Winter Tour; Wallabies v France Wednesday 7 July, Brisbane

[wamberal]

The bench will be pretty crucial, did he pick one?

 

[upthereds#!]

I'm the opposite. Slipper v Bamba seems odd, depending on team systems they may not even line up against each other in genernal play (any more than the rest of the tight 5). The scrum is a major issue for props, Tupou v Bamba will be fascinating.

But Tupou doesn't scrum against Bamba...

 

[KOB1987]

But Tupou doesn't scrum against Bamba.

Surely as he's French we're allowed to call him La Bamba?

 

[Joe Blow]

Or Le Bamba

 

[Dan54]

I starting to look forward to this one, I know it not a strong French team, but still got the makings of a good test. Will be interested to see how French come out of MIQ, and whether they up for it.

You know how fragile French can be at times!

 

[Joe Blow]

Hopefully they will see it as an opportunity to roll us at home and for them individually as players to stake a claim for a spot in their top side.

 

[KOB1987]

There is a bit of hinting in some media that Hodge will be 10 for the first test.

 

[cyclopath]

There is a bit of hinting in some media that Hodge will be 10 for the first test.

I hope not.

 

[Zero_Cool]

I'd rather see Hodge at 13 than 10, perhaps 15 too.

 

[KOB1987]

Both major outlets reporting that Gordon will be starting. Team will be announced at lunchtime.

The inferred team is:
James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright, Tom Banks.

 

[Dctarget]

Poor Hodgey. How many positions is that? Must be the ultimate trainer during the week to get all these chances.

 

[KOB1987]

Poor Hodgey. How many positions is that? Must be the ultimate trainer during the week to get all these chances.

I wouldn't be surprised if the centres are the other way around.

 

[Joe Blow]

Good to have Hodge next to Lolesio and slipping into 1st receiver when we need his cannon. It gives us a bit of fire power out wide.

 

[Dctarget]

I guess the good news is that there's barely any surprises/outrages? Remember the days of Cheika or Deans who would send this forum into a frenzy.

That or we don't have more than XV talented players to debate about.

 

[dru]

Both major outlets reporting that Gordon will be starting. Team will be announced at lunchtime.

The inferred team is:
James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright, Tom Banks.

Tate misses a shot here and may find it tough to break in going forward. I think Gordon is fab, look forward to seeing what he can do, it's just that takes opportunities may be slipping.

 

[KOB1987]

Tate misses a shot here and may find it tough to break in going forward. I think Gordon is fab, look forward to seeing what he can do, it's just that takes opportunities may be slipping.

Well he'll be on the bench. Given he's uncapped I'd call that an opportunity.

 

[upthereds#!]

With that, I'd go a bench of

16. Lonergan 17. Bell 18. Ala'alatoa 19. Timani 20. Naisarani/leota 21. Mcdermott 22. Ikitau 23. Daugunu

However I would be concerned about starting Hodge @ 12 instead of being insurance as no. 22.

You have a rookie 10, then the back up 10 (who is also the backup 15...) is just returning from a large injury layoff and already on the field at 12. Bit of exposure there if things go pear shaped.

Would be the same as JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua, but Hodge would still be on the bench and JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua are a lot better then Noah and Hodge.

 

[Slim 293]

Well he'll be on the bench. Given he's uncapped I'd call that an opportunity.

He has 2 caps from last year.........

 

[KOB1987]

He has 2 caps from last year...

That's true, forgot about that - I'll insert the word 'largely' in front of uncapped

 

[Tomikin]

Tate misses a shot here and may find it tough to break in going forward. I think Gordon is fab, look forward to seeing what he can do, it's just that takes opportunities may be slipping.

Biggest miss is for R Lonergan his goal kicking at the end could win us game, the dudes the best kicker in oz. But yeah Gordan this year looked fantastic, I was never really impressed till this year.