England vs Australia

[p/d]

Has B Curry now overtaken his brother…….. oh, wait

[Banquo]

Has B Curry now overtaken his brother…….. oh, wait

beat me to it!

[Which Tyler]

13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 66 caps)
23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!

[Banquo]

13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 66 caps)
23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!

be interesting to see what that actually means with Syd'n'Hal.

[Puja]

13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 66 caps)
23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!

Unfortunately it's actually a stealth 6:2 bench and Sleightholme has been drafted in to be a replacement back row.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yep, that's about it. Will we use our bench more effectively? Does that shirt swap in midfield really mean anything? I'm not expecting 'yes' to either, honestly.

[fivepointer]

No surprise that we've gone for an unchanged starting XV. Think thats fair enough. Bench improved by 5:3 and bringing in Sleightholme.

[Oakboy]

I imagine JvP and Fin smith are bemused at best. Just what did Nos 19-22 do to get picked again?

[Danno]

I like this a fair bit more.

Think Dan had a suspected broken hand?

Frankly whilst happier by miles with a 5:3 bench, the forwards subs are just meh. Slade and Lawrence is interesting, unless its just a cock up

Agreed, I may have overegged it. But a 5:3, a back that needs a chance to see if he can tear things up internationally, LCD, and no ripping up the starting side who went ok even if attack was dire. I'll take it.

[Danno]

13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 66 caps)
23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!

Unfortunately it's actually a stealth 6:2 bench and Sleightholme has been drafted in to be a replacement back row.

Puja

Puja coming in with "it's US election day bitches!" Levels of trolling

[FKAS]

I imagine JvP and Fin smith are bemused at best. Just what did Nos 19-22 do to get picked again?

JvP who only lost his spot as the starting 9 for England due to injury now is sat as fourth choice behind Randall who's kicking game has long been questioned and who last weekend seemed to lose the ability to pass it accurately or snipe as well.

I hope Randall is feeling more up for it this weekend.

[Oakboy]

I imagine JvP and Fin smith are bemused at best. Just what did Nos 19-22 do to get picked again?

JvP who only lost his spot as the starting 9 for England due to injury now is sat as fourth choice behind Randall who's kicking game has long been questioned and who last weekend seemed to lose the ability to pass it accurately or snipe as well.

I hope Randall is feeling more up for it this weekend.

It makes me wonder whether a few are going to struggle to stay in contention beyond the AIs. Randall and Dan must be concerned, for example.

[Mellsblue]

I imagine JvP and Fin smith are bemused at best. Just what did Nos 19-22 do to get picked again?

JvP who only lost his spot as the starting 9 for England due to injury now is sat as fourth choice behind Randall who's kicking game has long been questioned and who last weekend seemed to lose the ability to pass it accurately or snipe as well.

I hope Randall is feeling more up for it this weekend.

It makes me wonder whether a few are going to struggle to stay in contention beyond the AIs. Randall and Dan must be concerned, for example.

Theo ‘Central Contract’ Dan should be ok.

[FKAS]

JvP who only lost his spot as the starting 9 for England due to injury now is sat as fourth choice behind Randall who's kicking game has long been questioned and who last weekend seemed to lose the ability to pass it accurately or snipe as well.

I hope Randall is feeling more up for it this weekend.

It makes me wonder whether a few are going to struggle to stay in contention beyond the AIs. Randall and Dan must be concerned, for example.

Theo ‘Central Contract’ Dan should be ok.

Has it been confirmed he's 100% fit for this weekend as well? I thought he went off at the end of last weekend. Might not be in the side as he's not fully fit.

[p/d]

Surely that knock on the noggin might have something to do with it

[Banquo]

I imagine JvP and Fin smith are bemused at best. Just what did Nos 19-22 do to get picked again?

JvP who only lost his spot as the starting 9 for England due to injury now is sat as fourth choice behind Randall who's kicking game has long been questioned and who last weekend seemed to lose the ability to pass it accurately or snipe as well.

I hope Randall is feeling more up for it this weekend.

It makes me wonder whether a few are going to struggle to stay in contention beyond the AIs. Randall and Dan must be concerned, for example.

why would Dan be concerned? He's the only youngish hooker in contention. Think he's injured.

[jngf]

Think we could do better with our back row in all honesty. Earl and Underhill on the flanks with T Willis. Dombrandt and CCS at 8 looks a bit more impactful to me.

[Banquo]

Think we could do better with our back row in all honesty. Earl and Underhill on the flanks with T Willis. Dombrandt and CCS at 8 looks a bit more impactful to me.

wot, no blindside?

