Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for Argentina?

sorry kirky but that's a stupid statement, likely said gritting your teeth as Izzy Folau is proving to be one of the world's best fullbacks despite what some "experts" keep saying. As PK says below, the citing committee don't seem to be of your view either. Folau initially grabbed the collar of the bloke and as slow-mo shows also some of the free-flowing hair, whereupon with Folau falling backwards and the SA winger wriggling to break free/pass the ball, then Folau was left just holding hair. Yes he should have immediately let go but he didn't until the bloke surrendered in the tackle. Boo Hoo Hoo! cry me a river!

in tests and super rugby Kerevi has a fine record of defense at 12, at 13 he has issues

certainly biased against foley and towrads his rebels player Hodge where he states that Hodge could have doen what Foley did in that game. No way does Hodge have the passing game to have set up those 3 tries nor the speed off the mark to initiate the break on one.

I don't think he is parochial, Pirates often supports players from all of the franchises. I've never heard him complain about guys like Latu, Kepu, Folau or Beale, and I don't think wanting Pocock over Hooper is parochial either, just logical.

correct. nothing with Foley in it is the best attacking structure.

I reckon Kerevi will get a start at 13 over Kuridrani, Cheika rates him and will want to get him back on the horse after his defensive lapses in Sydney. It would be good if Powell and Meakes could have a run off the bench too. Apart from that I can't see any point in changing selections, the ones being left out aren't likely to do any better than those who are playing.

Brache and Verity-Am Playing at 12 and 13 was an eye-opener. Rona and Meakes will come back all the better for playing with their Peers. Good luck to anyone who comes across the Spirit in the NRC run to the finals.

Makes Room for Hunt! - Win-Win

Beale is the Wallabies Fullback in defense. Perhaps if ChiekaTah started putting both the attack and defense numbers on the Jersey's we would have a chance of figuring it out. A / D 15/11 Folau 12/15 Beale 11/12 Hodge 14/10 [Insert Fijian Winger here, they are all great] 10/14 Foley

No doubt Kerevi’s size is an asset that he puts to good use, but instead of being a Nonu or Roberts type battering-ram, I believe Kerevi is beating people more thanks to his footwork and running to space as opposed to the man. Just my opinion but I think this is better employed in the wider channels where he has more time and space to utilise this skill set. While he has spent time at 12, I don’t think it’s any mistake that most of his rugby has been played at 13. The big 12/more nimble 13 (put in its simplest terms) is a worthy midfield strategy that others have employed with great success. I just have my doubts as to whether we have the personnel to do the same. Hodge isn’t much of a speedster and I think his playmaking ability and boot are better served closer in. His strength and size also mean he can fulfil (to some degree) that crash option to bend the defensive line and create that front foot ball to build an attacking platform from. I’ve said why I think Kerevi is more a 13 than a 12. But in any event, until he’s got on top of his defensive flaws the best he can hope for is as an impact player off the bench in the latter stages of the game when all defences have become a bit tired and sloppy.

Agree Beale will and should stay at 12. He is a "talisman" and sees himself that way. Has stated a preference for 12 and will get his way. Had an average game and still got MotM, which will boost his self-image. Is he better at 15? Supposedly good under the high ball but dropped an easyish one on Saturday. His big defensive miss came when he was at the back. Can defend in the line and has the pace and vision to be a good cover defender. People talk of the 10-12 turnstile. Will have to live with that. The issue with Foley is that he is known to always tackle low. He had a few misses on Saturday, most non-critical, with someone covering for him. That's the problem: because he goes low, needs somebody (TPN, MacMahon, etc) as close back up to take care of the offloadee. Save me checking: Is Hunt available?

Kerevi's poor defence isn't some new revelation that was uncovered at Bledisloe 1.

Yeah he is. Did you see the Nick Bishop article? Kerevi was let down by others defensively in Bled 1.

Yes its a wonder it hasn't been spoken about. Were journalists simply not asking why Higger's wasnt there?

Hodge would drop back.

You're anti-Foley bias knows no bounds. Must be hard for you to watch him slot all those goals (hasn't missed a kick since Dunedin), set up those tries, throw the pinpoint passes, take the line on and make the line breaks... must be hard for you to read the accolades form those writers and commentators that can actually analyse rugby. A 50 test player maturing into one of the most important players in the team. Must be hard being so parochial....

Since the team has to be from the touring squad going to Argentina that leaves very few choices. Higgs out injured. Timani and Arnold sent to NRC , not going to Argentina. Obviously Hunt, Banks or Philip won't get selected into squad. So that leaves very very few choices in some positions, so a matter of which is least worst. Against Argentina you don't need a 6:2 bench IMO. Also their lineout is not the strongest. 1. Sio 2. TPN 3. Kepu 4. Rodda 5. Coleman 6. Dempsey 7. Hooper 8. McMahon 9. Genia 10. Foley 11. Koroibete 12. Kerevi 13. Kuridrani 15. Folau (like everyone play him on wing but as noted often he is playing wing with 15 on his back so I changed the order to reflect the reality 14. Beale 16. Ala’alatoa (if restricted to squad) 17. Uelese 18. Faulkner (if restricted to squad) 19. Simmons 20. Tui 21. Powell 22. Meakes 23. Hodge

For me too much over analysis going on with trying to cover off the deficiencies. Start moving them around now and youll never stop, always finding the holes somewhere else. Instead you need to build consistency. If Beale and Folau are currently playing at acceptable levels then leave them, which by the way is exactly what Cheika is doing. Oz backplay is less about the numbers than putting plays together. Bit like wanting Hodge to take some of the kicking. I think Cheika wants Foley to own the 10 role, warts and all, as Foley, and not ne essarily Hodge, will be there every match, injury permitting. I think he wants at least one back to not have to have his role shared. Theres obvious plusses and minuses in that.

Would be interesting if he did get some time - Cheika would have to try someone else at the back. Then we'll know if he ever sees Beale in that role.

you seem to be wrong about that, no citing yet