Planet Rugby Forum

Aaron Smiths been mud this year, not playing his natural quick ball game. Faf outplayed him in both tests and it seemed to really unsettle Smith.

jdogscoop wrote:

Peteray wrote:It seems strange that Smith is usurped at 9. Perenara hasn't been that brilliant in spite of coming on against tiring packs, and was embarrassingly run down by Whiteley just a couple of weeks back. On the whole, with Goodhue unavailable, it's a pretty solid team with Naholo the unluckiest. He could still play a big part in the RWC though, as he and Reiko are the only specialist wings, and they won't want Reiko to play every week.

Perenara isn't a very intelligent player IMHO, but then again it's not Smith's strongest suit either! TJ has a starting spot to try and prove the doubters wrong.

Could it be something to do with slick passers like Smith and Mo'unga coming on late to put the flash ball runners into space?

Really like that backline. Swap Smith & TJP and bring Goodhue back in and I think that might be our best combo.

saffer13 wrote:

mr bungle wrote:

saffer13 wrote:If the AB's lose to a 7th ranked team, does Ireland become #1?

All Blacks are on 92, Ireland 90.

A draw sees NZ drop 1 ranking point.

1-15 point loss NZ drop 2 ranking points.

15+ point loss NZ drop 3 ranking points.

Wobs by 16 points and we will never hear the end of the Irish.

Peteray wrote:It seems strange that Smith is usurped at 9. Perenara hasn't been that brilliant in spite of coming on against tiring packs, and was embarrassingly run down by Whiteley just a couple of weeks back. On the whole, with Goodhue unavailable, it's a pretty solid team with Naholo the unluckiest. He could still play a big part in the RWC though, as he and Reiko are the only specialist wings, and they won't want Reiko to play every week.

TJP subbed on against SA in our last game and made a huge difference. I’d go as far as to say he was the spark for our improved performance at the end.

Anyone put the wobs team up yet? Here it is if not. Coleman out with groin injury.

Wallabies 15-1: Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio

Reserves: Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Rory Arnold, Jack Dempsey, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Tom Banks

figured naivalu will be in the 23 as i saw a clip of training but starting against Rieko? lol field day for Rieko..hopefully the rebels back 3 won't disappoint.

mojo wrote:Anyone put the wobs team up yet? Here it is if not. Coleman out with groin injury.

Wallabies 15-1: Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio

Reserves: Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Rory Arnold, Jack Dempsey, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Tom Banks

Looks an uninspiring lot! I'm very confident.

Naivalu won't make us competitive with NZ, but him and Koroibete together will be fun to watch in coming games.

Teams added to the OP

I like it, although DMac at the back will have Foloo licking his lips.

What's the word in Goodhue, is out of the tour? I hope SBW starts finding some attacking form.

That's a good looking bench alright, with all the players coming back from injury our front row changes are starting to look very scary.

So that team at the 50 min mark may look like

BB
Bender
ALB
Crotty
Rieko
RMo
Nugget
Read
Todd
Squire
BBB
Whitelock
Laulala
Taylor
Karl



Closer to my preferred starting XV.

F.ck having tired legs and 50-60mins and see that team standing in front of you with almost half fresh as a daisy.

Goodhue is crook so just misses the one game. Crotty will be subbed for ALB, not SBW.

The Native wrote:Goodhue is crook so just misses the one game. Crotty will be subbed for ALB, not SBW.

Ok sweet, would suck if he wasn't on the EOYT.

I doubt the midfield change is pre meditated, will depend on the type of game and individual workloads. Crotty can sometimes be in a cotton wool situation but SBW definitely puts in some hard yards on D and tuckers himself out, he's a big guy. If you're looking to speed up the game I'd say Crotty ALB is a better pairing.

mojo wrote:Anyone put the wobs team up yet? Here it is if not. Coleman out with groin injury.

Wallabies 15-1: Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio

Reserves: Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Rory Arnold, Jack Dempsey, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Tom Banks

That appears to be a team the ABs will defecate on with ease unless they are utterly distracted and disaffected.

Gives a pretty good insight into what kind of team we're looking at for the Japan game too. You'd expect the 20 going straight to Europe will all be from this 23 with the 3 staying on being Mo'unga, Laulala (needs game time) and maybe DMac (Fox said Brett Cameron is unlikely to play so they need 2 first-five options).

Something like:

1. Perry
2. Coles
3. Laulala
4. Tuipolotu
5. Romano
6. Fifita
7. Papali'i
8. Whitelock (c)
9. TTT
10. Mo'unga
11. Bridge
12. Laumape
13. Goodhue
14. Naholo
15. Jordie

16. Aumua
17. Ofa
18. Ta'avao
19. Hemopo
20. Evans
21. Hall
22. DMac
23. Havili

Leaves NMS, Proctor, Drummond, Cameron, Hunt, Lomax, O'Neill, and Coltman selected but not used.

