HODGSON ON BENCH IN FINAL BLEDISLOE

[travelling_gerry]

HODGSON ON BENCH IN FINAL BLEDISLOE



By on Tue 14th October 14 in Wallabies, Matt Hodgson




Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson has been named on the bench when the Qantas Wallabies take on the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday night.


Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper will become just the sixth player in Australian Rugby history to reach the prestigious 100-game Test milestone, coming against the All Blacks


Ashley Cooper will join an illustrious group that boasts only five legends of the game including Western Force stalwart Nathan Sharpe (116), George Gregan (139 caps), George Smith (111), Stephen Larkham (102) and David Campese (101).


Two changes have also been made to the starting line-up with Christian Leali’ifano replacing the injured Matt Toomua at inside centre and Rob Simmons returning at lock.


It will also be Leali’ifano’s first opportunity in the green and gold jersey this year, while Simmons has recovered from a head knock he suffered against South Africa in Cape Town just over a fortnight ago.


McKenzie said the team was determined to continue its strong domestic form this year, which has resulted in five wins and one draw on Australian soil.


“The group has spoken about the importance of this week’s game and ensuring the focus remains on our preparation and putting the team in the best possible position to win the game on Saturday night.


“It’s always important to perform in front of your home fans, and this week offers the team a chance to end the 2014 home Test season unbeaten, and square the series against New Zealand.”


Tickets for the match against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane are available via Ticketek.


The Qantas Wallabies side to play New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 18 October is:


1. James Slipper (vc - Queensland Reds)
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (c - NSW Waratahs)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
11. Joe Tomane (ACT Brumbies)
12. Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc - NSW Waratahs)*
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)


Reserves
16. Josh Mann-Rea (ACT Brumbies)
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
18. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
19. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
20. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
21. Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
22. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
23. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
*100th Test for Australia


- See more at: http://www.westernforce.com.au/artic....TiQgXQR8.dpuf

[GIGS20]

I thought Henry Speight was becoming available during the Championship?

[Invictus]

Would be good to see Hodgo actually get off the bench, and not just for a couple of minutes at the death either.

[The InnFORCEr]

Wonder what the odds on that would be hey vBookie

[Buddha Handy]

Wonder what the odds on that would be hey vBookie

Hodgo will definitely get decent time in this game, now they have got rid of Shatz he is covering 6,7 and 8. So Fardy will probably come off with 20 to go.

The team is too conservative though. Should have given Godwin a crack, they have got nothing to lose and Lilo has been in horrendous form.

[jargan83]

All Blacks by 8 lengths

[jono]

All Blacks by 8 lengths

Plus an innings

[brokendown gunfighter]

with a day to spare

[MI5_Dog]

game, set and match

[jargan83]

game, set and match

Straight sets?

[brokendown gunfighter]

by 10 strokes

[jargan83]

by 10 strokes

Is that your handicap?

[MI5_Dog]

If you spill the beans, you open up a whole can of worms. How can you let sleeping dogs lie, if you let the cat out of the bag? Bring in a new broom, and if you're not careful, you'll find you've thrown the baby out with the bath water. If you change horses in the middle of the stream, next thing you know you're up the creek without a paddle.

[AndyS]

So if you change the baby mid-creek, you'll find yourself sweeping the spilt worms into a bag with a dog paddle...?

[MI5_Dog]

Once we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate