Dominic Shipperley makes his debut for the Wallabies against the Springboks on Saturday night (Image: AAP)
Related coverage
The Wallabies side for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Perth has been announced.
The team features some new faces and returns for Wallaby veterans.
On debut will be Queensland Red Dominic Shipperley, who has featured for Australia in Schools, U20s, and Sevens.
Shipperley replaces Drew Mitchell, who continued his poor run of luck with injuries, suffering an ankle issue against the All Blacks in the last game.
Evergreen forward Radike Samo will make his first start for the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, with hooker Stephen Moore set to most capped hooker in Australian Test history, taking the field for Test number 73 for Australia.
Versatile back Adam Ashley-Cooper has reverted to centre for the 30th time in his now 69-Test career, replacing Rob Horne – who has been dropped completely – while Kurtley Beale is also back in the starting line-up, returning to fullback after he played from the bench.
Scott Higginbotham is on the bench for the Australians along with Tatafu Polota Nau who has overcome a corked backside which ruled him out of the All Blacks Test at Eden Park.
Mike Harris adds a backup goalkicker to the side, also returning to the Wallabies bench after playing Brisbane club rugby last weekend.
This will be the 78th meeting between Australia and South Africa at all venues. Australia has won 32 and South Africa 44, while one match has been drawn.
It is the seventh Test between Australia and South Africa in Perth. The score card currently sits in South Africa’s favour – three wins to two – with the 2001 match drawn.
The Wallabies team to play South Africa in The Rugby Championship and Mandela Challenge Plate Test at Paterson’s Stadium in Perth (kick-off: 6pm AWST, 8pm AEST) is:
15. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
14. Dominic Shipperley (Queensland Reds)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
12. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds, captain)
8. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
7. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
6. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
19. Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
20. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
21. Mike Harris (Queensland Reds)
22. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
Have you seen the new Wallabies jersey? Want one of your own? We're giving away a brand new 2013 Wallabies jersey to one lucky Roarer, click here to go in the running to win.
- Explore:
- Rugby Union, wallabies
September 4th 2012 @ 4:00pm
all7days said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
Still No Cummings. At least put him on the bench Robbo.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:02pm
JIM said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
Shipperley certainly deserves the start. But I fear that again Deans has picked a number 12 that isn’t going to challenge the defence. Barnes used to be a great runner to the line, with the ball in both hands and a pass option either way. But he plays too laterally and is scared of the rough stuff. Harris should be at 12 and all of a sudden we would have a backline that could compete with the ABs.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:35pm
Dasher said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:35pm | Report comment
Absolutely agree with your comments about Barnes. What has happened to him since 2009!?
September 4th 2012 @ 5:51pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
maybe about 20 concussions?
September 4th 2012 @ 8:36pm
Sgmc81 said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
Spot-on. Nothing like a few head injuries to knock the wind out of your sail.
September 5th 2012 @ 9:18am
JBees said | September 5th 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
It is always a worry IMHO when a player in the backs starts wearing head gear – except Johnathan Thurston oops sorry different code
September 4th 2012 @ 9:07pm
mick-e said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
Or is it just a case of another Queenslander who no longer likes Barnes because he is seen as a defector. Same thing happened to Sharpie and I expect Higginbotham will soon enjoy the same fate. Players dont stop being good players just because they leave Queensland. Or do they??
September 5th 2012 @ 9:18am
Sage said | September 5th 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Turn it up mick-e. That’s as bad as Spiro’s inference on Saturday that those that don’t like Deans are simply Xenophobes. Barnes isn’t the same player and I agree with Bison and have said the same thing myself here a number of times. His brain has been rattled and so too some of his confidence. Nothing to do with him being an expat QLDer
September 4th 2012 @ 9:21pm
WQ said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
Agreed Jim, he would add a running option and remove some pressure from Cooper
September 5th 2012 @ 7:06pm
IronAwe said | September 5th 2012 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
What does Ben Tapuai have to do?
