England to whitewash Australia
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Nick how do you think they fix the pack without affecting the game plan?<br><br>
Horwill looked good when he came on, Kepu obviously adds a bit more around the track than Holmes, and I still maintain one of Hooper or Fardy needs to make way for an actual #8.<br><br>
I wouldn't touch the backline, thought it looked good -
<p>Two injuries to note: Simmons' back and Pocock's concussion. So that question of a #8 might answer itself. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>We were outsmarted at scrum time, so that can be addressed. Sio didn't turn to shit overnight, and Cole used the top two inches more than the rest of it. So Ledesma will have video there, and a week to tweak it. <em>Maybe</em> Slipper comes back in.</p>
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<p>Kepu for Holmes is probably a given. Only reason Sekope was on the bench was time with squad. If Simmons is out, Horwill is promoted automatically. Also think Cheika will go for a 5:3 bench this week so McMahon gets pushed there.</p>
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<p>I wasn't at all impressed with Arnold though Cheika's language post-match seemed to indicate he'd be retained. It was more Arnold's decision making that was the issue - going in isolated, and with the ball not secure enough. Ideally, like Simmons he should stay the fuck away from the ball.</p>
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<p>I think it was mainly our execution that was letting us down. Too many handling errors, too much isolated running. If we have either of those guys at 8, expect us to be more direct and hit England hard around the fringes more this week.</p>
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<p>Eddie's backs proved they're pretty shit at defense with that kind of pace on the ball (he even admitted as much during the presser) and so that part of the plan won't change in theory.</p>
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<p>I think you're right in that the back line is unlikely to change. Cheika's double-playmaker might have helped last night, but I thought Foley used the options he had well, and Kerevi had some nice work with his hands - more than I thought he could. Simply put once we got the ball out the back the Poms were relying a hell of a lot on their flankers to get across and help a bunch of backs who were bamboozled, generally.</p>
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<p>What they had over us was pure pace to turn out half-breaks into run-downs. </p>
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<p>There is a question mark over Horne with what I think was concussion, so maybe one of Morahan or Naiyaravoro come in to the starting lineup, with Lilo and Frisby staying on the bench, and the other winger joining them. Or Hodge? He's a talent. KHunt? Runs good lines I hear :whistle:</p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>1 Sio</p>
<p>2 Moore</p>
<p>3 Kepu</p>
<p>4 Arnold</p>
<p>5 Horwill</p>
<p>6 Fardy</p>
<p>7 Hooper</p>
<p>8 .... well let's assume Pocock is out - Houston or McCalman.</p>
<div>9 Phipps</div>
<div>10 Foley</div>
<div>11 Naiyaravoro</div>
<div>12 Kerevi</div>
<div>13 Kuridrani</div>
<div>14 DHP</div>
<div>15 Folau</div>
<div> </div>
<div>16 TPN</div>
<div>17 Slipper</div>
<div>18 Holmes</div>
<div>19 Mumm</div>
<div>20 Frisby</div>
<div>21 Lilo</div>
<div>22 Morahan</div><p>1 Sio</p> <p>2 Moore</p> <p>3 Kepu</p> <p>4 Arnold</p> <p>5 Horwill</p> <p>6 Fardy</p> <p>7 Hooper</p> <p>8 .... well let's assume Pocock is out - Houston or McCalman probably.</p> <div> </div> -
Ouch. Sticking your head over the ball in a ruck really is lunacy when you think about it, why do we do it?
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Didn't see the game , this is interesting <br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80974634/Mike-Brown-shoves-Wallabies-assistant-coach-in-heated-sideline-play-in-Brisbane'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80974634/Mike-Brown-shoves-Wallabies-assistant-coach-in-heated-sideline-play-in-Brisbane</a><br><br>
My fondest memory of Nathan Grey is the opening round of the 2003 s12 and the blues vs tahds game . Grey stood there before the kickoff mouthing off at Sam Tuitupo and got no response from slamming Sammy apart from him spending the next 80 minutes beating him like a rented mule.<br><br>
Twat. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="586931" data-time="1465691779"><p>Didn't see the game , this is interesting <br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80974634/Mike-Brown-shoves-Wallabies-assistant-coach-in-heated-sideline-play-in-Brisbane">http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80974634/Mike-Brown-shoves-Wallabies-assistant-coach-in-heated-sideline-play-in-Brisbane</a><br>
My fondest memory of Nathan Grey is the opening round of the 2003 s12 and the blues vs tahds game . Grey stood there before the kickoff mouthing off at Sam Tuitupo and got no response from slamming Sammy apart from him spending the next 80 minutes beating him like a rented mule.<br>
Twat.</p></blockquote>
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He talked it up in the press before the game too. piston wristed gibbon. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="586937" data-time="1465692558">
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<p>Probably another player.</p>
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</blockquote>
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<p>It's this kind of blinding insight that make me love the Fern, You just don't get it in main stream media.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="586934" data-time="1465691875"><p>Damn shame , who's the likely replacement ?</p></blockquote>
Just saw some video of Cheika saying they hadn't decided yet as they'd only got final confirmation this morning. <br><br>
He even mentioned bringing Gill in. But as Mariner has said previously: is that going to work given the areas we got beaten last night?<br><br>
Pocock won a couple of great turnovers at ruck time, but have away some stupid shit as well. <br><br>
I think we probably need another ball runner in the forwards, and to bring back Slipper and/or Kepu to contribute there. Arnold was shit with the ball in hand, so just needs to cover rucks with Horwill.<br><br>
So McCalman or Houston -
<p>It is an option. Depends on the ref we're getting. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>On attack, England played flop-ruck as they're accustomed to doing up north, and Poite let them. Was always going to be fine margins there, and with Pocock out I think we look at minimising the attack on their ball, and concentrate on ball running a bit more.</p> -
Speaking of Brown, how shocking was that knock on? He should catch those blindfolded and drunk.<br><br>
Btw, I was impressed with Foley. He has some serious pace and skill. He's becoming world class. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="586960" data-time="1465696691">
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<p>Speaking of Brown, how shocking was that knock on? He should catch those blindfolded and drunk.<br><br>
Btw, I was impressed with Foley. He has some serious pace and skill. He's becoming world class.</p>
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</blockquote>
<p>Yep, he's the new Two Dads. It was like haha they pick that guy - then all of sudden he becomes awesome.</p> -
<p>Finally caught up on the game. Definitely thought it was a step down in intensity and skill from the NZ/Wales game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Australia standing almost Deans-era deep in attack tonight. Led to a lot of running, nice backline swings but very few gains over the advantage line. Made Foley look like a genius even though he was required to make very few decisions in traffic. That said those handful of under pressure decisions he made were quality. Unfortunately outside of Folaou very few weapons to work with. Foley's tactical kicking also impressed.</p>
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<p>Loose trio watch and I think that is where England basically won the game. Their ability to effect turnovers and force crucial penalties against their late/lazy opposites. The mix as mentioned before the test just doesn't seem to work for Australia and even with Fardy having an uncharacteristically poor game - Pocock still appears to be the weak link. His injury likely may be a blessing in disguise for Australia.</p>
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<p>Scrums were a bit of a mess and I'll leave that to the professionals.</p>
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<p>Really get the feeling England are nudging back to their 2012-3 for, and hopefully Jones is able to maintain focus and close this series out next week.</p>
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<p>Still back Australia to come back from here. Hansen is being lauded as a genius for pioneering 23 man rugby. Yet Cheika gets no credit for his new 24 man style of rugby with Nathan Grey. Absolutely comical, but unsurprising given this coaching staffs rap sheet when it comes to interactions with other players/officials.</p>
