Wallabies -v- Wales

[Darren]

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday November 4, 10.30pm (Perth Time)

For those that can't stay up: Channel 10 Replay on at 12:30pm Sunday 6th November

bit of a worry this match after already being taken out by a Welsh team this week - they'll be feeling pretty confident. Last time we met they beat us too! (November 27, 2005: Wales 24 -def- 22 Australia, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)

Wallabies Squad:

1 Al Baxter
2 Tai McIsaac
3 Rodney Blake
4 Nathan Sharpe
5 Dan Vickerman
6 Rocky Elsom
7 Phil Waugh (c)
8 Wycliff Palu

9 Matt Giteau
10 Mat Rogers
11 Cameron Shepherd
12 Stephen Larkham
13 Lote Tuqiri
14 Clyde Rathbone
15 Chris Latham

16 Brendan Cannon
17 Benn Robinson
18 Mark Chisholm
19 Stephen Hoiles
20 Josh Valentine
21 Mark Gerrard
22 Adam Ashley-Cooper

[travelling_gerry]

Shep must have impressed during the Australia A match to get a nod in the starting XV.

What happened to the Brendan Cannon appreciation society???? He isnt highlighted

[inactive]

I dont care if shephard played well grrrr where is our other force boy hey.....he was a certainty for the bench whats this cooper business
BOYCOTTING

[travelling_gerry]

I would tip that if we see Stanners NOT in the mid week match at any time he is a big chance to get another Test run on.....

I would guess its got something to do with age and recovery time.

[Happy]

last November coach everyone beat us... well almost everyone

[Burgs]

Well, I must say that I am a little concerned about this squad and the way they are lined up.
Firstly, I don't believe that the Test arena is the place for any form of experimentation however, if you must experiment then limit to one and ensure that those around the experimental position are at their optimum strength.
Baxter at Loosehead is still an experiment. Start with Robinson and bring Baxter on in the second half (if he MUST even be in the Continent )
Waugh as starting Openside is an unresolved experiment, as is him as a Captain. Fair enough starting him but don't burden him with a one off Captaincy, there are other experienced leaders in the team.
Giteau at Scrum Half is not only an experiment but a very risky one. Don't agree with it but should have been tried against Italy.
Despite the arguments of some, I feel that Rogers is not a Test Five Eight and certainly not with and out of position Inside Centre and Scrum Half around him. Play Rogers at #10 OR trial Gits at #9 but not both!
Larkham, as experienced as he is, has apparently never played in the #12 so is therefore an experiment at Test level. Is Larkham in a brand new position better than a Staniforth, Ashley-Cooper, even Turinui??? in a familiar role?
For mine, Tuqiri is most definitely not a Test Outside Centre and therefore also falls into the experiment class. I just don't like him there, it means the ball dies (or is turned over) one position in from the sideline than when he is on the Wing It's been tried and isn't the way forward Knuckles.
All of the above trials have some merit, if not on this stage, however to try them all at once and expect us to win a critical Test is really starting to stretch the credibility stakes.
For mine this kind of line up should have been saved for (with all due respect to their Six Nations status etc) playing Italy, where things could have been trialed against a less potent opposition and (if required) rescued with a few interchanges and shuffles.
As it stands, Wales will be going into this fixture fully confident with a full strength combination and, although I have had to vTip Australia, I don't think we are going to see much joy tonight.
I really hope to be proven wrong but I have the medicinal Bear at the ready

[JediKnight]

Is that a typo Burgs & you have the Medicinal Beer at the ready or do you really have a Medicinal Bear?!

[travelling_gerry]

sounds like the White Bundy Bear to me.........

Its required tradition in the outback to open the bundy bottle and crush the lid......

[Burgs]

Bear = Bundy Bear

[Burgs]

Gerry: HAHA, a seasoned campaigner by all accounts!
As it flies over the shoulder "Won't be needing that again"

[JediKnight]

Well, you learn something new every day - thank you gentlemen!

[travelling_gerry]

Visitor to the station owner "Have you got any water?" (as he thinks of adding to his straight bubdy).

Station Owner....."Ohh....theres a water bag under the tank if you want to have a wash"

[The Lone Hydrangea]

What happens at half time if we are behind.Instant switch between Rogers and Larkham? for the second half. Im nervous as buggery, and thats nervous!

[Burgs]

I'd agree with that Coach TLH.
Nerves are near shot at the prospect of so many potential positional "problems" (the triple P to us armchair Coaches )
Niggling suspicion of "Wales hops to record blow-out against makeshift Wallabies" in tomorrows press

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Relax Burgs we have big gay Al at loosehead.Scrum should be on fire