Matt Henjak wrote:Naivalu won't make us competitive with NZ, but him and Koroibete together will be fun to watch in coming games.

At least Sefa can defend well.

It's not a terrible team, and as much shitting on Simmons is fun, he's at least good in the set piece, and always lifts for the allblacks.

Maybe he'll take the mantle of hard man scowls champion now that Cane is out injured. Competition will be immense from Squire though.

This and next week were the best time for Hansen to drop Ben from accounts, that guy needs a break more than any player and then be ready for the REAL November internationals.. hansen will regret playing ben this weekend..

Pretty sure Goodhue is going to UK & not playing any games in jpn

Zakar wrote:

Matt Henjak wrote:Naivalu won't make us competitive with NZ, but him and Koroibete together will be fun to watch in coming games.

At least Sefa can defend well.

It's not a terrible team, and as much shitting on Simmons is fun, he's at least good in the set piece, and always lifts for the allblacks.

Maybe he'll take the mantle of hard man scowls champion now that Cane is out injured. Competition will be immense from Squire though.

I would have preferred Simmons and Arnold with Rodda on the bench. We are lacking grunt in that back 5. We are also lacking a second fullback. I assume that Foley and KB will drop back in defence.

Thats a pretty good starting 15 for sure

Even more impressive is the back up: 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Brodie Retallick
Arguably our most destructive scrummagers are on the bench, and the words best player to come on and run over the top of everyone for the last 20 mins

Why is Folau playing at #13 now?

FFS leave arguably the best fullback in the world (or at least in the running for it) at f-cking fullback. How hard is that? While you're at it. leave the best 7 in the world at 7 and select a proper 8.

I've been going on about this forever. Experimental selections are not going to save Australian rugby. Basics and consistent selections.

So that is what the Hobbitlanders on this thread have been calling their C-team all week? The ABs might be in trouble if they followed the selections of these guys.

As for the Wallabies, glad to see Folau at 13 - it's probably his most natural position, and he had a great season for the Waratahs there a little while back. I also would have liked to see Arnold start with Simmons, and Rodda on the bench. Simmons is quite deserving of the start, AC injury or not. His good form this year has been unacknowledged; his best season for us, albeit off the bench. He upped his game this year and his strong carries and involvement were a welcome sight when the starting locks often lacked impact, though Rodda redeemed himself in the 2nd Argentina game.

Sefa N is hopefully back to full speed, because that is very fast, and that is actually a damned good Wallabies backline - forwards, do whatever it takes to get quality ball to them!

Mog The Almighty wrote:Why is Folau playing at #13 now?

FFS leave arguably the best fullback in the world (or at least in the running for it) at f-cking fullback. How hard is that? While you're at it. leave the best 7 in the world at 7 and select a proper 8.

I've been going on about this forever. Experimental selections are not going to save Australian rugby. Basics and consistent selections.

1. The cupboard is bare at 13 ATM. It was either Folou, Kerevi who hasn't played in months, or a bloke only just old enough to vote.

2. DHP has been better at fullback than Folou the last few games. Considerably better.

mightyreds wrote:So that is what the Hobbitlanders on this thread have been calling their C-team all week? The ABs might be in trouble if they followed the selections of these guys.

As for the Wallabies, glad to see Folau at 13 - it's probably his most natural position, and he had a great season for the Waratahs there a little while back. I also would have liked to see Arnold start with Simmons, and Rodda on the bench. Simmons is quite deserving of the start, AC injury or not. His good form this year has been unacknowledged; his best season for us, albeit off the bench. He upped his game this year and his strong carries and involvement were a welcome sight when the starting locks often lacked impact, though Rodda redeemed himself in the 2nd Argentina game.

Sefa N is hopefully back to full speed, because that is very fast, and that is actually a damned good Wallabies backline - forwards, do whatever it takes to get quality ball to them!

Maybe read the thread next time, it’s not a long one.

The C Team is in reference to the 19 kids being flown over for the Japanese test next week, with the big boys all leaving directly for the UK.

mightyreds wrote:So that is what the Hobbitlanders on this thread have been calling their C-team all week? The ABs might be in trouble if they followed the selections of these guys.

As for the Wallabies, glad to see Folau at 13 - it's probably his most natural position, and he had a great season for the Waratahs there a little while back. I also would have liked to see Arnold start with Simmons, and Rodda on the bench. Simmons is quite deserving of the start, AC injury or not. His good form this year has been unacknowledged; his best season for us, albeit off the bench. He upped his game this year and his strong carries and involvement were a welcome sight when the starting locks often lacked impact, though Rodda redeemed himself in the 2nd Argentina game.

Sefa N is hopefully back to full speed, because that is very fast, and that is actually a damned good Wallabies backline - forwards, do whatever it takes to get quality ball to them!

If Banks comes on for DHP (unlikely unless injured), that will be out fastest backline in decades.

Zakar wrote:

Mog The Almighty wrote:Why is Folau playing at #13 now?

