Bledisloe 2 - The Empire Strikes Back?

[jargan83]

1. Scott Sio.
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. James Horwill
5. Will Skelton
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Nic White
10. Quade Cooper
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Israel Folau

Reserves: Tatafu Polot Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Matt Giteau, Kurtley Beale

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/b...-1227481517218

[MI5_Dog]

What the hell is that man drinking?

[Jeansyjive]

Cheika showing disrespect for the Bledisloe? He has got ridden of what worked well last weekend.

Don't get me started on Douglas walking back into the team, especially after he has been injured and not played rugby for how long?

My team

Scott Sio.
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. James Horwill
5. Dean Mumm
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Nic White
10. Matt Toomua
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Israel Folau

[Jeansyjive]

Although word is it might be wet on Sat in Auckland so could be team for conditions

[GIGS20]

Hooper, Skelton, Palu and Cooper are not names you'll pick for a wet test match. Cheika is throwing the Bledisloe away until next year so that the Blackness aren't too worried going into the World Cup.


That is the only possible explanation for those four selections. Pocock, Giteau and Mumm are obviously fit or they wouldn't be on the bench and Cooper isn't fit to tie Toomua's bootlaces.

I'm convinced more than ever that the strategy this season is to taper for RWC and use TRC as a warm up and trial games.

[hertryk]

The ABs will be licking their lips... be interesting to see which Haka is used...
"Lets go down to the woods today.....the Abs to have a picnic....." words to that effect

[WFDom]

Genius!!!! Quade's always played well at Eden Park!

[jono]

Hooper, Skelton, Palu and Cooper are not names you'll pick for a wet test match. Cheika is throwing the Bledisloe away until next year so that the Blackness aren't too worried going into the World Cup.


That is the only possible explanation for those four selections. Pocock, Giteau and Mumm are obviously fit or they wouldn't be on the bench and Cooper isn't fit to tie Toomua's bootlaces.

I'm convinced more than ever that the strategy this season is to taper for RWC and use TRC as a warm up and trial games.

also Gits as the backup halfback (at least on paper anyway) so really make it your worst nightmare...

for some reason i'm having flashbacks to last year's match at E.P...

[Petalz]

So we went from almost he strongest team we could field last week to... this.

for some reason i'm having flashbacks to last year's match at E.P...

Hate to tell you mate, but it's most likely going to be worse!

[travelling_gerry]

Its all part of "The Trap"

[eleypinkbit]

Don't think I'll be putting any money on the Wallabies this week!

[jono]

Its all part of "The Trap"

well it'll be the best one of the century if it comes off...

[Buddha Handy]

well it'll be the best one of the century if it comes off...

Gotta back the coach he has done the job so far. No one wanted Mumm or Horwill a few weeks ago and now everyone wants them in the starting side.

He is trying to build depth before the world cup and giving blokes like Quade one last chance to prove themselves.

Yes I would definitely start Pocock but maybe there is a method to his madness with him coming on for the 2nd half

[chibi]

Its all part of "The Trap"

[GIGS20]

Gotta back the coach he has done the job so far. No one wanted Mumm or Horwill a few weeks ago and now everyone wants them in the starting side.

Hang on, I can't let that one slide.

A few weeks ago, most on this site would have taken ANY lock over what was being dished up.......let's remember all the comments made about Will Skelton making Rob Simmons (a known plodder) look good.

I posted several times that a Will Skelton experiment would only work with two locks playing as Flanker, I also said that Hooper could only be used if the breakdown was an emphasis of the remainder of the pack.

With them both being picked in the team together, we return to the situation where all the work in the ruck is left to Scott Fardy......Fards is good, but he's not five men!

Palu will disappear shortly after Kapo A Panga (you think they won't be doing the 'throat slitter' after losing to us last week) and Hooper will continue his "Amazing work" at the tackle contest whist the Blacks send one bloke into the defensive ruck to steal the ball and run past him all night.

I said it last week with hope in my heart that all logic and reason suggests we're screwed on Saturday. Logic and Reason has suddenly escaped the Wallabies and Cheika's desire to sew some specific sow's ears into silk purses is going to ensure that it'll happen this week.

At least I put 7K on the All Blacks to spank us!

There's gotta be a silver lining!