Wallabies v Fiji, Canberra

[cyclopath]

This is truly a bizzare selection. I am quite disgusted with this team, and in particular:

1. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as wing. Why wing? Why wing? Surely we have enough of them. We are short in experience and quality in 13 and FB, so keep him in one of those two spots. Mitchell deserved to start, and if Deans wanted to try others at 13 and FB, then put AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the bench, but don't shuffle him again.

2. Edmonds - plllluuuuuuuuuuuuuese. He must be kidding. The only thing I can see is that he wants to see what he can do starting, and then bring Fa'ainga on early in the 2nd half. But surely he also needs to see what Fa'ainga can do starting for the wallabies as well, particularly with TPN's injury and England looming?

3. Brown. Brown. Is there really any chance he is going to be risked against the likes of NZ or SA? Probably not. At 8 Hodgson > Brown, Elsom >Brown, Hoiles is even >Brown. Why aren't we trying combinations that we think could be effective in the 3N or RWC (eg Hoggo and Elsom), rather than giving abject failures another shot.

I'm with you, Scotty. Even if it is some Deans experiment, why AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing? We don't need to know he can play yet another position for the Wallabies - we know he can. Edmonds...what we will glean from a match against Fiji about his suitability against a top tier team, I don't know.
Brown bothers me less, but I am not a big fan thus far, but happy to be surprised.

 

[Ruggo]

Looks like Quade will be having to make his own tackles with beale at full back. Good and it is about time. As sarfy said, looks like they are preserving Fainga'a. I like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing. Is Weeks still injured?

 

[matty_k]

People crying foul of this team should remember that the game is against Fiji and despite their skill aren't a top tier team. It is perfectly normal for a coach to select players who you wouldn't expect.

I'm assuming AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is there as a second fullback and if Beale is pulled ACC will slide across with Shmoo coming in.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - Dean's security blanket.

 

[RugbyReg]

Huia Edmonds just depresses me, but at least we have another hooker ready for the shittiest wallaby hooker lists

there's a few contenders for that one though fp right? Marco Caputo, Mark Bell, Tai McIsaacs

 

[#1 Tah]

Ahem.

Where is our vice-captain?

 

[#1 Tah]

Seems Robbie has taken a carrer in stand up.

15. Beale- Would rather have AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) there with Beale on bench
14. Ioane- Turner has been the best defender in the comp and will be the best chance of shutting down the big wingers.
13. Horne
12. Gits - about time.
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)- Schmoo? Schmoo? Schmoo?
10. Cooper
9. Burgess
8. Brown. WHY?
7. Bam Bam
6. Rock
5. Sharpe
4. Mumm
3. Ma'afu - bench, Ben Alexander needs to be back at TH.
2. Huia
1. Ben - needs to be at TH

16. Fainga'a
17. Cowan- would rather have Daley at LH with Ma'afu on bench
18. Chizz. Douglas is 3 times the lock that chizz is.
19. Hogson
20. Valentine
21. Drew. Should be starting.
22. JOC (James O'Connor). Where is our Vice Captain?

 

[Gagger]

I'M OUTRAGED!!! THIS LOOKS LIKE A TEAM TO PLAY FRIKKEN FIJI OR SOMETHING!!

Only game to test some combos and players in. Where else do you get to try the likes of QC (Quade Cooper), KB (Kurtley Beale) and Horne in the same backline?

Bench is stacked, be prepared for plenty of rotation.

 

[Aussie D]

Barnes will be captaining the Barbarians team one would think. I don't like the idea of having AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Ioane on the wings as they are too similar - would have preferred Mitchell / Hynes / Turner on one of the wings. There are too many seagulls in the forward pack for mine - hopefully Sharpe plays like he did for the Force and doesn't revert to his seagulling ways for the Wallabies. Even though I want BA at tighthead so that he can gain more experience there it is wise to develop extra tightheads in case there are injuries around the corner.

 

[Gagger]

Anyone seen the Barbarian schedule anywhere?

 

[Scotty]

Obviously there has been many combinations lately but I think this is the best one so far. With Gits abilty to draw defenders Horne will have a field day. With his explosion I'm going to make the call he'll be first try scorer on Saturday.

Since when does Giteau drawn defenders? Most of this season he has just managed to cramp his outside men when running sideways. The best chance Horne is got is running back on the inside of Giteau who will try and go outside his opposite.

 

[fatprop]

Since when does Giteau drawn defenders? Most of this season he has just managed to cramp his outside men when running sideways. The best chance Horne is got is running back on the inside of Giteau who will try and go outside his opposite.

or a cut out pass

 

[Reddy!]

Edmonds is the definition of a good Super 14 reserve hooker. But nothing more. This game, however, will make him look good as it will be an open running try-fest.

I fully understand this game is against Fiji, and I'm not criticizing the selections of Horne, Beale - but some of those forward selections don't leave me inspired should we still be short of our top line forwards come Tri-Nations.

 

[Reddy!]

And to be honest, there is enough fat try scoring machines on the opposition team.

 

[chief]

Anyone seen the Barbarian schedule anywhere?

08-06-2010 7:00pm Australian Barbarians v England Members Equity Stadium, Perth
15-06-2010 7:30pm Australian Barbarians v England Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

I'd be guessing they won't be televised. Maybe the Perth one might be streamed online by a local organization (they did it for Reds v Force trial) but that's a big might, and pure guess.

Have these blokes even assembled as a team?

 

[Moses]

I'll be at the Gosford match, and hopefully giving live updates if I can get wireless internet working as they don't have facilities at the ground.

 

[Jethro Tah]

I don't see the problem with the team. There is a good mix of experience and experiments worthy of a glorified trial match and nothing more. The A team or any combination from the larger 40 man squad could beat Fiji. We have a 15 win, 2 lost and 1 draw record, and haven't lost to the men in white since the mid 1950s. The Fijians play loose so if the wobs play a structured and disciplined game (if you fail here Dick Brown you will never wear gold again) then it should end up a cricket score. The simple things of ball security and recycling will win the game, both of which the Fijians struggle at.

Pick the margin: 50+
Pick the score: Wobs 56 - Fiji 12

 

[RugbyReg]

08-06-2010 7:00pm Australian Barbarians v England Members Equity Stadium, Perth
15-06-2010 7:30pm Australian Barbarians v England Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

I'd be guessing they won't be televised. Maybe the Perth one might be streamed online by a local organization (they did it for Reds v Force trial) but that's a big might, and pure guess.

Have these blokes even assembled as a team?

tis being live streamed on foxsports.com.au

 

[Scarfman]

I'm going to stream it from Fox - it will be interesting to see how they perform for the $.

 

[Scotty]

Good point, Cooper will be looking for a hard runner that straightens the attack outside of him, and it ain't like Giteau is going to provide that.


(This was meant to be in response to fp's post)

 

[Scotty]

I don't see the problem with the team. There is a good mix of experience and experiments worthy of a glorified trial match and nothing more. The A team or any combination from the larger 40 man squad could beat Fiji. We have a 15 win, 2 lost and 1 draw record, and haven't lost to the men in white since the mid 1950s. The Fijians play loose so if the wobs play a structured and disciplined game (if you fail here Dick Brown you will never wear gold again) then it should end up a cricket score. The simple things of ball security and recycling will win the game, both of which the Fijians struggle at.

Pick the margin: 50+
Pick the score: Wobs 56 - Fiji 12

Maths not your strong point Paris Tah?