Wales vs Australia - Sunday 12 November - 4:15am AEDT

[Up the Guts]

I think I would like to see Hunt at 12 & Beale at 15, where they will defend, although I think we can expect it all to be pretty fluid between Foley, Beale & Hunt. Hodge back to the wing for Speight, McCalman to 8, McMahon to 6. I would retain Hanigan on the bench, I know most disagree, but Timani just does nothing for me.

I wasn't nearly as excited about Kerevi as most, all he did was just run hard at small guys, which we know from Super rugby he does very well, but to me he's a bit of a one trick pony at this stage. Hopefully he develops a la Nonu! I think I would be giving Meakes a crack off the bench, with Phipps & Speight.

I was a fan of Meakes throughout the Super season but he looked a bit off the pace against the Barbarians. Maybe it was a lack of game time but regardless at this point in time Kerevi is a fair way ahead of him playing 12 in my mind. Bit harsh to call him a one-trick pony as well, his footwork and offload game are ahead of a lot of crash and bash centres.

 

[Derpus]

Bit harsh to judge Meakes on that game. I bet he would have looked a lot better playing outside Quade and inside Naiyarovo.

 

[Brumby Runner]

And that reflects the current Wallabies' lineup, how?

For those advocating Hunt and Meakes in the starting side, neither has earnt a spot this time around. Play them off the bench until they hit form, but right now neither has done anything on tour to displace any of the last starting side.

 

[Froggy]

BR, someone has to go in for Folau (assuming we don't call last week's side, missing Genia and Foley, the current side) which I would suggest means either retaining Kerevi at 12, or bringing in Hunt. My preference is for Hunt.

 

[Joe Blow]

We need to go with our strongest side this week to lay down a platform for the England game.
The only change in the pack I would make would be McCalman in for Hanigan with Ned going to the bench. If Tui is fit(unlikely) he either starts with Coleman or comes onto the bench.

The backs pick themselves

9.Genia
10.Foley
11.Koroibete
12.Hunt
13.TK
14.Hodge
15.Beale

Thats a pretty bloody good backline with no way through the midfield.
Phipps, Kerevi and Speight on the pine.

 

[amirite]

I hope Chieks keeps Kerevi at 12. It's not like Hunt has really conclusively proven anything since his return to playing.

Not deny Hunt's class or potential, but lets invest in Samu a few times back-to-back. He did play good football with Tevita last week, and there's plenty of playmaking in the team without Hunt (Foley, Beale and even Hodge). Hunt's also more suited to the bench role, covering more positions.

I still think at 24 Samu could be the next great Aussie center that we get 2 World Cups out of. He's got all the right tools and behaviours, just needs to sharpen up some areas (defensive decision making). He'd best do that getting games.

 

[fatprop]

I hope Chieks keeps Kerevi at 12. It's not like Hunt has really conclusively proven anything since his return to playing.

Not deny Hunt's class or potential, but lets invest in Samu a few times back-to-back. He did play good football with Tevita last week, and there's plenty of playmaking in the team without Hunt (Foley, Beale and even Hodge). Hunt's also more suited to the bench role, covering more positions.

I still think at 24 Samu could be the next great Aussie center that we get 2 World Cups out of. He's got all the right tools and behaviours, just needs to sharpen up some areas (defensive decision making). He'd best do that getting games.

I think hunt is odds on if fit

 

[Derpus]

We need to go with our strongest side this week to lay down a platform for the England game.
The only change in the pack I would make would be McCalman in for Hanigan with Ned going to the bench. If Tui is fit(unlikely) he either starts with Coleman or comes onto the bench.

The backs pick themselves

9.Genia
10.Foley
11.Koroibete
12.Hunt
13.TK
14.Hodge
15.Beale

Thats a pretty bloody good backline with no way through the midfield.
Phipps, Kerevi and Speight on the pine.

That is one of the best backlines we've had in years. There is so much to like. Three out of hand kicking options (four if you include Genia), two capable goal kickers (one from 50+m out). Attacking threats from everywhere. Starch in midfield. Pace on the wings. Jeez, if the forwards get us enough positive ball Wales are done for.
even without Folau

 

[TSR]

I am hoping for McCalman at 6, Hunt at 12 and everyone else as per expectations. If we can pick & stick with those guys through the next 3 tests I reckon we can give it 3 from 3 a shake.

 

[Dave Beat]

I am hoping for McCalman at 6, Hunt at 12 and everyone else as per expectations. If we can pick & stick with those guys through the next 3 tests I reckon we can give it 3 from 3 a shake.

I'd prefer MacMahon @ 6 and McCalman @ 8.
I'd prefer the first 5 and second 5 to be Hodge and Beale and alter as they did - consistancy build strength and combo's.
Hunt to 15 he's played alot there.

But in saying that Speight didnt do alot last week and Maybe Hodge adds more value to the team and Kerevi is retained.

 

[Braveheart81]

Sounds like Kerevi will be retained at 12 with Hunt on the bench.

I'd imagine the backline will be:

Genia
Foley
Koroibete
Kerevi
Kuridrani
Hodge
Beale

Phipps
Hunt
???

 

[Derpus]

Sounds like Kerevi will be retained at 12 with Hunt on the bench.

I'd imagine the backline will be:

Genia
Foley
Koroibete
Kerevi
Kuridrani
Hodge
Beale

Phipps
Hunt
???

Speight

 

[Braveheart81]

Speight

I would assume that is most likely. We only carried two back reserves against Japan though so I was leaving it open to that happening again or Cheika deciding Rona could have another run. Of course it would be harsh to drop Speight from the 23 altogether after a pretty strong game.

 

[Derpus]

a 6-2 split would seem to be an unnecessary risk i would have thought.

 

[Derpus]

Could someone tell me why this is on at 4:15am? too late to stay up and too early to get up. Bit fucking useless.

 

[Braveheart81]

Could someone tell me why this is on at 4:15am? too late to stay up and too early to get up. Bit fucking useless.

The games are staggered so there is less overlap. There are 3pm, 5:15/5:30pm games and a 7:45pm game so people can watch three consecutive tests. This is definitely the worst time slot from an Aussie perspective.

 

[Lindommer]

Go to bed early, Derps, then get up and stay up. Go for a run.........

 

[Ignoto]

Could someone tell me why this is on at 4:15am? too late to stay up and too early to get up. Bit fucking useless.

4:15am is doable, hell, record it and switch on around 5. It'll mean you can skip through the anthems and catch up after half time!

But, you guys have it easy. For us in the 'smart' state, it's a 3:15am kick off......

 

[Joe Blow]

Could someone tell me why this is on at 4:15am? too late to stay up and too early to get up. Bit fucking useless.

I can give the WRU a call and see if the players are willing to have the test at 3am local time. Will that work for you?

 

[Warpath]

9. Genia
10. foley
11. Hodge
12. Kerevi
13. TK
14. Koroibete
15. KB (Kurtley Beale)

likely scenario, Hunt and Speight off the bench