Australia v England - the decider
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Another one bites the dust. Underhill out of contention with concussion. We must be nearly level with Aussie on injuries/unavailabilities now. Maybe not.
So our two specialist 7s have bitten the dust, meanwhile Hooper continues and will be a menace at the breakdown. Eddie has to roll the dice and I'm guessing he will go with a Ludlam at 7 and Willis on the bench, which to be honest is about as good as we could hope for. Starting locks will hopefully be Hill the Hair Puller and Chessum and please, please, please anyone but Ewels on the bench. Isiekwe I'd guess (hope).
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@Catogrande said in Australia v England - the decider:
Another one bites the dust. Underhill out of contention with concussion. We must be nearly level with Aussie on injuries/unavailabilities now. Maybe not.
So our two specialist 7s have bitten the dust, meanwhile Hooper continues and will be a menace at the breakdown. Eddie has to roll the dice and I'm guessing he will go with a Ludlam at 7 and Willis on the bench, which to be honest is about as good as we could hope for. Starting locks will hopefully be Hill the Hair Puller and Chessum and please, please, please anyone but Ewels on the bench. Isiekwe I'd guess (hope).
Itoje?
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While the rugby hasn't been exactly champagne this has been a bloody good, bloody tough series and this Saturday should be awesome
Both teams flying in replacements left right and centre
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When I agreed to go to this, I mistakenly thought the new stadium was complete. Instead I'll be squinting at ants running around 100m away.
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A low scoring coin toss in this.
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@MiketheSnow said in Australia v England - the decider:
@Catogrande said in Australia v England - the decider:
Another one bites the dust. Underhill out of contention with concussion. We must be nearly level with Aussie on injuries/unavailabilities now. Maybe not.
So our two specialist 7s have bitten the dust, meanwhile Hooper continues and will be a menace at the breakdown. Eddie has to roll the dice and I'm guessing he will go with a Ludlam at 7 and Willis on the bench, which to be honest is about as good as we could hope for. Starting locks will hopefully be Hill the Hair Puller and Chessum and please, please, please anyone but Ewels on the bench. Isiekwe I'd guess (hope).
Itoje?
Goooneee. Concussion. That's him, Curry and Underhill missing for the same issue. Aus have had similar problems too.
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@Catogrande said in Australia v England - the decider:
@MiketheSnow said in Australia v England - the decider:
@Catogrande said in Australia v England - the decider:
Another one bites the dust. Underhill out of contention with concussion. We must be nearly level with Aussie on injuries/unavailabilities now. Maybe not.
So our two specialist 7s have bitten the dust, meanwhile Hooper continues and will be a menace at the breakdown. Eddie has to roll the dice and I'm guessing he will go with a Ludlam at 7 and Willis on the bench, which to be honest is about as good as we could hope for. Starting locks will hopefully be Hill the Hair Puller and Chessum and please, please, please anyone but Ewels on the bench. Isiekwe I'd guess (hope).
Itoje?
Goooneee. Concussion. That's him, Curry and Underhill missing for the same issue. Aus have had similar problems too.
Ta
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Rugby Analyst's team
Can't see Eddie dropping Smith
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Yeah I doubt he will drop Smith and he will definitely start Ludlam over Willis.
RA's selection is based on him thinking that Eddie will revert to Plan Yesterday and revert to type. I think he is too stubborn to do that and also feel that he would be right to continue on the "journey" copyright @cueball.
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@antipodean said in Australia v England - the decider:
When I agreed to go to this, I mistakenly thought the new stadium was complete. Instead I'll be squinting at ants running around 100m away.
There was a big raffle run across all the Subbies clubs. Our club guys bought maybe a dozen tickets, with a winner in every bucket of 300.
One of our guys and his mate will therefore also be squinting at the "action".
England to win
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Smith did a few good things, nothing out of the box, but was by no means bad. The halfback change actually helped Smith I thought. Eddie has clearly given this tour to him to build experience.
