Wallabies v Georgia 20 July - Allianz Stadium 3.45PM

[cyclopath]

Would you not just play most of the Reds squaddies ie Wright, Wilson, McDermott, Lynagh etc for Reds v Wales, sub Frost in for Blyth and get him a start against Wales too?

Great opportunity to get two teams worth of games against international opposition this weekend

It is important for the Wallabies to try to keep a winning record going, after the shit results of the past few years.
No offence to Reds' fans but I don't really care if Qld lose to Wales (puts on Bundy 'n Coke proof jacket). I really do care if we were to lose to Georgia. Schmidt should put out the best team he can, obviously within reason considering any planned substitutions / rotations he already had in mind.
Just my 2c.

 

[drewprint]

Agreed, but I think we’re just talking about those fringe guys mainly. With the rotations, I could see Nasser, Smith/Blyth, Wilson, possibly even Flook if Ikitau is fit, suiting up for the Reds.

 

[Strewthcobber]

If he puts out the team he played against Wales last week then that leaves all of the Reds players above ready for the Welsh XXXX Gold Challenge.

 

[Slim 293]

Schmidt has already indicated there'll be changes, being the last chance he'll get to test players before the RC...

“There probably will be a couple of changes,” Schmidt hinted following their eight-point win on Saturday.

“We made five changes this week and there could be that many again.

“You’re trying to build cohesion.

“It’s a little bit of a different or difficult equilibrium that you’re trying to find between that continuation of confidence and continuity and then offering opportunity.”

 

[Proud Pig]

Georgia aren't going to bring much subtlety to the table but they will bring physicality through the pack. I would rest Cale as they will likely target him as he lacks the pure physicality requires. If Wright is available obviously you bring him in and if Leota is fit I would have him coming off the bench as he also brings size.
I would like to see Kailea get a start to see if he has 50 minutes at this level in him, he has certainly stood up better than I expected off the bench. Start AAA with TT off the bench I think they both still need the minutes. Smith or Canham into the second row we need someone who can defend a maul.
The other change we need is Noah has to go, his all round attacking game is fine but not inspiring and his defense is unfortunately not up to scratch. Donaldson's defensive game seems a little stronger and he is certainly looks a little better built than Noah (I haven't checked any stats so I could be wrong on that but as I said he looks bigger). Stewart into the centres may not be a bad idea as it will probably bring the back three into the game a bit more and that is the area where I see Australia having a real advantage.

 

[dru]

It is important for the Wallabies to try to keep a winning record going, after the shit results of the past few years.

No doubt at all, the primary issue here is the Wallabies gaining another W. We do not want another Italy.

 

[drewprint]

Yeah to be clear, 100% agree. We take Georgia lightly at our own peril. A select few rotations but we need to go pretty much full strength at them.

 

[Brumby Runner]

On that I wouldn't be surprised if Paisami gets a rest and it's White, Donaldson and Stewart at 9,10 and 12.

The brilliant combination that took the Force to the Super Rugby championship this year.

Come off it. We know exactly how those three play and it's not at test match level. White is not as good as McDermott or Gordon these days and Stewart is just Super Rugby level. Donaldson needs to play with the best available. I will say it is probably a pity he doesn't have Kuenzle somewhere outside him.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I would rest Cale as they will likely target him as he lacks the pure physicality requires. If Wright is available obviously you bring him in and if Leota is fit I would have him coming off the bench as he also brings size.

I would have no issue at all if Schmidt elects to start Liam Wright again - he really should if fit - nor if he puts Rob Leota on the bench if he's fit. But it's interesting to compare Rob L against Charlie Cale.

Rob is 3 or 4 years older and more experienced, 5kg heavier and a couple of cm shorter than Charlie. Rob is more versatile perhaps having played a fair bit at No 6 and No 8 and even some games in the second row. Charlie seems to specialise in the No 8 spot. Rob seems to infrequently play the full 80 minutes and may be a little injury prone while Charlie played the full 80 minutes in every game he played for the Brumbies this year. Rob is not a regular try scorer in Super Rugby while Charlie has 5 tries to his name this year. Rob is a lineout option while Charlie is probably second only to Liam Wright as a defensive lineout operator. Charlie has the speed to play in the wider channels while Rob uses his size to play a tighter style of game.

