Wallabies vs Wales - Suncorp Stadium June 9

[Slim 293]

I like that team. Worry is that McCabe won't throw enough cut-out passes to Tomane. If he manages to remember Horne is outside him then we will be fine!

The Brumbies' outside backs have had no issue with McCabe's passing abilities this year...

However, with Deans game plan he's unlikely to pass it further as the Wallabies' backline play for the past year consists of:

- Genia box kicks
- Flyhalf kicks or runs it himself
- Flyhalf passes it out to inside centre to crash it up
- Flyhalf passes it to winger who runs inside to crash it up

13 is decoration in the Deans' playbook...

 

[Reddy!]

Yeah it has been as of late, which is why the experiment with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 has never worked.

 

[qwerty51]

Fuck Robbie you've finally done a good team that made sense!

 

[cyclopath]

Horne was struggling early in the season, but has now is defending better (less big tackles, more defending - he missed 23 in the first 8 games and only 5 in the last 4)) and scored four tries in his last six games, that ain't bad

This was the impression I had of the last few games. To be fair, Fainga'a has had limited game time this year too, so the differences are not massively stark.
I reckon Fainga'a is unlucky, but I can see the benfit of Horne in attack, IF, and only if, he curbs his liking for rush-up big hits and keeps the line intact. He can tackle very well, but that aspect of defensive positioning is variable. Fainga'a likes the big hit too, but my impression is that he times it generally better.
I'd be happy enough with either, to be honest.

 

[Jets]

Fuck Robbie you've finally done a good team that made sense!

Qwerty you're starting to scare me.

 

[the sabanator]

Would've kept Fainga'a at 13. Can understand TPN subbing out Moore for fatigue reasons but would rather Moore had played. Slipper should've been on the bench instead of Alexander. Would've looked at maybe Harris at 15, but other than that this is as good of a team as we could name.

 

[qwerty51]

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (Captain), Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Ashley Beck

 

[qwerty51]

Can understand TPN subbing out Moore for fatigue reasons but would rather Moore had played.

It is not for fatigue reasons, TPN started in the 2 Welsh victories last year, his combination with the other Tah props is too important to break, we'll have a very strong scrum on the weekend, it will be new to all.

 

[cyclopath]

It is not for fatigue reasons, TPN started in the 2 Welsh victories last year, his combination with the other Tah props is too important to break, we'll have a very strong scrum on the weekend, it will be new to all.

Wales certainly will. If we can get parity in set pieces, that's only step one. The key will be winning the breakdowns, as I am sure Wales will have carefully studied Ireland v Aus from the RWC and will go hell for leather at it.
I'm pretty worried about this Test - I would not be surprised if we lose it comfortably. I hope not.

 

[tigerland12]

That Welsh team will destroy us. Wow, apart from Roberts thats them at full strength.

 

[Slim 293]

It is not for fatigue reasons, TPN started in the 2 Welsh victories last year, his combination with the other Tah props is too important to break, we'll have a very strong scrum on the weekend, it will be new to all.

It's not too important to break...

There's daylight between Moore and TPN, and our frontrow isn't weakened by Moore's inclusion...

It really is for fatigue purposes...

If there was no Scotland test Moore would be starting, and I'd expect him to start in the second test.

 

[Jiggles]

I want to agree with you Jiggles, but your avatar is making it very difficult for me.

Fatties deserve the love too, Tigerland

 

[qwerty51]

Mate if it's for fatigue purposes as you say why did TPN start against Wales twice last year? It's pretty clear as day Robbie prefers TPN to Moore against Wales.

 

[Richo]

How many chances does he get to achieve this somewhat ellusive goal?

He's shown great potential in patches, it's consistent performance that's the problem. Hopefully we'll see something on Saturday. If we don't, I'm sure that Fainga'a will get the call up. Btw, I'm bloody glad Ant was playing in Newcastle. Made a huge difference in those conditions.

 

[cyclopath]

Mate if it's for fatigue purposes as you say why did TPN start against Wales twice last year? It's pretty clear as day Robbie prefers TPN to Moore against Wales.

I don't know, mate. Moore has been far and away the best hooker in Oz this year, I'm with Slim on this (there, I said it!). I'm sure, if Scotland had never happened, Moore would be wearing 2.

 

[Slim 293]

Moore has just played two 80 minute games within a week.

TPN started the last two tests against the Baa Baas and Wales because he'd had little game time and Moore was given a break after a heavy test season.

 

[Jiggles]

The scrum is going to get shafted by that Welsh pack. Davies and Charties > than Simmons and Sharpe.

The only hope we have getting the hit and getting it out fast.

 

[Richo]

Isn't it nice how when the international season starts we all just leave our petty state-based feuds aside and get behind our national team?

 

[Ignoto]

It is not for fatigue reasons, TPN started in the 2 Welsh victories last year

I don't buy into that crap. Last year we had Ma'fu and Slipper in the front row. So since they were there when we won, we should auto-default into them starting.

 

[qwerty51]

There were ample rest periods in the RWC and especially in that one off game in Cardiff. TPN started in the 3rd playoff because Robbie thinks he's a better scrummager than Moore, he was proven right as we had a good scrum that day even with Ma'afu. He rewarded the players that got the job done that day with selection in Cardiff. He's stuck with the same guy that performed and won us a game against Wales - twice.

I don't buy into that crap. Last year we had Ma'fu and Slipper in the front row. So since they were there when we won, we should auto-default into them starting.

Robinson and Kepu were injured. Moore was not. Come on...

I think it's been on the cards for a while that Robbie wanted to put the Tahs front row together but due to injuries he hasn't been able to until now.