Wallaby EOYT 2016
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@Crucial said in Wallaby EOYT 2016:
I guess the big question here is whether Clown-boy has the tactical smarts to devise a gameplan that out-thinks Percentage-Eddie.
I tend to think that the Wobblies have worked so hard on getting the selections right and the players playing well that game strategy hasn't had the right level of focus.
If Cheika feels he has the team operating OK then can he come up with the right ideas? England are not going to fall into the trap of kicking to Folau or using high balls, they are likely to uses Ireland's forward style with their steriod brutes but look to use the backs more within the attacking zone.
Australia need to continually shift the point of attack when they get the ball and hunt down any space they exploit. One thing the poms aren't used to is defending against is continually changing threats,I think one thing we saw in the June series was that in the first 10 minutes of the first Test England looked shellshocked at the speed and intensity of Australia's attack. Thankfully they adapted quickly, but it was clear that it was a step up from anything they faced in the Six Nations or domestic rugby.
Based on what we've faced so far in this series, England could be vulnerable to a similar blitz again.
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As expected, England have Hughes in for Billy Vunipola and Yarde in for the suspended Daly. Eddie is persisting with Harrison as the back up back row option and has preferred Ewels over Atwood as back up lock, which is probably more surprising.
Aus looked very good in parts v Ireland and as England seem to have found a bit of defensive frailty they will need to b fully on song against a good attack. @SimonAdd_2 mentioned that we will need to boss the breakdown otherwise the Pooper will be all over us and it will look like RWC pool stage all over again, however the big confidence booster for me was Noddy saying how much of a different team Aus are now than the summer. Hmmm.
England Team to face Aus:-
M Brown (Harlequins); M Yarde (Harlequins), J Joseph (Bath), O Farrell (Saracens), J May (Gloucester); G Ford (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester)
M Vunipola (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton, capt), D Cole (Leicester), C Lawes (Northampton), G Kruis (Saracens), C Robshaw (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton), N Hughes (Wasps).
Replacements: J George (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Harlequins), C Ewels (Bath), T Harrison (Northampton), D Care (Harlequins), B Te'o (Worcester), H Slade (Exeter).
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Australia's forwards aren't likely to be bullied. so if this isn't a Test too far, the difference may be in the backs where the Wallabies are more threatening (if they don't keep bombing their chances).
Should be the game of the year.
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Qantas Wallabies team to play England at Twickenham Stadium, London, on Saturday 3 December, 2.30pm local time (1.30am Sunday 4 December AEDT)
- Scott Sio (29 Tests)
- Stephen Moore (c) (116 Tests)
- Sekope Kepu (76 Tests)
- Kane Douglas (30 Tests)
- Rob Simmons (70 Tests)
- David Pocock (65 Tests)
- Michael Hooper (64 Tests)
- Lopeti Timani (5 Tests)
- Nick Phipps (51 Tests)
- Bernard Foley (41 Tests)
- Sefanaia Naivalu (5 Tests)
- Reece Hodge (9 Tests)
- Tevita Kuridrani (44 Tests)
- Dane Haylett-Petty (13 Tests)
- Israel Folau (51 Tests)
Reserves
- Tolu Latu (3 Tests)
- James Slipper (85 Tests)
- Tom Robertson (6 Tests)
- Dean Mumm (56 Tests)
- Sean McMahon (14 Tests)
- Nick Frisby (4 Tests)
- Quade Cooper (66 Tests)
- Henry Speight (10 Tests)
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Scored against Ireland. Winger at the Melbourne Rebels who recently got his residency. Fijian. Quick. Big. Defence? Well I'm not sure I've seen enough of England to suggest they'll go wide against him. Or anyone.
Speight was a little bit "meh" through the tour, but this is a big call.
Not sure why Arnold isn't there. No reports of injury. Alaalatoa injured so Slipper on the bench. Other than that, pretty standard.
Lineout will need to have it's shit together, that's for fucking sure
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I fucking don't get Cheika's selections at all. The emerging locks have been a huge part in the turnaround of form, and while one is injured, where is the other one? I get why Simmons is picked, while he's tits-on-a-bull useless around the track, he's a good set piece lock. Douglas has sucked all year (while he's been healthy) and yet he gets a start? No lock on the bench against England, in England is a huge call. Back row makes sense, and is probably best use of resources.
I hope this game is as good as it could be. I want blood!
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I'm told Douglas had a good effort against Ireland, but I don't understand why Arnold isn't there. He had a series of knocks through the last few games, so maybe Cheika thinks he won't got the distance.
Having Mumm on the bench instead of another lock is a mistake IMHO.
EDIT: in that Mumm can play lock, and isn't bad at it, but he's going to need to harden up with our scrum under pressure.
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The build up to this test has been pathetic. Eddie or Ella throw a troll line out, Cheika bites, and the press laugh as the shit writes itself.
I would always support the wallabies over the poms, but especially tonight. Fuck Eddie, he's getting too smug
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@mariner4life "getting"?
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Got up for a piss and just watched the last 5. Bonocock again shows his awesome ball skills by throwing a cut out pass to a pom for a try.
Game over. Season to forget for the clown.
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A few thoughts before I hit the beers:
That was never a yellow for gold 14
Yarde took his chance well
Ford needs to get his big boy pants on and kick his goals like Farrell
Kepu, what pace for his try!
Ben Youngs king of the dummy - I'd have kept him on for longer. -
@Disgusted-of-TW said in Wallaby EOYT 2016:
A few thoughts before I hit the beers:
That was never a yellow for gold 14
Yarde took his chance well
Ford needs to get his big boy pants on and kick his goals like Farrell
Kepu, what pace for his try!
Ben Youngs king of the dummy - I'd have kept him on for longer.Youngs was all class Phipps had a mare. The main difference between the sides.
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Phenomenal turnaround in this England squad - God bless you Eddie.
