Australia v England - the decider
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Rugby Analyst's team
Can't see Eddie dropping Smith
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Yeah I doubt he will drop Smith and he will definitely start Ludlam over Willis.
RA's selection is based on him thinking that Eddie will revert to Plan Yesterday and revert to type. I think he is too stubborn to do that and also feel that he would be right to continue on the "journey" copyright @cueball.
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@antipodean said in Australia v England - the decider:
When I agreed to go to this, I mistakenly thought the new stadium was complete. Instead I'll be squinting at ants running around 100m away.
There was a big raffle run across all the Subbies clubs. Our club guys bought maybe a dozen tickets, with a winner in every bucket of 300.
One of our guys and his mate will therefore also be squinting at the "action".
England to win
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Smith did a few good things, nothing out of the box, but was by no means bad. The halfback change actually helped Smith I thought. Eddie has clearly given this tour to him to build experience.
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1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu* -
@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu*Damn, I thought we saw the back of Reece Hodge. He somehow comes crawling back in due to injuries.
I think they need someone more adventurous at halfback aswell, Nic White has been a little sloppy in both the tests so far.
I would also have Wilson at 8, and Valetini at 6 considering that's where they predominantly play in Super.
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@Canes4life Hodge always does.
He isn't the most talented, but there is something to be said for his versatility and resilience. Id rather he start and be mediocre at 15 than have Petaia on for anywhere from 3 to 60 minutes before needing to be replaced.
Valetini is more effective in tight which is where Rennie likes his 8. Im guessing Wilson will spend a fair bit of time on the right fringe.
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@Canes4life said in Australia v England - the decider:
@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu*Damn, I thought we saw the back of Reece Hodge. He somehow comes crawling back in due to injuries.
I think they need someone more adventurous at halfback aswell, Nic White has been a little sloppy in both the tests so far.
** I would also have Wilson at 8, and Valetini at 6 considering that's where they predominantly play in Super**
I think moderninternational coaches feel like they have to change at least a couple of player’s ositions so they look like they’re doing something!
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England team announced:
England: Steward, Nowell, Porter, Farrell, Freeman, Smith, Care, B Vunipola, Ludlam, Lawes (capt), Hill, Chessum, Stuart, George, Genge.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Heyes, Isiekwe, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Joseph, Arundell
A bit surprised at Van Poortvliet being dropped to the bench, though I have to say I felt his box kicking was inches away from being charged down most of the game last week. Other than that a refreshing lack of Eddie's left-field selections.
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@Canes4life said in Australia v England - the decider:
@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu*Damn, I thought we saw the back of Reece Hodge. He somehow comes crawling back in due to injuries.
I think they need someone more adventurous at halfback aswell, Nic White has been a little sloppy in both the tests so far.
I would also have Wilson at 8, and Valetini at 6 considering that's where they predominantly play in Super.
Long range goal kicking option can not be underestimated
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@Catogrande said in Australia v England - the decider:
England team announced:
England: Steward, Nowell, Porter, Farrell, Freeman, Smith, Care, B Vunipola, Ludlam, Lawes (capt), Hill, Chessum, Stuart, George, Genge.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Heyes, Isiekwe, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Joseph, Arundell
A bit surprised at Van Poortvliet being dropped to the bench, though I have to say I felt his box kicking was inches away from being charged down most of the game last week. Other than that a refreshing lack of Eddie's left-field selections.
5-3 split
Eddie looking to gas the Aussies, not strangle them?
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@MiketheSnow Well, with five caps between the three back replacements, he's certainly not looking to experience to close out the game. In all honesty I feel that we've been left with little choice with the backs in this squad. Marchant, as good a player as he is just doesn't seem to fit in with the England game plan, of course being shuttled around between 12, 13 and the wing does not help. Cockanasiga has fallen out of favour, which I feel is a shame. Give him more of a chance and he could be a real point of difference to us.
I reckon that Eddie is thinking that after last week, we maybe have the wood over the Aussie pack and he may be right but we will have to combat the breakdown very well to ensure this.
I am hopefully optimistic of an England win, but it will be close whatever the score I feel.
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@Catogrande boooooo. Don’t like the change at halfback. JvP was excellent. Played with great assurance too for a kid that’s just starting his test career. Played at a good speed that I think suited Smith better too.
Care is the safe choice.
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Hard to disagree but maybe Care is there early doors to provide some affinity with Smith, who looked a little out of sorts last week?
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@MiketheSnow said in Australia v England - the decider:
Long range goal kicking option can not be underestimated
The thing is that Hodge seems to be known for missing long-range penalties, not getting them.
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@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
@MiketheSnow said in Australia v England - the decider:
Long range goal kicking option can not be underestimated
The thing is that Hodge seems to be known for missing long-range penalties, not getting them.
Only has to to hit one
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@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
@MiketheSnow said in Australia v England - the decider:
Long range goal kicking option can not be underestimated
The thing is that Hodge seems to be known for missing long-range penalties, not getting them.
Oh, you wanted direction as well as range?
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I really rate Wilson, be interesting how he works with Valentini though considering they’re both primarily ball carriers. Hooper better be prepared to up his workload. Leota makes sense coming off the bench for impact.
Good to see Vunivalu get a shot. He’s finally starting to return on the investment Rugby Aus made. Before this season he just kept the physios busy.
As for Hodge, the fact Banks, Kellaway and Petaia are injured tells you all you need to know about his selection.
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@TheMojoman I think Wilson, Valentini and Hooper are a reasonably well matched backrow. Certainly one that would give any team fielding three opensides a torrid time of it.
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@antipodean said in Australia v England - the decider:
@TheMojoman I think Wilson, Valentini and Hooper are a reasonably well matched backrow. Certainly one that would give any team fielding three opensides a torrid time of it.
