[2014 TRC] Australia v New Zealand in Sydney (16/08/2014)

[RoosTah]

Australia is looking desperately thin up front for this match, and I have a feeling we're going to get pushed around a bit up front with stocks as low as they are.

Looking forward to it, but it's going to be a big ask with the injury toll against such a formidable ABs outfit.

 

[squirrel]

Still think Folau should be on the wing with Beale at fullback, teams are figuring out Folau at the back

 

[RoosTah]

Still think Folau should be on the wing with Beale at fullback, teams are figuring out Folau at the back

I actually I'm beginning to come around to this view... Beale's defence problems would be relatively hidden at the back, and pushing Folau to the wing would create more opportunities in attack for the team. It's also increasingly attractive given the lack of quality wingers in Australia right now. Folau excelled at wing in the test season last year and against the Lions in particular. The only problem is that it takes some security away from high balls, which Folau is a master at.

 

[Guilty]

I actually I'm beginning to come around to this view... Beale's defence problems would be relatively hidden at the back, and pushing Folau to the wing would create more opportunities in attack for the team. It's also increasingly attractive given the lack of quality wingers in Australia right now. Folau excelled at wing in the test season last year and against the Lions in particular. The only problem is that it takes some security away from high balls, which Folau is a master at.

So am I sanzar, last year I was vehemently opposed to Folau not being at #15 but it is a crime not having Beale in the starting lineup. Still would rather see Beale and AAC given the chance starting in the centers though...

Anyone else noticed Folau has been pretty quiet for the past few games now? I suppose everyone double covering him opens up opportunities for his teammates which is a good outcome or does anyone think defenses are figuring him out?

 

[Guilty]

Australia is looking desperately thin up front for this match, and I have a feeling we're going to get pushed around a bit up front with stocks as low as they are.

Looking forward to it, but it's going to be a big ask with the injury toll against such a formidable ABs outfit.

100% agree but nobody seems to be talking about it which has surprised me.

Edit. And... I just read that Latu is now out with a broken arm and has been replaced by 6th choice Faingaa. Wow. Wishing to a speedy recovery for TPN.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Latu being out might be a blessing in disguise if his throwing in at the lineout in that S15 final was anything to go by. One throw was so wonky and thrown so close to the Tah's side, but Sam Whitelock still managed to read it and stretch over to steal it.

 

[squirrel]

steven moore a huge loss, he's been boss until his injury

 

[Jaguares]

Kurtley Beale to start at flyhalf this Saturday!!!!!! OMG! I can't believe it

1. James Slipper (vc – Queensland Reds)
2. Nathan Charles (Western Force)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (c – NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
9. Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
10. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
11. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc – NSW Waratahs)
14. Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)


Reserves*
James Hanson (Queensland Reds)
Pek Cowan (Western Force)
Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
Ben McCalman (Western Force)
Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies)

 

[squirrel]

cant see that team winning

 

[hjklhjkl]

Great to see Two Dads in the 13 jersey but Beale at 10? pretty big call, surely Foley would be the better choice.

 

[Darwin]

Wallabies: Israel Folau, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Nic White, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (capt), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Nathan Charles, James Slipper.
Reserves: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani (one to be omitted).

A couple of interesting selections! Obviously the main talking point will be Beale selection at 10 ahead of Foley. It is obviously a bit of a gamble - Beale hasn't started a game at 10 all year - but he is a quality player. It will be interesting to see whether it is he or White taking the goal-kicking duties. It is good to see Ashley-Cooper back in his best position, but Australia are seriously lacking firepower out wide. McCabe and Horne are both solid reliable wings, but you would have to think that they are the slowest wing combination the Wallabies have ever fielded.....

The forward pack is as expected with Carter starting at lock and Skelton on the bench. The depth in the front row is certainly being tested, as Pek Cowan and James Hanson aren't really test quality front-rowers....

 

[Jaguares]

Wallabies: Israel Folau, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Nic White, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (capt), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Nathan Charles, James Slipper.
Reserves: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani (one to be omitted).

