Wallabies v All Blacks, Saturday 19th August, ANZ Stadium Sydney

[RoffsChoice]

I can't think of a backline the All Blacks would prefer to be running at.

 

[KOB1987]

Simmons on the bench is probably the biggest surprise for me.

 

[Micheal]

I like it. It's a team designed to attack though so the game plan needs to come off.

To be fair, the All Blacks give their opposition more ball than any other team in the world.

If we could use it effectively we may be in the game.

Besides, Bledisloe 1 after that shit-show of a season and I don't think any players in that team will be shirking contact.

I also think if you're going to go a lightweight backrow, NZ is probably one of the sides to do it against. Squire / Cane / Reid aren't exactly heavy hitters, they're just exceptionally effective.

If we were playing England / Ireland / South Africa I'd be more concerned.

I think this team should do alright.

 

[fatprop]

Simmons on the bench is probably the biggest surprise for me.

I thought I would get in early "he is a Tah now"

 

[Sully]

Thoughts on the team.
We've conceded the lineout with the choice of backrowers.
How to we hide Foley, Beale, Kerevi and Folau in defence?

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[emuarse]

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Fairly weak defense with both Beale & Kerevi in the centres.
McMahon & Hooper will need to be backing up real time.

 

[chasmac]

Moore is a surprise. I would have TPN.
I'm not impressed by Hanigan at this stage.
McMahon is a good call.
Robertson must be better than I give him credit for. Too small.
Not feeling very confident.
AB's by 20.

 

[Micheal]

Hanigan's got to be the luckiest player in the country at this stage.

If he didn't have the iconic mop (he stands out more with it) and the ridiculously deep / country accent would he be in the team?

Perhaps he's connected with Cheika in a way no other player has before:

Hanigan: "Yeah, nah, yeah, mate. Pretty bloody keen to rip in, ay?"
Cheika: "Yeah, yeah, nah, nah, like, you know what I mean?"

It's a long bow but I'm looking for an explanation absolutely anywhere as his form certainly doesn't warrant it.

 

[Braveheart81]

Thoughts on the team.
We've conceded the lineout with the choice of backrowers.
How to we hide Foley, Beale, Kerevi and Folau in defence?

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I would say McMahon is a better lineout option than Timani.

Clearly this team will have to outperform expectations in defence if we're to stand a chance.

It's strong on attack though and hopefully they click. I think it's the most exciting backline we've named in a long time.

 

[Slim 293]

Hanigan's got to be the luckiest player in the country at this stage.

He and Phipps can fight it out for that title..........

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Hanigan's got to be the luckiest player in the country at this stage.

If he didn't have the iconic mop (he stands out more with it) and no ridiculously deep / country accent would he be in the team?

Perhaps he's connected with Cheika in a way no other player has before:

Hanigan: "Yeah, nah, yeah, mate. Pretty bloody keen to rip in, ay?"
Cheika: "Yeah, yeah, nah, nah, like, you know what I mean?"

It's a long bow but I'm looking for an explanation absolutely anywhere as his form certainly doesn't warrant it.

Randwick

 

[wamberal]

McMahon is a better footballer than Timani. All Timani has is bulk.

 

[Istanbul]

I'm happy with that team - well balanced bench. Probably would prefer see TPN start but Moore is solid. Time for this tea to step up!

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

McMahon is a better footballer than Timani. All Timani has is bulk.

McMahon runs/tackles so hard he plays like he is Timani's size. Wish we could feed his toughness to the rest of the pack.

 

[Braveheart81]

TPN helps add impact to the bench which we will need in the last half an hour if we are in with a shout.

I would have made a couple of different selections in the pack but the backs are my preferred side (barring the injury to DHP).

I hope they go well on Saturday night. Australian Rugby needs them to put up a very strong performance.

 

[Ignoto]

I've got no problem with the team Cheika named, if we were playing the Boks or Argies. But, starting Hanigan and a centre pairing that's never played with one another is a recipe for disaster against SBW and Crotty.

 

[Micheal]

Interesting to see an all Brumbies front row on the paddock and an (essentially) all Tahs front row on the bench.

Will that experience packing together come good?

Otherwise, Kepu, TPN, Timani, Kuridrani and Hodge offer some real size and punch for the second half.

Keen to see the bench unleashed.

 

[Dctarget]

All Blacks to win 30+. Anything less and I'd consider that an achievement for us. Predict Beauden and B. Smith to score 5 tries between them. Phipps will score a try on the siren making the score board a bit easier on the eyes.

Good luck to Rona, rough game to debut in. Hope he doesn't cop it too much.

Excited to see our locks perform, most comfortable pairing we've had in an age.

 

[Braveheart81]

I've got no problem with the team Cheika named, if we were playing the Boks or Argies. But, starting Hanigan and a centre pairing that's never played with one another is a recipe for disaster against SBW and Crotty.

I think this is the best centre pairing we have on paper. Hopefully they can rise to the occasion.

 

[wamberal]

McMahon runs/tackles so hard he plays like he is Timani's size. Wish we could feed his toughness to the rest of the pack.

He also knows how to beat an opposition player with skill, so size is much less important in his case. Pity he's a midget.