stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
Is Skelton still injured?
Wallabies v England November 1
- Thread starter TSR
- Start date
Schmidt might be holding out for the Italy game then bringing him in.
molman
John Thornett (49)
If they don't see JOC (James O'Connor) playing a part at the RWC in 27, then I can see some sense in it. I'm curious to see if Carter will play a part against Italy. He's really played so little Rugby of any kind. I can't imagine he's anywhere near were he needs to be and he still had rough edges when he last wore gold.
TSR
Simon Poidevin (60)
Yeah, look - I acknowledge it is probably quite rough to be having a crack at Gordon after that game. A lot of more obvious issues. His kicking was mostly pretty good and he largely did his job. I do think there is an underlying issue there though.
Brumby Runner
George Gregan (70)
? Italy is next weekend and it appears that Skelton is not in the mix.
Major Tom
Chilla Wilson (44)
Think he means after Italy.
stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
Let's open this sore point up - Williams is not a lock and never will be, he is too small and ineffectual at the fundamental role a lock needs to do in the tight. It is time for Swain to come back in from the cold...
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
Swain is probably our best technical lock, he should have been back 2 years ago when he took the starting job from Frost at the Brumbies. His a lineout general, his a menace in mauls. I can't help but feel that schimet has something against him for that cleanout.
He and Skelton would be a force with LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) or Frost off the bench. Although I also think Frost has had a great international season.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
A bit of a mixed bag here. Disappointing result but was close for a long time (probably due in part to McReight's 5 turnovers in the 2nd half). There are plenty of issues for us to solve, but far and away the highball was the big one here. I said it before the game, but having our 10 in position to take them so often just isn't working - Edmed was beaten once for a try and twice turned the ball over when he did take it. That's not a knock on him specifically, it's just not part of the core skillset of our 10s and it doesn't make sense to be putting them in a position where they're going up for those high balls as much or more than anyone else. It's certainly not helped by the absence of Wright and Kellaway not being as strong there either.
Aside from the positioning of the 10, the biggest change we could make is probably moving Sua'ali'i into the back field to have him in a better position to contest them. That said, this was probably the best our centre defence has functioned with him at 13, so Schmidt might not want to mess with that. The alternative is maybe shifting Jorgenson back to 15 as a better option then Kellaway, and probably running Pietsch or Daugunu on the wing. Possibly we could look at bringing in a new fullback while Wright is out (like Banks or Maddocks from France) though I'm not sure how strong either of them are under the highball, and I think it's pretty unlikely to happen.
Aside from the positioning of the 10, the biggest change we could make is probably moving Sua'ali'i into the back field to have him in a better position to contest them. That said, this was probably the best our centre defence has functioned with him at 13, so Schmidt might not want to mess with that. The alternative is maybe shifting Jorgenson back to 15 as a better option then Kellaway, and probably running Pietsch or Daugunu on the wing. Possibly we could look at bringing in a new fullback while Wright is out (like Banks or Maddocks from France) though I'm not sure how strong either of them are under the highball, and I think it's pretty unlikely to happen.
TSR
Simon Poidevin (60)
Interesting. I thought Williams was one of our better players. And I note he packs down at TH not Frost which could be just for consistency since both Salakai-Loto and Skelton will pack at TH when they are on the field. But, unlike prop, it’s doesn’t seem a huge issue for locks to change sides so that suggests to be Williams is better come scrum time.
Swain seems to have been a bit unlucky with selection but I’m not sure it’s much of a difference really.
Swain seems to have been a bit unlucky with selection but I’m not sure it’s much of a difference really.
Tomthumb
Jim Lenehan (48)
He couldn’t have been any worse. The continued Edmed selection is probably the most baffling call Schmidt has made in his entire coaching career and his involvement has coincided with the worst Wallabies rugby we have seen under Schmidt
notdeadyet
Chris McKivat (8)
yes, yes, ...
Red Runner
Ted Thorn (20)
The Potter game was interesting. That Earl tackle was phenomenal. The intercept a massive play. There were a few runs he had the defence stretched. But… gees he mixes it in with some poor options. Throwing loose passes that just aren’t on. Poor defensive reads.
stats say he made a lot of runs and some line breaks plus heaps of metres (length of the field try will help that).
but they also show three turnovers and a couple of missed tackles and a couple of penalties.
I still prefer Pietsch.
stats say he made a lot of runs and some line breaks plus heaps of metres (length of the field try will help that).
but they also show three turnovers and a couple of missed tackles and a couple of penalties.
I still prefer Pietsch.
Major Tom
Chilla Wilson (44)
I think Williams probably plays his best test footy off the bench. With that I’d be going with LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Frost to start. Hooper at 6 and Bobby off the bench to go all out in the 2nd half. Bell too looks like he’s struggling a bit off a big year. Wouldnt mind seeing him come off the bench for some strong carries against tired bodies.
Is JAS moving to inside centre completely off the table? Didn’t think Hunter was all that great at distributing the ball last night and from what I’ve seen from JAS he looks more than capable at it. Kinda denies him space where he looks most threatening though. Len will play next week anyways.
Is JAS moving to inside centre completely off the table? Didn’t think Hunter was all that great at distributing the ball last night and from what I’ve seen from JAS he looks more than capable at it. Kinda denies him space where he looks most threatening though. Len will play next week anyways.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Yes. Previously Daugunu has slotted in at inside when coming on for Ikitau, there's clearly no appetite for it and I don't really think there should be.
It's very clearly the strategy they're playing and what Joe is asking his 12 to do. It's the same way Ikitau has played there, and putting someone else in won't really change that, unless they're so ineffective on the crash ball that Joe feels his has to adjust.
dru
Jason Little (69)
Potter
Tupou
McReight
All fabulous. In fact I actually thought the team pretty good. But we are playing a 9 1/2 game which seriously shows. Edmed did fine in that environment, taking some high ball early and some other things. Right now though, I'd give my left testicle for Quade or Foley or To'omua. [and a coach who lets a 10 guide the game].
Tupou
McReight
All fabulous. In fact I actually thought the team pretty good. But we are playing a 9 1/2 game which seriously shows. Edmed did fine in that environment, taking some high ball early and some other things. Right now though, I'd give my left testicle for Quade or Foley or To'omua. [and a coach who lets a 10 guide the game].
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
I think Donno should be there and probably 10 but we also lost Wright, White, had the back 3 change alot and lost Ikitau, McDermott and JOC (James O'Connor). Plus then Lynagh and Noah.. It's not just Tane, who I thought was decent enough last night and let's not start on forwards.
Brumby Runner
George Gregan (70)
If not Edmed in this test, then who? JOC (James O'Connor) unavailable, Lynagh injured, Lolesio injured, Meredith injured and Donaldson not in the squad.