A couple of interesting selections! Obviously the main talking point will be Beale selection at 10 ahead of Foley. It is obviously a bit of a gamble - Beale hasn't started a game at 10 all year - but he is a quality player. It will be interesting to see whether it is he or White taking the goal-kicking duties. It is good to see Ashley-Cooper back in his best position, but Australia is seriously lacking firepower out wide. McCabe and Horne are both solid reliable wings, but you would have to think that they are the slowest wing combination the Wallabies have ever fielded.....

The forward pack is as expected with Carter starting at lock and Skelton on the bench. The depth in the front row is certainly being tested, as Pek Cowan and James Hanson aren't really test quality front-rowers....

Sorry, mate. I went faster

 

[RoosTah]

Great to see Two Dads in the 13 jersey but Beale at 10? pretty big call, surely Foley would be the better choice.

Different players. Foley doesn't quite have the pass of Beale, and both aren't quite strong enough defenders to start together.

I imagine Link wants Beale's distribution skills, but wants the channels defence to be strong enough to withstand the kiwis and so is opting for the hard tackling Toomua to take the heat off Beale a bit.

 

[Jaguares]

A very risky move by Link, I was confident of Wallaby's victory if they kept the backline that won 7 consecutive wins. But now I'm not sure...

 

[RoosTah]

A very risky move by Link, I was confident of Wallaby's victory if they kept the backline that won 7 consecutive wins. But now I'm not sure...

You really ought to be more confident. Beale's defence is obviously an issue just like it was for Cooper, but he's got some of the best defenders in Australia around him in that back line and in the forwards, and he's got the best long passing game in Australia after Cooper (something he demonstrated against the Crusaders).

I was pessimistic leading into this week's match, because I just didn't think Toomua and Foley would have enough between them to trouble the Kiwi defence, but Beale adds something different and I think the Wallabies will need as many attacking weapons as possible if they're going to be a chance.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Kurtley Beale to start at flyhalf this Saturday!!!!!! OMG! I can't believe it

1. James Slipper (vc â€" Queensland Reds)
2. Nathan Charles (Western Force)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (c â€" NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
9. Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
10. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
11. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc â€" NSW Waratahs)
14. Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)


Reserves*
James Hanson (Queensland Reds)
Pek Cowan (Western Force)
Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
Ben McCalman (Western Force)
Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies)

You've put too many subs on the bench. Foley is not in the squad of 23.

 

[RoosTah]

You've put too many subs on the bench. Foley is not in the squad of 23.

One is to be omitted.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

One is to be omitted.

Ok. I stand corrected.

My guess is one of McCalman or Higginbotham.

 

[donmcdazzle]

You really ought to be more confident. Beale's defence is obviously an issue just like it was for Cooper, but he's got some of the best defenders in Australia around him in that back line and in the forwards, and he's got the best long passing game in Australia after Cooper (something he demonstrated against the Crusaders).

I was pessimistic leading into this week's match, because I just didn't think Toomua and Foley would have enough between them to trouble the Kiwi defence, but Beale adds something different and I think the Wallabies will need as many attacking weapons as possible if they're going to be a chance.

Which is why it is weird they've put potentially the two most defensive minded wingers in Aussie on the wings eh? I know you've had injuries but Horne on the wing is a very conservative move IMO.

 

[RoosTah]

Which is why it is weird they've put potentially the two most defensive minded wingers in Aussie on the wings eh? I know you've had injuries but Horne on the wing is a very conservative move IMO.

Horne has been really great for the Tahs all season, and he's got more pace than people give him credit for. McCabe is a similar story, and if there's one position you'd want for players that don't like passing, it's probably the wing.

The problem is that Australia just don't have any standout wingers other than Speight at the moment... O'Connor would be handy there, and I'd argue Foley would do a job there too, but it looks like McKenzie is going for a team that can shut down the All Blacks wide moves, whilst also offering unpredictability in attack.