Australia v England #2

[Wally]

Game 2.

Both squads warmed up for this Saturday's match with a mind-numbingly boring 15-9 victory to England. All penalties. I'm not sure when or even if a Babarians side has scored no tries but there you go. Australia's scrum woes were amplified as the makeshift front row of Huia Edmonds, Tatafu Palatu-Nau and James Slipper (after Weeks and Cowan were injured) were blown off the park.

"Not surprisingly, a fair proportion of the crowd of 9053 booed when full-time was sounded, giving their opinion of a dreadful encounter which thankfully was not televised, because it would have sent the game backwards by decades." - Rugbyheaven

Australia's front row injury crisis now includes:
Ben Alexander
Benn Robinson
Stephen Moore
Laurie Weeks
Pek Cowan

This means Robbie Deans has no choice but to run with the same props who were demoralised by England. The return of TPN is some good news but not even he is a proven scrummager, with his assets being a strong running and linking game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I imagine it'll be the same squad with the same gameplan as last week, for England.

Australia by 10-15

 

[Peat]

I expect to see Youngs starting, which means quicker ball for the backs.

I expect to see the England players actually defend, hit contact at pace and chase kicks, which might actually make it competitive!

Wait... change the word 'expect' for 'hope'.

 

[Duckdee]

Ben Youngs to run in a try off a ruck from the 22. Then to get subbed and dropped because he didn't give it Shaw.

Being miserable is fun.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

In the BaaBaas match yesterday morning, everyone was at least trying to run, apart from Worsely, who whenever he got the ball would just go into the nearest defender/would often nudge the SH out the way to pick and drive.
Suppose that's why he's often in the test squad, and the rest aren't: They all want to play rugby, which is something Johnson isn't interested, hence picking all the pick and go players

 

[Duckdee]

2-week Banahan.

(lolz, I'm a Sun journalist!)

 

[Peat]

At least its not the awe inspiring talent that is Mark Cueto being banned...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

At least its not the awe inspiring talent that is Mark Cueto being banned...

Oi you!
Cueto is a cracking winger, just not the fastest.

 

[Peat]

Sale fan? Oh yeah, the sig is a bit of a give away now I look...

Cueto has been England's best back this year in fairness, solid in defence and will at least break the line on occasion. I don't think he scares anyone though. I dream of an England where we produce we produce quick ball, putting our outside backs into space and attacking opportunities which will allow us to sort out the wingers into those whose attacking capabilities belong at the top table and those who don't - and Cueto's don't any more because of that lack of pace.

Mindyou, I also dream that Scarlett Johansson will come round with my winning Euromillions ticket and a profession of undying love and I know which dream is more realistic, so I'd better get used to Cueto being the best of a bad bunch for a while longer yet...

 

[Duckdee]

the best of a bad bunch

That is what Cueto is. Good enough, but not great.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I thought the team was going to be announced today, apparently not. Also, is www.rfu.com working for any else? When i go on it takes me to a "are you interested in buying this domain" type site


Apparently Tindall is a maybe for the test, with a leg injury.
If he's out i'd start Tait and have Waldouck on the bench (if he's not still injured from tuesday) - if Tindall is out that i'd keep Hape, as you need big centre and a running centre (imo) so Hape/Tait, or Barkley/Tindall (or Tindall/Tait) would all work

 

[SelimNiai]

yeah it's doing the same to me Olyy (pfft amateurs)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Someone must've forgottent to pay the bill on the domain name

 

[Peat]

Call be a mad *******, but I'd play Waldouck and Tait. The trundlers won't do the trick, we all know that. Lets take a gamble on backs who can actually create something...

Mindyou, I'd rather play one of the back row forwards at 12 than Hape.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't particularly like Hape, but i think with the right gameplan, him with a quick outside centre/supporting runner could work well. He's got a very good offload from playing League, so get him to smash the line, then offload to Tait, Ashton or Foden and have them run in the space.

Knowing Johnson though i'm braced for a 10 Wilko, 12. Flood, 13. Hape lineup





Some good news (from an English perspective): Polota-Nau has been ruled out of the next test

 

[mohamed_ali12]

God forbid Tait to start, has offered nothing in an England shirt this year, and he most definately has had his chance. Is it just me, or has a lost a bit of pace since WC 2007? I would go with 13. Waldouck, 12. Barkley, worked well enough for the first 1/2 hour of the BaaBaas game.

 

[Bargoedboy]

i would keep same back 3 ashton/cueto/foden centres barkley at 12 with hape at 13, gerraghty at 10 , care at 9 still , as he is right link for Easter, and you need him even if you do play worsley who can`t/won`t pass

 

[Peat]

Olyy, you're right that Hape's game could produce good results for a pacy 13. I just dislike him as

a) Shouldn't be in an England shirt as the residency qualifications are too lax
b) Shouldn't be in an England shirt as he's just not that good. Brad Barritt performs the same role better for one.

If he plays at 13 I will be very annoyed though.

Mohamed, completely disagree with you on Tait. He was shovelled **** ball all the way through the 6N and still managed to create more than most of the other backs. His defence was also generally very solid and he frequently does more at the breakdown than most of our supposed back rows.

I also really disagree with any notions that Danny Care should be starting. The improvement made when Ben Youngs came on was embarassing.

 

[Darwin]

Olyy, you're right that Hape's game could produce good results for a pacy 13. I just dislike him as

a) Shouldn't be in an England shirt as the residency qualifications are too lax
b) Shouldn't be in an England shirt as he's just not that good. Brad Barritt performs the same role better for one.

If he plays at 13 I will be very annoyed though.

Mohamed, completely disagree with you on Tait. He was shovelled **** ball all the way through the 6N and still managed to create more than most of the other backs. His defence was also generally very solid and he frequently does more at the breakdown than most of our supposed back rows.

I also really disagree with any notions that Danny Care should be starting. The improvement made when Ben Youngs came on was embarassing.

If you don't want Hape there based on residency qualifications, its probably not a good idea to suggest Brad Barritt as an alternative...

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I also really disagree with any notions that Danny Care should be starting. The improvement made when Ben Youngs came on was embarassing.

Nah Youngs did improve the game, he shifted ball quicker than what Care was doing. But saying that Care would have probably done the same as players were tired and Youngs was fresh. But I do think that Youngs brought a better pace to the game.