Wallabies team vs South Africa: Cheika rings the changes ahead of South Africa clash

The Wallaby Team as chosen appears as if it has no show whatsoever of winning come the weekend! Folau is a recuperating crock as is Genia, Pocock is out, and Foley the Wallabies top points scorer for many Internationals and who is in the top four kickers for goal in the game has been removed; think about the games HE' has won for the Wallabies over the years, then they dump him and put Beale in his place, ~ Good luck to the Wallabies; particularly with Beale in the halves, I wouldn't have him on the bench!

Toomua is talked about as a good defender but I watched the Exeter v Leicester replay and he was found wanting in defence. Hope him and Taf are over the jetlag. By the way, does anyone know who payed for those two to fly to England and back for one game of rugby?

Agreed

Agree with you Mooloo. The NZ formula is most important for core positions. The Wallaby core out-of-positions are: 6 Lukhan Tui (lock) 8 David Pocock (he is a 7) 10 Kurtley Beale (he is a 12) 14 Dane Haylett-Perry (he is a true 15) 15 Israel Folau (he is not a true 15) Too many core positions.

Luke, Simmons is kind of a negative impact in the sense that they can bring him on to fix the lineout if Coleman is losing his mind. But I think when they have brought him on they have left Coleman calling the lineoutes. Maybe Simmons defence can be handy to close out a game. I like Maddocks but don't think he's ready yet. Of course playing him will help him get ready. Korobeiti has talent but he's not up to defending against a clever attack. He needs to be in the squad but he has a lot to learn. I'd be inclined to use a guy like Banks as kind of a Joe Roff on the wing. Maddocks knows how to find the tryline too and does throw a nice long ball. A good problem to have is that when he comes back from injury TK will be pushing hard for his spot at 13. In the meantime it is good that Hodge can get some proper experience in the centres. I know (coz I have been told) the DHP does alot at fullback even when playing with Folau but clearly the numbers on the back mean something and they need to switch from DHP covering fullback from the wing and Folau being on the wing to DHP covering wing from fullback and Folau covering fullback from wing. The shape seems better with DHP as the nominal fullback.

Another Cheika blunder!!

Fionn, TPN should not be there. We do not need him. He is no better than when he left and we have 3 young No. 2s that have to step up!!

And Robertson

Now TWAS, none of the irony and little digs. But you are correct!!

Up front with Hanigan and Robertson. You mean "out Back" - do you not! Arnold, yes as long as he does not get lazy.

Fraenkel, KB has been bleeding a bit. He is a poor tackler but that shooting out quickly and trying to give the big guy a hug gets him hurt when he's playing well.

SMI - but all will be well. We have Robertson (might be because of injury to other props) and we have Ned Hanigan. Hanigan over Samu - No!

Sorry NV, I just read the paper and Cheika did say Foley dropped. that Foley is doing okay but he thinks he can do better.

Fionn, now we hope to see what both Beale and Toomua can do. Toomua is a 12 but I am not certain of Beale's capabilities at No. 10. I am hoping that they perform. As much as I hate to say it, we have lessened our kicking for goal is Toomua is kicking. Why not Beale? I agree with Banks, either over Maddocks or Koroibete who I have gone off this year. And reverse DHP and Folau. Last game proved it!!

The changes re the No. 10 and No. 12 are good to see. I am not 100% certain of Beale's capability as a No. 10 but at lest Cheika is willing to look at a change. However, changes or alternatives should have been tried some two years ago. It is called experimentation. But again the Wallaby Coach goes into Clown Mode and with little thought processes. Robertson as a prop is a ridiculous selection. And Hanigan instead of Samu. Another ridiculous selection. Hanigan is a powder puff. He has done nothing and been given far to many chances. Not in the same class as Samu in terms of toughness and capability.

Blues Fan, you have expressed this opinion a number of times, on various articles. You are probably correct. I expect the Wallabies to win in Brisbane, mostly because it's a home game. And they will be more desperate to win at home. However, we won't fully know, how good the Wallabies or All Blacks are, until after the AB- Argentina game. That will give a true indication or guide to the relative strengths of all four teams. My personal opinion is, the team that has improved the most is Argentina. I also think it will be dangerous for the All Blacks to underestimate the Pumas. My thoughts are, if the AB's blow the Pumas away, then the Wallabies will also win comfortably. But if the Pumas give the AB's a scare, then the game in Brisbane will be very close.

Potentially. It's even possible he's even been put under pressure from RA. "We're not going to sack you, but things need to change..." Whatever the motive, I'm just glad something has changed.

Or is it a cunning plan to take the pressure of his supposed best side. Easier to explain a lose when trying new combinations. Now that's not to say he shouldn't be trying new things. Good luck to both of you this weekend, I hope it will be entertainment plus and hopefully not to many errors.

And Folau is a good winger but Cheika insists on playing him at FB, where he still hasn't worked out his defensive positioning.

Its been going on for years Mark. All coaches seem to take people out of their normal position and stick them somewhere else. I think they think that if you are a back you should be able to play any position apart from HB. In Folau's case, he is such a talent that Cheika bent to what izzy wanted! We badly need a class FB and a back up for Foley and Genia. If it goes on like this it will be the same as Eddie the eye playing McQueens team into the ground, then getting the shove with nobody to replace the team he has lent on for a few years without considering the next coach.