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Joined March 2019
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That’s the issue though, if we don’t win against Wales we won’t make the quarter finals. One or two changes might dramatically increase our chances of a quarter final spot and I’d much rather a QF exit than a pool stage one.
You’re certainly right there though. I think a Petaia or Vunivalu injury would give us the opportunity to make an incredibly positive change. I can’t help but think our back line shape and cohesion would be dramatically improved with Ikitau at 13 and Kellaway at 15. Donno to 10. I’m a CG fan but he looks a little lost at the moment.
'Eddie got found out': Jones in spotlight as 'ferocious' Fiji leave Wallabies RWC hopes hanging by thread in 69 year first
We were soundly beaten across most facets of the game and it was a well deserved victory for Fiji. Knowing we’re in some serious trouble and looking at an early exit, is it time to pull the plug on an injury substitution? Ikitau returned to contact training a few weeks ago and could certainly slot in to 13. If Skelton and Nela are potentially out for the rest of the pool rounds, we might as well send one or both home early. McReight looked pretty ineffectual as well, is it worth bringing in Samu or Hooper’s experience?
'Eddie got found out': Jones in spotlight as 'ferocious' Fiji leave Wallabies RWC hopes hanging by thread in 69 year first
Do you mean Tupou?
'Eddie got found out': Jones in spotlight as 'ferocious' Fiji leave Wallabies RWC hopes hanging by thread in 69 year first
Admittedly JOC was quite poor for the wallabies. I also disagree with him being our best 10 last year in SR. I’d argue Edmed and Lolesio were better.
Selected by the Wallabies, dropped by the Reds: Thorn set to axe Vunivalu in wild 24 hours
Denied a third rugby World Cup win? When did they get their second…
Rugby World Cup final: England player ratings
Unsure that would be wise from a tactical perspective. Dropping o’connor to the wing would take away his biggest asset, which is offering another decent ball player in the middle of the park. Sure he could pop up at full-back but I wouldn’t rate him under the high ball nor would I think he has enough pace to make a cover tackle if he gets caught out of position. I get the idea that having an out and out 13 on the bench would be more attractive since we have a back line full of utilities, but if that were the case an outside back like Banks would be a much better option. You can drop AAC literally anywhere without shifting players across which results in the least amount of disruption.
Michael Cheika sticks solid with winning Wallabies, confirms team for Bledisloe 2
That’s definitely a fair point.
I think being able to settle the team as much as possible is imperative so avoiding the musical chairs required to shift everyone around to accommodate a player coming off the bench or injury is definitely what saw AAC jump onto the bench.
God forbid any of the outside backs go down, you’d have to shift the entire back line around to cover for it with Kuridrani, whilst AAC can plug in the hole with minimal disruption to the current set-up.
Michael Cheika sticks solid with winning Wallabies, confirms team for Bledisloe 2
Kuridrani would be a terrible option on the bench, purely due to the fact that he’s only capable of playing 13.
At least with AAC the Wallabies have 116 caps worth of international experience able to cover outside center, wing and full-back.
Until Petaia is fully fit (assuming he gets some game time against Samoa and is in contention for a RWC spot), AAC and Banks will probably have to duke it out for that final bench spot.
Michael Cheika sticks solid with winning Wallabies, confirms team for Bledisloe 2
The all blacks back row looks absolutely unreal and I hope we’re at the very least able to nullify it or else al hope of getting consistent clean ball goes out the window.
As much as I’d like to think we’re a chance, I fear that without a legitimate threat at the breakdown we’re going to turn over a significant amount of possession and struggle to cause turnovers. Guessing that’s why Tolu Latu is starting…
James O'Connor confirmed to start in Bledisloe 1 as Wallabies make shock change at hooker
Hard to disagree with that, he fits the Brian O’driscoll mold but lacks experience defending at 13 at this level.
Still think his best position is on the bench covering the inside backs or as a super-sub in a pinch, but I’d love to be proven wrong.
