Wallabies squad for Ireland series

[KOB1987]

Just started a match thread, I don't know how to copy your post over, I would have done that to start it otherwise

 

[Jerry West]

Faulkner is reportedly ruled out for 6-8 wks due to a foot injury

 

[Joe Blow]

You have to start Kepu and base the scrum off him. Tupou is an incredible talent but there is no need to throw him in to the first test with a debutant hooker and a LH that has shown himself to be vulnerable at times.
We need Tui or Hanigan starting in the back row. Neither would be my first choice......but I do not pick the squad.

 

[Braveheart81]

You have to start Kepu and base the scrum off him. Tupou is an incredible talent but there is no need to throw him in to the first test with a debutant hooker and a LH that has shown himself to be vulnerable at times.
We need Tui or Hanigan starting in the back row. Neither would be my first choice..but I do not pick the squad.

Hanigan isn't available for the first test.

I have no issue starting Kepu and had him there in all the previous teams I've picked. I think Tupou has shown himsefl to be very strong in the scrum as well as his overall form being outstanding. If he is struggling Kepu can come on earlier.

Finishing with the Tahs front row sounds like a good option for continuity.

I think Timu's form has been outstanding and his ball running and offloading will be welcomed. I think our lineout will stand up well enough with two good locks and a couple of bit-part options in the backrow.

 

[Tomikin]

My team (current edition) would be:

Sio, BPA, Tupou
Coleman, Rodda
Pocock, Hooper, Timu
Genia, Foley
Koroibete, Beale, Kuridrani, DHP
Folau

Latu, Robertson, Kepu, Simmons, Samu, Phipps, Hodge, Rona

Tupou's form is hard to deny. He now starts. Latu's experience gets him a gig even though he is (or will probably be) a late edition to the squad. Hard to go into the game with two debutantes at hooker.

Really tempted to select Banks on one of the wings and Rona instead of Kuridrani but I think the short preparation means to go for experience.

Maybe Kerevi makes the side but I think Kuridrani's defence gets the nod.

Do you take Tupou starting knowing that if he gets stitched up you bring on Kepu..guess its safer then having Kepu start bring on Tupou and get hammered..

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[Joe Blow]

Timu is very exciting. However he is still quite green in union and does not need to be thrown in starting in his first test.
Start Tui at 6, even if he only plays 30-40mins.

 

[Derpus]

You'd have to imagine, with the selection of Samu, that Tui won't be in the 23. Purely because he has barely had a run all season.

 

[Braveheart81]

Timu is very exciting. However he is still quite green in union and does not need to be thrown in starting in his first test.
Start Tui at 6, even if he only plays 30-40mins.

I don't really get how picking Tui who has only played 4 tests, played very few games this season and has very limited experience at 6 is the safer option.

I reckon that's about the riskiest selection decision Cheika has available to him.

 

[Ruggo]

You've got to start Thor. Kepu on the bench but Thor needs to start.

 

[barbarian]

Thor's penchant for giving away a silly penalty or two each game does frustrate me.

I'd rather have Kepu starting with Thor off the bench, in the first test anyway.

 

[fatprop]

You start your most experienced THP against the second best side in the world, in the first test, with a tight turnaround

 

[Merrow]

Thor's penchant for giving away a silly penalty or two each game does frustrate me.

I'd rather have Kepu starting with Thor off the bench, in the first test anyway.

I don’t know, Kepu’s given some pretty dumb penalties away in his time as well. RWC 2015 final springs to mind.

 

[Braveheart81]

He got red carded in his last test match but who's counting.

 

[Derpus]

I'd be amazed if Cheika started Thor. I wouldn't be as amazed if he'd played himself into the starting gig by the end of the series though.

 

[TSR]

I wish we had the same selection problem for 6 that we have at 3.

Actually - having said that I am very happy with a backrow of Timu, Hooper & Pocock everywhere except the lineout.

Maybe a 5 man lineout with the locks and Timu as targets and Hooper & Thor as running options.

 

[dru]

I wish we had the same selection problem for 6 that we have at 3.

Actually - having said that I am very happy with a backrow of Timu, Hooper & Pocock everywhere except the lineout.

Maybe a 5 man lineout with the locks and Timu as targets and Hooper & Thor as running options.

For sure the Irish will play to that.

 

[Up the Guts]

The frustrating part is that if we had a semi-decent jumper at 6 we'd have a really strong line-out. Simmons, Rodda, and Coleman are all excellent in the air.

 

[dru]

The frustrating part is that if we had a semi-decent jumper at 6 we'd have a really strong line-out. Simmons, Rodda, and Coleman are all excellent in the air.

Two at a time though. How many true jumpers have Ireland got?

 

[Zero_Cool]

The frustrating part is that if we had a semi-decent jumper at 6 we'd have a really strong line-out. Simmons, Rodda, and Coleman are all excellent in the air.

I would say with Rodda and Coleman (mix in Simmons off the bench) Timu is likely to be enough of a lineout option. While he's still figuring it out having come across from League he's got pretty good instincts and natural ability for it.

 

[dru]

I would say with Rodda and Coleman (mix in Simmons off the bench) Timu is likely to be enough of a lineout option. While he's still figuring it out having come across from League he's got pretty good instincts and natural ability for it.

Cheika has run with two only true jumpers before. It didn't end well. Why would this?