Wallabies v Scotland, Murrayfield, Sun 30th Oct, 3.30am AEDT

[rugboy]

Both centres can play in the opposite position. Noah can play 12, Kellaway can play 13, Campbell can play on the wing, as can Banks and Foley can play 15 and even 12 at a pinch.

I get they “can” play there in a pinch but banks has been at best ordinary on the wing, Campbell never tested at this level and really is a specialist 15. Noah hasn’t played 12 since age competition for Oz 20s, Kellaway can play 13 but again then no “real” wing cover if he moves there. It’s like shuffling the deck chairs on the titanic. A 5/3 bench should surely offer more than really 3 specialists.

 

[Members Section]

Scotland side doesn't look that crash hot either.

 

[Rugby King]

1 - Slipper
2- Porecki
3 - Alaatoa
4 - Frost
5 - Neville
6 - Holloway
7 - hooper
8 - Valetini
9 - McDermott
10 - Foley
11- Wright
12 - Paisami
13 - Ikitau
14 - Kellaway
15 - Banks

16 - Fainga'a
17 - Gibbon
18 - Topou
19 - Hanigan
20 - Samu
21 - White
22 - Lolesio
23 - Campbell

Hodge for Lolesio. Naming 2 specialist backs? 9 I get, 10 I don’t.

 

[stillmissit]

The self interest argument doesnt track. Rules exist to curb self-interest.

If WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) are saying that a player can miss selection for a couple of seasons, spit the dummy like a little fucking bitch and move unions then my response is you are making rugby less interesting.

It is not self interest if you want to play at the highest level and think you can do that. It is self interest that would stop a player, discarded by his own country as not good enough, to find that the rules (not there just to curb self interest) allow them to do so and their conscience does not affect them, by all means, do it.
He is hardly the first player we have lost and I agreed with the selectors at that time that there were better options.

 

[swingpass]

Paisami v Tuipolotou - two Melbourne boys and former teammates could be interesting sideshow

 

[stillmissit]

I just checked Hooper's age and he actually turns 31 on the day of this Scotland game. He could still have a few more years of test rugby in him so no guarantee McReight is taking that spot in the near future

You assume he won't retire after the RWC, I suspect he will. Neither of us knows what is going on in his mind.

 

[dru]

From the Roar: https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/10/...-tate-starts-at-no-9-and-hoops-picks-himself/

Campbell is joined on the bench by Noah Lolesio – deputising for No10 Bernard Foley. Where Rennie has previously gone for the all round talents of a Reece Hodge, he said using a specialist No.15 and No.10 on the bench was made with developing Lolesio in mind.

“We’re keen to keep progressing Noah,” said Rennie. “We think that’s really important. We’re keen to get Jock in the mix. It means that Andrew Kellaway will cover midfield so we’ve still got plenty of flexibility.”

We are on the down-trend slide and sitting at 9, so my thoughts are no experimentation top 23 every game including Italy. BUT there has been plenty of noise here to give Lolo time to develop, to play with lock selections, and to shuffle the back row depending on specific preferences - the obvious being Pistol. Selections are consistent with that. It would appear that Kellaway covers the centres.

The halves are interesting and I understand fans both preferring White to start and unconvinced with Foley - but I don't see it as a significant quality difference. Paisami is going to be working hard defending the 10 channel as well as 12. Let's trust he has he head in the space harnessing his ability for consistency.

Very pleasing for me is the option of Holloway to 6, not just hybrid lock/6 (preparation for Skelton starting) but also the line out caller. Note though that the locks are not exactly a mature proven combination. If this works, and we open the door the Skelton, things could get interesting for a new look Skelton. I'd have preferred them testing this last year, but we are where we are.

I'm not convinced at 2/16 but the guys are serviceable and pretty much as good as it gets from Australia based players. Nail the throws boys.

I'm happy to build some pre-tour and pre-game enthusiasm. Push 'em back Wallabies.

 

[stillmissit]

Fun fact, if the Wallabies made the semis in 2019, Dempsey would be ineligible for this match. (Assuming he was selected in the 23 for the 3rd playoff)

Qwerty, how strange, how the hell does that make sense?

 

[Dctarget]

Not much cover for when Paisami injures himself in a big tackle in the 20th minute.

Paisami v Tuipolotou - two Melbourne boys and former teammates could be interesting sideshow

Scottish fans are bemoaning his selection, saying he’s not a starting international 12. As much as I love a Melbournian, I have to agree.

 

[Members Section]

Paisami v Tuipolotou - two Melbourne boys and former teammates could be interesting sideshow

I didnt win powerball so he's not coming back ..... yet

 

[wamberal]

That team is missing any go forward beyond Valetini.

Koroibete, Kerevi, Leota, Skelton & Bell would make that team so much more threatening.

Let's try going around them, rather than through them.

 

[dru]

Not much cover for when Paisami injures himself in a big tackle in the 20th minute.

I'd agree but there is a plan - Kellaway to the centres if that happens. We are covered out wide.

 

[Lightblue]

I mean - presumably 'test' rugby is still about the best players from each country testing each other.

Not sure what it means for Japan to win the world cup with 12 former Aussies, Kiwis and Saffas who have all changed eligibility for some sweet sweet yen. But i'm sure it would be 'great for the game'.

If you wanna turn it into some glorified club comp I'm out.

I sort of agree with you for once. If we look at Australia we have quite a few players that were not born here. I would like to see the RWC played as a Country of Origin similar to the SOO in the NRL. So players like Koribete would play for Fiji at the World Cup. The top nations would not like it but it would be fantastic imho.

 

[wamberal]

I sort of agree with you for once. If we look at Australia we have quite a few players that were not born here. I would like to see the RWC played as a Country of Origin similar to the SOO in the NRL. So players like Koribete would play for Fiji at the World Cup. The top nations would not like it but it would be fantastic imho.

There would have to be exemptions, as there are for the SOO. Maybe based on which country did you first play senior rugby in? We have a lot of genuine immigrants.

 

[RugbyReg]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1585744295361150976

just odd...

 

[drewprint]

Not a bad team I guess, under the injury circumstances. Tom Wright very lucky, as always I just hope he has one of his good days. Like others, I think I’d have felt more comfortable with Hodge on the bench. I’m happy for Campbell but given there’s a bit of fullback cover I’d have been tempted to have Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) in the 23.

 

[drewprint]

All of my above comments are moot anyway as in recent years Scotland have been able to bash and disrupt our pack with far better aggression and accuracy, so as always that’s what it will come down to.

 

[stillmissit]

That team is missing any go forward beyond Valetini.

Koroibete, Kerevi, Leota, Skelton & Bell would make that team so much more threatening.

Let's see if some (one?) of the coaches can get these fwds wound up for what could set a benchmark for the rest of the games.

 

[Dctarget]

All of my above comments are moot anyway as in recent years Scotland have been able to bash and disrupt our pack with far better aggression and accuracy, so as always that’s what it will come down to.

I don't have faith in our starting locks at all. Think we'll get bullied around the park.

 

[RugbyReg]

I don't have faith in our starting locks at all. Think we'll get bullied around the park.

not me - it's my preferred locking combo to be honest.