Wallabies v Barbarians - 1/11/14 (Twickenham)

[Braveheart81]

He's gone full experimental mode..I kind of like it but it fills me with terrible memories of Samoa 2011 and Scotland 2012

I reckon there's probably only four players rested totally from the 23 who will play next week.

The most experimental thing about this side is Genia and Cooper at 9 and 10 and they're our most experienced backs after AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)!

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The side really isn't that experimental. There is plenty of experience across the park and 12 months out from the RWC you'd hope that was the case.

 

[Bowside]

Ben Alexander still getting wallabies caps is baffling. It's a shame we don't have a lot of contenders at TH.

I would have started Hanson, and had Godwin on the bench.

This game is Horwills chance to shine. Time to perform big man.

 

[Braveheart81]

Probably the most interesting talking point about this side is that Hodgson is captain ahead of former Wallaby captains James Horwill and Will Genia and former vice-captain, Quade Cooper.

 

[Blue]

Probably the most interesting talking point about this side is that Hodgson is captain ahead of former Wallaby captains James Horwill and Will Genia and former vice-captain, Quade Cooper.

Avoid any chit chat / controversy / squad issues.

Pick a new, no-nonsense guy.

Cheikaball.

 

[lewisr]

Quade was never going to be a starting captain under link, and all but Horwill haven't see regular wallaby time recently, or any more than hodgo, so I don't really think it's too big a surprise. Tipping Hodgson to tear it up


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[qwerty51]

Has Hodgson ever started a game? Was it that one game in 2008?

edit: It was the infamous Samoan game.

 

[lewisr]

Reading a little into the lineup, I'd speculate that the following positions are up for grabs next weekend against Wales:

Lock: I'd say that no Simmons in this team means he'll be starting next week. Horwill, Carter and Skelton are playing off for the other starting role and a bench spot.

Haflback: Genia and White are playing off to be Nick Phipps' backup. Genia starting would indicate to me he's more likely.

Inside centre: To'omua and Leali'ifano are playing off for this one. Despite Lilo's excellent test against the All Blacks, To'omua starting seems to indicate he's being counted as the incumbent.

Outside centre/Wing: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will come back into this side next week. I'm guessing he'll just take Horne's wing spot and Horne and Tomane are playing for a bench spot unless Speight struggles for some reason.

I think Hodgson and McMahon could be playing off for a bench spot next week unless Cheika has thoughts of giving Hodgson a crack at 6.

Opinion on fly half?


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[Ruggo]

Not sure about Genia. Quade Cooper also may have a lot to do with next week. If the Genia Cooper combo carves it up, I would be surprised to see it start next week.

I wouldn't be surprised to see our halves used a combo, weather it be the Tahs or Reds combo.

 

[Pfitzy]

Avoid any chit chat / controversy / squad issues.

Pick a new, no-nonsense guy.

Cheikaball.

Cheika knows what he likes, and he likes a hard-nosed fluffybunny. He's probably trying to talk Hodgson into playing for the Tahs

what's his body height like into contact? If it's good he may be worth a shot

Better than Ben Fucking Alexander in one of the drills - he was running at shoulder height which is asking ANY northern hemisphere forward pack to strip or maul. FFS!

Tipping QC (Quade Cooper) to start. Foley has gone OK but generally is not considered a game breaker. Cooper has a very great backline to work with so no fucking excuses are acceptable.

Fuck yeah! Not enough people have been crowing about Quade's return in my book.

Been ages since he single-handedly won RWC2011, the five consecutive Bledisloes of course, the tour with Phantom of the Opera and I'm not about to forget winning Laureus Sportsman AND Sportswoman of the Year! That was after his Nobel Prize for Physics but before he'll undoubtedly cure Ebola and Cancer with the same synthetic compound derived from his own ball sweat.

For fuck's fucking sake some of you lot carry on.

Now he'll carve up against the Baabaas and you'll go all fucking Santa Claus over it, claiming that he was the answer all along.

This bullshit about "game breaker" ignores completely what Foley has achieved since his Test debut LAST FUCKING YEAR.

 

[Viking]

Probably the most interesting talking point about this side is that Hodgson is captain ahead of former Wallaby captains James Horwill and Will Genia and former vice-captain, Quade Cooper.

I think its a great statement that hard work and consistent performance is rewarded. He is basically saying a second choice 7 who works his ass off is valued more then a first choice player who is struggling to find form.

I think its a great call.

 

[Pfitzy]

I think its a great statement that hard work and consistent performance is rewarded. He is basically saying a second choice 7 who works his ass off is valued more then a first choice player who is struggling to find form.

Are you speaking generally or is Hooper not in form?

 

[Braveheart81]

Opinion on fly half?


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I think Phipps and Foley will be starting next week.

I expect Cooper will be on the bench and Genia and White are playing off for a bench spot.

I'd be shocked if Cheika was considering dropping Foley from the starting spot at this point for a player on the comeback from injury.

 

[qwerty51]

He's talking about Horwill.

 

[Viking]

Been ages since he single-handedly won RWC2011, the five consecutive Bledisloes of course, the tour with Phantom of the Opera and I'm not about to forget winning Laureus Sportsman AND Sportswoman of the Year! That was after his Nobel Prize for Physics but before he'll undoubtedly cure Ebola and Cancer with the same synthetic compound derived from his own ball sweat.

For fuck's fucking sake some of you lot carry on.

Now he'll carve up against the Baabaas and you'll go all fucking Santa Claus over it, claiming that he was the answer all along.

This bullshit about "game breaker" ignores completely what Foley has achieved since his Test debut LAST FUCKING YEAR.

Settle down mate. Cooper has made MOTM performances against the best team in the world. People go-on about him because at his best he is probably the best fly-half in the world.

What has Foley achieved? A few solid performances and few nothing performances.

People are backing Coopers potential, which is far greater then Foley's, and Coopers last Test performances he was actually hitting his potential.

Cooper for Prime Minister!!!

 

[Viking]

Are you speaking generally or is Hooper not in form?

This is on the assumption Hooper is being rested. And Hodgeson is being picked over senior players like Horwill, Genia, Cooper, Robinson, Higgers for Captain.

 

[rugbyskier]

Congratulations to Matt Hodgson on his captaincy for this match.

By the way, has anyone noticed the similarities between the official photos of Matt and a certain negative feline?

 

[Braveheart81]

Settle down mate. Cooper has made MOTM performances against the best team in the world. People go-on about him because at his best he is probably the best fly-half in the world.

[citation needed]

 

[Ruggo]

Cooper not the Messiah but he does have a skill set that Foley is yet to match. Ignore the razzle dazzle and look at how he structures the play. He has a very astute and quick thinking footy brain.

I also rate Foley. He is brave in how he keeps a flat line, he has bloody good skills also.

Between Foley and Cooper we are well served. Gonew are the days when we had chicken shit 10's that retreat into the pocket when the going gets tough.

 

[Pfitzy]

He's talking about Horwill.

Ah - my mistake. Thought it was about the positions.

Yeah Horwill. Would love him to find some form and give our second row some size with the grunt and hard work. You look at the All Blacks fans when Retallick isn't available and they start to suck their teeth in frustration, thinking about replacements.