[EOYT] Scotland V Australia 23/11/13

[Ragey Erasmus]

Scotland had better hope it rains so hard that they are practically swimming. I can't see them winning under any other circumstances.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Toomua ruled out with a partial hammy tear... on a plane home and will miss playing Wales as well.

Selection dilemmas for Link now, move Izzy to 13 or keep him at 15. Lealiifano will start at 12, tomane on a wing. chris F-S or betham on the other.

it would be interesting if the backline was 9. genia 10. cooper 11. tomane 12. lealiifano 13. chris F-S 14. betham 15. folau
would it be the first time in history not a single European descendant appeared in the wallabies backline?

 

[g6mcg]

Scotland had better hope it rains so hard that they are practically swimming. I can't see them winning under any other circumstances.

With Jackson at 10 (probably) there's little hope of us getting any distance on kicks, and we've been looking shaky on our own throws. Not sure if that's Ford's fault, Hamilton's always seemed better at disrupting the opposition than securing our ball.

 

[Darwin]

Despite the fact the Australia side will be heavily depleted through injury and suspension you would have to think they would still start as firm favourites. However I think it would be a mistake to write Scotland off completely - especially if we get a bit of rain. Scotland have a big forward pack, and if they are able to turn it into a forward battle it could be a close match. If they let Australia turn it into a 7's match they have little chance though.

Given the injuries and suspensions the Australian side should look something along the lines of:

1. Slipper, 2. Moore, 3. Kepu, 4. Simmons, 5. Horwill, 6. Fardy, 7. Hooper, 8. Mowen, 9. Genia, 10. Cooper, 11. Feauai-Sautia, 12. Lealiifano, 13. Harris, 14. Tomane, 15. Folau

16. Fainga'a, 17. Alexander, 18. Ryan, 19. Timani, 20. McCalman, 21. White, 22. Foley, 23. Betham

That would be an unchanged forward pack, but there would be a lot of changes in the backline! While individually there is plenty of talent, the lack of established combinations could prove an issue. There is the option of playing Foley at fullback with Folau switching to the wing and Feauai-Sautia to centre, but I imagine they will not be keen to move Folau away from a position he has been so successful in. They may look at a 6-2 split on the bench too (with Dennis instead of Betham).

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Now with Toomua injured and
Lealiifano injured
Kuridrani banned
ACC suspended
Giteau unavaiable
JO'C unavailable...

well, Aus are certainly developing their depth. Recall Mortlock? Oh, wait I see Lealiifano is back. Not a moment too soon as well.

How is the injury front for Scotland? I read somewhere that there was something like 11 players with concerns though mostly minor?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Christian Leali'ifano, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben Mowen (capt), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nic White, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Bernard Foley.

Not a bad team everything considered. I suppose I should stop making quips about Aussie depth.

 

[David Smith]

I guess the idea will be to give to our back three with Old man Mikey there and Kicker Leo in the centres. Still better then Scotland

 

[g6mcg]

I guess the idea will be to give to our back three with Old man Mikey there and Kicker Leo in the centres. Still better then Scotland

Was about to say, that team still looks a hell of a lot better than ours!

 

[Big Ewis]

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Christian Leali'ifano, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben Mowen (capt), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nic White, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Bernard Foley.

Not a bad team everything considered. I suppose I should stop making quips about Aussie depth.

I concur. Depth hasn't been the problem for Australia this year as many (incl. myself) thought for a long time. It's just holes in select positions that have.

Was about to say, that team still looks a hell of a lot better than ours!

Good modesty right there. I'm sure Scotland has a big game in its gut somewhere, if not this one, then sometime in the 6N. Who knows, maybe they'll take down France or England in MF.
Good luck anyhow.

 

[Will]

Good to see the usual Australian restraint and respect shown there. By all means Australia are favourites, and after Scotland's performance against SA it's only fair. I do like when Scotland can come up with the odd upset though, yes of course because I'm a Scotland fan, but just as much also because it must irk the arrogant fans of certain nations that exist out there.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

scotland teams up
15 Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps, 1 try, 5 points
14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
13 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby) 40 caps, 1 try, 5 points
12 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 5 caps
11 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 81 caps, 12 tries, 60 points
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps, 1 try, 2 conversions, 9 points
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, 3 tries, 23 conversions, 49 penalties, 208 points
1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 12 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 70 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps
4 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 caps
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) 49 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) 25 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 59 caps, 4 tries, 20 points CAPTAIN
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 16 caps
Substitutes
16 Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 29 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors) 57 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
19 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
20 Kieran Low (London Irish) uncapped
21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 63 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
22 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps, 3 conversions, 2 penalties, 2 drop-goals 18 points
23 Max Evans (Castres) 36 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

im so annoyed not to see richie gray on i dont think he's injured

 

[Big Ewis]

great to see Brown back, and as captain. He's ever so discreet but always makes an impact on the game.

