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Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:05 pm
by p/d
Has B Curry now overtaken his brother…….. oh, wait
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:05 pm
by Banquo
p/d wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:05 pm
Has B Curry now overtaken his brother…….. oh, wait

beat me to it!
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:07 pm
by Which Tyler
Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:46 pm
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 66 caps)
23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:09 pm
by Banquo
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:07 pm
Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:46 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:11 pm
by Puja
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:07 pm
Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:46 pm
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
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:12 pm
by 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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:15 pm
by 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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:15 pm
by Oakboy
I imagine JvP and Fin smith are bemused at best. Just what did Nos 19-22 do to get picked again?
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:49 pm
by Danno
Banquo wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:02 pm
Danno wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:57 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:51 pm
by Danno
Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:11 pm
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:07 pm
Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 3:46 pm
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
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:10 pm
by FKAS
Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:15 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:29 am
by Oakboy
FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:10 pm
Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:15 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:44 am
by Mellsblue
Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:29 am
FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:10 pm
Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:15 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:56 am
by FKAS
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:44 am
Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:29 am
FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:10 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 10:41 am
by p/d
Surely that knock on the noggin might have something to do with it
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 11:55 am
by Banquo
Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:29 am
FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:10 pm
Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2024 5:15 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:13 pm
by 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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:18 pm
by Banquo
jngf wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:13 pm
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?
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:29 pm
by Scrumhead
jngf wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:13 pm
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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:49 pm
by p/d
Scrumhead wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:29 pm
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
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 1:13 pm
by jngf
Banquo wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:18 pm
jngf wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 12:13 pm
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!
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 1:26 pm
by 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.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 1:44 pm
by fivepointer
Slipper is one of the few Australian players i'm familiar with.
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 2:19 pm
by Puja
fivepointer wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 1:44 pm
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
Re: England vs Australia
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 4:01 pm
by Banquo
Puja wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 2:19 pm
fivepointer wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 1:44 pm
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 !