Wallabies vs Boks Bloemfontein

[Richo]

Good changes, although I wonder how much more Chrisholm really offers. I guess it's worthing finding out.

I still don't get what the point of Barnes and A. Finger on the bench is, and while it would be nice to have Turner there, I really think the smarter option is a fifth piggy.

 

[MrMouse]

What is Jizz doing starting? If he was going to mix it up in the second row he could at least have chucked in Simmons (you know, the developing young talent).
The other two changes I agree with completely. I suspect Moore and Fainga'a will play reasonably even minutes, though you never know with RD.
We've all been clamouring for someone, anyone to replace Brown for ages, and I think McCalman should be steady at the back of the scrum, have a high work rate and maybe make it over the gain line occasionally.
I agree with cyclopath on Turner, although I would have him in the starting XV (specialist winger!) with JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench. Doesn't matter that much, as I suspect AFaingaa will be lucky to get more time than he did on debut.

 

[Slim 293]

I would love to see us play with two wingers but the changes thus far are pretty good...

Hopefully Chisholm will add a bit more support in the scrum and Deans can motivate him (as said earlier) to use that size and power we know he all has...

 

[jason]

Disappointed about Chisholm...he's got the biggest guns in world rugby but is still a bit shit. Simmons is the future, would much rather have him starting.

That facebook thing on the blog says it all: why did Turner and McCabe get dragged all the way to SA if they're not gonna be used? Never mind that Turner was the best defensive back in the Tahs, an asset our leaky backline could use, he's also an actual winger...no idea why he isn't starting with JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench.

 

[Langthorne]

I like it that changes have been made. I'm not sure that McCalman and Chisholm are clearly better than Brown and Mumm, but changes needed to be made. We know Brown will throw himself into everything if given the chance, he just doesn't have the precence needed for a Wallaby 8. I think Mumm has been at least adequate in all areas (his workrate is excellent), aside from the terrible restart miss last week, but it is not right for mere adequacy to mean a secure starting position when the team is not winning.

Moore is clearly better than S Fainga'a.

Maafu is one lucky guy to be still starting.

I'd prefer to see Turner starting on the wing (a specialist).

The subs need to be there to make an impact, rather than just a kind of 'break in case of emergency'. For that reason JO'C would be ideal.

 

[fatprop]

McCalman and Chisholm are no better than the units they are replacing, Moore is an upgrade.

The reserve backs are dumb again, one 10/12 and one 12?

Why no outside back reserve? If AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or one of the wingers is wounded just how will the side set up?

 

[Lee Grant]

McCalman has a big engine and we need that. We also needed some change to our lineout unit. I don't know that young Simmons has a big engine at this stage and though Chiz is not much I'm not fussed that the youngster missed out on this one. If he's good enough his time to start will come but I'd go for a more experienced guy in 3N.

But has Chiz played any rugby since he replaced Sharpe against Ireland over 2 months ago? And I don't mean just: was his name on a programme?

S. Finger replaced? Why wasn't he replaced during the game at Loftus? I have been surprised over his precedence over Moore, though Moore can be playing like a world class hooker and then the Mr. Hyde penalty magnet emerges. Let's hope that he is Dr. Jekyll in Bloem - though he could have a problem with the drug test.

 

[Scarfman]

To me, this is Robbie saying to the world - I have no fucking idea who is best at these positions.

 

[dobduff11]

Ben McCalman seems like a bit of a mongrel when he plays 8 and that might be beneficial compared to some guy on an insane sugar buzz (richard brown)

Saia had a poor game last week and Moore deserves a start, definite upgrade here

Chis doesn't do a whole lot but Mumm isn't exactly that involved himself, hopefully he stops seagulling and takes notes from sharpie on how to make an impact

Oh dear 21 barnes 22 a finger, they play the same position so what a stupid decision, we might aswell have tom carter on the bench as dingo isn't going to use them and if he did atleast somebody could come on and play 13

 

[fatprop]

To me, this is Robbie saying to the world - I have no fucking idea who is best at these positions.

or this is what my options are ............................. we are screwed

 

[Scarfman]

Really fp? Like his option to drag Turner all the way to RSA for nothing? Like the option to promote Chisholm (again) above Simmons?

 

[Lee Grant]

Oh dear 21 barnes 22 a finger, they play the same position so what a stupid decision, we might as well have tom carter on the bench as dingo isn't going to use them and if he did atleast somebody could come on and play 13

Some of us were going for a 5/2 split for Loftus to have another forward on at altitude because A.Finger was obviously not needed on the bench. Sure.

But if we are going for 4/3 - what's going to happen if a winger or Beale gets hurt? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will have to take their place and A.Finger goes to 13. What if Turner was on the bench and the same thing happened? He plays on the wing and if Beale is crocked JOC (James O'Connor) goes to fullback. It works for me.

It didn't make sense to have Barnes, AF and Beale all capable of replacing Giteau and it doesn't make sense a week later either.

