I'm guessing that the only changes we'll see are the three forced by injury.
I think Ryan, Phipps and Cowan will all retain their spots.
I think Ryan, Phipps and Cowan will all retain their spots.
Wallabies v France - June 14 Etihad Stadium
- Thread starter Pfitzy
- Start date
- Status
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
To be fair to be fair I think most would think scrummaging is Paddy's achilles heel. His work around the field is generally outstanding. He just needs intensive work on one aspect of his game. If he gets that right then he woulkd be able to cement the run-on THP spot for a number of years.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
1. Slipper
2. Polota-Nau
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Horwill
6. Fardy
7. Hooper (c)
8. McCalman
9. White
10. Foley
11. Cummins
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Ashley-Cooper
15. Folau
16. Charles
17. Cowan
18. Weeks
19. Jones
20. Higginbotham
21. Phipps
22. Beale
23. McCabe
2. Polota-Nau
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Horwill
6. Fardy
7. Hooper (c)
8. McCalman
9. White
10. Foley
11. Cummins
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Ashley-Cooper
15. Folau
16. Charles
17. Cowan
18. Weeks
19. Jones
20. Higginbotham
21. Phipps
22. Beale
23. McCabe
Congrats to Nathan Charles, Luke Jones and Laurie Weeks who are all likely to earn their first test cap.
A little surprised Ryan wasn't persisted with but clearly he had problems. Good to give Weeks a crack though.
A little surprised Ryan wasn't persisted with but clearly he had problems. Good to give Weeks a crack though.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
Probably whatever unpronounceable, painful-as-fuck thing happened to his ankle was bothering him by that point.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
i expect all of Kuridrani, Speight, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and Cummins will play a role in the team over the next 12-18 months. As to who starts and who is on the bench its too hard to say at the moment. On current form you wouldn't replace/move any of the outside back. On face value Speight is probably our more impressive specialist winger (reminds me of a young Digby) so he'll get his chance to impress.
Kuridrani appears to be our incumbent 13 now. he offers a bit more size and strength than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and that seems to be part of the balance that link is looking for in the backline. If he goes down we have a great replacement in AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).
In the long run one of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cummins could be destined for a bench role.
Kuridrani appears to be our incumbent 13 now. he offers a bit more size and strength than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and that seems to be part of the balance that link is looking for in the backline. If he goes down we have a great replacement in AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).
In the long run one of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cummins could be destined for a bench role.
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
Congratulations to Weeks, Jones and Charles.
As someone touched by cystic fibrosis, I have endless respect for what Nathan Charles is achieving in his rugby. He's a role model for many, and the hurdles he has overcome to represent his country are beyond the reckoning of most. What a champ.
As someone touched by cystic fibrosis, I have endless respect for what Nathan Charles is achieving in his rugby. He's a role model for many, and the hurdles he has overcome to represent his country are beyond the reckoning of most. What a champ.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Congrats to Laurie Weeks. Should have been here in 2011 but went to the Rebels and his development plateaued somewhat. Well deserved by a very capable and quality player.
Three Rebels into the 23 for the Melbourne test.
Hopefully that puts a few more bums on seats!
Hopefully that puts a few more bums on seats!
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
Yes physically he has the tools. He's over 120kg and appears to be quite powerful but his scrummaging technique is so poor. I think it would have been a cruel mistake to continue to chose the bloke at test level. he could end up permanently tainted. He needs a few years to work on his technique before taking on quality test packs. young enough to make it to the next world cup
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
Surprised to see Horwill moved straight into the starting team. But hopefully he'll have a Sam Carter impact 
Also surprising to see Phipps retained again, but makes sense from Links point of view. He knows what Genia is capable of both at a Super Level and international level, but I don't agree with Phipps riding the pine, his arcing passes makes me nervous!
Also surprising to see Phipps retained again, but makes sense from Links point of view. He knows what Genia is capable of both at a Super Level and international level, but I don't agree with Phipps riding the pine, his arcing passes makes me nervous!
Deputy Van Halen
Larry Dwyer (12)
My mind is made up, Ryan has scrummed poorly all year and continued that form into the test. Further more has never shown class at test level. Genia has and we know he can turn it back on with a suitable kick up the bum. I like Phipps, no problems with him on the bench as his enthusiasm can be infectious I just think Genia can be better.
Anyway, big congrats to Charles, Jones and Weeks. This has made a Rebels and Wallabies fan far more excited about fronting up to etihad on saturday at least.
hammertimethere
Trevor Allan (34)
Link makes good selections, it is at the core of his success as a coach.
If we had a full complement of wingers, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would be at 13 and kuridrani would be competing for the bench spot with McCabe, Horne etc. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is plenty powerful on the run, about 100 kg or so (vs Tevita's 104) and has more precision and subtlety to his game (short and recently long passing, kicking short and long) at this time.
Speight will start once he is eligible.
If we had a full complement of wingers, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would be at 13 and kuridrani would be competing for the bench spot with McCabe, Horne etc. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is plenty powerful on the run, about 100 kg or so (vs Tevita's 104) and has more precision and subtlety to his game (short and recently long passing, kicking short and long) at this time.
Speight will start once he is eligible.
Deputy Van Halen
Larry Dwyer (12)
Holds a touch over 30,000 I believe. A sold out AAMI park would look and sound far more impressive than half empty etihad. Not a bad seat in the place either with whereas etihad is an oval field.
However I believe there is some sort of agreement to play wallabies matches at etihad for the foreseeable future, hopefully the extra capacity is needed in the years ahead. I have to say the atmosphere at the Lions game was amazing but I doubt the French will attract as large or vocal crowd.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
30,050 is the official capacity.
That's with all the corporates and Standing room tickets sold.
We'll see on saturday if Etihad was worthwhile. If they hit 35, 36k I think it would have been worth it, any less and there's gonna be some questions asked.
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