Rugby Championship: Argentina - Australia (06/10/2012)

[InsaneAsylum]

word on the street is that timani, cummins and tapuai all trained in starting positions.

 

[Darwin]

word on the street is that timani, cummins and tapuai all trained in starting positions.

Yeah, I just read the same thing here (perhaps the people on the street read this too). They seem to think Harris will be starting at fullback, with Timani starting at 6 (which would certainly add some size to the Aussie pack!), Slipper starting ahead of Robinson, while Cummins ran on Ioane's wing (who didn't train as he was injured).

 

[madflyhalf]

So, if Timani will be the starting 6, Higginbotham would be the starting 8-man?

I really hope NOT. Even the most useless Dave Dennis (playing fairly good until last week debacle, but he was not the only to blame) is more useful than Higginbotham, at least he would be meat thrown in rucks and mauls, not a seagull wheeling out on the wing!

On SMH Growden said Dennis spot is under threat, but I don't think so, firstly Higginbotham is still crocked, secondly he is good when coming from the bench on the 55-60' mark. Definetly not a starting man.

As I said before, I'd prefer Gill and Hooper packing at flanks and Dennis 8. Some willing youth there, please!

 

[JG52Hummel]

Based on what he has done in the field vs the Springbooks last Saturday, Harris is definitely the man to get started. On the other hand it makes small difference, as the Pumas will get this game, as they deserve to win one for the awesomeness they showed in all their games in this Rugby Championship. Chapeau!

 

[admartian]

I think it'd be in NZ's best interest that we give them Ranger, Anscombe, and other castoffs in trade for them to stop poaching every other NZ talent (whether it be in sport - see Rugby League, or entertainment, or food etc) from here on in.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

As I said before, I'd prefer Gill and Hooper packing at flanks and Dennis 8. Some willing youth there, please!

Gill and Hooper are great, mark them down for the future. they both need to carry a bit more bulk though, maybe not to the extent of pocock's upper mass but you get the idea.

 

[manu-white]

Argentina lose by 40 points at home and no one says a word about how poor that is, Aussie get distinctly less pumped away from home with massive injuries and they're a drowning fish. People need to treat the Pumas like adults, they are professionals... we don't have to treat them like Oscar Pistorius "ohhh your an inspiration...here's my self-indulgent pity" until he beats us able-bodied people.

 

[marianodan]

Argentina lose by 40 points at home and no one says a word about how poor that is, Aussie get distinctly less pumped away from home with massive injuries and they're a drowning fish. People need to treat the Pumas like adults, they are professionals... we don't have to treat them like Oscar Pistorius "ohhh your an inspiration...here's my self-indulgent pity" until he beats us able-bodied people.

pity? didn't you watch any Pumas game before last saturday's?

 

[manu-white]

yes no wins, who plays for "good effort" and a pat on the back... a bit demeaning isn't it. Once Argentina beat someone... then we can treat them with contempt like we do Australia but until then it'll just be a smug comment and a generous wink to the 40 year old that just learnt how to ride a bike.

 

[nickdnz]

yes no wins, who plays for "good effort" and a pat on the back... a bit demeaning isn't it. Once Argentina beat someone... then we can treat them with contempt like we do Australia but until then it'll just be a smug comment and a generous wink to the 40 year old that just learnt how to ride a bike.

Lol. I think everyones attitude to Argentina is not patronising but welcoming and enjoying the change. Yes they are professionals, but they're also ranked at least three places behind the other teams, have no domestic league and are playing in their first regular top competition. Every result should be held in perspective, with Argentina developing and getting used to the most intense rugby competition on the planet. There is respect for Argentina, and the way they play with passion and sportsmanship despite being underdogs in this tournament is why people want to see them succeed. It's true Argentina hasn't given NZ, Aus or SA any reason to really dislike them - as we haven't got the same kind of history and intense rivalry that the other teams have had for nearly a century.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

couldn't agree more, the pumas have proven they are worthy competitors in this competition. Last week they happened to come up against a clinical All Blacks, everything just clicked. prior to that, a narrow loss to the wallabies and a draw with the springboks.

 

[smartcooky]

This is the team that lost to Scotland earlier in the year

Starting
15 Luke Morahan
14 Joe Tomane
13 Anthony Faingaa
12 Mike Harris
11 Digby Ioane
10 Berrick Barnes
9 Will Genia
1 James Slipper
2 Stephen Moore
3 Dan Palmer
4 Sitaleki Timani
5 Nathan Sharpe
6 Dave Dennis
7 David Pocock (c)
8 Scott Higginbotham

Replacements
16 Saia Faingaa
17 Ben Alexander
18 Rob Simmons
19 Michael Hooper
20 Nick Phipps
21 Pat McCabe
22 Adam Ashley-Cooper

The players in Red are injured and will be out, or are likely to be out, of the return match against Argentina.

