4,066 readsThe Wallabies team to play the first Wales Tour Test match in Brisbane on Saturday has been named, with eight changes to the starting line-up after the defeat to Scotland in Newcastle.
Five new forwards and three new backs feature in the starting combinations, with an all-NSW Waratahs front-row.
Queensland Reds second rower Rob Simmons is reinstated for the injured Sitaleki Timani, and loosehead prop Benn Robinson makes his first appearance from injury since the record 59-16 win over France that bookended the 2010 Spring Tour.
Fellow prop Sekope Kepu is also back after an injury enforced break (eye). Tatafu Polota Nau lines up between the pair at hooker.
The fifth alteration to the forward pack is at the back of the scrum where Wycliff Palu returns at No 8, for what will be just his third Test outing since 2009 after a run of injuries.
The return of Palu moves Scott Higginbotham from No 8, to blindside flank.
The backline unit named brings Ashley-Cooper into fullback for Luke Morahan, Rob Horne at centre moving Anthony Fainga’a to the bench, while Pat McCabe also returns to the midfield, taking over from Mike Harris.
Harris, who was one of six to make his Test debut in the Hopetoun Cup defeat by Scotland, has been named on a bench which also includes Brumbies halfback Nic White.
Wales arrive in Australia as the reigning Six Nations champions, having completed its second Grand Slam of the European heavyweights in five years during this year’s competition.
This year’s three-Test series is a first between the two nations, on what is the seventh visit to Australia by the Welsh national side.
The Wallabies have won eight of the nine Tests played between the two sides in Australia, with the sole Welsh victory coming in the country’s debut on Australian soil when Wales won 19-16 at Sydney in 1969.
Saturday night’s match will be the fifth played between the two nations in Brisbane.
The Wallabies team to play in the first Wales Tour Test match for the James Bevan Trophy at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday (kick-off: 8pm AEST) is:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Joe Tomane, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock (capt), Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris.
Match facts:
This is the 33rd meeting between the two sides. Australia has won 21 of the previous Tests and Wales 10 with one draw.
Saturday night’s match will be the 20th played by the Wallabies at Suncorp. Australia has won 16 of the previous Tests and lost three, all against New Zealand by the narrow margins of seven, four and four points respectively.
Wales haven’t scored a point at Suncorp yet, but have only played once, copping a 31-0 thrashing in 2007.
- Explore:
- Australian rugby, Rugby Union, Wales rugby, wallabies
June 7th 2012 @ 10:42am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:42am | Report comment
Exactly what was expected. Aside from the wings a pretty weak backline: no Cooper, Beale, JOC.
Decent pack though although still a little light. Potentially very good backrow.
June 7th 2012 @ 4:17pm
ramani said | June 7th 2012 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Forget about how many games Aust Won and how many wales won … that is not important what matter is what you do now, that what counts … forget about who won this and that …not necessary.
June 7th 2012 @ 4:29pm
bluerose said | June 7th 2012 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
Tomane has injured his ankle during training and will in doubt with Vuna to replace him if he doesnt recover……….
June 7th 2012 @ 10:44am
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:44am | Report comment
I don’t mind this side, but then I didn’t mind Tuesday’s side either..
Kepu will need to play 80 minutes at THP though, if Alexander is the bench man.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:50am
moaman said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Gidday Brett (and KPM) Would love to hear your views on the new-look AB team on another thread.
This Wallaby backline has a very “journeyman” look about it to me.And the bench doesn’t look to have much ‘impact’ in it.Maybe that’s just my jaundiced view?
June 7th 2012 @ 10:52am
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:52am | Report comment
I’ll check it out Moa..
June 7th 2012 @ 10:54am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:54am | Report comment
moaman you’re spot-on with your views but sadly all I could do is repeat the old adage about a lack of Wallaby depth and compare it to the team the ABs are choosing.
There really isn’t anyone much around better to choose than those two centres even if it isn’t a very frightening pairing.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:34am
Red Kev said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Sadly here I have to agree with KPM.
