Wallabies vs England, Sydney

[Scotty]

I also think we should kill them this weekend. I think they got as much help as possible from the ref, had a ridiculously dominant scrum and still realistically couldn't get close. Not to mention all our dropped ball. I expect us to improve in the scrum, while still struggling at times. The key is the first few scrums - if they aren't stable, then the ref will just assume it is our issue and penalise us off the park. If I was England I'd be looking at alternating between getting a good shove on our scrum and straight dropping it for the first few.

I don't think Mumm has proven himself as an international lock yet. His hands have been as bad as Chisholms, and he isn't making a real impact on the field. So we can't say that the front row is the only issue. At least in the front row we have experienced and proven players that are injured and due to come back into the team at some stage, you can't say that for the locks. So it is just as important that we continue to develop some back up locks such as Simmons and Douglas, in case the likes of Sharpe go down.

 

[mark_s]

I am really looking forward to the game and it will be far from the usual dribble that is served up at Homebush in the corresponding test each year.

Our scrum will be better but will still be a weakness. Only question is whether it completely disintegrates per last week or is passable. We need to remember that a scrum is an 8 (or atleast 7) man exercise and all of them need to be working together for a scrum to be competitive. A scrum starts with the front row but doesn't end there and I still think that the problems we had last week went far beyond the (limited) abilities of Daly and Maafu. The decision to retain the exact same forward pack as last week is one I disagree with, but time will tell.

The Poms have got off pretty lightly this week IMO in our frenzy to criticise our scrum and Deans. They are under just as much pressure as us, arguably more given 75% of their game was poo last week where as only 25% of our game was weak.

 

[TheTruth]

Interesting that Daley has the most support in the poll at the top of the page. Even higher than TPN (possibly influenced by the fact that TPN is a hypothetical only). I am even more surprised that there are 5 people other than me that would pick Tilse at LHP. Must be more good judges around here than I thought.

reckon Ben or family must have 25 posts - but wish him and the whole scrum (including meercats) all the best

 

[Moses]

If I was Johnson my gameplan would be to win the toss and kick the ball out on the full. Start the game with a scrum!

 

[Lindommer]

And if I was Elsom I'd go for a lineout every time the Poms kicked a restart out on the full.

 

[RugbyReg]

ok, just going to sneak this in here.

By the way, yeah I think we will win well. Can't believe Flood is still 10 as he looks useless. Can't see other options though I guess. Surprised Tait isn't there somewhere either. Interested to see how young Lawes goes too.

 

[Reddy!]

I though Wilko looked good on the weekend, much better than Flood in his limited time off the bench.

Anyway, I agree with what Scotty said earlier on this page. Imagine if Sharpe gets injured before the Tri-Nations - combined with the front row injuries that would be a catastrophy of epic proportions - getting smash in 2 set pieces won't be fun.

 

[the gambler]

I don't think Mumm has proven himself as an international lock yet. His hands have been as bad as Chisholms, and he isn't making a real impact on the field. So we can't say that the front row is the only issue. At least in the front row we have experienced and proven players that are injured and due to come back into the team at some stage, you can't say that for the locks. So it is just as important that we continue to develop some back up locks such as Simmons and Douglas, in case the likes of Sharpe go down.

I would be pretty happy with a World Cup side of
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu
18. Mumm
19. Hodgson

Mumm and Hodgson would make a good bench combo.

 

[RedsHappy]

Anyway, I agree with what Scotty said earlier on this page. Imagine if Sharpe gets injured before the Tri-Nations - combined with the front row injuries that would be a catastrophy of epic proportions - getting smash in 2 set pieces won't be fun.

Not that we'd wish it, but there will be more injuries. I guess what's going to come right down to the wire as we enter the Tris is the time relationship between the top tier players returning and the top tier players departing...

 

[daz]

Ok gents, time to put your credibility where your mouth is (or should that be typing fingers?).

Let's have some predictions for Saturday. I'll start the ball rolling.

Wobs by 20.

 

[matty_k]

I've gone Wallabies by 14

 

[#1 Tah]

Wallabies by 2. I am blowing off band camp for this so it better be good or else.......

 

[RugbyReg]

Australia by 21

 

[The Chosen]

I though Wilko looked good on the weekend,

Who's doing his hair these days?

 

[Ruggo]

Wallabies by 18.

 

[Groucho]

If the Poms play it tight, then Wobblies by 20. If they toss it about, Wallabies by 30.

 

[Scotty]

Wallabies by 24. 5 tries to 1.

 

[Scotty]

I would be pretty happy with a World Cup side of
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu
18. Mumm
19. Hodgson

Mumm and Hodgson would make a good bench combo.

I agree, however Horwill is a slow starter coming back from injury, Sharpe is up and down and Elsom has fulfilled his overseas promise.

Basically our major tournament ambitions for the next few years at least will come down to luck with injuries.

 

[DPK]

When Horwill returns he may concentrate on becoming blindside, he was making the switch early this year at the Reds.

 

[Xanth]

With scott higginbotham running around for the reds if he does he'll be on the bench next season.