I've just seen on FSN that both Israel Folau and David Pocock are in doubt for the quarter final against Scotland this week.
Beale for Folau and Hooper comes back for 7 with McCalman to 8?
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I've just seen on FSN that both Israel Folau and David Pocock are in doubt for the quarter final against Scotland this week.
Beale for Folau and Hooper comes back for 7 with McCalman to 8?
I'd make that call, but after the way I've been bashing both of the ins in that plan over the last three years I'd feel a little humble pie about doing it!
Unless you want to stick AAC at full-back, Beale is about the only other player who's played there in the squad. I've been impressed by him so far; and I didn't think I'd be typing that a year ago.
There may be some who want Hooper and McMahon playing together, but I'm not sure either has played 8 before. Pocock managed to play there, but he's good enough to adapt to play almost anywhere on the park (bit short for a lock and slow for a wing, but otherwise...). Hooper has been injured for the last game, so play him and McCalman with McMahon scheduled to come on after 50 for Hooper, or the other way round. McCalman needs the 80 minutes, and this is last 'easy' game* left in the tournament.
(* Ducks and hides from the raging Scots! :) )
It's okay, the Australian citing commissioner has already tipped the scales in the Wallabies favour by handing out 3 week suspensions to two Scots players.....!
McMahon has shown repeatedly that he is not a No 7.
He is capable of winning a lineout (but only if not used too often at Test level), has a strong tackling game, a reasonable running game and although has a high work rate does not put any pressure on at the breakdown.
In SXV 2015 he averaged a Turn Over Won only every 3rd game. i.e. 0.3 TOW per game.
Against the Scots, I'm with jargan83: Fardy, Hooper and McCalman with McMahon on the bench to give Hooper a rest (which won't happen unless Hooper is injured).
That's a particularly Scottish way of looking at it Scozzie.
Teams named (I think it's official)
Sio
Moore
Kepu
Douglas
Mumm
Fardy
Hooper
Pocock
Genia
Foley
Mitchell
Giteau
Kuridrani
Ashley-Cooper
Folau
Polota-Nau
Slipper
Holmes
Simmons
McCalman
Phipps
Toomua
Beale
McMahon*
One to be omitted
It seems to me that the only injury concern is Pocock, since he's the only one who has extra cover named on the bench. Reading between the lines, he'd be bracketed with McCalman and McMahon would come onto the bench if needed.
That's only based upon the order of the team in an SMH article....could mean nothing!
Almost like this will allow Chekia to not name the team until the last possible second...
I don't think thats official yet, everywhere I've looked todaysays "expected sides".
Last week I think the actual side was named on Friday.
put it down to -too many years in the desert!
you mean rugby related sites?
Hey how I procrastinate when I should be working is my business!