Australia’s centre pairing are just not formidable no matter who you pick. JOC I have flip-flopped on a lot as a centre and I think he has to remain a wing at the moment. F’Sautia is only just playing at U20s at 13 and needs to be tested before he is ready for genuine internationals. Tapuai is Australia’s best current centre but he is genuine/quality/solid and not a superstar, and he is out injured. Lealiifano would be interesting to see at 12 but he’s out too. McCabe is journeyman, AAC is mr fix it solid and dependable but with no flash. Fainga’a can tackle and not much else. Horne has never delivered but he does have something about him to suggest he could – the Wallabies need him to stand up now, if he does good on him, if he doesn’t he can kiss his test career goodbye.
What can Deans do with that? What could anyone do?
June 7th 2012 @ 11:37am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
At least with McCabe you know he isnt going to let you down. He reminds me of herbert or grey.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:00pm
formeropenside said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
How does Grey possibly remind you of Daniel Herbert…or do you mean Anthony Herbert, who was still better than Grey?
June 7th 2012 @ 12:11pm
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Nathan grey was solid/reliable for the aussies but didnt have the nimble footwork and dynamic attack of a horan, Herbert was the better player but they had similar qualities.
Grey was hard as nails in defence. One of the possible turning points of the Lions series in 2001 was when he (possibly illegally) knocked wilkinson out in the melbourne test with a huge tackle.
Take your red eye patch off.
June 7th 2012 @ 1:54pm
formeropenside said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Jutsie, Nathan Grey was also a Queenslander.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:48am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:48am | Report comment
RK it’s a pretty bad bunch. Who knows why Australia doesn’t come up with any good centres.
Sautia’s very young, JOC is too small really to face SBW/Nonu/Roberts and so….
All I can think of is turning someone large like Tomane into a centre, but even if that worked it would only solve one position.
The real problem too is that bad centres disrupt the whole attack and are like a wall between the 10 and back three.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:55am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:55am | Report comment
I’ve lost faith in JOC as a 12, not because of his size, as i dont think we have to copy other nations, but because he doesn’t read the opposition attack well enough when he is defending, he doesnt miss tackles but he does get wrong footed and caught out in defence.
His best spot is as finisher, wing or fb.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:30pm
apelu said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
The Wallabies backline in 2013 and beyond should/could look like this:
9 – Geneia
10 – Leali’ifano
11- Ioane
12 – Tapua’i
13 – Tomane
14 – Sautia
15 – Beale.
bench – N. White, O’Conor, To’omua
June 7th 2012 @ 12:00pm
Denby said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Spot on Red Kev.
My only other thought is Andrew Smith from the Brumbies. He has okay stats for the year and he is quite big.
June 7th 2012 @ 9:43pm
wallaby fan said | June 7th 2012 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
i can’t believe this. i agree with just about everything you say here!
June 7th 2012 @ 12:14pm
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Big call BM considering Palmer did well on Tuesday and replaced. We all thought it was to “save” him for Saturday. Apparently not.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:17pm
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Big call about liking the team, or big call about Alexander on the bench, J2?
June 7th 2012 @ 12:47pm
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Alexander…
June 7th 2012 @ 1:34pm
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
indeed. Puts enormous pressure on Kepu to last the 80..
June 7th 2012 @ 2:10pm
bluerose said | June 7th 2012 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
good side but im very concerned about the lightweight/weak locks pairing of sharpe/simmons especially in the scrums and mauls.
June 7th 2012 @ 2:48pm
Wilson said | June 7th 2012 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
I just can’t see old man Sharpe being able to back up from Tuesday night. This is likely his last stint in the Wallabies and he needed to be managed better by Deans. Poor bugger.
June 7th 2012 @ 3:54pm
jeznez said | June 7th 2012 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Agree Wilson. I’d have started Simmons and Douglas. Had he been fit I’d have put Timani on the bench but if he is out injured I actually have no issue with Sharpe being on the bench to play thirty to twenty minutes at the end.
Starting Simmons and Douglas and expecting Dennis to cover so that we can play an extra openside seems excessive – it is highly unlikely they will replace Pocock at any point.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:47am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Brett do you know the weather forecast for saturday?
