Wallabies v Italy, Florence, Sun 13th Nov 12am AEDT

[Marce]

Single-handedly set up the last-minute try that sank Wales in the 6N.

Half of the world's population watched that try. You are not discovering fire, mate

 

[dru]

I hope they are capable to beat the Italians. A lose against a minor nation could be mortal in WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) rankings

I think I understand the idea behind the rotations. But this smacks of hubris.

Hope I'm wrong.

Got to recognise the new jerseys - congrats to Nawaqanitawase and Donaldson.

 

[Italophile]

Half of the world's population watched that try. You are not discovering fire, mate

I watched it live unlike half the world's population. Happy memories.

 

[Marce]

I think I understand the thinking behind rotations. But this smacks of hubris.

I think something like that. 10 years ago this was an easy-peasy job but now with the improve of strenght, conditioning, defense and tactics of all Tier 2 nations, the distance is less. You can't underestimate anyone.

 

[qwerty51]

I hope they are capable to beat the Italians. A lose against a minor nation could be mortal in WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) rankings

That matters how?

 

[Derpus]

Keep an eye on Ange Capuozzo at 15. Now with Toulouse. Lightning quick, great step. Single-handedly set up the last-minute try that sank Wales in the 6N. Welsh player had already been named MOTM, he gave the medal to Capuozzo.

Hes a McKenzie like player. Outside broken play he wont trouble us. Give him the space and he will.

 

[Marce]

That matters how?

After RWC the rankings matter again. If you are in a low position, you can't escalate too much in 6 months.

Sponsors should see that too, it's not the same to be a Top 3, Top 5 or Top 10 in terms of money incomes, to deal with new sponsorship deals.

Everything matter, and if you are a Top 3 it means that you consistently beat the best teams and if you are a Top 10, probably you are beaten more than you beat. Does that matter to you?

 

[HogansHeros]

Keen to see Donaldson get a few minutes, will be interesting to see if he can give Lolesio a run for his money. Might be the Tahs fan in me.

 

[qwerty51]

After RWC the rankings matter again. If you are in a low position, you can't escalate too much in 6 months.

Sponsors should see that too, it's not the same to be a Top 3, Top 5 or Top 10 in terms of money incomes, to deal with new sponsorship deals.

Everything matter, and if you are a Top 3 it means that you consistently beat the best teams and if you are a Top 10, probably you are beaten more than you beat. Does that matter to you?

How do they matter? There's literally one day a every 4 years they are used for RWC pool seeding and even then, you're not in control of anyone else's rankings so yours is quite irrelevant for escaping a pool of death. Sponsors care about rankings? You've got to be kidding me.

 

[Dctarget]

Surprisingly good team for how many rotations there are. As Reg pointed out to me this isn’t really an ‘A’ team.

Honestly there’s not many positions there that are obviously replacing someone better (who’s also available). Gibbon, Samu, Gordon.

 

[Joe Blow]

Surprisingly good team for how many rotations there are. As Reg pointed out to me this isn’t really an ‘A’ team.

Honestly there’s not many positions there that are obviously replacing someone better (who’s also available). Gibbon, Samu, Gordon.

I like it. Solid tight five, mobile back row with lineout juice and speed to burn out wide. We are lacking playmaker experience on the bench but I reckon this team could rack up a score.

 

[Dctarget]

Wow, the Wallabies socials have a try scored by Tupou against the Italians in 2018. He used to be so much faster and smaller. I swear he’s lost a beat off his acceleration.

 

[RugbyReg]

Wow, the Wallabies socials have a try scored by Tupou against the Italians in 2018. He used to be so much faster and smaller. I swear he’s lost a beat off his acceleration.

Smaller? I thought he looked huge in that video.

 

[LeCheese]

Smaller? I thought he looked huge in that video.

Looks slightly smaller in my eyes too, but I think the key difference is change in body composition. A lot more muscle on him now

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I feel good about the team announced. Seeing Nawaquinatawse, Donaldson, Lonergan, McReight, Frost, Mcdermott all in Gold at the same time feels like a good push into the future.

I hope Noah has a good game. I wonder where his head has been at this year with all the change in play making pecking order.

 

[wamberal]

I think I understand the idea behind the rotations. But this smacks of hubris.

Hope I'm wrong.

Got to recognise the new jerseys - congrats to Nawaqanitawase and Donaldson.

Who would you have picked? The players being rested needed a break, IMHO. The players being tested deserve a chance.

 

[HogansHeros]

Wow, the Wallabies socials have a try scored by Tupou against the Italians in 2018. He used to be so much faster and smaller. I swear he’s lost a beat off his acceleration.

Not sure about smaller, does seem that hes lost a bit of that X factor...

 

[Brumby Runner]

I reckon the most important change is to Gibbon and Robertson in the LHP spots. The scrum will be crucial in giving the halves and backline clean ball to do something with. If they're going backwards, then it could end up very messy for the men in gold.

There must also be some concern around the lineout. Two primary jumpers only in Frost and Hanigan. Pete Samu will no doubt be expected to take on a heavier load at lineout time than he usually does. But that's what we get by playing Will Skelton. I hope his positive impacts elsewhere will compensate for the weakness he brings to the lineout.

It is interesting to note just how inexperienced at test level this side is. FF (Folau Fainga'a) (35), AAA (61), TT (45) are the only players with more than 30 caps. Twenty one players with 30 caps or fewer including a couple of debutants, and there's not much in the way of hardened, experienced test players in the side.

There are certainly some significant hurdles they will have to overcome to get the win.

 

[Derpus]

I reckon the most important change is to Gibbon and Robertson in the LHP spots. The scrum will be crucial in giving the halves and backline clean ball to do something with. If they're going backwards, then it could end up very messy for the men in gold.

There must also be some concern around the lineout. Two primary jumpers only in Frost and Hanigan. Pete Samu will no doubt be expected to take on a heavier load at lineout time than he usually does. But that's what we get by playing Will Skelton. I hope his positive impacts elsewhere will compensate for the weakness he brings to the lineout.

It is interesting to note just how inexperienced at test level this side is. FF (Folau Fainga'a) (Folau Fainga'a) (35), AAA (61), TT (45) are the only players with more than 30 caps. Twenty one players with 30 caps or fewer including a couple of debutants, and there's not much in the way of hardened, experienced test players in the side.

There are certainly some significant hurdles they will have to overcome to get the win.

Pretty sure Skelton jumps now. Though, yeah, doubt hed be considered a primary target.

 

[Pfitzy]

Pretty sure Skelton jumps now. Though, yeah, doubt hed be considered a primary target.

Which makes him the perfect target.