Wallabies v England, Sat 11th June, 8.00pm, Suncorp Brisbane

[dru]

Locks remain perplexing, but I see this as few stand outs rather than an area of strength.

Key question for me is whether Cheika sticks with a second playmaker. Foley is clearly the 10, but for me he requires a second playmaker. That podcast with Dwyer suggested it wasnt necessary especially against England.

Without it, there is room for plenty of big boppers in the backline.

If we do want the second playmaker, selections are tricky. Possibly CLL at 12, Hunt at 23, either finishing from FB (if Folau is 13) or from 12 (if Folau is 15). CLL covers 10 for injury.

Maybe thats just to convoluted.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'd favour keeping Kerevi and Arnold in the squad of 23 at the expense of Hunt and Skelton. I think with both Folau and DHP in the main squad, wing and 15 are probably adequately covered, and Kerevi could be a game-breaker at 12 or 13. Arnold has been in much better form than Skelton during the super season. He covers all the boxes Skelton ticks (mauls, defense and line breaking carries) and is better at the lineout and scrum time.

Some of those in the 24 - 33 range will probably get to stay with the squad for emergency injury cover, both at game time and on the training paddock.

 

[Tip]

Some of those in the 24 - 33 range will probably get to stay with the squad for emergency injury cover, both at game time and on the training paddock.

I'd say all of them. Cheika loves fully opposed training sessions

 

[Pfitzy]

He said, arrogantly

 

[cyclopath]

He said, arrogantly

To be fair, he made nice work of his thesaurus in composing that humble missive.

 

[Groucho]

To be fair, he made nice work of his thesaurus in composing that humble missive.

Brian doesn't know what reflexive means. In grammar (and in social theory) it means the person who does the action is also the person who is affected by it. Thus he would have to be referring to his own arrogance for his tweet to make any sense. What a silly cnut.

 

[BDA]

Scotland in Newcastle. Wish I could forget that one.

horrible game to make your debut at fullback. He apparently got hypothermia standing at the back, barely touched the ball all game. i would like to see him get another cap at some point. not the most heralded players, but he has his moments of absolute beauty on attack

 

[Hawko]

I would not be surprised, especially given Kepu's late arrival, if Holmes started at 3 with Kepu off the bench for impact. Depending how he goes, Kepu could then start in game two.

Whatever might be said about the rest of the team our starting and finishing front rows are uniformly awesome.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Dear Mr Cheika

I have given you a little help on your match day 23 <snip>

FTFY

 

[Slim 293]

 

[galumay]

Just a week to go now and we will see what the Wobblies look like this year. They have a challenging season in front of them, its hard to see the Poms being anything but a slog over 3 matches and then its into the Bledisloe. Player management will be crucial IMO, keeping as many of the squad fit and injury free will be key to outcomes. Should an exciting couple of months of rugby coming up!

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

If USARUGGER hops on here - will these tests be shown on Tv and if so what channel.
Just moving to Cali tomorrow and can't find info at the moment.
Hunt should play and Skelton should be cut.
I think it will be a cracking series.

 

[Joe Blow]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/...y/news-story/9d13031da3a21557c289c4508db8805a

Well thats interesting.

 

[Strewthcobber]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/...y/news-story/9d13031da3a21557c289c4508db8805a

Well thats interesting.

What exactly is a line break?

 

[Dave Beat]

I'm not sure about Hunt being in the squad.
What is his position.
How many years experience does he have.
Does he come with alot experienced versatility.
Then if we look at the Reds, and having read the recent pages, they have one of the better forward packs, a 7 that would start in most other international sides, but they are 3 wins from 12 starts.

His retention concerns me.

And having just read the above link.
His busts, and and other references have not finished with results on the score board. Seams like a multi code sell to me.
I'm not one who likes isolating players as rugby is a true team gain, and results are based on a number of phases.

BUT

Instead of coming back with a Red v Blue response come back to me with real thoughts and reasons.

 

[No4918]

BUT

Instead of coming back with a Red v Blue response come back to me with real thoughts and reasons.

Liked your post up to that point.

 

[Dave Beat]

Liked your post up to that point.

Fair come back, from an always fair poster.
I only added that as i didn't want a Wobs v Poms thread to go into a Reds v NSW thread.

 

[galumay]

I think given the backline injuries and poor form from some who might otherwise have been in contenton, means Cheika has decided Hunt is a viable option.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I don't know if this view will be popular but Hunt as a sub offers a lot of versatility in can play fullback, wing or in the centres.

He has played well but has he been outstanding for the Reds to justify Wallaby selection. In some ways no but as a class player who has represented at highest level in league and with what he has done to date I think it is time to test him in the test arena and see what he can offer.

Either way hopefully by end of England series we know if Hunt has potential to go to next level like Folau has. Potential is there but still would agree not quite seen it yet consistently - seen glimpses so keen to see how he would go in the Wallaby setup

 

[wamberal]

Hunt is a classy player. Class is permanent, form is temporary.



I would have him on the bench. In fact, he could start and it would not surprise me in the slightest.