Maybe tornadoes and earthquakes…
June 7th 2012 @ 10:51am
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:51am | Report comment
BOM only has a one-liner currently:
(Brisbane) Saturday: A shower or two. Min 11Max 21
June 7th 2012 @ 10:52am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:52am | Report comment
It would be so nice to see no rain and at least a decent spectacle.
June 7th 2012 @ 6:18pm
sheek said | June 7th 2012 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Brett,
Apparently many farmers find Elders weather more accurate. Apparently……….
June 7th 2012 @ 10:47am
Harry said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Good luck to the Wallabies for this match. Though again can I make the point that I hate the fact that because of JON’s flogging and overexposure of the Wallaby brand we are devaluing the Wallaby jumper. Seriously, seven Tahs in the starting lineup, and IMO not one of them on theirr CURRENT form really deserving selection.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:55am
Mantis said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Couldnt agree more. To be fair, injuries do have a big part to play in that. It does seem like the Wallaby jersey is a lot easier to get these days though
June 7th 2012 @ 11:11am
Harry said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Because we have no proper development structure or system (the ARU pulled out of the Pacific Nations Cup, supposedly as an economy drive) and with the need to maximise revenue, we end up using the Wallabies as a development team. Appreciating the problems of injuries preventing many first choice picks from being considered, but even so guys like Rob Horne and Palu IMO aren’t anywhere near the form they should be to be selected for our national team. They’ve been ordinary in a poor NSW team all year, yet hey presto, one week after getting stuffed by a good (though not great) young Canes side, here they are pulling on Wallaby jerseys.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:15am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Horne yes, palu on the other hand has been quite good in the last few weeks. And lets be honest the backrow of palu, higginbottom, pocock is alot more intimidating than higginbottom, dennis, pocock.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:26am
Harry said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Fair point and yes hope Palu is back to his best – I’ve always thought he’s a world class number 8 when he’s fully fit and switched on.
I’ve made a late call to head up to brissy over the long weekend and catch this on Saturday night at Lang Park, so hope to cheer on a great Wallaby showing. As I said before, for some reason Barnes saves his best games for the Welsh so hopefully he’ll do so again on Saturday night.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:44am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:44am | Report comment
Harry that could be a very good backrow.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:07pm
Harry said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Your right KPM, so long as Palu and Higgers keep it tight and do their fair share of hard work in close and tight.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:19pm
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
Harry I would also say, despite the fact that few would agree, the front row if all play well could be the best put out in memory. Good scrummaging, power around the field.
It’s the locks who let the pack down and that would be the case whoever was chosen as they would still be new.
June 7th 2012 @ 4:44pm
greypower said | June 7th 2012 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Most commentators miss the point that Palu does not play a No.8 role at all, he just barges (occasionally) forward a few metres, often losing the ball, and makes a couple of big tackles per game. Higginbotham has a good understanding of the no. 8 position, needs more time there, it is a huge role, look at what Keiran Read achieves in a game, and it took him a year to get to his best. Higgers at 8 and Ben Mowen or Richard Brown at 6 would be my choice.
I cannot understand why so many Waratah players in the side, they are 1 point in front of rebels on the super 15 table.
Why not Lucas instead of Barnes, cannot understand playing Barnes a full game Tuesday and again Saturday, after he played previous Saturday for Waratahs, and he is not the most robust player, although all heart. Unfortunately he has lot all confidence, and has become a very predictable no.10,
Sharpe should not have been included against Scotland, Hugh Pyle, Kane Doublas or Cadryn Neville should have been in front of Timani, who is timid against strong teams.
I am not a fan of Sharpe and he should be allowed to fade gracefully away into retirement.
Simmons made a big difference when he came on Tuesday and should be first lock picked in Horwill’s absence.
Given a chance I think McCabe could become an attacking centre and Faingaa should be there in place of Horne, who has done little this season.
Alexander not a good enough scrummager to be on the bench, Slipper should be there.
I think Wales will beat the Wallabies, if only because they have been playing together all season and are class players.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:24am
Albo said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:24am | Report comment
I remember the All Black WC team containing a number of Hurricanes last year that played a very ordinary Super season. These particular players were outstanding for their country.
