RWC: England v Australia (QF 1)
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IF IF IF that is the team:
I think our forward pack will probably give a better account of themselves than in the last 6 drubbings by England, which isn't saying much. That is basically a forward pack that is predictable - tho the complete absence of Kepu is somewhat of a surprise.
The backs have some good combinations. It will be interesting to see Kerevi line up the hole between George Ford and Shoulders Farrell to see how hard the Pommy back row want to work. Probably more interesting will be watching them skip pass Kerevi and see how Tuilagi deals with Petaia and vice-versa.
The downfall? Our game plan - the one-out attacking will get eaten up by the Poms and they'll rely on the French ref's complete lack of desire to adjudicate the ruck as carte blanche to mess it up good.
Probably the best-ish team we could have picked but we'll still get mullered to the tune of 15 points.
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England confirmed
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 36 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 39 caps)
13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
12 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 37 caps)
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 49 caps)
10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 76 caps) C
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 92 caps)
1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 55 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 42 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 28 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 31 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 78 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 16 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 48 caps)
Reserves
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 65 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 92 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 38 caps)
20 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 7 caps)
22 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 62 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 44 caps)
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Two very similar teams IMHO - England have picked a big bopper at 8 and two flankers similar in size to Pooper.
Their tight 5 isn't quite as tall as ours but I'm sure they'll have their shit together.
Ages:
STARTING XV - 26.6 (Oz 26.9)
- Tight Five - 27.2 (Oz 26.2)
- Forwards - 25.8 (Oz 26.6)
- Backs - 27.6 (Oz 27.1)
BENCH VIII - 28.1 (Oz 26.6)
- Forwards - 27.8 (Oz 25.2)
- Backs - 28.7 (Oz 29)
MATCH DAY XXIII - 27.1 (Oz 26.8)
Oldest: Heinz/Cole @ 32 (Lawes/Youngs 30) v Pocock @ 31 (Slipper and Beale are 30)
Youngest: Curry @ 21 (Underhill 23, Itoje 24) v Petaia @ 19 (Uelese 22, Rodda 23) -
@KiwiMurph said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
@voodoo It's definitely risky but I don't see that many great alternative options. JOC is not a 13 himself. Kerevi and TK have never worked as a combo. Petaia looks like the best back prospect that has come through the Aussie system in 10 years - he's one of their best talents they have so I think they are much better off with him out there rather than being too cautious and wondering what if. Wallabies have lost something like 6 test matches in a row against England so what they have been doing hasn't been working.
Yeah I reckon that had to look for more x Factor Petata seems to have some they can’t die wondering good selection I think.
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@KiwiMurph said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
@voodoo Petaia also played outside centre in the NRC last year.
It’s where he is best placed because he actually has good vision.
Wasted on the wing.
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Could be an inspired decision. Probably offers more than Kuridrani, but Kuridrani is a pretty good defender.
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As predicted from Day 1, Farrell to 10 when the real games start.
Very surprised Slade starts before Joseph. Very little game time for Slade.
Could come back to haunt Eddie.
And think Manu is more effective at 13 when put in a bit of space rather than 12 and trying to bash to make space.
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@antipodean said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
Could be an inspired decision. Probably offers more than Kuridrani, but Kuridrani is a pretty good defender.
He's good in contact, but he makes bad decisions on defence and leaves holes.
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@NTA said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
Interesting for me they choose to leave Ford on the bench. Bash n barge it is, then look to finish us off with pace.
Run at Farrell all day until the red card achievement is unlocked.
Maybe it'll be red for Kerevi fending him off. Who knows? #wheelofskeen
I reckon England have made a clear selection to get Kerevi running closer in towards the big boys and to protect the Ford-Farrell axis - early win for the Aussies forcing the Poms to change their team?
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@junior said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
@NTA said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
Interesting for me they choose to leave Ford on the bench. Bash n barge it is, then look to finish us off with pace.
Run at Farrell all day until the red card achievement is unlocked.
Maybe it'll be red for Kerevi fending him off. Who knows? #wheelofskeen
I reckon England have made a clear selection to get Kerevi running closer in towards the big boys and to protect the Ford-Farrell axis - early win for the Aussies forcing the Poms to change their team?
I reckon they'll be using Tuilagi against Lilo in much the same way, which was probably always their plan against us. Ford/Farrell against Wales.
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@canefan said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
@Frank said in RWC: England v Australia (QF 1):
Why has Cheika decided to ditch James O'Connor and go with Petaia all of a sudden?
Desperation move or planned?
Heads or this random selection
Wallabies team to play England in RWC quarter-final
Scott Sio
Tolu Latu
Allan Alaalatoa
Izack Rodda
Rory Arnold
David Pocock
Michael Hooper (c)
Isi Naisarani
Will Genia
Christian Lealiifano
Marika Koroibete
Samu Kerevi
Jordan Petaia
Reece Hodge
Kurtley BealeBench
Jordan Uelese
James Slipper
Taniela Tupou
Adam Coleman
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Nic White
Matt Toomua
James O’Connor -
Buggered if I understand that Aussie team.
James O'Connor has been playing well and the Aussie backline has looked better every time that Toomua has come on.
This Petaia must be an absolute superstar in the making to be starting in a world cup knockout over both of these guys. I know nothing of him really, so can't offer much comment.
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@MajorRage maybe Cheika is "keeping his powder dry" for the last 30 minutes?
p.s. keeping powder dry must be the most over-used phrase I keep seeing re this RWC...
