. In depth.

Assuming Kuridrani is the 13with Folau the obvious answer is wing and thats ok if Cooper is the 10 since the ball has a chance of getting to him.

If Foley is the 10 and TK passes as much as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) Folau would never see the ball.

Folau at 13 is a big risk due to defence, it is the hardest position to defend beside TK is a very good centre especially in defence.
12 is where the Wallabies are weak. Hodge missed 50% of his tackles and attack looked like it went missing.

Folau in the frontline and not at f/b came out of his slump and against the AB's. He did not move to the wing.

On Frisby, yes that is a big risk. I do not think he has shown anything to say he is ready for test rugby or in fact he is test quality.
Phipps had a poor game with a lot of errors against NZ.
I only pick Frisby for a combo with Cooper, that said not much issue if Phipps start, neither are great options.

 

[Slim 293]

Hodge remained at 12 and Speight slotted into 13 when Kerevi went off.........

Another radical change in combinations, particularly for a player who has never played 12 before, is madness.

 

[PeterK]

Hodge remained at 12 and Speight slotted into 13 when Kerevi went off...

Another radical change in combinations, particularly for a player who has never played 12 before, is madness.

On attack from set pieces Folau was at 12 and 13 after Kerevi went off.

 

[Slim 293]

Yeah, Folau should be coming into the line off set plays from fullback..........

But he shouldn't be playing at inside centre.

 

[Brumby Runner]

PeterK, I like your thinking. On paper that backrow looks very intimidating. It should be (and hopefully will be) a toss up at 7 between Hooper and Poey. One starts and maybe the other on the bench but it could also be McMahon coming on late in the game.

Apparently, Izzy slotted into 12 for some attacking moves, but didn't actually play there. I was disappointed with Hodge's game, not only for the errors but because he just didn't play with any pace at all. I don't think, however, that he should be discarded after one appearance there, so I'd go with Hodge and Kuridrani in the centres and I'd be content to see Izzy and DHP swap to see if it works. I wholeheartedly agree with Cooper at 10, and either Phipps or Frisby at 9, not much difference.

 

[KOB1987]

Folau at 12. He played there against NZ when Kerevi was off and his involvements were very strong.
DHP to 15.

Hodge remained at 12 and Speight slotted into 13 when Kerevi went off...

You are both wrong. Although Slim is more right than Peter. What Slim said was right when we were defending against NZ. On our attacking set piece Folau and Hodge switched i.e. Folau was at 12 and Hodge was at 15.

 

[PeterK]

PeterK, I like your thinking. On paper that backrow looks very intimidating. It should be (and hopefully will be) a toss up at 7 between Hooper and Poey. One starts and maybe the other on the bench but it could also be McMahon coming on late in the game.

Apparently, Izzy slotted into 12 for some attacking moves, but didn't actually play there. I was disappointed with Hodge's game, not only for the errors but because he just didn't play with any pace at all. I don't think, however, that he should be discarded after one appearance there, so I'd go with Hodge and Kuridrani in the centres and I'd be content to see Izzy and DHP swap to see if it works. I wholeheartedly agree with Cooper at 10, and either Phipps or Frisby at 9, not much difference.

I hope McMahon is not on the bench mainly because Pocock and Hooper will also be playing so that weakens the lineout too much, Timani won't last 80 mins.

I agree if Cooper is at 10 then Folau on the wing is a reasonable option.
Cooper has both the pass and kick pass to get him good ball, Foley doesn't.

It is most likely Foley after the last game will be starting, so considering that I would rather Folau go to 12 or 13 rather than be wasted at f/b or wing.

 

[PeterK]

You are both wrong. Although Slim is more right than Peter. What Slim said was right when we were defending against NZ. On our attacking set piece Folau and Hodge switched i.e. Folau was at 12 and Hodge was at 15.

I know I stated that in a later reply.

That showed me enough that he should stay at 12.

 

[dru]

@PK - on your way over from Roar? If so welcome, bloke!

Look forward to your thoughts.

 

[KOB1987]

I know I stated that in a later reply.

That showed me enough that he should stay at 12.

So you did, I was penning mine at the time I'd say.

 

[USARugger]

Well, then.

Aren't we lucky that you aren't the coach?

..Cheika was using Folau at 12 on our set piece plays and he actually was doing a job in the role so I'm not sure where this comment is coming from.

Really poor form and you should just stay away from the Enter key if that is all you have to contribute.

Anyway - what impressed me most about Folau's involvements at 12 was that he was actually working the space around him and moving the ball to guys in a better position than himself when the play called for it. Obviously this is easier to do on orchestrated set play than it is in phase play but it was good to see from a guy who has at times been derided for either pushing the pass or tucking and running when he should move the ball instead.

 

[Dalai Ninja]

Sleight was pretty average on defense in the last test. He was directly responsible for at least a couple tries. I'm not sure he is the bloke. I think Niavalu might be more solid.
It didn't help that Speight had to move to 13 so early, but still.

I'd be cutting him some slack for that, Joe Blow. 13 is a notoriously difficult defensive position to play. Speight's a quality defender on the wing.