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1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu* -
@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu*Damn, I thought we saw the back of Reece Hodge. He somehow comes crawling back in due to injuries.
I think they need someone more adventurous at halfback aswell, Nic White has been a little sloppy in both the tests so far.
I would also have Wilson at 8, and Valetini at 6 considering that's where they predominantly play in Super.
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@Canes4life Hodge always does.
He isn't the most talented, but there is something to be said for his versatility and resilience. Id rather he start and be mediocre at 15 than have Petaia on for anywhere from 3 to 60 minutes before needing to be replaced.
Valetini is more effective in tight which is where Rennie likes his 8. Im guessing Wilson will spend a fair bit of time on the right fringe.
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@Canes4life said in Australia v England - the decider:
@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu*Damn, I thought we saw the back of Reece Hodge. He somehow comes crawling back in due to injuries.
I think they need someone more adventurous at halfback aswell, Nic White has been a little sloppy in both the tests so far.
** I would also have Wilson at 8, and Valetini at 6 considering that's where they predominantly play in Super**
I think moderninternational coaches feel like they have to change at least a couple of player’s ositions so they look like they’re doing something!
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England team announced:
England: Steward, Nowell, Porter, Farrell, Freeman, Smith, Care, B Vunipola, Ludlam, Lawes (capt), Hill, Chessum, Stuart, George, Genge.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Heyes, Isiekwe, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Joseph, Arundell
A bit surprised at Van Poortvliet being dropped to the bench, though I have to say I felt his box kicking was inches away from being charged down most of the game last week. Other than that a refreshing lack of Eddie's left-field selections.
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@Canes4life said in Australia v England - the decider:
@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:
1 James Slipper (116 Tests)
2 David Porecki (2 Tests)
3 Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4 Nick Frost (1 Test)
5 Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6 Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8 Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9 Nic White (49 Tests)
10 Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11 Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12 Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13 Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14 Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15 Reece Hodge (54 Tests)Reserves
16 Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17 Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18 Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19 Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20 Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21 Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22 Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23 Suliasi Vunivalu*Damn, I thought we saw the back of Reece Hodge. He somehow comes crawling back in due to injuries.
I think they need someone more adventurous at halfback aswell, Nic White has been a little sloppy in both the tests so far.
I would also have Wilson at 8, and Valetini at 6 considering that's where they predominantly play in Super.
Long range goal kicking option can not be underestimated
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@Catogrande said in Australia v England - the decider:
England team announced:
England: Steward, Nowell, Porter, Farrell, Freeman, Smith, Care, B Vunipola, Ludlam, Lawes (capt), Hill, Chessum, Stuart, George, Genge.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Heyes, Isiekwe, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Joseph, Arundell
A bit surprised at Van Poortvliet being dropped to the bench, though I have to say I felt his box kicking was inches away from being charged down most of the game last week. Other than that a refreshing lack of Eddie's left-field selections.
5-3 split
Eddie looking to gas the Aussies, not strangle them?
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@MiketheSnow Well, with five caps between the three back replacements, he's certainly not looking to experience to close out the game. In all honesty I feel that we've been left with little choice with the backs in this squad. Marchant, as good a player as he is just doesn't seem to fit in with the England game plan, of course being shuttled around between 12, 13 and the wing does not help. Cockanasiga has fallen out of favour, which I feel is a shame. Give him more of a chance and he could be a real point of difference to us.
I reckon that Eddie is thinking that after last week, we maybe have the wood over the Aussie pack and he may be right but we will have to combat the breakdown very well to ensure this.
I am hopefully optimistic of an England win, but it will be close whatever the score I feel.
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@Catogrande boooooo. Don’t like the change at halfback. JvP was excellent. Played with great assurance too for a kid that’s just starting his test career. Played at a good speed that I think suited Smith better too.
Care is the safe choice.