 

[g6mcg]

great to see Brown back, and as captain. He's ever so discreet but always makes an impact on the game.

One of our best back rowers, but not a 7. Would have loved to have seen him with Fusaro.

On the team, glad to see Weir in (not sure he's better, but we're not losing much with Jackson), but would have liked Cusiter in at 9 too for cleaner delivery. Would have considered Taylor at 15, which I think is his preferred position, and Maitland to the wing. Team looks like we'l be going for a scrappier style - no 7, Laidlaw and Weir over Cusiter and Jackson.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

One of our best back rowers, but not a 7. Would have loved to have seen him with Fusaro.

On the team, glad to see Weir in (not sure he's better, but we're not losing much with Jackson), but would have liked Cusiter in at 9 too for cleaner delivery. Would have considered Taylor at 15, which I think is his preferred position, and Maitland to the wing. Team looks like we'l be going for a scrappier style - no 7, Laidlaw and Weir over Cusiter and Jackson.

maybe not taylor but i would have love to seen one off the edinburgh fullbacks like tom brown, jack cuthbert or greig tonks having a turn at full back and let maitland play winger

 

[g6mcg]

maybe not taylor but i would have love to seen one off the edinburgh fullbacks like tom brown, jack cuthbert or greig tonks having a turn at full back and let maitland play winger

Ideally I'd like to see Tonks, but I was just talking about the ten backs Johnson had announced as being in the squad the other day.

 

[Darwin]

The Aussie side is more or less as expected - I'm just not sure about the make-up of the midfield. Both Harris and Lealiifano are better suited to 12, but I would have thought Harris would have been a better bet at 13, as at least he has played their occasionally for the Reds. The midfield combination is the obvious weakness in that Australian side - I have no idea how they fill function on attack or defense. However I don't think Scotland have the midfield backs to exploit Australia's lack of experience/combinations in this area. It will be interesting to see who Australia use as there first choice goal-kicker - Cooper has been doing a pretty good job for the Wallabies, but Lealiifano was kikcing very well at the start if the season, while Mike Harris is probably the best goal-kicker of the three (though hasn't played much this year). I'm looking forward to seeing Feauai-Sautia get a bit of ball - he is still very young (only turned 20 last week), but looks to have the skills, pace, and power to develop into a world class wing (or centre).

 

[g6mcg]

The Aussie side is more or less as expected - I'm just not sure about the make-up of the midfield. Both Harris and Lealiifano are better suited to 12, but I would have thought Harris would have been a better bet at 13, as at least he has played their occasionally for the Reds. The midfield combination is the obvious weakness in that Australian side - I have no idea how they fill function on attack or defense. However I don't think Scotland have the midfield backs to exploit Australia's lack of experience/combinations in this area. It will be interesting to see who Australia use as there first choice goal-kicker - Cooper has been doing a pretty good job for the Wallabies, but Lealiifano was kikcing very well at the start if the season, while Mike Harris is probably the best goal-kicker of the three (though hasn't played much this year). I'm looking forward to seeing Feauai-Sautia get a bit of ball - he is still very young (only turned 20 last week), but looks to have the skills, pace, and power to develop into a world class wing (or centre).

Yup, think you're right on that one! Taylor looks promising, but is very inexperienced (5 tests), as is Weir at 10. De Luca's had more caps (40!), but I doubt anyone can recall him doing anything remarkable in them. For the record, I'm not counting dropping the ball/missing tackles as remarkable, as I can't remember the last time Scotland had backs who didn't do that!

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Yup, think you're right on that one! Taylor looks promising, but is very inexperienced (5 tests), as is Weir at 10. De Luca's had more caps (40!), but I doubt anyone can recall him doing anything remarkable in them. For the record, I'm not counting dropping the ball/missing tackles as remarkable, as I can't remember the last time Scotland had backs who didn't do that!

its just unlucky we dont have matt scott available for the game i think he's only 21 and have lots of potential

 

[g6mcg]

He's a very good player, would have loved to have seen him and Ansbro in midfield. With him at 12 and our back 3 (with Hogg and Visser back) we're close to having a respectable backline!

Edit: And then Bennett can slot in at 13, and all we'll have to moan about is our fly half! And how all our once-decent backs have caught Scotland-itis, no doubt.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

He's a very good player, would have loved to have seen him and Ansbro in midfield. With him at 12 and our back 3 (with Hogg and Visser back) we're close to having a respectable backline!

Edit: And then Bennett can slot in at 13, and all we'll have to moan about is our fly half! And how all our once-decent backs have caught Scotland-itis, no doubt.

in my opinion i think duncan weir is scotlands only 'decent' fly-half and he is only 22 i just dont like jackson he kicks it to much weir only kicks when he have 2