September 4th 2012 @ 4:04pm
Jiggles said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Fat and unfit players like Beale, Robinson and Timani are still in the team. Out of form Barnes gets another go to show everyone how good a bloke he is. Bench looks very uneven. It’d be good to see Higginbotham start in his preferred 6 position, just once.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:31pm
jameswm said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
Timani’s fat? Look him in the eye and tell him that.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:41pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:41pm | Report comment
is he fit though? he started to flounder, but did do a lot of work.
Robinson and Beale are defo fat AND unfit
September 4th 2012 @ 6:03pm
formeropenside said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:03pm | Report comment
You know he wont actually RUN after you if you just run away though.
September 4th 2012 @ 6:14pm
Justin2 said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
Gold
September 5th 2012 @ 5:52am
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | September 5th 2012 @ 5:52am | Report comment
All the Waratahs players are unfit….you just had to watch any of their games this year to see that. Too much time pumping iron, not enough aerobic fitness from my observations.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:12pm
Morgan said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:12pm | Report comment
Backline getter closer to something logical. Not perfect but please leave it this way for the remainder of the RC and allow some combinations to develop. Thank goodness Horne is finally out of luck.
Higginbotham is a no.6 and now has been dropped because he played poorly at no.8 … tough gig. Why oh why can’t we select the best props in Australia to play in the XV? Neither Alexander nor Robinson are worthy. Absolutely insane.
September 4th 2012 @ 7:08pm
Bakkies said | September 4th 2012 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
To be fair they are only scrummaging against JdP and the Beast. No Bismarck, Coenie Oosthuizen who is promising and Adriaan Strauss has been ruled out. Not much meat behind them with the absence of Matfield and Bakkies.
September 4th 2012 @ 7:32pm
Sircoolalot said | September 4th 2012 @ 7:32pm | Report comment
Yea i don’t understand that either Morgan.
Dennis was crap in his last few tests, Higginbotham at least has experience of performing well on the international stage.
September 4th 2012 @ 9:35pm
Jutsie said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
No he doesnt
September 5th 2012 @ 1:09am
fin said | September 5th 2012 @ 1:09am | Report comment
agreed
September 5th 2012 @ 3:01am
Sircoolalot said | September 5th 2012 @ 3:01am | Report comment
More than Dennis though.
September 4th 2012 @ 9:42pm
MA said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
Woohoo. Bye bye Horne!
I agree on the front row but at least they are consistent in their insistence of playing our second or third best options at these positions.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:25pm
flying hori said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Sound looking team, solid and structured
September 4th 2012 @ 5:43pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:43pm | Report comment
sorry hori, I disagree. The bench looks completely unbalanced with lack of height in forwards, power and speed in backs. Samo does not shove at 8. Alexander on wrong side??
September 5th 2012 @ 12:02pm
peterlala said | September 5th 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Samo’s lazy.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:25pm
Red Kev said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
About the team expected.
Absurd prop selection as always.
The lack of a back-up lock is still a worry. So Sharpe goes Deans has Horwill, Simmons and Timani with experience. Why isn’t he blooding Neville or Pyle as well? I like Higginbotham shifting back to the bench, he’s not played well enough to remain on the back row especially not with Samo starting (we are really exposed at no.6 without Hodgson and Schatz fit).
And what exactly does Faingaa add from the bench? There is no way Tapuai or Cummins or Foley is not a better option.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:24pm
formeropenside said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
With Timani as non-jumping lock, the lineout options are a problem against SA. If our lineout was in trouble against NZ – and it was – then SA with Bekker could make it nasty.
Its not the team I would pick – I’d have Tapuai over Barnes, Slipper in for Alexander and Holmes over Benn Robbo. Also Hooper out, with Gill in and AWH for Timani, but at least there is no Horne, and thats a start.
