"Samu had a very fine first Test": Larkham lauds Kerevi

I agree WBs needs a real 8 But happier there are now 4-ish LO targets Pete imo SeanMc = Hoops x 1.25. He looooooooves contact in tight. So, make that S = H x 1.5 Im still worried about Carter DHP's had his maiden innings. His eye is in. I think its time to move him to 15 asap.

Folau is a weak defender in comparison to Kuridrani...Folau will miss 2/3 tackles so is a liability at 13...but at fullback when and if someone breaks the line, he is good on one-on-one defence...so a better option defensively at 13..maybe the coaches can use him at centre when australia is on attack pushing kuridrani to fullback but shift back to normal when australia are on defence..

Not bothered, was not bothered at watching the game closely...

I was watching McMahon in the Rebels last game against the Force where he played 6. They didn't run him much in attack but what impressed me was that other than when he was committed, he was waiting at virtually every attacking breakdown, ready to clean out if needed. That is how I would use him in attack, as the bloke who is fit enough to stay with the ball and add a bit of extra weight if the breakdown looked in trouble, and fast enough to run in support of the backs if they make a line break.

Thanks TWAS, well from this Tatafu Polota-Nau Toby Smith Greg Holmes Nick Frisby Christian Lealiifano Luke Morahan seem the most logical selections with 2 of the following: Dean Mumm James Horwill Ben McCalman Liam Gill Wycliff Palu Of which Horwill and McCalman will be the best overall.

agree there. Carter is a logical choice and better than Mumm or even Horwill. Carter is very Simmons like (but not as good), good in both set pieces, a good work rate but very ineffectual in contact and gives away dumb penalties. I am not happy that McMahon took Pocock's spot. The only pilferer is Fardy. McMahon will not make much impact in tight and is not as good as Hooper out wider. Perhaps we will see McMahon and Hooper on the wings now. I would have preferred McCalman. I agree with the props being swapped. Also very very good the backline was left untouched, that was not where the issue was.

Lineout is Moore throwing to Arnold, Carter and Fardy for the most part. Should be no issues with having an understanding.

Thanks twas. I am a bit worried about the forward pack. Hope Carter goes well calling the lineout. Also worried about the backrow. Mcmahon not an 8

Why does playing at fullback preventing him from running the lines you want him to run in attack? His positioning is only constrained in defence.

Team named. Same backline Reds pair Samu Kerevi and James Slipper have earned starts in the second Test against England, while Nick Frisby, Liam Gill and Greg Holmes have been named to an extended bench. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has selected St.George Queensland Reds captain James Slipper and centre Samu Kerevi to start in Australia’s second Test against England in Melbourne on Saturday night. The pair’s Reds teammates Greg Holmes, Nick Frisby and Liam Gill have been named on an extended 11-man bench, which will be narrowed down to eight on Friday. This weekend’s match will be Kerevi’s second start in as many Tests, after making his debut in the opening match of the series at Suncorp Stadium last weekend. Should Gill be named, it will be his first match for the Wallabies since November 2013. More to follow… The second Test between the Wallabies and England will be screened LIVE in High Definition and ad-break free on FOX SPORTS 502 from 7.30pm AEST and LIVE on Ten from 7.30pm AEST for QLD, NSW and ACT viewers (on ONE in other Australian States and Territories). Fans can also LIVE stream the match on Foxtel Go (for FOX SPORTS subscribers) and for the first time on TenPlay. Wallabies team to play England in the second Test at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Saturday, June 18, 8:05pm AEST 1. James Slipper 2. Stephen Moore (C) 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Sam Carter 5. Rory Arnold 6. Scott Fardy 7. Michael Hooper VC 8. Sean McMahon 9. Nick Phipps 10. Bernard Foley 11. Rob Horne VC 12. Samu Kerevi 13. Tevita Kuridrani 14. Dane Haylett-Petty 15. Israel Folau Extended bench to be narrowed down on Friday Tatafu Polota-Nau Toby Smith Greg Holmes Dean Mumm James Horwill Ben McCalman Liam Gill Wycliff Palu Nick Frisby Christian Lealiifano Luke Morahan

Same incorrect rubbish. First try was because he opted to pass not try and run over anybody. In fact he passed as much as he ran. He doesn't try to run over players. He tries to run around them generally. Just because he's a big islander, it doesn't mean he just plays bash and barge rugby.

what rubbish He passed half the time Of his 8 runs he made 2 clean breaks (hard to do that if he tries to run them over), 1 defender beaten, and 2 offloads. One of his passes was great soft hands as a try assist committing 2 defenders. He did make 2 errors, 1 of which was fumbling that ball. He did not pass inaccurately. He did not drop several passes.

Retaining Kerevi-Kuridrani-Folau at 12-13-15 will only repeat the First Test folly. With Folau at 13 you have 100% of his attacking and defensive potential. At 15 his potential is reduced to 50% due to his poor defensive sense in that position plus mediocre kicking. If there is no change, watch for England to gain more gift penalties and tries by repeating their exploitation of those weaknesses in the Second Test.

Well Steve L has got to talk up his players and he is a legend imo but............. I can't agree this time. I thought Kerevi proved he's not yet Test standard. He might be in a few years but presently - - his hands are not good enough - he dropped several passes and fumbled badly for the first England try. - he's got no passing game - he puts no-one in space and often passes inaccurately. - he tries to run over people instead of evading - this works at provincial level but not at Test level where defenders are much better so they just tackle you (unless you're Jonah Lomu) - often they'll smash you and win the collision as well. This obsession with running over people has ruined the careers of many fast backs and there's a long list of em like Lote Tiquiri, Honeybadger Cummings and most Sth African backs who had loads of pace and potential but just played dumb. Kuridrani has the same disease. Wallabies can't afford 2 centres running into brick walls and playing dumb imo. I'd drop Kerevi back to the Reds :)

Thanks CUW - hadn't seen that news. That states that Horne is fit and Hunt out. So I'd keep the same starting backline with Frisby, CLL and Hodge on the bench. Backs sorted! Hopefully McCalman in for Pocock and then we just need the word on Simmons - if as some are reporting that Carter will be the replacement then Mumm should be the player to make way in re-balancing to a 5-3 split. If we start Arnold and Horwill, then I'd be prepared to make Skelton the reserve lock and have McMahon be the player making way for Hodge.

Kerevi's debut was far better than what I've seen from many other players. It would be a crying shame if his confidence is knocked by the coaches not showing some faith in him. I recall Kuridrani was woeful when he started out.

Simmons and Pocock both went to injuries and Arnold can't play 80 mins (subbed at 47). Had we had a 5/3 bench things might have being worse, not better. The injury toll in the game was pretty big in general. I don't think bench make-up could have averted it.

I think that's the best option. I think Hodge is a year away but based on who is available he's the next best option.

Hopefully not. Undervalues the role that Kuridrani plays in the backline.

Had forgotten Morahan was still with the squad - agree with your call.