[Scrumhead]

Think we could do better with our back row in all honesty. Earl and Underhill on the flanks with T Willis. Dombrandt and CCS at 8 looks a bit more impactful to me.

I’m all for bringing in Tom Willis. He has everything and I just don’t understand why he’s not even making the squad. However, Earl is the player that needs to make way from the starting XV IMO. He hasn’t had a good game in a while and is making costly mistakes - either losing possession or giving away needless penalties. If nothing else, he needs a shot across the bows.

I’d keep it simple by leaving the flankers the same and drop Earl to the bench. I don’t think he’s great at 7, but I think he would be great as an impact sub at 8.

Ideally, I’d like to see a back row of Hill, Curry and Willis but CCS has played well and there’s no obvious justification to drop him.

[p/d]

Ideally, I’d like to see a back row of Hill, Curry and Willis but CCS has played well and there’s no obvious justification to drop him.

That’s the 4 that should be battling it out

[jngf]

Think we could do better with our back row in all honesty. Earl and Underhill on the flanks with T Willis. Dombrandt and CCS at 8 looks a bit more impactful to me.

wot, no blindside?

Underhill could do a good job there I feel!

[Mellsblue]

Oz team:

1. Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2. Matt Faessler (12 Tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (56 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (21 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5. Jeremy Williams (8 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

6. Rob Valetini (48 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (22 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (19 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (27 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10. Noah Lolesio (26 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Dylan Pietsch (4 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

12. Len Ikitau (35 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii* – The Kings School

14. Andrew Kellaway (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (33 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (16 Tests) – Southern Districts

17. James Slipper (140 Tests)– Bond Pirates

18. Allan Alaalatoa (76 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (37 Tests) - Randwick

20. Langi Gleeson (9 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (37 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (13 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23. Max Jorgensen (3 Tests) – Balmain Wolves

*denotes uncapped

Slipper’s cap total always amuses me.

[fivepointer]

Slipper is one of the few Australian players i'm familiar with.

[Puja]

Slipper is one of the few Australian players i'm familiar with.

To give you a guide, that is a **wild** XXIII that Schmidt's just picked. No room for Samu Kerevi at 12 or Will Skelton at lock (despite the fact that Australia were massively underpowered in the pack in the Rugby Championship), he has once again picked an entirely Australian based XXIII, despite having those options in the squad and flexibility to pick more if he wanted.

At 13 is a very highly-rated 21 year old rugby league convert, who cost the Australian union £5m to sign to a 5 year contract away from league, and who has not played a single game of rugby union since he was 15 for his school side! He is supposed to be a wonderkid, incredibly physically gifted, and been working super-hard in training, but still, has literally no adult experience at union and he's straight in at outside centre.

These are either strokes of genius or insanity from Schmidt.

Aside from that, it's pretty much making the best they can with what they have. The front row takes a massive step down once Tupou goes off as he is their main quality there. The second row are young and relatively lithe - good jumpers, but not hugely powerful, and Nick Frost was in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. The back row are solid - Valetini's a hard carrying and hard-hitting 6 and McReight/Wilson are good over the ball. Lolesio is unreliable at 10, but has the ability to bring out a really good performance as well, and Ikitau would be straight in as our 12 if he was English. The back three are fast and elusive and in decent form, but nothing terrifying.

Puja

[Banquo]

Slipper is one of the few Australian players i'm familiar with.

To give you a guide, that is a **wild** XXIII that Schmidt's just picked. No room for Samu Kerevi at 12 or Will Skelton at lock (despite the fact that Australia were massively underpowered in the pack in the Rugby Championship), he has once again picked an entirely Australian based XXIII, despite having those options in the squad and flexibility to pick more if he wanted.

At 13 is a very highly-rated 21 year old rugby league convert, who cost the Australian union £5m to sign to a 5 year contract away from league, and who has not played a single game of rugby union since he was 15 for his school side! He is supposed to be a wonderkid, incredibly physically gifted, and been working super-hard in training, but still, has literally no adult experience at union and he's straight in at outside centre.

These are either strokes of genius or insanity from Schmidt.

Aside from that, it's pretty much making the best they can with what they have. The front row takes a massive step down once Tupou goes off as he is their main quality there. The second row are young and relatively lithe - good jumpers, but not hugely powerful, and Nick Frost was in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. The back row are solid - Valetini's a hard carrying and hard-hitting 6 and McReight/Wilson are good over the ball. Lolesio is unreliable at 10, but has the ability to bring out a really good performance as well, and Ikitau would be straight in as our 12 if he was English. The back three are fast and elusive and in decent form, but nothing terrifying.

Puja

losing this would present Suddenly Bewildered with a lot of questions to answer !