Choosing between them for any particular game will probably come down to the specifics of Schmidt's game plan. The other concern for this particular game is that both Liam Wright and Rob Leota would be returning from injury while Charlie is apparently fit to play. Would it be wise to have two of the backrow just first game back from injury?

 

[The Phoenix]

The brilliant combination that took the Force to the Super Rugby championship this year.

I'm astonished that with such knowledge that you're not part of Schmidt's team. Then you could have saved him from making such a huge mistake of picking Stewart for the squad then keeping him there.

 

[upthereds#!]

Some changes expected.

I'm thinking Force halves starting with reds halves on bench again.

 

[KOB1987]

Sounds like you are particularly invested in keeping Charlie in the team BR.

 

[Proud Pig]

I agree that Cale has more speed to play the wider channels while Leota is better in the tight. However, as I was stating Georgia will be bringing a game based around pure physicality and Leota may only be 5 kgs heavier than Cale but he plays much heavier than that. His game is a pure physical game which is exactly what you need against Georgia.

 

[Joe Blow]

So Joe Blow …. what if wafer thin Lynagh ‘doesn’t standup’? For me, Lynagh is a year away at least from serious Test rugby.

Good question. Most of us agree that it’s very early days for Lynagh. However he was Schmidt's choice to back up Lolesio in the first test. Maybe Donaldson is the answer? If none of the three 10s in the squad are suitable he can only look to Japan.
I am sure he does not want to do that. He can roll out Lolesio again but judging by his performances against Wales, it most likely will not go well.

 

[Joe Blow]

Smith or Canham into the second row we need someone who can defend a maul.

I don’t think Leota or Canham are in the squad?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Georgia will front with a big heavy pack and we'll need to be ready for it. We've seen a bit of Charlie in the last week or so and I think he's worth continuing to develop at test level, but like a lot of others I think he's a bit light at the moment. Wright, if fit, to come straight back in and either Charlie or Harry off the bench. I think we might rotate out Williams for a bigger lock.

Len to definitely come back in at 13.

 

[capalaba]

Cale maybe 5kg lighter than Leota, issue is Cale doesn't know how to use that weight whereas Leota does. Leota has the muscle which is the difference between the two.

 

[Joe Blow]

Leota has the muscle and has much more than 5kgs on CC. But Cale has the hands, the speed, the lineout prowess and the accuracy. Having the power is not the be all and end all, especially at test level.

 

[fatprop]

I would have no issue at all if Schmidt elects to start Liam Wright again - he really should if fit - nor if he puts Rob Leota on the bench if he's fit. But it's interesting to compare Rob L against Charlie Cale.

Rob is 3 or 4 years older and more experienced, 5kg heavier and a couple of cm shorter than Charlie. Rob is more versatile perhaps having played a fair bit at No 6 and No 8 and even some games in the second row. Charlie seems to specialise in the No 8 spot. Rob seems to infrequently play the full 80 minutes and may be a little injury prone while Charlie played the full 80 minutes in every game he played for the Brumbies this year. Rob is not a regular try scorer in Super Rugby while Charlie has 5 tries to his name this year. Rob is a lineout option while Charlie is probably second only to Liam Wright as a defensive lineout operator. Charlie has the speed to play in the wider channels while Rob uses his size to play a tighter style of game.

Choosing between them for any particular game will probably come down to the specifics of Schmidt's game plan. The other concern for this particular game is that both Liam Wright and Rob Leota would be returning from injury while Charlie is apparently fit to play. Would it be wise to have two of the backrow just first game back from injury?

I was a Leota skeptic until this year's Super Rugby. He was ripping in and making good inroads through the heavy stuff continually

 

[Tomthumb]

I was a Leota skeptic until this year's Super Rugby. He was ripping in and making good inroads through the heavy stuff continually

He's yet to show it at Test level though