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Peter Fenwicke (45)
Aside from some of the weird selections he's made, it's interesting to look at the combinations he's obviously going to try for the next round.
- Samo is on the wing, why would you start your first choice number-8 on the wing in the final match before a knockout-clash against the Sprinboks. Easy, he is no longer the first choice number 8. Palu was ahead of him pre-injury, McCalman has been playing a consistent 80 mins (although at #7 and not very well) and Higgenbotham is getting his chance to impress now. Makes sense to play McCalman with Pocock if you believe that these two will form the backrow combination in the following round.. does it not?
- Sharpe and Horwill. Their first game together in a while and arguably the two premier locks in the country. Both were highly influential in their respective teams' supuer campaigns. What one offers in experience the other offers in leadership and youth.
- Cooper, Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Our obvious midfield combination, perhaps we left the trial too late. None of these players have played together for a while and you'd hope that they are doing a lot of work on the training paddock together. It's hard to see anyone other than these three playing in their positions or forcing their way back into the squad at this stage, regardless of recovery. Deans' wouldn't be trying this combination for no reason, get ready to see it again in the QF's.
- O'Connor at 15. The guy hasn't played there in ages and if you had to pick a member of the squad to play there after Beale it would be AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). This demonstrates two things, a) Digby is nearly ready, b) JOC (James O'Connor) is not part of the Deans' QF XV. Why would any coach play Samo (a forward) on the wing ahead of a player who is going to be playing there the following week, surely JOC (James O'Connor) would need to be part of the backline plays and be able to link up with the trio mentioned above..
I'm probably wrong, and going to get crucified.. but just my thoughts.
- Samo is on the wing, why would you start your first choice number-8 on the wing in the final match before a knockout-clash against the Sprinboks. Easy, he is no longer the first choice number 8. Palu was ahead of him pre-injury, McCalman has been playing a consistent 80 mins (although at #7 and not very well) and Higgenbotham is getting his chance to impress now. Makes sense to play McCalman with Pocock if you believe that these two will form the backrow combination in the following round.. does it not?
- Sharpe and Horwill. Their first game together in a while and arguably the two premier locks in the country. Both were highly influential in their respective teams' supuer campaigns. What one offers in experience the other offers in leadership and youth.
- Cooper, Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Our obvious midfield combination, perhaps we left the trial too late. None of these players have played together for a while and you'd hope that they are doing a lot of work on the training paddock together. It's hard to see anyone other than these three playing in their positions or forcing their way back into the squad at this stage, regardless of recovery. Deans' wouldn't be trying this combination for no reason, get ready to see it again in the QF's.
- O'Connor at 15. The guy hasn't played there in ages and if you had to pick a member of the squad to play there after Beale it would be AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). This demonstrates two things, a) Digby is nearly ready, b) JOC (James O'Connor) is not part of the Deans' QF XV. Why would any coach play Samo (a forward) on the wing ahead of a player who is going to be playing there the following week, surely JOC (James O'Connor) would need to be part of the backline plays and be able to link up with the trio mentioned above..
I'm probably wrong, and going to get crucified.. but just my thoughts.