James O'Connor confirmed to start in Bledisloe 1 as Wallabies make shock change at hooker
Goodhue and Lienert-Brown will likely find a great deal of success in the midfield, especially considering O’connor has lost a step of pace since last starting.
I understand that he’ll stand at 12 on the ball and defend at 13, but can’t help but think it’s more of the same musical chairs.
Definitely applaud the decision to try something different, although I’m still unsure why Salakai-Loto is starting.
Our backrow will definitely struggle and we’ll be lucky to achieve parity at the breakdown, although our line-out will continue to be a strength assuming Latu can throw straight.
Was hoping Petaia would snag a bench spot but definitely understand why they’re hesitant to rush him back, still not sold on Hodge on the wing though, Banks would seem to be a safer option with the outright pace required to play wing at this level.
James O'Connor confirmed to start in Bledisloe 1 as Wallabies make shock change at hooker
Fair point, although I’d argue rewarding good form at super rugby level instead of gifting jerseys to the usual gang of under-performers should be a tactic we try before resorting to reformed “bad boys”.
James O’Connor lines up Wallabies return after signing with the Reds
I agree with giving everyone a fair go, my point is merely that he’s been given several.
Plus every person you just mentioned has toiled away in super rugby and performed consistently (or semi-consistently in Quade’s case), while O’connor has yet to prove he’s little more than the Justin Beiber of provincial Australia rugby.
Having him back is great for depth, but I still think he should be made to play a full trouble-free season of super rugby before he walks into a gold jersey.
James O’Connor lines up Wallabies return after signing with the Reds
I remember this one tackle attempt on Rene Ranger pretty well..
James O’Connor lines up Wallabies return after signing with the Reds
I’ve kept an eye on his exploits overseas and he’s been solid for Sale when fit and healthy.
I agree his versatility is definitely a strength but I’d argue Hodge is a much better utility option. Can play 10-15, kick long range and is 6ft 3 which will help with the onslaught of high balls the wallabies will inevitably face with Folau gone.
Done his time? He walks from one contract to another every time he does something stupid..
Had he come through a full season of super rugby and shown a level head and decent form I’d be more than happy to give him a chance, but allowing a player with his track record to walk right back into the side is beyond a joke.
Welcoming Skelton back into the squad would have been a much better story…
James O’Connor lines up Wallabies return after signing with the Reds
I seem to remember O’connor having fairly suspect defence and a pretty piss-poor attitude…
I couldn’t pick him in our world cup squad as he isn’t the best player in any particular position, nor is he the best utility.
10? We’ve got Leiliafano, Foley & Cooper
12? Kerevi, daylight, Toomua, Beale, Meakes
13? Kuridrani, Petaia, AAC, Hodge
Back three? Koroibete, Banks, Maddocks, Haylett-Petty, Beale, Hodge, Pulu.
Plus, do we honestly have enough room for another dick head with a coke habit?
James O’Connor lines up Wallabies return after signing with the Reds
Definitely agree, the Jaguares have a fantastic team but from a commercial point of view I can’t think of a more volatile market than south america.
I think so, super rugby has been on the decline for quite a while and viewership numbers are nothing in this country compared to the AFL and NRL (free to air t.v would definitely help but can’t see that happening in the near future).
We’re moving towards a global rugby season, so this should probably extend to provincial rugby as well.
Conferences could be Africa + the America’s, Europe 1 & 2, Asia Pacific (definitely time for a pacific island team)
Unsure whether it would be commercially viable though and the European unions are ridiculously snobby but hey, a man can dream.
Sunwolves reportedly axed from Super Rugby
Looks like South Africa are still pissed about that loss in 2015…
Disappointing considering they’ve shown a great deal of improvement and Japan seems to have a healthy appetite for top flight rugby.
I’d argue that the Jaguares should get the boot before the Sunwolves do…
Sunwolves reportedly axed from Super Rugby
Folau Fainga’a maybe lol. Israel’s best rugby is way behind him. He’s a shadow of his former self and also injured.
'Eddie got found out': Jones in spotlight as 'ferocious' Fiji leave Wallabies RWC hopes hanging by thread in 69 year first