The Waratahs have been aimless and very ordinary but when you play around better players you lift. I hope and suspect the selected Tahs will do so here.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:47am
Mac said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Some contentious calls, as there was always going to be. The second row lacks grunt with both Sharpe and Simmons starting. This seems to be exacerbated with Alexander and Hooper on the bench. No specialist second rower on the bench. Otherwise, Deans and co seem to have gone for experience. AAC at full back, and predictable backrow and front row combination. The centre combination will cause discussion, but McCabe has been in form, and Horne possibly offers more than Finger. It will be a different back line in October.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:05am
jeznez said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:05am | Report comment
You are right on the second row – no idea why he is packing a spare open side at the expense of a second rower. I’d not include Hooper and have Kane Douglas there. In fact I’d have Douglas starting and only because Timani is injured would I have Simmons on the bench.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:08am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Mac and jeznez you say there should be Douglas but Deans has been attacked for playing debutants this week so it’s not suprising he’s going for a more conservative lineup.
On a side note, funny to think Tomane will have his first two tests within 5 days: a serious challenge to start both.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:13am
Harry said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:13am | Report comment
A good point KPM but to be fair its not as if Tuesday was an extreme physical challenge for him and other outside backs – apart from avoiding hypothermia.
June 7th 2012 @ 3:59pm
jeznez said | June 7th 2012 @ 3:59pm | Report comment
I haven’t attacked him for playing debutantes. We need balance and big bodies in the second row – as long as there are senior tight five players around them then they’ll be fine. I’m not promoting Neville or Pyle as I don’t think their body position at the breakdown is good enough – largely a body height issue and failure to drive through contact. But Douglas and Timani’s issues have been fitness and consistency. With Horwill missing and Fardy ignored I think they are the guys that need to be there.
As I said on another thread Timani was good on Tuesday, he displayed a high work rate before he went off. Is a shame he is injured.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:37am
Dasher said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Deans is notoriously bad at dealing with the bench.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:49am
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:49am | Report comment
I actually like having Hooper on the bench IF we play to that selection. Ie he comes in with 30 to go and we move the ball all over the field. If it is just a kick-a-thon then you need big artillery. Clearly Dennis will be the 2nd row option but I would have preferred a specialist there.
As someone else said though, the bench is meaningless most of the time as Deans likes to try and win with 15 only.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:58am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:58am | Report comment
having pocock, higginbottom, hooper & dennis to combat warbuton and lydiate is actually a good move….. if deans does use his bench.
Also higginbottom is good lineout option so not having a specialist 2nd rower on the bench shouldnt hamper us too much.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:17pm
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Its more for the scrum than anything that I’d have the specialist lock…
June 7th 2012 @ 1:55pm
Aware said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
They’re asking a lot of the front row with a fairly light pair of locks. No Horwill is a problem, but they might have tried Neville. Simmons is athletic but I think his best position is in the back row.
June 7th 2012 @ 1:19pm
mac said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
It’s a conservative side. Plenty of experience, even though many of them don’t have form. The one guy that is a rookie and therefore a bit of a gamble is Hooper. Deans is obviously intent at playing Pocock at blindside later in the match and having two flyers in the backrow. This is fine, provided it doesn’t rain too much and make a fast game redundant. It’s risky. I would have gone for Douglas too.
It seems the forwards and the bench have been picked as well on maximizing possession. Lots of lineout capabilities, and then bringing on Hooper and hoping the two flyers will dominate the breakdown towards the end. Again, it’s risky if it becomes a slugfest in the middle of the field. We won’t have the artillery. TPN and Palu will be replaced by then.
Even if we do get the possession, it’s another thing doing something with it. Barnes, McCabe and Horne are good defensively, but as other roarers have amply noted, there’s not going to be much fluidity in that backline. It’ll be interested to see where the points come from.
On a final note, lots of people have noted the many ‘tahs picked in this team. It’s interesting that Deans obviously thinks he can do something with them that Foley hasn’t been able to do. A backhander to the ‘tahs’ coaching set up perhaps?
