Wallabies v England in Melbourne, 18 June

[KOB1987]

Don't forget the skill of picking up a bobbling ball as your scrum is going backwards. I hope that doesn't happen though.

Yes, I guess I should have just said 'controlling the ball at the back of the scrum'. That requisite comes in a lot of unpredictable forms!

 

[Viking]

Hilarious. None of those aforementioned are ready or even good enough for test rugby. How about they earn the chance to get capped rather than being given a run because they show some promise.

Exactly! They need to earn a spot first. Perform at super xv first then you can get game time with the wallabies. I don't think any of those guys apart from maybe Holloway (and that's only been one season) are clear standouts in super xv.

 

[Scrubber2050]

You sound ready to resign Pocock if McMahon makes more metres. I am sure I don't need to tell you comparing two players on a sole metric, over 2 games, without any real clue as to the instructions given by the coaching staff is ludicrous.

No not at all but are you saying Pococks instructions include not making many metres in attack - ludicrous. How many turnovers did Poey get last week ????

YOU may think Pocock is the greatest thing alive but his Super form and last test match form have not lived up to his reputation.

I've continually said Poey is the best 7 around (including Gill Hooper McMahon) - he is not an 8 and actually doesn't perform THAT traditional role to anywhere near the same standard he would perform at 7.

 

[Tex]

Gents,
I will be a first time attendee at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
So just wondering if anyone can confirm if they sell full strength beer in any of the publicly accessible beers or is it a mid-strength only venue?

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Full strength for afternoon matches, middies after 6pm (or something like that).

A bunch of Kiwi grandpas taking the kids to a Rebels match taught me that it's wiser to sneak in a couple tinnies, preferably in the baby's pram.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

 

[Brumby Runner]

So, in that case, we stick with a side that has lost two tests to England and which contains a handful of players who won't or probably won't make it through the next couple of years nor to the RWC. Just when in your fantasy world do you start to look at new players? BTW, Cottrell and Coleman have each had two or more years at Super Rugby level, Ready is ready, and Nabuli is definitely in Cheika's sights. I agree that Holloway is the choice of those I listed, but they all in one way or another have put themselves in the picture for higher honours.

All this is academic if the Wallabies win in Melbourne, of course.

 

[Viking]

No not at all but are you saying Pococks instructions include not making many metres in attack - ludicrous. How many turnovers did Poey get last week ????

YOU may think Pocock is the greatest thing alive but his Super form and last test match form have not lived up to his reputation.

I've continually said Poey is the best 7 around (including Gill Hooper McMahon) - he is not an 8 and actually doesn't perform THAT traditional role to anywhere near the same standard he would perform at 7.

That's because Hooper performs that role around the park, of a traditional 8. Poey is still the seven around the park. Set-piece and the numbers on the back are the only difference. Can't believe people still haven't worked this out.

Although I agree his form wasn't his usual dominating self. But I think he still made 2 turnovers and tackled like a madman.

 

[Braveheart81]

Cottrell

I don't really get the suggestion of Cottrell any more.

He burst onto the scene playing some fantastic rugby a couple of years ago before he broke his leg but I don't think he's got close to that since.

He's struggled to cement himself as a starting XV player for the Force this year.

He's miles off Wallaby selection right now even if you were picking a side with a very strong nod to the future.

He's 26 already. There's a real chance that he'll never really be a consistent Wallaby player at any point because younger players will pass him.

 

[No4918]

No not at all but are you saying Pococks instructions include not making many metres in attack - ludicrous. How many turnovers did Poey get last week ????

YOU may think Pocock is the greatest thing alive but his Super form and last test match form have not lived up to his reputation.

I've continually said Poey is the best 7 around (including Gill Hooper McMahon) - he is not an 8 and actually doesn't perform THAT traditional role to anywhere near the same standard he would perform at 7.

Oh Scrubber, I said none of those things and you know it. You are the spin king.

Pocock had a quiet game compared with his regular efforts. Everyone is allowed quiet games. He was still very solid and never let the side down.

Yet to hear you suggest why McMahon is more a traditional 8.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Oh Scrubber, I said none of those things and you know it. You are the spin king.

Pocock had a quiet game compared with his regular efforts. Everyone is allowed quiet games. He was still very solid and never let the side down.