EDIT: and I do not gain much pleasure for being right in this case, but I said from the start that Shipperley should have been given a run ahead of a clearly unfit and out of form Mitchell. Now Mitchell is injured again for a significant period, and it will be even longer before he is fully match fit and hardened again.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:33pm
jameswm said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
That’s an incredible coincidence fos. Every player you would bring into the team is a Red.
September 4th 2012 @ 6:04pm
formeropenside said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
Its not that incredible. They were the best team in the Australian conference.
September 4th 2012 @ 6:05pm
The Other Steve - and All Black fan said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
September 4th 2012 @ 6:06pm
The Other Steve - and All Black fan said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
that was my first thought as well.
September 4th 2012 @ 9:19pm
mick-e said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:19pm | Report comment
Exactly Jamesswm.
You’re onto it. And the players these guys dont like-often ex-Queenslanders or non Queenslanders. The fact formeropenside likes slip man Slipper tells me he knows nothing about propping. Slipper makes Dunning look like a rock holding up the straits of Gibralter.
September 5th 2012 @ 7:35am
formeropenside said | September 5th 2012 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Slipper did pretty well against all comers in Super Rugby, Alexander and Benn Robbo included. Let me know when you have an actual point.
September 5th 2012 @ 9:42am
Sage said | September 5th 2012 @ 9:42am | Report comment
You mean Slipper, the players player of the year, mick-e ? So much worse than telly tubby Dunning HA!!! You’re accusing others of reds only bias when your own NSW-centric anti reds feelings don’t make you objective.
September 4th 2012 @ 9:21pm
Mr Red said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
Lookin’ for some more Tahs in there jameswn? Think they’ve had their chance. I’d like some more Brums too.
September 4th 2012 @ 7:11pm
Bakkies said | September 4th 2012 @ 7:11pm | Report comment
Don’t worry about Bekker he is soft and rubbish. Loves dropping ball out on the wing.
September 4th 2012 @ 7:35pm
Sircoolalot said | September 4th 2012 @ 7:35pm | Report comment
Sharpey will show him how it’s done at international level
September 4th 2012 @ 8:01pm
cm said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
Foley for my money.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:25pm
Short Lineout said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Looks promising now that Horne has been sacked. Appropriate Moore starts ahead of TPN. Higginbotham unlucky. Barnes needs a big game. Shiperley deserves this. No Tapuai??? Would prefer to see:
1. Holmes,
2. Moore,
3. Slipper,
4. Hugh Pyle,
5. Timani,
6. Gill,
7. Hooper,
8. Higginbotham,
9. Genia,
10. Cooper,
11. Ioane,
12. Tapuai,
13. AAC,
14. Shipperley
15. Barnes
16. TPN
17. Alexander
18. Radike
19. Matt Hodgson
20. Brett Sheehan
21. Beale,
22. Luke Morahan.
Coach – Mr McKenzie
September 4th 2012 @ 5:58pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
Gill is not a 6.
Higgers is not an 8 (at test level)
Hodgson is recuperating from surgery.
Beale should be as far away from wallabies as possible, not fit in head or body
AAC has done nothing for years, its all past memories. Pick players in form, not out of form hoping they come good.
No height on the bench.
I like the front row. I like Sheehan on the bench, offers mongel and experience. I like Shippers at 14. I like Taps at 12.
September 4th 2012 @ 9:37pm
mick-e said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
Slipper cant scrum.
Homes can but McKenzie only realised that when he had an injjury. Higginbotham should be six and a big line butsting eight like Palu is needed. You dont play Gill and Hooper together for an entire game and probably not at all. You need a big ballcarrier and linebuster at six and eight.
If the props in this country were trained properly, as they are in New Zealand, we wouldnt have to play two opensides. The props would be backside up heads down foraging for the ball at the breakdown and cleaning out. Look at the Franks bros, Hoare and Meealamu.
