189 replies to this topic

[Duluth]

1. Tony Woodcock (65)
2. Keven Mealamu (76)
3. Owen Franks (14)
4. Brad Thorn (42)
5. Tom Donnelly (9)
6. Jerome Kaino (29)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (85)
8. Kieran Read (21)
9. Jimmy Cowan (38)
10. Daniel Carter (71)
11. Josevata Rokocoko (63)
12. Ma’a Nonu (48)
13. Conrad Smith (37)
14. Cory Jane (17)
15. Mils Muliaina (85)

Reserves:

16. Corey Flynn (9)
17. Ben Franks (4)
18. Samuel Whitelock (5)
19. Victor Vito (2)
20. Piri Weepu (40)
21. Aaron Cruden (4)
22. Israel Dagg (3)


Australia

15. Adam Ashley Cooper, 14. James O’Connor, 13. Rob Horne, 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Will Genia, 8. Richard Brown, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Benn Robinson Replacements: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. James Slipper, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Matt Hodgson, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Anthony Faingaa, 22. Kurtley Beale

[ECNP]

What's Jimmy doing at 9?

[Virgil]

ECNP said:

What's Jimmy doing at 9?

Weepu has been away from the squad due to the birth of his child, there was doubt he would even be playing.

[Northern Exposure]

Weepu's not starting?! Where on earth did he go wrong last time out vs. SA? Or is it the 'new dad' factor? Missed training and all that. Either way, a bit of a head scratcher.

[Northern Exposure]

Thanks - just saw the answer above. Must type faster.

[Sambo]

wow consistency in selection. i love it!

[Muttonbird]

"...barring up..." Quote from Stu Cron - Aug 08

I hate that expression.

[Muttonbird]

Deep down, the Wallabies must be nervous, however, they will lead, as usual, a charmed existence whilst playing at home. If they try that "pick-and-go" rubbish, the AB's need to really put them on their backs.

[Tom]

Anthony Faingaa on the bench for the Aussies is an interesting one. Did he get capped during the June tests or this weekend his debut?

[ACT Crusader]

Tom said:

Anthony Faingaa on the bench for the Aussies is an interesting one. Did he get capped during the June tests or this weekend his debut?

No, he played in the (diabolical) mid week games for the OZ baabaa's vs England. So if he gets a run it will be debut

[Northern Exposure]

Too soon to give Dagg a start on left wing? He was very impressive in his cameo off the bench last time out, but Joe Rock gets the benefit of the doubt. Better under the high ball than last year, but his speed is a thing of the past.

[ACT Crusader]

I'm surprised, the squad's been announced for almost an hour and there are no threads about the demise of Rokocoko....

It's a very well balanced team IMO. And plenty of experience to boot in that starting XV. Nonu closing in on 50 tests is amazing really, considering many thought he was a poor mans Umaga back in 03 and had feet for hands.

[dcjhanson]

Good to see the players being rewarded for their consistent performances, apart from Weepu. Mitigating factors though.

Gutted to see Saia Faingaa on the bench for OZ. Was priceless seeing him get rag dolled by Spies, would be interesting to see him go head to head with some of the Kiwi pack

[pukunui]

ACT Crusader said:

I'm surprised, the squad's been announced for almost an hour and there are no threads about the demise of Rokocoko....

It's a very well balanced team IMO. And plenty of experience to boot in that starting XV. Nonu closing in on 50 tests is amazing really, considering many thought he was a poor mans Umaga back in 03 and had feet for hands.

Thats what people were saying back in 2006 too. He got crucified after the ireland games.

Looking forward to this game for sure. Great to see our top team paying together a lot.

[Tom]

dcjhanson said:

Good to see the players being rewarded for their consistent performances, apart from Weepu. Mitigating factors though.

Gutted to see Saia Faingaa on the bench for OZ. Was priceless seeing him get rag dolled by Spies, would be interesting to see him go head to head with some of the Kiwi pack

Was thinking exactly the same thing, Moore is quite a significant upgrade for OZ

[sazza]

Was expecting Barnes to go to 10, considering Giteau was playing really well at 12. Don't see the point at chucking Giteau in at 10 over Barnes but I'm sure they'll interchange a lot at first receiver anyway.

I don't think I'd like it if Dagg was given a starting wing spot... Mils has another year in him before he goes somewhere for some $$, at which point Israel will have that 15 jersey for god knows how long. I would really hate for Israel to go down a utility path where he gets shifted everywhere. Just strikes me as a fullback first and foremost

Awesome to see a consistent AB side with no selections to worry about - no sign of that 'R' word anywhere

[Chris B.]

