Wallabies V Boks Loftus Versfeld Pretoria 28/08/2010

[Gnostic]

I cannot see Deans making any changes to the run on team that he gushed over after the CC test excepting of course Cooper and maybe a 4:2 split on the bench (not that the bench matters with Deans)

Hence I predict :-

1. Robinson
2. Fainga'a
3. Maafu
4. Mumm
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Brown
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. Moore
17. Slipper
18. Simmons
19. McCalman
20. Burgess/Higginbum
21. Burgess/Turner
22. Barnes

My feeling is that we will have a 4:2 split with Burgess and Barnes the backs reserves.

 

[Thin Thighs]

Wallaby 24 Bokke 18

 

[Langthorne]

I think you are probably about right with the starting XV Gnostic. Hodgson really can't take a trick. My guess is a 4:3 split on the bench.

I would go with Turner over JO'C in the starting line up (Turner is a winger with excellent defence, and is safe under the high ball), with JO'C to come on later where needed (and cut them apart). Either way, this is not likely to be where the game is won.

It would be nice to see the bench used optimally.

The South Africans looks great with the new line up - the head says Boks, the heart says please let it not be so!

 

[TOCC]

I think we might see Turner and Moore come into the starting lineup and relegate Fainga'a to the bench and JOC (James O'Connor) out of the 22.

 

[Blue]

8. Brown

I look forward to the contest between Spies and Brown. Who can do the least in 80 minutes?

Moore has to start at 2, surely he offers more?

Any chance of Rocky moving to 8 or can we assume that if it was going to happen it would have by now?

Is the inclusion of Turner is the squad a sign that Deans may have lost faith in the JOC (James O'Connor) wing experiment?

 

[cyclopath]

I look forward to the contest between Spies and Brown. Who can do the least in 80 minutes?

Moore has to start at 2, surely he offers more?

Any chance of Rocky moving to 8 or can we assume that if it was going to happen it would have by now?

Is the inclusion of Turner is the squad a sign that Deans may have lost faith in the JOC (James O'Connor) wing experiment?

Nice Blue. Spies has probably showed more against Oz than NZ, so who knows. Brown will look like he's doing stuff, but won't make an impact.
Bokke could be too physical for us, but if they stuff themselves, Oz may well come into the mix later. But still fall short.
Unfortunately I cannot see an Oz win here.

 

[Richo]

To finish the game strong enough to win, at altitude, Deans will have to use his bench -- the whole thing, probably. Based on what we've seen so far, can anyone see that happening?

 

[farva]

The Boks will have thrown everything they have at the ABs on Sat night - they would have been up for it, and put everything they had into it.
They will be physically and mentally spent and so wont be up for this game.

The Wallabies on the other hand will be going over there confident, and really getting themselves up for two wins over in the republic. They will in the right spot mentally.

I can see the Wallabies getting over the line in one game at least (probably in Durban).

On the other hand, when we hit the ABs, they will be resting their top players. While that sounds good, their second string players will be essentially playing for a world cup spot. They will be up for it.

 

[TOCC]

The Boks will have thrown everything they have at the ABs on Sat night - they would have been up for it, and put everything they had into it.
They will be physically and mentally spent and so wont be up for this game.

The Wallabies on the other hand will be going over there confident, and really getting themselves up for two wins over in the republic. They will in the right spot mentally.

I can see the Wallabies getting over the line in one game at least (probably in Durban).

On the other hand, when we hit the ABs, they will be resting their top players. While that sounds good, their second string players will be essentially playing for a world cup spot. They will be up for it.

Firstly, you would be incredibly naive to think that the Boks are physically and mentally spent and wont be up for the game, a wounded springbok team is incredibly dangerous.

Secondly, how are the Wallabies confident? they have lost there last two matches and are heading to a ground where they have never won..

 

[cyclopath]

The Boks will have thrown everything they have at the ABs on Sat night - they would have been up for it, and put everything they had into it.
They will be physically and mentally spent and so wont be up for this game.

The Wallabies on the other hand will be going over there confident, and really getting themselves up for two wins over in the republic. They will in the right spot mentally.

I can see the Wallabies getting over the line in one game at least (probably in Durban).

On the other hand, when we hit the ABs, they will be resting their top players. While that sounds good, their second string players will be essentially playing for a world cup spot. They will be up for it.

Nice theory, if they were actually playing a game in Durban.

 

[Linus]

The second game is in Bloemfontein.

I think we'll see if SA are able to back up once selections are announced, the key is their mental state which has seemed fragile this season, some wholesale changes would be good for us. I think Fourie will come back in and maybe Danie R to start. Does Bismarck get a run? I still think they can select a better 22.

