Wallabies v Samoa, Sat 7th September, 7.30pm, Bankwest (Parra) Stadium

[Dctarget]

He tweaked a hammy last year and then this year he's had one of the unluckier injuries that laid him out for a while. One that as I understand it, is just dumb luck and not something that someone would be predisposed to suffering.

He was always going to be at risk of a hammy strain after being on one foot for the best part of this year. I wouldn't be labeling him injury prone just yet.

Here's hoping! I know nothing about injuries so you & Ignoto make me optimistic.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Maybe he thinks White and Genia both have had enough game time and no point risking their bodies against some big Samoan lads.

I thought that too, but why didn't he take Phipps over to Noumea with the rest of the squad. Would have been the logical thing to do.

 

[Braveheart81]

I thought that too, but why didn't he take Phipps over to Noumea with the rest of the squad. Would have been the logical thing to do.

I'd say it's because both Harry Johnson-Holmes and Nick Phipps were playing in the Shute Shield final.

 

[Slim 293]

The AAA brothers could potentially face off next weekend as Mike AAA will likely make his test debut for Samoa.........

 

[Derpus]

^^^
What's the deal with that. I thought he was lined up for the Darkness, they could definitely use him.

 

[Braveheart81]

^^^
What's the deal with that. I thought he was lined up for the Darkness, they could definitely use him.

They never picked him and he's obviously made the decision that he'd prefer to lock himself in for Samoa and go to a RWC than keep holding out to play test footy for the All Blacks.

 

[wamberal]

I see that TEN has the game on a back channel. A bit disappointing, but better than nothing I guess.

 

[fatprop]

They never picked him and he's obviously made the decision that he'd prefer to lock himself in for Samoa and go to a RWC than keep holding out to play test footy for the All Blacks.

"Kiwis" who miss AB RWC selection often play the RWC for their heritage nations before signing in Europe

 

[Braveheart81]

"Kiwis" who miss AB RWC selection often play the RWC for their heritage nations before signing in Europe

Yeah, very strong chance of that.

I think he is signed for next year's Super Rugby season but my guess is he'd be granted a release after that so he can join a side for the 2020/21 season and they can stop paying him.

 

[Forcefield]

We need something to talk about for the next week or so.

I reckon:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga'a
3. Tupou
4. Coleman
5. Simmons
6. Dempsey
7. Pocock
8. Naisarani
9. Genia
10. Foley (C)
11. Petaia
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Ashley-Cooper
15. Haylett- Petty

16. Uelese
17. Sio
18. Kepu
19. Arnold
20. Hooper
21. White
22. O'Connor
23. Beale

Not a bad B team really

I reckon replace Naisarani with Valetini, Petaia will be unfit so replace with maybe Banks (or JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing). I also reckon replace Sio on the bench with whoever is going to be the emergency loosehead back up (HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)? Robertson? Faulkner?). Rest Arnold and get Luke Jones as a back up. Same goes with Hooper for either Liam Wright or Pete Samu. Give White a rest and have whoever would be the emergency scrum half replacement a go.

Better to know the measure of those guys who will be called in during an emergency than risk you'd big guns. Would love to see how Dempsey is faring and how Valetini would go at test level.

 

[Braveheart81]

Valetini and Maddocks have joined the camp and are expected to play this weekend.

 

[KOB1987]

I reckon replace Naisarani with Valetini, Petaia will be unfit so replace with maybe Banks (or JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing). I also reckon replace Sio on the bench with whoever is going to be the emergency loosehead back up (HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)? Robertson? Faulkner?). Rest Arnold and get Luke Jones as a back up. Same goes with Hooper for either Liam Wright or Pete Samu. Give White a rest and have whoever would be the emergency scrum half replacement a go.

Better to know the measure of those guys who will be called in during an emergency than risk you'd big guns. Would love to see how Dempsey is faring and how Valetini would go at test level.

It's looking like a lot of that will happen. When I put 'my' team up to kick off the thread I was a bit behind the 8 ball and assumed they would select the B team of the RWC squad.

 

[Brumby Runner]

OK, to be consistent, I have to call Cheika out again now that he's called up Valetini and Maddocks. Just like the week before with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) and Phipps, why not (especially these last two) call them into the squad earlier to allow them some of his (in)famous training before the game? Maybe he thinks a few players don't need to have the benefit of experience in the structures and game plan for Samoa?

I would expect that all four, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Phipps, Valetini and Maddocks will play, probably start against Samoa.

 

[Braveheart81]

OK, to be consistent, I have to call Cheika out again now that he's called up Valetini and Maddocks. Just like the week before with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) and Phipps, why not (especially these last two) call them into the squad earlier to allow them some of his (in)famous training before the game? Maybe he thinks a few players don't need to have the benefit of experience in the structures and game plan for Samoa?

I would expect that all four, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Phipps, Valetini and Maddocks will play, probably start against Samoa.

I would say that today is day 1 of training for the test so they are there for that. They are not part of the shadow squad for the RWC so weren't needed last week. Both of these players have spent most of the test season so they are not unfamiliar with the general structures.

I would assume their week is training on Monday and Tuesday, day off on Wednesday where they'll come back to Australia, training on Thursday then captain's run on Friday.

 

[Forcefield]

It's looking like a lot of that will happen. When I put 'my' team up to kick off the thread I was a bit behind the 8 ball and assumed they would select the B team of the RWC squad.

Ohh yeah I wasn't having a go or anything like that, just thought I'd quote you as you were the only one with a list up.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Samoa squad looks as good as I have seen it.

Shame that Taufua is not in it, but Mike AAA, The Lam Brothers, TJ Iaone, Mulipola, Nanai Williams.

Plus some other ex and current Australian players, PAE, Stowers, Alatimu, Maloula, Henry Taefu.

Looks good, as we have plenty of Samoans in the Wallabies too!

 

[upthereds#!]

1. Slipper
2. Uelese
3. Tupou
4. Coleman
5. Simmons
6. Dempsey
7. Pocock
8. Valetini
9. Powell
10. Foley
11. DHP
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Ashley-Cooper
15. Banks

16. Tpn
17. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
18. Kepu
19. Jones
20. Wright
21. Phipps
22. JOC (James O'Connor)
23. Maddocks

Is Arnold still a bit injured? I would have preffered Speight or Naivalu get a call up over Maddocks. Need a strong running wing if Koroibete goes down and Petaia still unproven.

 

[The Honey Badger]

1. Slipper
2. Uelese
3. Tupou
4. Coleman
5. Simmons
6. Dempsey
7. Pocock
8. Valetini
9. Powell
10. Foley
11. DHP
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Ashley-Cooper
15. Banks

16. Tpn
17. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
18. Kepu
19. Jones
20. Wright
21. Phipps
22. JOC (James O'Connor)
23. Maddocks

Is Arnold still a bit injured? I would have preffered Speight or Naivalu get a call up over Maddocks. Need a strong running wing if Koroibete goes down and Petaia still unproven.

No specialist Lock on the bench

 

[upthereds#!]

No specialist Lock on the bench

Well - If Arnold is back from Injury, then he could use a bit of a run, so he could join. Rodda is probably a guy who needs a rest, as is LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto). However Jones is the only guy who can play lock they havn't used yet and I imagine that they want all the guys who havn't played, to play.


This is assuming of course that everyone who hasn't played, either in the squad, train on, or recently called up, gets to play.

 

[fatprop]

No specialist Lock on the bench

Jones needs to demonstrate he can be that reserve lock\6 at test level, this game is a good as any to see if it works