Yet to hear you suggest why McMahon is more a traditional 8.

Oh Scrubber, I said none of those things and you know it. You are the spin king.

Pocock had a quiet game compared with his regular efforts. Everyone is allowed quiet games. He was still very solid and never let the side down.

Yet to hear you suggest why McMahon is more a traditional 8.

I don't !!!!!!!

Personally I would have gone for McCalman at 8 and Hooper at 7.

We, that is, Chek seems to be set on the 2 x 7's selection.

I just think it doesn't work as well as RWC

 

[Braveheart81]

Looks like every man and his dog have taken the field for the captain's run so no real insight into what the bench might look like yet.

I wonder if England announcing a 6:2 bench will increase the likelihood of Cheika doing the same?

 

[Mr Doug]

Has tomorrow's bench been "trimmed" yet?

 

[No4918]

I don't !!!!!!!

Personally I would have gone for McCalman at 8 and Hooper at 7.

We, that is, Chek seems to be set on the 2 x 7's selection.

I just think it doesn't work as well as RWC

I agree McMahon wouldn't be my 8 and I don't think anyone here that posted a team had him at 8.

Pocock was huge at the RWC so I am not prepared to move on from him at 8 after one game. Of all the 7 options he is definitely most suited. Until we get an 8 good enough to push Poey or Hooper it will be the best option. Both are a class above the current 8's and McMahon.

 

[Tip]

It's interesting that Pocock had a "quiet" game, when he made two turnovers and the only penalty against him was absolute coddleswallop and should have went the other way

 

[Mr Doug]

Good to read George Smith's comments re him not playing for the Wallabies again, in this morning's G&GR email.
The role of player/'assistant coach'?/mentor here at the Reds next year should keep him "occupied"!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ Good to get that band wagon corralled early before too many fan boys jumped on it.

 

[Melchior]

I don't really get the suggestion of Cottrell any more.

He burst onto the scene playing some fantastic rugby a couple of years ago before he broke his leg but I don't think he's got close to that since.

He's struggled to cement himself as a starting XV player for the Force this year.

He's miles off Wallaby selection right now even if you were picking a side with a very strong nod to the future.

He's 26 already. There's a real chance that he'll never really be a consistent Wallaby player at any point because younger players will pass him.

I think (as with Godwin) that he added some bulk to compete with the big boppers and because of that he has lost some of his dynamism, particularly with ball in hand. He has then sustained knee/leg injuries which can be a consequence of extra bulk on a physique not made for it.

Can't recall him ever playing a full game this season and stander has kept him out of the team. He's a long way off a gold jumper at this stage. Most likely if things continue on as is for him he will looking at japan or europe for a payday come 2018.

 

[emuarse]

I cant believe this is Slippers 76th cap. And I still don't think he's peaked as a player yet. Well done to him.

An important factor favoring Slipper is that last year he was carrying injuries which affected his game.
He has said recently that he felt he was playing much better this year after his fit out.
I wonder if Sio would have overtaken him last year if he'd been 100%?

 

[Viking]

I don't !!!!!!!

Personally I would have gone for McCalman at 8 and Hooper at 7.

We, that is, Chek seems to be set on the 2 x 7's selection.

I just think it doesn't work as well as RWC

I don't think McMahon is a really another seven though. He plays no-way like a tradition seven does. I think choosing him reflects a change in strategy - if Cheika wanted a like-for-like replacement he would have gone with Gill.

I would have gone for the traditional set-up too in McCalman 8, Hooper 7. This is a completely new set-up with McMahon - a double hybrid?

 

[Viking]

An important factor favoring Slipper is that last year he was carrying injuries which affected his game.
He has said recently that he felt he was playing much better this year after his fit out.
I wonder if Sio would have overtaken him last year if he'd been 100%?

I was surprised Slipper didn't get the nod before him in game 1 actually - given super xv form. Thought Sio has been average all year.

Sio must have been rewarded for his RWC form, unfortunately scrum let him down.

Sio at his best Verse Slipper at his best - that is a tough tough call, I'd probably go with Sio for his blockbusting runs - but then again it could be Brumbies bias creeping in.

 

[emuarse]

Give the Soap Dodgers a bath and they'll lose 25kg

And that's just the backs.