McKenzie???I go back to the Sharks game where the guy was outthought by John Plumtree. He had a simple gameplan-shock and awe by attacking the breakdown and spreading it wide early. It wasnt rocket science but it sure brainboozled McKenzie and his Reds who turned up with arrrr No Game Plan.
McKenzie got trumped by all the major SA franchises and he even had home advantage against the Sharks and Stormers. No hes just not up to it.
Jake White? Now there’s a real coach and he’s won a RWC too.
September 5th 2012 @ 6:15am
Mr Red said | September 5th 2012 @ 6:15am | Report comment
Being out-thought on one game is hardly a systematic failure.
September 5th 2012 @ 7:38am
formeropenside said | September 5th 2012 @ 7:38am | Report comment
The Jake White that McKenzie outcoached 2-0? And told him the second time around exactly how he would do it in a newspaper article a few days out?
September 5th 2012 @ 8:18am
Deez said | September 5th 2012 @ 8:18am | Report comment
I’ll also come out in Ewen’s defense here – losing your five eighth inside 20 min will always hurt you. The move to play Genia at 10 was a big gamble (and one I didn’t agree with), but had it come off, he would have looked like a mastermind. We all know how the cards fell, but you can’t forget the hard fought five wins in a row I get to te finals (including wins against the chiefs, Brumbies at home and highlanders).
September 5th 2012 @ 8:43am
fin said | September 5th 2012 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Ewen is an astute recruiter and man manager who brings alot more out of his charges than Deans , but i’m not sure i would describe anything he has done as mastermind. the Genia move was always a mistake and everyone could see that- my opinion for what it is worth- it was probably Genias idea rather than Ewen’s. He allowed Waugh a bis say at the Waratahs and i think he allows Will the same at the Reds.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:28pm
Tim said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
Here’s how it should look (excuse the Reds backline, unintentional)
15. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
14. Dominic Shipperley (Queensland Reds)
13. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
12. Mike Harris (Queensland Reds)
11. Cummings/Speight/Vuna/Tomane or O’Connor (if they weren’t injured)
10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds, captain)
8. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
7. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
6. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
5. Someone other than Shape
4. Someone other than Timani
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
Run on Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
18. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
19. Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
20. Nick White (ACT Brumbies)
21. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
September 4th 2012 @ 6:04pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
Drop Beale completely.
Samo doesn’t shove at 8, struggling to start at Reds.
Those two props will go down like a house of cards.
Two flankers on the bench, not enough height.
Robinson can only pack LHP.
I like Barnes and AAC on the bench. Covers all spots (with Cummins covering a wing).
I like Harris at 12, and Shippers at 14. Swap Diggers and Cummins.
September 4th 2012 @ 7:12pm
Bakkies said | September 4th 2012 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
Nic White is having shoulder surgery I am afraid
September 4th 2012 @ 7:36pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
after wasting six weeks waiting to be selected
September 4th 2012 @ 10:52pm
sheek said | September 4th 2012 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
Honestly Tim,
If you reckon Deans has no idea, then may I suggest you stand well to his rear, because you might have even less idea!
Anyone but Sharpe & Timani, you say? Despite them being arguably being two of our best players in the past two tests. But then you offer no alternatives. How silly is that?
What, the team is going to run on with just 13 starters, no locks?
And Radiiki Samo is the signature selection of why the current Wallabies are ordinary. Samo used to be, emphasis on used to be, a very good rugby player. Where’s the young talent that can’t push this 36 year old sideways out to pasture??
And you’ve left out (benched him) arguably our best back in the past two tests – Adam Ashley-Cooper.
There’s a lot of people telling Deans who he shouldn’t select. But not so easy when it comes to naming alternatives.
Deans has no choice but to stick with certain players, because well, because we aren’t flush with alternatives. That’s the truth of it.