June 7th 2012 @ 11:51am
Markus said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:51am | Report comment
I don’t see the point in having Hooper on the bench. While he is a fantastic player, Pocock is the captain and the only way you’ll get him off the field is in a body bag.
Would have made more sense to have Timani there (he wouldn’t need much to recover from on Tuesday), or as jez said, Kane Douglas.
Maybe Mowen? He’s a lead lineout jumper/caller anyway, and has played lock for Randwick, just not sure how he goes there as a scrummager.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:59am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:59am | Report comment
THey could sub palu (he rarely finishes a game) and have an ultra mobile backrow of hooper, pocock and higginbotom to finish.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:18pm
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
I think, and I would have to check the tape but Pocock moved to the blindside on Tuesday when Hooper came on…
June 7th 2012 @ 4:07pm
jeznez said | June 7th 2012 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
Yep, that is exactly what happened on Tuesday. Pocock to blindside and Hooper to open didn’t do much for us.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:50am
Rhino said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:50am | Report comment
McCabe and Horne as centre pairing? Really?
Another team picked on great form. Aust conference leaders Brumbies have a token two players in run on team, second placed Reds have 4 and the hapless Waratahs have 7.
If I hear them say it’s because of scheduling I’ll scream. We are playing the 6 Nations Champions. We need our best (fitness notwithstanding) team on the park.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:51am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:51am | Report comment
‘McCabe and Horne as centre pairing? Really? ‘
Rhino who else would you choose? Who else is there fit to do any better?
June 7th 2012 @ 11:10am
Rhino said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Would like to have see a centre pairing of a playmaker and a defender. Barnes as 12 and Faainga at 13 would have been my choice. I just don’t think Barnes is a flyhalf. That of course leaves 10 vacant – I still can’t work out why they picked QC in training squad and then said they wouldn’t play him. Ben Lucas at 10 has strong passing, kicking and defence.
I want Horne to be good but he just disappoints. McCabe is willing but why have a 12 who can’t/won’t pass the ball.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:20am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:20am | Report comment
I think its fair enough that QC was left out.
Deans said in an interview yesterday that it would be highly negligent of them to select him when he has just come back from a serious injury. They made this mistake last year with drew mitchell, they rushed his rehab and then he popped his hamstring in the first game back. This was always going to happen as he had not been running at full speed for almost 4 months.
I would have preferred ben lucas at 10 but after the failure of harris on tuesday i guess deans didnt want to take another risk with a debutant.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:33am
Behold said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Lucas doesn’t have a better passing, defence or kicking game than Barnes. You would only pick Lucas to move Barnes one wider. I think they should have stuck with Harris.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:54am
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:54am | Report comment
I think Lucas is a better option at 10 and should have played on Tuesday with the combinations he has surrounded by Reds backs.
Barnes skill set is just above average across the board outside his defending which is very good on the whole, not dominant but still good.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:56am
Cattledog said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Agree Faingaa a better prospect than Horne ATM. Bit unfair to judge Morahan on his performance last Tuesday in those conditions although AAC is fresh. Would agree QC or even Lucas a better prospect than Barnes, who is not a fly half. Especially as the games at Suncorp. Anyway, will be interesting to see how Dingo uses (misuses) his bench. Horne will just need to miss one tackle and on comes Ant…but then again, only during the last couple of minutes when all hope may well be lost…
June 7th 2012 @ 11:12am
formeropenside said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:12am | Report comment
A. Faingaa and McCabe, or Harris and A. Faingaa, or even Barnes and A. Faingaa.
Horne is … an unwise choice.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:14am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Rhino ok. However no combination of any of these players is much better really. The cupboard is quite bare.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:36am
Rhino said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:36am | Report comment
“The cupboard is quite bare” may be understatement of the year. I doubt Wallabies will reach great heights until we settle or uncover a good centre pairing. I’m not demanding a world class centre pairing like Horan/Little, Horan/Herbert, Nonu/Smith – just two guys who are up to international standard and play well together. You’d think that somehow the number 2 ranked rugby nation in the world could field something better.
In not too distant future, I see O’Connor and the new Reds kid Chris F’Satau as the Wallabies centre pairing. What do you think KPM?
