Wallabies vs All Blacks 10th August @Optus Stadium Perth

[Tomikin]

Get it nice and early, All Blacks have knocked off the Argies and Drew with SA in New Zealand, not their best start, we lost to SA and Beat the Argies.

I think it could be a cracking game.

Pocock could be back, Samu should get a run. Lots of talk dropping LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) as 6 but I think having the big 4 jumpers in the lineout has been good, so maybe its Valetini/Dempsey for a start.

I wouldn't mind seeing Pocock Start at 7 and Swap with Hooper after 20-30 mins. It means his out there at the start and if he gets hurt you can bring Hooper straight in, or the opposite with Hooper Starting minutes and Pocock getting 20 - 30 at the end (doesn't have to be for Hooper).

Don't think they both should start.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Retallick defo out after dislocating his shoulder last night & SBW is being released for M10 Cup so he won't be there either. Other than them, ScoBar, Crotty & Squire Shag & Co. will have a full squad to choose from, said squad being cut from 39 to 34 on Wednesday.

 

[Braveheart81]

Will be interesting to see what changes Cheika runs with.

You would expect a few more players are available such as Ala'alatoa, Samu and possibly Pocock are available for selection. Ala'alatoa in particular should slot straight in to the starting spot.

I expect Foley and Leali'ifano will both start one of the All Blacks tests.

Luke Jones might rue his lack of impact off the bench. Giving away two penalties in a short period of time including one ridiculously stupid one is not what you need to be doing when trying to secure your spot in the squad.

 

[BDA]

I'd like to see Hodge replaced by Banks and AAA in for Kepu.

Poey on the bench if fit

I'd also chuck Coleman on the bench in place of Simmons. Simmons hasn't really made an impact off the bench. I think Coleman has the potential to make an impact. He was just about our best forward in 2018. Looked pretty shit in Super Rugby but no reason he can't recapture his 2018 form in the test environment.

I'm honestly not sure about no.6. I'm leaning towards keeping LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto). Continuity is usually a good thing. His last two games have been pretty average, but one aspect of our game that is function very well at the moment is the line-out and having that extra lineout-option is likely a contributing factor. We've seen the All Blacks successfully target the Wallabies' line-out on more than one occasion in the last few years and it basically sunk us on both occasions. Obviously there is more to having a good line out than just having taller blokes, but it certainly helps.

On the other hand, I think Samu could have a great impact for the wallabies at 6, but then if you're going to play Samu, you might as well just choose Pocock and I just don't think that's the best balance.

I'd start Lilo again this week, cause fuck why not.

 

[KOB1987]

I'd like to see Hodge replaced by Banks and AAA in for Kepu.

Poey on the bench if fit

I'd also chuck Coleman on the bench in place of Simmons. Simmons hasn't really made an impact off the bench. I think Coleman has the potential to make an impact. He was just about our best forward in 2018. Looked pretty shit in Super Rugby but no reason he can't recapture his 2018 form in the test environment.

I'm honestly not sure about no.6. I'm leaning towards keeping LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto). Continuity is usually a good thing. His last two games have been pretty average, but one aspect of our game that is function very well at the moment is the line-out and having that extra lineout-option is likely a contributing factor. We've seen the All Blacks successfully target the Wallabies' line-out on more than one occasion in the last few years and it basically sunk us on both occasions. Obviously there is more to having a good line out than just having taller blokes, but it certainly helps.

On the other hand, I think Samu could have a great impact for the wallabies at 6, but then if you're going to play Samu, you might as well just choose Pocock and I just don't think that's the best balance.

I'd start Lilo again this week, cause fuck why not.

2017?

 

[Strewthcobber]

2017?

it's sure been a while.

Probably worth giving Coleman a crack but think Simmons has done exactly what has been asked of him. Secure the first phase (lineouts, scrum and kickoff), and hasn't done anything stupid, which is exactly what you need in the last 10

 

[Derpus]

No thanks Coleman.

Whats changed that means Pocock is available suddenly?

 

[Strewthcobber]

No thanks Coleman.

Whats changed that means Pocock is available suddenly?

His calf?

Seriously though, back running at full pace last week, so they want to get some match time into him ASAP. Hopefully that closely monitored work has paid off.

 

[fatprop]

I think Coleman has looked busted for a while, I don't how many injuries he has been carrying, but that is how it looks to me

 

[RugbyReg]

Has Matt Philip been playing any club rugby?

 

[Brumby Jack]

^ For Sydney Uni. Not sure how he's been going though.

 

[Up the Guts]

Didn’t play for Uni this week.

 

[BDA]

2017?

Couldn't remember if that was last year or the year before. I'm getting old I guess.
Still it wasn't that long ago that we were considering him one of our only "world class" tight five forwards. I'm surprised how many people are prepared to throw him on the scrapheap at only 27. I can only assume that he's been carrying injuries like Fatprop suggested. A few months off could have been the difference. I think now is the time find out if he's worth taking to Japan or not.

 

[Derpus]

Couldn't remember if that was last year or the year before. I'm getting old I guess.
Still it wasn't that long ago that we were considering him one of our only "world class" tight five forwards. I'm surprised how many people are prepared to throw him on the scrapheap at only 27. I can only assume that he's been carrying injuries like Fatprop suggested. A few months off could have been the difference. I think now is the time find out if he's worth taking to Japan or not.

He was categorically awful last year and presided over the worst Wallaby lineout probably ever (and there has been some stiff competition). He then followed that with being injured or on the bench for the majority of this year.

I don't see why he would be selected ahead of Rodda, Arnold, Simmons, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) or even his own teammate Phillip.

 

[Ulrich]

It's been hard to gauge where Australia are at to be honest.

Was not a great game for them in JHB, but probably was never going to be. Lacking confidence so the win against Arg will have done them the world of good and they now have had another week to iron things out. Defense is getting better.

Might be a bit closer than initially anticipated - especially as they will have targeted these games to measure themselves as everyone always does with the ABs.

 

[Joe Blow]

Runs on the board

Edit - Coleman

 

[Derpus]

It's been hard to gauge where Australia are at to be honest.

Was not a great game for them in JHB, but probably was never going to be. Lacking confidence so the win against Arg will have done them the world of good and they now have had another week to iron things out. Defense is getting better.

Might be a bit closer than initially anticipated - especially as they will have targeted these games to measure themselves as everyone always does with the ABs.

This has been said every year for the past 15+ years......

 

[Bobby Sands]

Coleman likes Chapel St too much.

 

[Joe Blow]

When he is on Coleman is very good. He should be in the squad if fit.

 

[waratahjesus]

regardless of results short or long term, always excited and filled with optimism both real and unwarranted every Bledisloe kick off.

good luck to every player who pulls on the jersey. may your game be overflowing with skill, luck and the support of a nation.

fuck New Zealand.