England to whitewash Australia

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="585437" data-time="1465268661">
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Anyway, back to Australian matters: Benn Robinson has been forced to retire after copping a poke in the eye against the Brumbies a few weeks ago. Can't engage in any strenuous physical activity for an undetermined period, or risks losing vision in that eye permanently. 
 
One of our best props to never go to a RWC. Bummer. Highest capped Waratah, 72 caps for the Wallabies. Just look at this beast:
 
<img src="http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/92877507-benn-robinson-of-australia-makes-a-break-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXuvkWhJPeXz4wBdXaoePzRC%2F%2Bp5IXburJsyNeLZI5v%2BkwHHDypMMlqJCQRQSlptxTA%3D%3D" alt="92877507-benn-robinson-of-australia-make">
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The England 12 has quite clearly been taken out off the ball by the Aussie 6. I demand a SANZAR sanction.

NTA

Go talk to your Scottish mates about it

pukunui

Poke in the eye vs the Brumbies eh. Wonder if Pococks jazz hands were anywhere near that. I bet they were. What a grub! (just to continue the origin theme)

Disgusted of TW

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="585457" data-time="1465272353">Borthwick almost looks as if he's laughing.</blockquote>
 
That's the "delusional-England-skipper-WTF?!-was-he-watching-the-same-game-as-me?!" version of Borthwick. He's getting the laughs out of the way early so he can keep a straight face whilst focusing on "the positives" in the post match interview.

MN5

Bones if you're lurking check out the arms on Mark "Guns" Chisholm, fucken MASSSSSSIIIIVVVVEEEE

Cookie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="585457" data-time="1465272353">Borthwick almost looks as if he's laughing.</blockquote>
 
Even though he knows his team is shit, he's just noticed Geraghty is playing and can't quite believe it.

nostrildamus

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="585446" data-time="1465270355">
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a fucking dodgy prick.
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this works on a number of scary levels.

NTA

Wallabies named - three debutants in the starting XV (Arnold, Kerevi, DHP) and 1 on the bench (Frisby):
 
1. Scott Sio - Brumbies (16 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) - Brumbies (102 Tests)
3. Greg Holmes - Reds (24 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold* - Brumbies 
5. Rob Simmons - Reds (60 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy - Brumbies (30 Tests)
7. Michael Hoopah (vc) - Waratahs (51 Tests)
8. David Pocock - Brumbies (55 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps - Waratahs (39 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley - Waratahs (27 Tests)
11. Rob Horne (vc) - Waratahs (29 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi* - Reds 
13. Tevita Kuridrani - Brumbies (31 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty* - Western Force 
15. Israel Folau - Waratahs (38 Tests)
 
 
<strike>Replacements</strike> Finishers
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau - Waratahs (61 Tests)
17. James Slipper - Reds (74 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu -Waratahs (63 Tests)
19. James Horwill - Harlequins (61 Tests)
20. Dean Mumm - Waratahs (44 Tests)
21. Sean McMahon -Rebels (6 Tests)
22. Nick Frisby* - Reds 
23. Christian Leali'ifano - Brumbies (16 Tests)

mariner4life

Still think that back row is unbalanced and there is a lack of carriers in the pack. 
I like the 10-12-13 with Folau chiming in if they can get some decent ball.

NTA

Ball carriers will need to be Moore, Sio, and ? Maybe Arnold. I dunno. Haven't seen enough of him.
 
Looks more like a team designed to nullify the Poms at the ruck (no surprises there) and then let the backs have a go, with fast coverage i.e. Hooper and Pocok.

NTA

Oh - and Kerevi will probably just be the bash weapon off set piece to lay a platform. Hopefully...
 
Anyway, main concerns are around the midfield defence.

MajorRage

What the Aussies thoughts on Horne being vc? I've never been unduly bothered about him on the opposition, and thus am surprised that he must be considered an absolute starter.
 
I would have thought Bono would have at least got the nod for that, or given his whole sabbatical thing, any of Simmons, Foley or even Folau seem stronger choices to me.
 
I'm not saying Horne is shit, not at all. Just surprised he's considered a senior Wallaby.

barbarian

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="585878" data-time="1465450783">
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Ball carriers will need to be Moore, Sio, and ? Maybe Arnold. I dunno. Haven't seen enough of him.
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There aren't any out-and-out carriers there (in the Totai Kefu mould) but there aren't any passengers either. All 8 forwards are capable with ball in hand.
 
I think it's a good side. Probably the best we could have picked under the circumstances.

barbarian

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="585890" data-time="1465451858">
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What the Aussies thoughts on Horne being vc? I've never been unduly bothered about him on the opposition, and thus am surprised that he must be considered an absolute starter.
 
I would have thought Bono would have at least got the nod for that, or given his whole sabbatical thing, any of Simmons, Foley or even Folau seem stronger choices to me.
 
I'm not saying Horne is shit, not at all. Just surprised he's considered a senior Wallaby.
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Yeah it's a weird one. Would have to be someone in the backs, Izzy Folau is pretty quiet and maybe they think Foley has enough on his plate? 
 
Horne probably the logical choice after that.
 
These things are always a bit hard - I don't know what he's like at training or behind closed doors. Doesn't strike me as the inspirational leader type, but I could be wrong.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="585890" data-time="1465451858">What the Aussies thoughts on Horne being vc? I've never been unduly bothered about him on the opposition, and thus am surprised that he must be considered an absolute starter. 
I would have thought Bono would have at least got the nod for that, or given his whole sabbatical thing, any of Simmons, Foley or even Folau seem stronger choices to me. 
I'm not saying Horne is shit, not at all. Just surprised he's considered a senior Wallaby.</blockquote>
 
They've got two VC's so needs to be in the backs given the C and other VC are forwards. 
Horne has been around a long time despite only playing 30 odd tests. Whilst he hasn't really set the world on fire so to speak, he is an "effort guy" that you know is going to put it in like its his last test.

MiketheSnow

In the Nathan Grey mould for me. Never gives less than 100%. Leads by example.

NTA

And you have to reward that. Can't always be giving it to the showponies.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="585891" data-time="1465452001">
There aren't any out-and-out carriers there (in the Totai Kefu mould) but there aren't any passengers either. All 8 forwards are capable with ball in hand. 
I think it's a good side. Probably the best we could have picked under the circumstances.</blockquote>
 
That's incredibly generous barb, at test level a couple of those guys are pretty limited runners of the ball.

Bovidae

A 6:2 split in the reserves indicates where Cheika thinks this test will be won or lost. So McMahon is the backup no.8? I would have thought McCalman would be on the bench. Horvill and Mumm seems unnecessary.

MiketheSnow

What's with Skelton?
 
If he's not injured, then I would have thought him running it up against Itoje would have kept Itoje quiet and/or knackered.

The Silver Fern

England to whitewash Australia