But we do have more pressing concerns!
June 7th 2012 @ 11:51am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Rhino it’s touch to see anyone. Even JOC looks too small to play there and could be run over by SBW/Nonu/Roberts.
Sautia is young. I suggest above maybe moving a big and skilled player like Tomane there but that obviously only takes care of one position, even if it works. It’s a disaster area.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:00pm
Cattledog said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
It’s a pity Ben Tapuai is injured. He’s currently the best centre in Australian rugby. He and F’Satau could well make a devastating combination in years to come.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:10pm
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
Cattledog sadly in any position in Australia someone’s always injured. What’s would be wonderful but impossible is to have not only a good starting player in one position, but a good backup too, instead on no good starting player and no good backup.
Maybe Tomane/Sautia but I suppose now that wouldn’t work.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:44pm
Rhino said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
I like that Tapui Sautia combo too – would be a good centre pairing for RWC 2015. They’ll need to try it out prior to 2014 to see if it works which give Sautia plenty of time to find his feet. Does that mean JOC would go back to wing?
June 7th 2012 @ 12:50pm
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
Rhino I thought last year that JOC was less and less effective at wing, as if maybe the opposition defences had found him out. He could play 13 maybe with Sautia 12.
In fact I don’t know why no one thinks of moving JOC to 13 anyway.
June 7th 2012 @ 12:58pm
Cattledog said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
JOC to wing, only if he’s out of the hairdresser in time
June 7th 2012 @ 1:00pm
Rhino said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
KPM – as you pointed out before JOC’s size works against him and probably would be more exposed at 13. Though it would be nice to think the game will move away from big barging centres and towards skillful ball-players and runners. We’ll see.
Maybe JOC is destined to be a bench player where his versatility can be utilised. Seems unfair though as he is probably in the top 10 players in Australia.
All this talk about backs though – what’s the saying? Forwards win matches. Backs determine by how much.
June 7th 2012 @ 1:21pm
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
Rhino sadly if Australia find some more good backs I can imagine a future for JOC as a bench player. He could end up like England’s Tait who was thought too small for the centres and not quite right for other positions where there were better specialists.
Cattledog he will probably still be in the massage parlour..
June 7th 2012 @ 1:24pm
sittingbison said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
sorry you guys are all nuts, Judas is not one of the best 10 players in Australia, hes one of the best players in the world and is not ineffective other teams are as wary of him as we are of Jane et al. Why are you even mentioning guys like Taps and Suatia in the same breath, they have done precisely NOTHING, Sautia has played one game of senior rugby FCS.
June 7th 2012 @ 1:30pm
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
I agree with SB, JOC is not only in the top 10 best players in the world but I would wager he is the 2nd best player in aus (after pocock) but I think he is better on the wing or FB than at 12 or 10. Same with Beale, he should stay at 15 otherwise your robbing peter to pay paul.
And KPM I agree with you on alot of things but to say JOC was less effective on the wing last year is crazy. The only time he didn’t spark the attack was when he was suspended.
Do you not remember him turning the italy game on its head or being the only attacking threat against the boks?
He may not have had as many runs down the wing as in 2010 but thats due to the poor gameplan deans put in place the WC.
June 7th 2012 @ 1:53pm
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Jutsie JOC made fewer and fewer inroads in attack, fewer and fewer breaks as the Tri-nations wore on and was silent in attack in the big RWC matches despite plenty of ball and good positions. That’s just the way I saw it: maybe the opposition were paying more attention to him than they used to.
June 7th 2012 @ 2:02pm
Rhino said | June 7th 2012 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
Fair points SB and Jutsie but we were talking about who would make good centre combo in the future (RWC2015) and I don’t see much wrong with Taps and Sautia being mentioned based on what we’ve seen so far and the predictions of guys like Tim Horan. Not for this season though or maybe even next season. Which still leaves question of which centre combo should have been picked for Wales this weekend and once everyone is fit then who will slot in.
JOC the second best player in Australia? Not sure he’s as influential as Genia, Cooper, Beale and Ioane.