How close to this will the selected Wallabies team get, because if the team is similar to this then they could be in serious trouble

 

[Darwin]

This is the team that lost to Scotland earlier in the year

Starting
15 Luke Morahan
14 Joe Tomane
13 Anthony Faingaa
12 Mike Harris
11 Digby Ioane
10 Berrick Barnes
9 Will Genia
1 James Slipper
2 Stephen Moore
3 Dan Palmer
4 Sitaleki Timani
5 Nathan Sharpe
6 Dave Dennis
7 David Pocock (c)
8 Scott Higginbotham

Replacements
16 Saia Faingaa
17 Ben Alexander
18 Rob Simmons
19 Michael Hooper
20 Nick Phipps
21 Pat McCabe
22 Adam Ashley-Cooper

The players in Red are injured and will be out, or are likely to be out, of the return match against Argentina.

How close to this will the selected Wallabies team get, because if the team is similar to this then they could be in serious trouble

You can add Tomane, Pocock, and Palmer to the list of players out injured, while Higginbotham is also in doubt.....

 

[Big Ewis]

Argentina, after coming close to BIG upsets a few times on the road, as at home (vs Boks) will be hosting this one for their last go at a win in their first ever RC. With the kind of heart they've shown, and the ability to counter-attack when least expected; they'll have plenty of vitality and energy at home for this one. Plus, Australia is totally banged up.
I've got Argentina for this one. Even if they lose, there's no way they get crushed, this will be a tight game.

 

[Gena_ZA]

I reckon Aus will play a very intelligent game and take this one narrowly, against all odds

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Australia without Genia, Horwill, Samo, Ioane, Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell, Pocock, Higginbotham, Polota-Nau... It will be close but the experience will determine this match in Aus. favor although I would not be completely surprised if the Pumas sneak past the Wallabies for this one.

 

[Colombia]

If Argentina play to their strengths and kick their goals they will win.

Lol. I think everyones attitude to Argentina is not patronising but welcoming and enjoying the change. Yes they are professionals, but they're also ranked at least three places behind the other teams, have no domestic league and are playing in their first regular top competition. Every result should be held in perspective.

Well yes, particularly since they're only at the start of their (NH) season and some of their players don't even have professional contracts.

Last weekend was an uncharacteristic blip for them, terrible performance on their behalf but notable for it's isolation in relation to the other performances.

 

[madflyhalf]

Gill and Hooper are great, mark them down for the future. they both need to carry a bit more bulk though, maybe not to the extent of pocock's upper mass but you get the idea.

Absolutely, and as I said before during the Super Rugby season, Gill is impressive for his support and his tight game, space play vs. ball play... one of the smartest youngster ever seen, and in the last Super Rugby he's been the IN FORM openside for 3/4 of the season, an amazing breakdown animal who, I dare to say, reminds me the early Richie McCaw.

The path at international level is very long, and as you suggest he has to put some weight on (upper body, no more than 5 kilos I think), but he's just 20, potentially he can be one of the best openside ever seen in world rugby and also a good leader!

 

[psychic duck]

Australia without Genia, Horwill, Samo, Ioane, Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell, Pocock, Higginbotham, Polota-Nau... It will be close but the experience will determine this match in Aus. favor although I would not be completely surprised if the Pumas sneak past the Wallabies for this one.

With all those players missing, the Wallabies side will be more inexperienced, and have several players who have only just started their international careers.

Whilst Argentina have the likes of Roncero, Fernández Lobbe, Albacete, Carizza, Leguizamón, Agulla all of whom have been in the side for the all of Phelan's coaching stint.

The Pumas have the more experience.

To be honest, I think this is Argentina's to lose. If they can't beat an Australian side this depleted, they may be waiting a while to get a first victory in the tournament.

Any Tier 1 side would fancy their chances against this Australia side, Samoa and Scotland have beaten a similarly weakened side away from home, so Argentina at home should be able to as well.

 

[madflyhalf]

Australia:

15 Mike Harris
14 Nick Cummins
13 Ben Tapuai
12 Pat McCabe
11 Digby Ioane
10 Kurtley Beale
9 Nick Phipps
8 Radike Samo
7 Michael Hooper
6 Sitaleki Timani
5 Nathan Sharpe (capt)
4 Kane Douglas
3 Ben Alexander
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau
1 James Slipper

Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Dominic Shipperley


I quite like it, giving all the injuries... I have faith on Cummins and Tapuai, especially for their enthusiasm, but about Timani at 6 I have some doubt, because he will front more Pumas' strenghts than the 2 backs, won't be easy for him but he can provide some physical presence at the bd, Dennis didn't play well in his last test.