 

[farva]

Firstly, you would be incredibly naive to think that the Boks are physically and mentally spent and wont be up for the game, a wounded springbok team is incredibly dangerous.

Secondly, how are the Wallabies confident? they have lost there last two matches and are heading to a ground where they have never won..

I dont believe that the Springbok would devote the same importance to beating Australia as they do to beating NZ. They would have targeted that game, with 95k spectators and after a 3 week layoff. That was their big game. It was much like when we met them in Brisbane. They had targeted the games in NZ as wins, and the game in Australia was more of an afterthought.

Obviously they want to win the game against us as well, but I dont think it will be as important as beating the ABs was. Im not saying they wont be up for it, and will treat it like a friendly. But their final, if you will, was last weekend.

Australia should be confident as we beat the Boks last time we met them, and beat them quite convincingly.We have every reason to think that we will be competitive. Playing SA in SA is much more daunting a prospect certainly. But certainly the Wallabies have beaten SA in the most recent meeting and that will buoy them.

And I meant the game in Blomfentein

 

[Blue]

I think the Boks will 100% devote themselves to not losing five in a row.

That is more than enough motivation fore them. Has nothing to do with who they are playing.

 

[Gnostic]

The Wallabies will definitely be "up" for the games but whether that makes a difference to skill levels and game Plan will have to be seen. They all have to be "up" for these two games as if they lose and lose badly it will IMO be the end of the coaching staff as it stands and probably a few international careers.

 

[Bowside]

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Maafu
4. Mumm
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Brown
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Turner
15. Beale/JOC (James O'Connor)

16. Fainga'a
17. Slipper
18. Simmons
19. Higgers
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. JOC (James O'Connor)/Beale

I'd tell Giteau he's playing for his place in the team and if he hasnt done anything by the 50 minute mark then O'Connor gets a crack at his spot. Same with Brown, Mumm and Maafu.

Australia need to play to there strengths. Keep the ball in play and run the boks off there feet. Have faith in your bench and give them all a run. Beating the boks at altitude is a must if the wallabies are to establish themselves as the second best team in the world.

 

[Crow]

The Wallabies will definitely be "up" for the games but whether that makes a difference to skill levels and game Plan will have to be seen. They all have to be "up" for these two games as if they lose and lose badly it will IMO be the end of the coaching staff as it stands and probably a few international careers.

I think Deans would have to be caught in a compromising situation with Mrs. JON and a half dozen livestock before he'd be sent home. While I can see the cattle (see what I did there?) being reshuffled, I'm not sure about the coaching staff. Maybe the water boy will get a stern talking to.

 

[Gnostic]

Given the issues over the Cooper contract, if he walks as well as the team losing we could see more than issues with the coaching staff. Whispers have been going around for a while about some ARU board room politics as well.

The pressure will be mounting on all parties at the top, Managers, coaches and players. Anybody who doesn't think that is kidding themselves. This is a business like it or not and results are required, or at the very least improvement in performance. What are the KPIs for each level? Have they been satisfied. From a long term stalwart fan and critic's point of view they have not.

That is why these next two games are so vital to the prospects of those involved with this "group". More failures to improve (real improvement not Deans speak bullshit "we're not far off) will bring massive pressure to bear.

I will be watching live, as usual, and cheering again for a Wallabies victory as I always do, but my real hope of seeing anything from the Wallabies under Deans died in Melbourne and was cremated in CC.

 

[Brumby Jack]

I wonder if the old training at sea level vs altitude debate will be brought up if we lose because I'm not sure why the Wallabies are preparing in Cape Town this week when both games in the Republic are at altitude?

 

[Gnostic]

That is just an excuse. It gets trotted out all the time. There can be no more excuses.

 

[Jethro Tah]

I think we'll see if SA are able to back up once selections are announced, the key is their mental state which has seemed fragile this season, some wholesale changes would be good for us. I think Fourie will come back in and maybe Danie R to start. Does Bismarck get a run? I still think they can select a better 22.

I would suggest that the mental state of the Wobs is also fragile so don't rush to put that down as a weakness to exploit.

IMO use of the bench will decide the game and should be 4 fit piggies who can run at altitude plus Burgess, Barnes and JOC (James O'Connor). The run on side should include a genuine winger in Turner, with JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench as cover for 12, 14 & 15, and actually use them as impact players from the 50 min mark as Henry did on the weekend to good effect.

The Mandela Cup is on the line, and World Cup squad spots to a lesser degree, so both sides will be giving 100%. Or maybe I should rephrase that to 'claim to be giving 100%' as I still question the mindset of the Wobs and whether Deans is able to get 100% out of them all.