 

[dobduff11]

Maybe deans is scared by chis' arms
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6286201,00.jpg

5-2 splits are a bit dodgy, ive seen quite a few situations where three backs get injured and a back rower has to play on the wing,

Yeh i'm a big fan of JOC (James O'Connor) but he is not a winger and i cant see him being a starter before the RWC if all the backs are fit and healthy, at the moment the defence is fragile and he will improve this if he starts. Turner should be starting with JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench with barnes

 

[Moses]

Doesn't matter who we pick, wallabies played well last week so will play like arse this week. If the Deans yoyo effect holds true then Boks by 40+

 

[Crow]

But Turner's not going to move into the front row, is he?
It looks like Deans is reasonably happy with the back line, but we've got issues with 8 and the second-second rower.
Of course, how Deans could be happy with the back line boggles the mind, but anyway.
[edit- should be banned from posting pre-coffee]

 

[Joe Blow]

MCalman likes to run with the ball and hits the line hard. He is probably not as fast as Brown but he will give a lot more.
Chisholms set piece is pretty good and if Sharpe has to leave early again he is a better bet than Simmons. He had a good EOYT but needs to use those big guns to better effect.
Fainga'a had a really bad game and gave away a lot of penalties. Was it just me or was he looking to put on a few cheap shots when the opportunity arose?.......just a thought I had when watching a replay yesterday. He is not as good as Squeaky with the ball in hand or in defense or at the set piece. Moore makes good yards around the ruck and gets through a mountain of defensive work. He needs to be given some time starting. Can't believe anyone would pick Fainga'a ahead of him. He is prone to the odd brain fart but over 80 minutes he gives us so much more.
I think McCalman could be the real surprise packet here. FP You are wrong to think he and Brown are much the same.
He is a tough nut and also always goes over the gain line, even if he has to carry a few blokes with him.

 

[RugbyReg]

alternatives? We have 'em. It may not be test quality but we have alternatives to that 15.

15 Lachie Turner
14 Pat McCabe
13 Ryan Cross
12 Christian Lealiffano
11 Nick Cummins
10 Matt To'omua
9 Richard Kingi
8 Leroy Houston
7 Pat McCutcheon
6 David Dennis
5 Kane Douglas
4 Rob Simmons
3 Laurie Weeks
2 Huia Edmonds
1 Greg Holmes

So its not a Wallaby team we can expect to beat the Boks, but it's a decent depth of players and doesn't include the dozen or so injured players we have (see below) so if Deans wants to make changes, he can. And to be honest I prefer we try out/reward someone like McCabe/Turner instead of continuing to pick players who aren't stepping up consistently like JOC (James O'Connor) and Drew. Same with Houston for Brown. Douglas for Mumm. Weeks for Maafu etc etc.

15 Peter Hynes
14 Rodney Davies
13 Will Chambers
12 Stirling Mortlock
11 Cameron Shepherd
10
9
8 Wycliff Palu
7 Phil Waugh
6 Scott Higginbotham
5 James Horwill
4 Peter Kimlin
3 Al Baxter
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau
1 Ben Alexander

 

[fatprop]

Really fp? Like his option to drag Turner all the way to RSA for nothing? Like the option to promote Chisholm (again) above Simmons?

Turner? Deans needs to take squad of the best players available, that doesn't mean they were all going to get a run; that said, if JOC (James O'Connor) didn't score two tries I expect he would have been replaced with someone.

The thing is, is adding Turner a clear improvement or a difference in opinion? You gain a hard working fast winger, but lose the that something special JOC (James O'Connor) can deliver in between frustrating selfishness.

I see no real upgrade between Mumm and Chisholm, and Simmons has done little so far. Chisholm should add some ball running skills, but we lose lineout ability at the front

At the moment we have a lot of pretty average fit test players running around, especially in the pigs. (How many would really make the other tri-nations teams (Pocock and Robinson only I reckon would start for the Boks, but be bench options for the ABs)

 

[RedsHappy]

alternatives? We have 'em. It may not be test quality but we have alternatives to that 15....

RR, did you leave out Van the Man for any reason?...he's back from injury now, isn't he? I know he has detractors via age etc, but if Thorn is the Rolls Royce version of what's possible at that age, Van H is a credible BMW. Deans' seeming rejection of older players - almost for that reason - still make no sense to me.

 

[Crow]

RR, did you leave out Van the Man for any reason?...he's back from injury now, isn't he? I know he has detractors via age etc, but if Thorn is the Rolls Royce version of what's possible at that age, Van H is a credible BMW. Deans' seeming rejection of older players - almost for that reason - still make no sense to me.

Besides Van, which other over 30s would be possibilities? Besides Van I can only think of Baxter and due to reffing, he's somewhat damaged goods on the international stage. Sharpe is the obvious counter point to rejection of older players, and he's forced his way in through form.