June 7th 2012 @ 2:06pm
jameswm said | June 7th 2012 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
You guys are forgetting Leali’ifano. The guy runs hard, tackles, kicks, can create and is the prfect fit for 12. Tapuai is the best for 13. JOC and Ioane wingers.
From next year, this is the combination we need to develop. All 7 of those backs are real class.
June 7th 2012 @ 2:52pm
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
James I would prefer CL at 10 till QC starts to tackle. As much as I love watching QC I think he can only be a bench player till he starts defending properly. The musical chairs in the backline last year was laughable. Mckenzie is doing him a disservice by not forcing him to man up at 10 in defence. If beale could learn to tackle so can Quade.
June 7th 2012 @ 10:53am
Mantis said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:53am | Report comment
I think thats just about the best side we could put out considering all the injuries. All Waratahs front row though?? I think Moore deserves to start but hopefully Deans is cooking something up. Hope he has a plan B this time if it goes pear shaped.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:07am
jeznez said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:07am | Report comment
I’m surprised that Palmer didn’t get the bench spot. I don’t mind Moore being on the bench given his workload from the Rebels game and Tuesday night.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:11am
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Jez, I’m quite concerned Palmer didn’t get the bench spot…
June 7th 2012 @ 11:14am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Brett see my point on this further down the page: Palmer is probably dead man walking now.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:25am
Red Kev said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:25am | Report comment
Valid point if he didn’t pull up well. I would still have had Slipper on the bench instead of Alexander. If he didn’t pull up well then call in Holmes. Alexander doesn’t inspire me with any confidence.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:51am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:51am | Report comment
On the plus side Palmer did well and certainly for the second match should be rested and ready.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:55am
Brett McKay said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:55am | Report comment
yeah, I suppose that’s valid if Palmer hasn’t pulled up well. It would’ve been just reward though, he was really solid on debut. ‘Concern’ is probably the wrong word, too. Alexander covering both spots has always worried me..
June 7th 2012 @ 12:06pm
Cattledog said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Pretty sure Slipper must have pulled up sore or you would think Deans would have him on the bench for his versatility both sides.. Haha, sorry, thought I would inject some humour by using Deans, bench and versatility in the same sentence
June 7th 2012 @ 12:11pm
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
It’s worth remembering that scrummaging against the formidable Scottish front row would probably knock many players out for more than the 5 days this scheduling allows.
June 7th 2012 @ 4:09pm
jeznez said | June 7th 2012 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Brett, I’m with you on the italics and choice of word concerned. Very pessimistic if Alexander comes on and I am not confident in Kepu at THP despite scrummaging success at Super level this year.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:56am
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:56am | Report comment
TPN had better pull his finger out and work hisassoff!
June 7th 2012 @ 10:55am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Mantis wouldn’t Moore be exhausted after tuesday if he played on saturday?
June 7th 2012 @ 10:58am
nickoldschool said | June 7th 2012 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Coherent side although there is no specialist lock on the bench.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:01am
Jutsie said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:01am | Report comment
yeah that is a puzzle, im guessing dennis will cover both lock and blindside.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:08am
nickoldschool said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:08am | Report comment
yep. i guess Deans didnt want to have an untested lock on the bench…risky though!
June 7th 2012 @ 11:10am
kingplaymaker said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Not too risky, Sharpe and Simmons are both experienced and it’s unlikely both would be injured.
There is power in this pack with Palu and TPN, but it is actually quite a high workrate style pack and makes me think Deans is planning to outrun and outmanouevre the supposedly super-fit Welsh outfit.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:17am
nickoldschool said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
i think 2 guys to cover 5 forward positions is always a bit risky. I know what you mean and if we want a 4/3 bench we dont have much choice but considering Palku doesnt have 80min in the legs and Sharpe is not spring chicken, i just hope we dont get other injuries.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:40am
Cody said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:40am | Report comment
TPN is powerful at times but he goes down injured that many times it is now his trademark. Watch for him to go missing v Wales when the going gets tough. Moore plays the whole game with guts. Predict Moore to start game 2.
June 7th 2012 @ 11:57am
Justin2 said | June 7th 2012 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Agree and Test 2 will show what Deans is really thinking re his best 15…