[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Australia

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i think this is the last one i'll make for a while till some more fixtures have been announced so here is australia's fixtures
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at the start off the season for australia it hasn't been great which got them moved down for 3rd but they got back on track in the November tests. now let have a look at players to look out for shall we. now i remember Henry Speight was a big name as it was said that he wanted to play for australia but im not sure if that is still going on. Israel Folau no doubt the best option at full-back there is no question about it. in the centers i would fancy giving Aidan Toua a little turn in the XV for australia. and im not sure about any other players to counter but who should be the 10 ? Kurtley Beale or Quade Cooper or anyone else who you think should be in the wallabies side. and someone i nearly for got about who is playing well for the warantahs is Alofa Alofa im sure there is alot off talent from him to come.

so the australian fixtures for this year goes like:

Australia vs France
7 June 2014, 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia

Australia vs France
14 June 2014, 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Australia

Australia vs France
21 June 2014, 15:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia


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[TheSaffycen]

I'm pretty sure Toomua is going to be the starting 12 for Australia. He absolutely bossed Beale when the Brumbies played the Tahs with his physicality and tackling. They do have a brilliant pool of backs too choose from.

 

[Big Ewis]

I'm pretty sure Toomua is going to be the starting 12 for Australia. He absolutely bossed Beale when the Brumbies played the Tahs with his physicality and tackling. They do have a brilliant pool of backs too choose from.

dude, do you literally watch EVERY league in the world ??

 

[Shaggy]

I'm pretty sure Toomua is going to be the starting 12 for Australia. He absolutely bossed Beale when the Brumbies played the Tahs with his physicality and tackling. They do have a brilliant pool of backs too choose from.

Except that Toomua has been starting at 10 for the Brumbies this year (including the game you mentioned), where as Kurtley Beale has been playing at 12 for the Tahs, with the likes of Folau running great lines off his breaks. My personal opinion is that the Tahs forwards got outclassed by the Brumbies, negating the Tahs backline of front froot go forward/time, allowing the big hits on Beale. Other options for 12 could be Pat McCabe, who is playing so much better at 12 this year, now that he has a license to run, or Leilifano if and when he comes back from injury. Kyle Goodwin from the Force is another option.

I see Cooper starting at 10, with perhaps Toomua as the backup on the bench

 

[Draggs]

Except that Toomua has been starting at 10 for the Brumbies this year (including the game you mentioned), where as Kurtley Beale has been playing at 12 for the Tahs, with the likes of Folau running great lines off his breaks. My personal opinion is that the Tahs forwards got outclassed by the Brumbies, negating the Tahs backline of front froot go forward/time, allowing the big hits on Beale. Other options for 12 could be Pat McCabe, who is playing so much better at 12 this year, now that he has a license to run, or Leilifano if and when he comes back from injury. Kyle Goodwin from the Force is another option.

I see Cooper starting at 10, with perhaps Toomua as the backup on the bench

Curious to see how the Brumbies react when Leali'ifano returns. Toomua was solid at inside centre in November. He must be on the bench at least. Cooper Beale could be a five eighths pairing. McCabe looking good playing his own game too.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Yeah Toomua plays 10 but Cooper has been playing well with Genia and that young guy who scored against the Brumbies. He has the physicality to play 12 and with McKenzie he aint moving cooper, so 12 is up for grabs Cooper and Beale going forward is very good but defensively aren't great. Cooper has improved but Beale is still a big weakness. You don't have this problem with McCabe/Toomua.

dude, do you literally watch EVERY league in the world ??

I try my hardest and I don't have work in the morning so I just fit In all rugby I can !

 

[Big Ewis]

Apparently Folau has an issue with his throat. I've read he's in doubt for this summer's tests, which I really do not wish. Anybody know more about his situation ?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Apparently Folau has an issue with his throat. I've read he's in doubt for this summer's tests, which I really do not wish. Anybody know more about his situation ?

He's in doubt, but only because the ARU hasn't released any medical report other than to say he couldn't play this past weekend, whereas the Waratahs thought he was fine.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Big, E. I am dead sure Folau is just fine and the ARU just pulled a stunt to rest him for what was a tough derby in which he would invariably be targeted. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the derby against the Force the match in which he got injured in the first place? The player himself says he's fine and is confused about being held back.

As for an Aussie backline. I think going 10.Cooper, 12.Beale would be too much of a risk at test level. I can just see guys like Alberts/Nonu/Savea/JPP/Read etc targeting that huge gaping hole all day. Is it so bad to have a guy like Beale on the bench? That way you have balance on the field and quality back-up on the bench. I mean you don't HAVE to have the best 15 guys you have all on the field at the same time if they don't truely complement one another right?

 

[Big Ewis]

yeh stormer I kind of feel what you're saying could be true...but "officially", whatever weight that has..., he's suspected to be out 6 months.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Kurindrani or AAC at 13? I thought Kurindrani looked a very handy prospect when he played in the RC and November internationals.

At 12, I think Australia need Leali'ifano's world class kicking under pressure. Cooper has missed a few pressure kicks and he can then concentrate on his playmaking skills. Although the Wallabies do have Tommua and Beale as other options at 12; so plenty of options there.