Those are quite interesting 22s.

If I was picking our very best, without injuries - then Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Sitivini Sivivatu and Isaia Toeava (and maybe Mike Delany) would come into the 22. Anyone think there also still might be a chance for Rodders to make a run? Hayman would still be useful.

For Oz - Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper would come into the 22. Probably also Stirling Mortlock, though it's so long since I've seen him play that who knows if he's really viable. Dan Vickerman would probably still be hugely useful for them.

In any event, I reckon both teams a bit short of full strength, but similarly handicapped. Only major disparity is Ma'afu, who looked rubbish to me in S14.

Despite the home advantage, I reckon the ABs will take this fairly comfortably. Looking forward to the battle of the loosies and a bit surprised that Scott Higginbotham can't find a place.

[taniwharugby]

listening to Cowan on the wireless, Weepu is not due in Aus until tonight (Aus time) so completely understandable that Cowan has been given the nod.

Am sure it was an easy decision for Weepu to make, but one that he may regret if Cowan recaptures his form and plays well.

[Bones]

Chris B. said:

Anyone think there also still might be a chance for Rodders to make a run?

To be honest I'd rather have So'oialo there than either of Messam or Vito at this stage - but I'm probably in a minority of one.

[Duluth]

One thing I want to see happen in this game is for the AB's to start strongly.

Despite winning most of the games over the past two years against the Aussies, we have started the games very flat and have had to overhaul them in the second spell. Despite our dominance some of the score lines particularly in Aus have been close.

I want to see how the Aussies react to having to chase the game against us. It was only last year that Deans accused his players of giving up during a Test match..

[fcc]

Chris B. said:

Those are quite interesting 22s.


For Oz - Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper would come into the 22.

And Horwill, Palu and Hynes. Mortlock wouldn't be there.

[KiwiMurph]

Very happy to see Victor Vito get a spot in the reserves.

Pressure is on Rokocoko but it´s not like he has been playing poorly.

Am feeling more confident now that the Wallabies won last week - it eases fears of an ambush situation.

[davidav]

Donnelly is amazing for a guy that has just 9 caps to his name. He has been a real work horse around the field.

[DMX]

Respectful to Wallabies. Only thing I worry about is Cowans confidence. Seemed very low when he came on against Boks.

[da_grubster]

KiwiMurph said:

Very happy to see Victor Vito get a spot in the reserves.

Pressure is on Rokocoko but it´s not like he has been playing poorly.

Am feeling more confident now that the Wallabies won last week - it eases fears of an ambush situation.

Roks has been playing OK without setting the world on fire. I really think he just needs a try or two to bring him back up to speed. He is full of endeavour but his confidence has taken a knock and really, only tries for a winger, and such a prolific one at that (well, up to a couple of years ago) will get him really humming again

[matata_massive]

DMX said:

Respectful to Wallabies. Only thing I worry about is Cowans confidence. Seemed very low when he came on against Boks.

personally i hope he gets dragged early Piri is on fire and i hate to see his momentum upset, it was always going to happen when Piri couldnt go over to Melbourne with the rest of the team but still dissapointed that Cowan is back on, he was very average before getting yanked for Piri in the 1st bok test then yeah didnt look the goods in the 2nd either...maybe he just needed a kick up the bum and will go great guns this time but still wanna see Powsa get out there again and see if he can keep up the good work

[davidav]

Weepu was excellent in test 2 against the Boks, but Cowan wasn't bad either in the 1st test. I'm totally comfortable with Cowan starting at 9 against the Wallabies. He'll definitely have his hands full with Genia though. Should be interesting.

[matata_massive]

davidav said:

Weepu was excellent in test 2 against the Boks, but Cowan wasn't bad either in the 1st test. I'm totally comfortable with Cowan starting at 9 against the Wallabies. He'll definitely have his hands full with Genia though. Should be interesting.

yep he sure will but then i remember Piri wasnt too flash against Genia last time they played too, so will sure be interesting to see how they handle him this time round

[Nepia]

I've been thinking about this game and I hope we don't change our gameplan too much to suit Oz.
I think that we should just smack them up in the forwards. Lets not try and get too tricky but just carry on from what we did to the Boks.

From Ted's comments it would seem that Piri would have started if he hadn't stayed back in NZ.

[mimic]

wow.. 700 caps.. not bad..

6 players with 50+ tests.. with nonu on his way there
very nice..

although by the rwc, sivi will play instead of rok.. sivi with 43 caps..