September 5th 2012 @ 2:54am
Ben.S said | September 5th 2012 @ 2:54am | Report comment
Samo isn’t a reflection of anything other than the confusion of Deans. At the end of the day Deans selected Higginbotham and then decided he wasn’t up to it. Ben Mowen is clearly a viable alternative and he had a very good Super season. That aside, all Test sides have weaknesses in certain positions, but with Palu’s injury the issue of 8 becomes more relevant. Australia has, IMO, a lack of 6s, but then it has an abundance of 7s. England has an abundance of 6s, but very few over the ball 7s, for example.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:33pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
This is a pathetic, disgraceful gutless selection, the selectors have failed dismally at addressing ANY of the shortcomings revealed this international season.
Robinson should be dropped.
Dennis done nothing during S15 or Tests to warrant selection
Samo can’t even start for the Reds, doesn’t shove, so why at 8?
Barnes is confused by Deans with Coopers role, and kicks instead of taking it into contact area and pass.
AAC is past it, done nothing for two seasons S15 or Tests to warrant selection, doesn’t break tackles or outpace marker, doesn’t pass.
Beale is not fit in mind or body. Should be nowhere near the wallaby set up leat alone starting. Has to go and clear his head and get fit.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:05pm
Brett McKay said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:05pm | Report comment
Bison, I’ll grant you that Robinson and Dennis are lucky (Robbo particularly), and I agree with you re Samo.
Barnes and Ashley-Cooper might be a combo thing, as they’ve played quite well together for both Ausralia and NSW as a 12-13, even in the last part of Super Rugby when Foley played 10. But Barnes needs a big game.
And I think you’ve said before we’re on opposite sides of the Beale fence, so nothing further needed here..
September 4th 2012 @ 10:57pm
Lorry said | September 4th 2012 @ 10:57pm | Report comment
So, sittingbison, I gather you want no experienced players at all.
Although they are playing poorly, if you dropped Beale, Samo, Barnes, Robinson and AAC to the bench, your team of newbies would be thrashed 40-nil by half time.
An on would come those bench players to try and salvage something out of the game and we’d be back to square one….
September 5th 2012 @ 12:41pm
sittingbison said | September 5th 2012 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
as opposed to 22-0?
It is a complete fallacy that those NOT selected are useless and will get whipped. Are you seriously telling me that Morahan, Mowen, Harris, Holmes and Cummins are useless? Sheesh give me a break.
Half the problem with the Wallabies (and the Waratahs) is between the ears. They have a sense of entitlement. The need a kick up the bum. Beale has been less than useless. Robinsons attitude stinks. Barnes is struggling. AAC is not the player he was, or what some people still think he is. Samo doesnt even start for Reds, doesnt shove.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:38pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Cummins a local lad should be picked always pick local lads. Cumminn is a Perth boy born and bread he could doff been one of WA first local wallabies.
Like at the GABBA you always play Kaspowritz and Andy Bichel, and at the WACA you always play Joe Angel and Brendon Julian.
-Cummins should of been running in.
-I would off dropped Timani as well, he is out of form .
September 4th 2012 @ 4:44pm
eagleJack said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Except Cummins is from Port Macquarie.
September 4th 2012 @ 4:47pm
sittingbison said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
Johnnos sentiment is correct though %))
September 4th 2012 @ 4:54pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
100%
September 4th 2012 @ 4:53pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
is he eaglejak, Oh.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:30pm
formeropenside said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:30pm | Report comment
and played his rugby for Queensland Schoolboys
September 4th 2012 @ 5:36pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
i thought he was a former west coast eagle kid who tried AFL but iddnt get picked, and then tried out in rugby and got picked, that’s what my mate told me formeopenside.
September 4th 2012 @ 6:06pm
formeropenside said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
Well, he was a Qld schoolboy in 2006, moved south in 2007 to play Sydney club rugby, got picked up by the Force. Thats all I know, too.
September 5th 2012 @ 10:40am
Blue to the Bone said | September 5th 2012 @ 10:40am | Report comment
wether he’s from Port Macquarie or not, he’s now a local.