Front 5 is the problem area for the Wallabies IMO. Clearly Horwill needs to regain the form of 3 years ago. Looks like they'll play:
Slipper, Moore, Kepu, Simmons and Horwill again. Apart from Stephen Moore, there aren't really any world class options there.

 

[Darwin]

It will be interesting to see what the Aussie backline looks like. Barring injury I expect we will see 9. Genia, 10. Cooper, 15. Folau, but the other positions are up for grabs IMO.

I see 4 genuine contenders for the 12 jersey: Toomua, McCabe, Lealiifano, and Beale. Who they pick will depend on the gameplan, and whether or not they trust Cooper to kick his goals. Toomua is the incumbent and is playing good rugby (albeit at 10). He is a good defender and offers the 2nd playmaker option. For me McCabe is the form 12 in Australian rugby. He isn't overly popular, but he is arguably the best defensive 12 in world rugby, and (when used correctly) can be handy on attack as he can run superb lines. Lealiifano is solid, but apart from goalkicking offers less than the other 3 options. I'm still not convinced with Beale at test level - he's looked good in open games for the Tahs, but I'm not convinced he can be relied on to make 10+ tackles per game (which you often need to as a test 12). Personally I would be tempted to go for McCabe, but I don't think he would be a popular choice...

13 is between AAC and Kuridrani, and personally I would pick AAC everytime. Kuridrani has a fantastic combination of pace and power, but he really doesn't do that much with it, and his distribution needs a lot of work (not that AAC is a great passer either..). There is a good chance we will see both players starting, with AAC on one wing (which I'm not a fan of). Wings are anyones guess, as there are no standouts in my opinon (apart from Speight who isn't yet eligible...). Basically it is a case of picking 2 out of Tomane, F-Sautia, Morahan, Cummins, Turner, Betham (or the other 10 wings I can't think of at the moment....).

 

[Big Ewis]

I can see France winning the first one. Bam, big surprise, "France looked focus, their NH physicality and scrum prevailed, wow, France look" good blah blah blah...and then we lose the next two, including one not even close effort.

This is Australia's international début to 2014, and they're at home and will want to make everybody forget about 2013.

I just really, really hope France at least show up and play as a team at a minimum so this can be interesting. Seriously, who wants to watch one team totally dysfunctional and unable to use their strengths, whether they win/lose/get crushed in a game ?? Even Aussie fans will lose interest, there's no glory in beating and already self-beaten side...that's like winning on difficulty 'easy' in video games, or using cheat codes.

Hah...that's not bad actually: beating an off-form France is like beating a videogame with cheat codes on.

Anyways I'm just saying I hope Folau and Cooper and the Badger and co. have to work to score their awesome tries.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I can see France winning the first one. Bam, big surprise, "France looked focus, their NH physicality and scrum prevailed, wow, France look" good blah blah blah...and then we lose the next two, including one not even close effort.

This is Australia's international début to 2014, and they're at home and will want to make everybody forget about 2013.

I just really, really hope France at least show up and play as a team at a minimum so this can be interesting. Seriously, who wants to watch one team totally dysfunctional and unable to use their strengths, whether they win/lose/get crushed in a game ?? Even Aussie fans will lose interest, there's no glory in beating and already self-beaten side...that's like winning on difficulty 'easy' in video games, or using cheat codes.

Hah...that's not bad actually: beating an off-form France is like beating a videogame with cheat codes on.

Anyways I'm just saying I hope Folau and Cooper and the Badger and co. have to work to score their awesome tries.

i dont see them winning at all unless PSA gets sacked

 

[Big Ewis]

i dont see them winning at all unless PSA gets sacked

mmm fair point. We'll zzeee...

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

mmm fair point. We'll zzeee...

yes, ... we will

 

[Big Ewis]

so Aussies (or anybody who knows actually...), is Israel Folau fit to play this summer or what ??

 

[Shaggy]

so Aussies (or anybody who knows actually...), is Israel Folau fit to play this summer or what ??

Well he's back playing Super Rugby now ... I guess that means he'll line up against France ... unless he gets injured again

 

[Big Ewis]

Well he's back playing Super Rugby now ... I guess that means he'll line up against France ... unless he gets injured again

oh, very good. Thought he was down this whole time. Very good news. Now d'I think about it, France hasn't played Australia in their new makeup with Folau and the honey badger and co. Last time we played was 2012, in France, when France pulled their only really good period of the PSA era.
It's a very interesting matchup if, again, France can show up and display a semblance of a gameplan and chemistry. If not, it won't be entertaining for any side of the fans.

 

[Shaggy]

oh, very good. Thought he was down this whole time. Very good news. Now d'I think about it, France hasn't played Australia in their new makeup with Folau and the honey badger and co. Last time we played was 2012, in France, when France pulled their only really good period of the PSA era.
It's a very interesting matchup if, again, France can show up and display a semblance of a gameplan and chemistry. If not, it won't be entertaining for any side of the fans.

Will be interesting to see how France play it ... Folau is a great player, but he effectively got shut out of the game for the Waratahs against the Blues last week ... the Blues didn't kick the ball to him, and Kurtly Beale, playing at 12, who usually puts Folau into the gaps, got absolutely hammered in some very hard tackles, before he could pass it to Folau.