Wallabies v Wales Game 2 Sat 13 July Melbourne

[Strewthcobber]

The players all think it's hilarious

 

[Pfitzy]

White for McDermott

White + Donaldson in for McDermott + Lynagh. Combinations at 9 & 10

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

It’s great to see a coach understand how important those combinations can be.

 

[Adam84]

Lynagh ruled out through injury. Tate ruled out through Lynagh injury.

Hopefully that means Tate and Lynagh are released to play against Wales next weekend for the Reds

 

[stillmissit]

Delighted to see Charlie Cale at 8 and Valetini to 6 where he will do his best work.

 

[stillmissit]

Yep, like the consistency and an opportunity to see if the group can grow from last week's performance.

It shows an ability to deal with what we have and not what we don't have. Now all we have to hope, assuming the consistency continues, is that the guys grow and become a useful unit. Winning more than they lose is a bit of a dream at this time but we can all dream..

 

[KiwiM]

Will be the 8th different captain in 12 tests apparently.

Well firstly, Liam Wright is injured so he can't captain this week.

Secondly, Schmidt has been quite clear in his communication on this. He is still learning about the players and so has made it clear that the captain for test 1 wouldn't necessarily be the captain for test 2 etc.

 

[Slim 293]

maybe but the media reported earlier in the week that he had recovered

I'm not sure if it was confirmed that he was 100%, but it might also be a case of not bringing him back too quickly...

Give Flook another start, ease Ikitau back through some game time against Georgia and have him at full fitness to start in the RC.

Edit: confirmed... Ikitau still not 100%

 

[Sword of Justice]

Isnt Tupou listed as 135kg? Surely even Tupou isn't 150kg...

This is what I’ve been told but I can’t claim to have seen him on the scales.

 

[griffins]

I reckon Valetini's game will look almost identical to last week. I seriously don't understand people getting so wound up about what number he's wearing, either way he's going to be doing the bulk of our midfield and tight carrying.

 

[TSR]

If he gets any chance I wouldn’t even be surprised if he pulls rank and suggests to a Charlie he packs on the side for any 5 metre attacking scrums

 

[Brumby Runner]

White + Donaldson in for McDermott + Lynagh.

This was the change I was hoping for in this test. If Nic can curb his impulse to box kick on every possession and instead feed his backline a bit, they could be the best attacking 9/10 combination in the squad.

 

[Tomthumb]

Well firstly, Liam Wright is injured so he can't captain this week. Secondly, Schmidt...is still learning about the players and so has made it clear that the captain for test 1 wouldn't necessarily be the captain for test 2 etc.

Which is fine, I just hope by the Rugby Championship he names a full time captain

 

[Tomthumb]

If Nic can curb his impulse to box kick

Pigs are more likely to fly

 

[Tomthumb]

Gleeson well rewarded for his great season

Wait...

 

[Brumby Runner]

I reckon Valetini's game will look almost identical to last week. I seriously don't understand people getting so wound up about what number he's wearing, either way he's going to be doing the bulk of our midfield and tight carrying.

That's probably true G but there will be a difference, I think, in the way Cale plays to the way Liam Wright plays. I hope we get to see a bit more attack out wide with Charlie in the side.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Captains being appointed full time is a relatively recent thing and if there’s adequate leadership around the team then I have no issue changing it up.

It was one of Eddie’s annoying things that he never actually explained (probably because he couldn’t explain it to himself) but I don’t think the chopping was why last year was a clusterfuck. The selections themselves were a much bigger problem.

 

[Tomthumb]

Is it? Which team doesn't have a full time captain?

Every good international team in modern history has had one captain

 

[House is on Fire]

If he gets any chance I wouldn’t even be surprised if he pulls rank and suggests to a Charlie he packs on the side for any 5 metre attacking scrums

Or scrums deep in defence where he should be used to make a few yards to set up a box kick exit.

 

[Derpus]

Gleeson well rewarded for his great season

Wait...

Yeah, just like Blyth...

But anyway, Tupou and Gordon both had pretty uninspiring Super seasons and were in the top 3 with Valetini last week.