Wallabies v Springboks - Adelaide Oval, Sat 27th August, 2022

[Tomthumb]

It should be horses for courses IMO. Frost was outstanding starting in 3rd England test, and his ball carrying ability will be crucial to winning the gain line battle. Leota as he's a far better link man and a natural 6, Holloway has looked nothing special to me. Wright hasn't done much wrong on the wing, but against the Saffa's you need high ball security and that is his weakness right now and it's what Vunivalu got famous for. Lolesio in for a big one to quiet the doubters

Pone deserves that bench spot over Tupou on effort alone. Wilsons ball in hand ability over Samu's versatility

Slipper
Porecki
AAA
Philip
Frost
Leota
McReight
Valetini
White
Lolesio
Koroibete
Paisami
Ikitau
Vunivalu
Kellaway

Fainga'a
Bell
Pone
Holloway
Wilson
McDermott
Hodge
Foketi

 

[dru]

I think there are quite a few spots yet to be sorted for the first test against the Saffas, not just 10 and 15.

I pretty much agree with your thinking behind the slots, though I have differing thoughts on some of the pecking order. It is going to be interesting seeing how Rennie views it.

 

[A mutterer]

Not fussed about Arnold tbh. Philip, Swain, Frost.

Back three should be Koroibete, Kellaway and Wright with Vuni on the bench.

Only disagree on your swain call. Seems to be playing dumb rugby, and his youthful exuberance isn't making up for errors.

 

[Slim 293]

Swain was one of our best in our win against Argentina... I don't see him being dropped.

 

[Derpus]

Only disagree on your swain call. Seems to be playing dumb rugby, and his youthful exuberance isn't making up for errors.

Nic Bishop seems to agree:

Coach's corner: The big question mark over Tupou leading into Boks series and how Richie led Foster to salvation

The second round of The Rugby Championship produced the kind of complete reversal last seen on the July tours. Wins for the South in…

www.theroar.com.au

Perhaps it's Philip, Arnold and Frost then.

Either way - Philip comes back in.

 

[Dctarget]

Fuck it, give Arnold another couple games to get into form. If he's trash then he's had his shot, kick him to the kerb. if he improves to Toulouse Globetrotters form then happy days.

 

[Viking]

I don’t think there’s any question whether Noah will be first-choice 10 now, with Foley/Hodge as the backups.

The race for 15 will be interesting. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Campbell named.

I hope Campbell gets a shot. Seems like a real smart footballer.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

If Kellaway is properly fit I'd expect him to come straight back in at fullback and rightly so.

 

[Braveheart81]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1560461599428644865

 

[Viking]

Not keen on Jock at 15. He seems too small for test footy without having the elusivity someone like Kolbe relies on to compensate.

Never thought the "too small for test footy" was a great excuse. Especially for a back three player. Maybe for a tight 5 player I would agree. He could be in the same mould as a B.Smith, surely a similar size.
Maybe you could argue he is not strong into contact, or is a poor defender, but this "too small" agenda I do not agree with.

 

[Derpus]

Never thought the "too small for test footy" was a great excuse. Especially for a back three player. Maybe for a tight 5 player I would agree. He could be in the same mould as a B.Smith, surely a similar size.
Maybe you could argue he is not strong into contact, or is a poor defender, but this "too small" agenda I do not agree with.

Ben Smith was incredibly elusive. Beat the first tackle basically every single time.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1560461599428644865

Yikes. Trouble at mill perhaps?

 

[Viking]

Ben Smith was incredibly elusive. Beat the first tackle basically every single time.

True, was probably an unfair comparison given B Smith was one of the best in the world.

Looking at all our fullback options Campbells running game is pretty good comparable to Kellaways, Wrights, Petaia, and is better then Hodges. IMO.

 

[Froggy]

Campbell is a fullback, for a start. He was also, imo, the form fullback of Super rugby. There have been any number of international back three players his size and smaller, quite simply, if he's good enough he's big enough.
It intrigues me that players seem to be declared either 'a natural test player' or 'not a test player' on these boards without ever having that established. Over the years I have seen any number of players step up to the next level when you weren't too confident they would despite good form at a lower level, and likewise others disappoint. I truly believe the time has come for him to be given a crack, it's not as if we have a queue of test class fullbacks contesting the position.

 

[PhilClinton]

True, was probably an unfair comparison given B Smith was one of the best in the world.

Looking at all our fullback options Campbells running game is pretty good comparable to Kellaways, Wrights, Petaia, and is better then Hodges. IMO.

At his best, Campbell has that elusiveness, he showed it many times for the Reds during the last few years, specifically when playing fullback.

At his worst, he's very passive and doesn't go looking for work (usually when playing on the wing).

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Yikes. Trouble at mill perhaps?

something weird going on thats for sure.

Wallabies make coaching shift as defensive coach Matt Taylor steps down

www.rugby.com.au

 

[wamberal]

something weird going on thats for sure.

Wallabies make coaching shift as defensive coach Matt Taylor steps down

www.rugby.com.au

For sure? Something weird? As Hooper's absence shows us, not to mention the Paul Green tragedy, things can be happening in their private lives that we we have absolutely no idea about.

 

[Lightblue]

You'd have to pick Kellaway if fit, based on his performance against England and seemed to be the first choice when Banks went down last year...

I'd also agree with DC, that despite his shocker last week Wright has been sensational on the wing but I'd be happy with him or Petaia starting with the other on the bench.

Petaia… played 20 Tests….. and he is still average… Send him back to club footy. For Christ’s sake give Vunivalu a bloody go..

 

[Slim 293]

Petaia… played 20 Tests….. and he is still average… Send him back to club footy. For Christ’s sake give Vunivalu a bloody go..

I’ve been critical of Petaia, but he’s certainly not average… I think he’s been pretty good since shifting to the wing over the past year.

 

[Derpus]

I’ve been critical of Petaia, but he’s certainly not average… I think he’s been pretty good since shifting to the wing over the past year.

Very much a winger though. Fullback he is not.