When he plays for the Force, he always gets a massive cheer.
Can you imagine the reaction from the crowd when one of our favourite locals runs out on the field?
I agree, he’s not good enough to start atm, give him another season at the Force, BUT he should be on the bench.
Why is Beale still there? There should be no ‘benefit of the doubt’, he is not fit enough at the moment. Too much drinking and partying going on, you have your later years to do this. Play rugby well while you still can!
I don’t agree with Dave Dennis being on the field either, I wish Wykes was fit enough to play. He is Sharpe’s understudy and a damn fine lock!
September 4th 2012 @ 5:07pm
Brett McKay said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
Johnno, Timani’s just about been the best Wallaby on the park in the last two Tests!
September 4th 2012 @ 5:18pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
still warrants too be dropped. He was good in the 1sthalf but seems too get tired in the 2nd half.
Where as Theiry dusautoir was able to play a full and complete high energy 80 minutes in the rugby world cup grand final.
Big 6’8 Timani is no thierry dusautoir Brett. But rabbitz did point out this week that timani was tired coz he was just about the only one working hard.
September 4th 2012 @ 5:36pm
jameswm said | September 4th 2012 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
So being our best player warrants being dropped?
Interesting logic there.
September 4th 2012 @ 6:35pm
Red Kev said | September 4th 2012 @ 6:35pm | Report comment
They’d be better off using Samo for 40 at no.8 and Timani at no.8 for the other 40 (he doesn’t jump in the lineout anyway, use him as a ball carrying eightman). Bring in one of the Rebel locks and put Higgers on the side of the scrum to sure up the lineout.
September 4th 2012 @ 8:28pm
Brett McKay said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:28pm | Report comment
Johnno, Dusautoir’s a flanker!! Next you’ll be telling me Stephen Moore’s no Mike Catt…
September 4th 2012 @ 8:37pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
lol ture on fire Brett making me me laugh too funny. And for the record Brett, Johnno’s no Lomu.
September 4th 2012 @ 8:01pm
Jiggles said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
Come on Brett. Timani has played 20 minutes of rugby that is acceptable at test level. That is it. The rest of the time he has been anonymous. He is still a myth. He is Tom Bowman part 2.
September 4th 2012 @ 8:08pm
kingplaymaker said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
Utter nonsense, Timani’s first half rather than 20 minutes was outstanding and the second half though less impactful involved a very high workrate. The intentional falsehood of the post is shown by the statement that even this first phase was only acceptable when in fact it was outstanding.
One of the least convincing posts in a long time, and one where a preconceived position is falsely justified against near universal consent: the writer can’t believe this himself. A pose rather than a genuine opinion.
September 4th 2012 @ 9:02pm
Ben.S said | September 4th 2012 @ 9:02pm | Report comment
Timani played well in parts. To say that he was outstanding is simply bizarre.
September 5th 2012 @ 12:59pm
Jutsie said | September 5th 2012 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Do you sit by your computer waiting for KPM to make comments just so you can sneer at them?
Is it anymore bizarre to say he was outstanding (which is what most commentators/journos also stated after the 2nd bledisloe) than it is to say he was acceptable for only 20 minutes?
September 4th 2012 @ 8:16pm
Johnno said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
And Garrick Morgan no 3 Jiggles.
September 4th 2012 @ 8:32pm
Brett McKay said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:32pm | Report comment
Jigs, it’s admittedly a small field, but Timani was solid in Sydney, and better again in Auckland. It’s a bit more than 20 mins of good Test rugby, and I say that as a Timani sceptic..
September 4th 2012 @ 8:58pm
Jiggles said | September 4th 2012 @ 8:58pm | Report comment
I didn’t rate his Sydney Performance at all, so I am sticking with my 20 mins view. Timani is going to get about 20 Caps, and in 15 years time he will be a pub trivia question.