FFS leave arguably the best fullback in the world (or at least in the running for it) at f-cking fullback. How hard is that? While you're at it. leave the best 7 in the world at 7 and select a proper 8.

I've been going on about this forever. Experimental selections are not going to save Australian rugby. Basics and consistent selections.

1. The cupboard is bare at 13 ATM. It was either Folou, Kerevi who hasn't played in months, or a bloke only just old enough to vote.

2. DHP has been better at fullback than Folou the last few games. Considerably better.

DHP is class and looks good wherever he plays. I wouldn't leave him out of any side, but you're missing the point. 13 is not Folau's position. He's not a great passer of the ball and it somewhat neutralizes his greatest strength, under the high ball. Also, the point is to stop switching selections and players and positions around. Consistency in selection is so underrated imo. If our best 13s are out, select the next best 13. Might even be a revelation. Once they were established must-pick starters, You never saw Nonu or Umaga or Mortlock playing at inside one week, left wing the next, full back the next, etc. You put them in their best and most natural positions. If you really think it's a great idea to make Folau at 13, make him a 13, consistently. Not just throw him in there against the ABs and see what happens. Lost? Okay, let's try right wing next week. That has never worked.

And we wonder why the team can't seem to play at a consistent level.

DHP is 95% as good under the high ball, and you can still make use of Folous high ball skills on attack

Honestly, given the scenario I don't have a problem with him playing there. With a healthy Hodge/TK/Kerevi? Sure, I'd be annoyed, but it's the best of a bad situation.

The ABs regularly move their players around to suit injuries/form etc.

naki wrote:15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Ryan Crotty, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Kieran Read ©, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Liam Squire, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Sam Whitelock, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody.

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Brodie Retallick, 20. Matt Todd, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

I'm starting to think that Banks will never get a start under Cheika...

The fact that Folau has shifted in, and Maddocks isn't playing (who hasn't been particularly good either)... so presumably Banks is the next cab off the rank and yet Cheika brings in Naivalu who hasn't played in forever and couldn't get a start at the Rebels this year.

Tehui wrote:

naki wrote:15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Ryan Crotty, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Kieran Read ©, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Liam Squire, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Sam Whitelock, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody.

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Brodie Retallick, 20. Matt Todd, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

If Damien McKenzie plays well you'd have to think that Jordie Barrett's days as an AB starter are numbered.

I'm fine with that. Jordie has always been selected based on potential rather than performance. If this inspires JB to lift his performances, then it's a really smart move. My concern about Jordie Barrett, from back when he was playing provincial rugby for Canterbury, is his lack of pace, especially off the mark. Which is the most important type of pace. Including Beauden Barrett, McKenzie and Mo'unga all in the match day XXIII seems like the best use of our current resources.

Fat Old Git wrote:

Kiwias wrote:

How old is that Picture?

it's a painting...

The last time the Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup:

Houses, too, were cheaper. The median Sydney house price for the June quarter of 2002 was just $447,115

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 03z5r.html

J Man wrote:The last time the Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup:

Houses, too, were cheaper. The median Sydney house price for the June quarter of 2002 was just $447,115

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 03z5r.html

Elvis topped the charts in the month the Wallabies last won the Bledisloe.

Mr Mike wrote:

J Man wrote:The last time the Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup:

Houses, too, were cheaper. The median Sydney house price for the June quarter of 2002 was just $447,115

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 03z5r.html

Elvis topped the charts in the month the Wallabies last won the Bledisloe.

Mr Mike wrote:

J Man wrote:The last time the Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup:

Houses, too, were cheaper. The median Sydney house price for the June quarter of 2002 was just $447,115

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 03z5r.html

Elvis topped the charts in the month the Wallabies last won the Bledisloe.

Brilliant.

Taranaki Snapper wrote:

Fat Old Git wrote:

Kiwias wrote:

How old is that Picture?

it's a painting...

It’s pretty old.
It seems an age since Morty played. Wasn’t it him who destroyed SBW in his first international?
SBW is no spring chicken either.

Olo wrote:It seems an age since Morty played. Wasn’t it him who destroyed SBW in his first international?

It may have been Tindall or Hape.

Mr Mike wrote:

Olo wrote:It seems an age since Morty played. Wasn’t it him who destroyed SBW in his first international?

It may have been Tindall or Hape.

I think Mortlock smashed him in an Aus v BaaBaa's match in Aus, which was before his AB debut.

Jay Cee Gee wrote:

Mr Mike wrote:

Olo wrote:It seems an age since Morty played. Wasn’t it him who destroyed SBW in his first international?

It may have been Tindall or Hape.

I think Mortlock smashed him in an Aus v BaaBaa's match in Aus, which was before his AB debut.

6 months into his career as a rugby player and while he was still with Toulon, IIRC. Mortlock was clearly miffed that SBW had waltzed past him moments before, it was a great hit