Bledisloe II
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@chester-draws eh? Schalk was up against McCaw a lot and seemed remarkably similar in size. I'm sure I remarked on it at least once.
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@antipodean said in Bledisloe II:
So we're agreed this will be the backline:
9. A Smith
10. Beaudy
11. Naholo
12. SBW.
13. Goodhue.
14. B Smith
15. Jordie.Bench will be TJP, DMac, ALB.
SBW training with the team does not mean ready to play, see Dane Coles (who went to Ozzie with less than zero chance to play)
Replace SBW with Laumape is what I think will happen. But just a total guess, as always.
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EDIT: Ninja'd!
Probably a pointer that I'm talking arse again.
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@antipodean said in Bledisloe II:
So we're agreed this will be the backline:
9. A Smith
10. Beaudy
11. Naholo
12. SBW.
13. Goodhue.
14. B Smith
15. Jordie.Bench will be TJP, DMac, ALB.
That's pretty much it except ALB starting and Laumape or SBW on the bench - don't think they'll rush SBW back in.
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Yeah my presumption is SBW is fit. If fit, they'll start him.
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@rancid-schnitzel maybe they pay him more cos they know Qantas aint gonna be giving him any endorsements...
@antipodean yep, if fit, we know they will start SBW.
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@no-quarter said in Bledisloe II:
Wallabies would be better to start Pocock and have Hooper on the bench to up the anti in the final 20. Like Ardie I don't think he's big/physical enough but could be effective against tired legs.
Looked to me that Hooper was more effective in taking the ball forward than Pocock and similar in defence.
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@tim @tim Defensively Aso has too much to work on at centre. As a Canes fan I'm very suprised Aso has been given a look before Proctor. For me Proctor is the most important cog in the Canes backline and it wasn't a coincidence that we turned to shit after he injured himself this year. Same thing happened in 2016, once Proctor injured himself we didn't look the same then either.
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@mikethesnow Pocock has always been a bit average at all facets bar his strength over the ball
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@mikethesnow said in Bledisloe II:
@no-quarter said in Bledisloe II:
Wallabies would be better to start Pocock and have Hooper on the bench to up the anti in the final 20. Like Ardie I don't think he's big/physical enough but could be effective against tired legs.
Looked to me that Hooper was more effective in taking the ball forward than Pocock and similar in defence.
If both are in the 23 then Pocock really has to start as I can't see him making much of an impact from the bench.
Both players are vastly overrated.
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SBW is not fit he wont be on the bench or start. Foster said that they were please with the way NMS played for Manawatu on Saturday he gets the wing spot IMO. Smith remains at full back. Mid field will be the same ALB & Goodhue. Laumape on the bench with DMac.
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@wreck-diver said in Bledisloe II:
Foster said that they were please with the way NMS played for Manawatu
Well then, clearly ready for Test rugby after his display in the Super season.
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@antipodean Big fan of Skudz but don't think he will be included this week. No need to rush him back and I think another week in the ITM Cup will be great for his confidence. Also a crack at the Shield wouldn't be the worst result for him missing out this week. 11. Naholo, 14. Smith 15. J Barrett for me.
I would love to see a Laumape - Goodhue combo this week but again I think they will stick with the tried and trusted pairing of ALB - Goodhue.
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@wreck-diver according to some people in the media, SBW has been training with the team, particulalrly he and Ioane training together (both showing no signs of injury) which tells you he is unlikely to be named wheneverthehellitistheynameteamsthesedays although I do wonder if Aus had won game 1 or this was a bigger match, if Ioane would be available
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@taniwharugby Light training
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@antipodean Why pick him in the squad play him in the game of 3 halves, say he needs game time, he gets game they are happy, and then when his position opens up you dont pick him and play the best 15 on the wing.
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@no-quarter said in Bledisloe II:
@mikethesnow said in Bledisloe II:
@no-quarter said in Bledisloe II:
Wallabies would be better to start Pocock and have Hooper on the bench to up the anti in the final 20. Like Ardie I don't think he's big/physical enough but could be effective against tired legs.
Looked to me that Hooper was more effective in taking the ball forward than Pocock and similar in defence.
If both are in the 23 then Pocock really has to start as I can't see him making much of an impact from the bench.
Both players are vastly overrated.
I think it is a failing of most supporters, and even teams, but Ozzie seem to be especially susceptible to it. The idolisation of players that do easily spotted amazing things. Folau and Pocock are prime example, Folau is almost unmatched in the air and is a devastating runner - but still awful at positioning and other fullback 'must haves'. But he's so spectacular that he is over hyped and used. You can say the same for Beaudy, this year anyway, but he seems worse at some core 10 roles than previous. But he gets rave reviews for his amazing, and very easy to see, plays. At least Beaudy has done the core in games during his AB career, Folau has never done a proper full backs role. And Pocock is a one trick, amazing trick, turnover pony. Make him tackle the carrier rather than be second man in and he's not that great, see RWC 2011 semi-final!
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@wreck-diver Because the squad is not nowadays just the top players who are ready to play. The ABs especially look for long term goals, they bring players into their squads even if the never expect to play them, leaving others out who are more likely to play - see Todd. They are growing depth, spreading ABs corporate knowledge, and assessing players - as well as getting a team to smash everyone today, they are making a team to smash everyone tomorrow. ABs explicitly use the apprentice system, but they also do it with players who they really don't want to play unless they have to. Those who see this as a failing as squad selectors are really missing what has made the ABs so long term great in the current era.
