No - but those sort of decisions are all part of the mix.Reece Hodge vs Donaldson is hardly an inspiring choice is it?
Are you implying that the rest of the backline had a stellar performance?Is it a different Reece Hodge from the one that played in South Africa?
Are you implying that the rest of the backline had a stellar performance?
But if he isn't starting is Slipper forced to start??I think if M Hooper is fit you have to have him in your squad. That said, part of me secretly hopes he miss out due to injury. I strongly believe McReight is a better player than him at this point and i worry that Hooper will continue to get the nod over mcreight in the big games.
Why would he be?But if he isn't starting is Slipper forced to start??
What are you asking that about, Slipper being forced to start or Hooper not starting?Why would he be?
I agree with this, the more I have thought about it, with these new concussion protocols I don't think you can afford to take the gamble with 2 hookers or 2 halfbacks.It’s worth noting that the key players who miss selection will be in Europe for the Australia A & Barbarian games. Won’t help covering an injury on the day of the game so I think they’ll take 3 hookers and 3 9s - but if there are any injuries there should be a replacement close at hand. You can’t cover every eventuality or dumb luck but they just need enough squad cover for any immediate/short term issues.
IMO neither Slipper nor Hooper should be starting and neither should have been named captain. It was a dumb idea and honestly I got the impression that Eddie has moved on. I'm assuming Tate is the starting Captain for here on out.
Slipper being forced to start. Hooper's not there now and he's not forced to start, I don't see why that would change going forward.What are you asking that about, Slipper being forced to start or Hooper not starting?
Times have changed a bit since then. I don't necessarily disagree about taking Hooper, but I note that England will only take one specialist #8 (Billy Vunipola). Playing the other Hooper at 7 seemed to work okay?We should 100% take two specialist opensides. 33 is more than enough to be able to carry both of them (again, assuming Hooper is fit).
I am old enough to remember Ben McCalman packing down at 7 in a game against Ireland in 2011. I still wake up in a cold sweat sometimes thinking about it. I have it tattooed, Memento style, on my ribs - 'take two 7s to a World Cup'.
I'm just a bit confused about how the whole captaincy is going to work. Did Eddie name Slipper and Hooper co-captain for the World Cup? and if so it would be a bit strange for them both to not start but it would also be a bit of an inconvenience if they did start as they both have younger players like bell and mcreight who (based on current form) should probably be starting over them.Slipper being forced to start. Hooper's not there now and he's not forced to start, I don't see why that would change going forward.
I'm just a bit confused about how the whole captaincy is going to work. Did Eddie name Slipper and Hooper co-captain for the World Cup? and if so it would be a bit strange for them both to not start but it would also be a bit of an inconvenience if they did start as they both have younger players like bell and mcreight who (based on current form) should probably be starting over them.
I like it, but I suspect we'll see Donaldson or Hodge in the squad at the expense of Wright.
They both can provide cover at 10 and 15 (Hodge 12/13 also).
We need a 3rd 10 cover. If Cooper or Gordon get a head knock - who is the back up 10?
Who's the bloke on the far right?
Are you serious? It's Joe Roff (former wallaby and current President of RA)Who's the bloke on the far right?