Wallabies 2018 Spring Tour

[wamberal]

Only in regard to certain players Silver. And I hasten to mention that I was equally "relentless" about Rob Simmons when he was a Red. I call it as I see it.

I might also mention that I was one of the very few who tipped the Tahs to win the Aussie Super Rugby conference this year before the first game. I am not anti-Tahs per se, but I certainly dislike the preferential treatment some of their less deserving personnel get from the national coach and selector.

What is his motive in all this? He gets judged by his results, how many games his team wins, not the proportion of Waratahs players in the national team.

Is he just stupid? Does he have a deep passion for the colour blue? We need to be told.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Wamb, I would challenge that Cheika has been judged on any criteria, least of all his results. Had it been so, he would have lost his Wallabies' coaching jaunt a couple of years ago.

Being as fair as I can to him, it appears that he has a distinct preference for players he is familiar with. He sticks with his familiar players despite results and has a leaning towards players from the Tahs to fill any spots that come up from time to time. He may not be stupid, but some of his selection decisions are really bordering on that description, especially noting the dismal failure rate he is getting with his selections and tactics.

 

[Forcefield]

Actually the All Blacks assistants did it a couple of years ago.

I'd call that a different context. Competent coaches with a proven track record moved around for a brief period to freshen things up.

 

[Rebels3]

Hodge out for the rest of the year with a fractured ankle. I’d suspect Petaia to get a call up now.

Cottrell also out, replaced by Samu

 

[Derpus]

Remember the last time a promising young talent debuted at 13 against the All Blacks? Might see Rona.

 

[Ignoto]

I’d suspect Petaia to get a call up now.

Kerevi is flying over to Japan today. I'd wager he'll be starting at 13 and Petaia will be on route to Europe via Fiji next weekend.

 

[RugbyReg]

Kerevi is flying over to Japan today. I'd wager he'll be starting at 13 and Petaia will be on route to Europe via Fiji next weekend.

Cottrell is out too. Peter Samu has been called up to replace him.

No replacement for Hodge.

Although they may wait until post NRC to add Petaia

 

[Up the Guts]

Remember the last time a promising young talent debuted at 13 against the All Blacks? Might see Rona.

The difference between Petaia and the other promising backs we've had of late is that he is a good defender, a really good defender. He averaged under 1 missed tackle per game for the Reds this year. I don't think he should start at 13 against the ABs if others are available but given the completeness of his game I can't see many arguments about holding him back if he's the best option we have.

 

[Sully]

Petaia was impressive again today for Queensland country. Man he seems to have packed on some size.

 

[Forcefield]

I'd not be surprised to see DHP at 13 and Folau back to full back. Not advocating for it though.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Didn't DHP get completely cut to pieces by the ABs when he played there a few years ago?

 

[KOB1987]

Kerevi will be odds on to start at 13 now. I would have preferred that even with Hodge fit, bring on plan B later in the game when the ABs legs have tired a bit.

 

[Joe Blow]

Cottrell was done in on the weekend presumably. How long is he out?

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon Folau is most likely to start at 13.

Kerevi has been out a long time. I don't think Cheika would risk it (again).

 

[Brumby Runner]

Cottrell was done in on the weekend presumably. How long is he out?

Have seen a report that Cottrell will remain for the EOYT. Training with the Wallabies sure is a hazardous occupation.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I reckon Folau is most likely to start at 13.

Kerevi has been out a long time. I don't think Cheika would risk it (again).

I don't think Kerevi should be included until he shows that he's back to fitness and form, though how he will do that before the EOYT is beyond me.

I would prefer Folau to remain on the wing as I've never been impressed with him at 13, but what are the alternatives? Petaia will probably stay with QLD Country for the NRC final which rules him out of Bled3. Just, please, let it not be AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Hodge is already using the team's set of crutches.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think Kerevi should be included until he shows that he's back to fitness and form, though how he will do that before the EOYT is beyond me.

I would prefer Folau to remain on the wing as I've never been impressed with him at 13, but what are the alternatives? Petaia will probably stay with QLD Country for the NRC final which rules him out of Bled3. Just, please, let it not be AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Hodge is already using the team's set of crutches.

They replaced Cottrell with Samu and didn't replace Hodge in the squad. That squad is just for Bledisloe 3.

Someone out of Kerevi, Folau and Naivalu will play 13. I don't see who else could play there.

 

[Joe Blow]

Folau with Kerevi on the bench one would think. We are also without To'omua so the inside backs are a little thin.

 

[wamberal]

Folau with Kerevi on the bench one would think. We are also without To'omua so the inside backs are a little thin.

Folau is the lowest risk option. It would be a huge ask to throw Kerevi in against the Darkness.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Actually the All Blacks assistants did it a couple of years ago.

Its common place across most sports. Most coaches aim to be head coaches, not specialiseas specific assistant coaches. Bernie and NG bothed played decent rugby in their time, I am sure they would manage