Well.. didn't see this coming - but on reflection I think it shows why Link is the master coach he is...
The thing the kiwis don't deal well with is unpredictability - and KB has the x factor.
The wings show me the aussie will keep the ball in the centres and ensure defence holds on he left edge where way too many tries been scored in recent times.
Shame hookers injured bu t Charles will do OK.
FYI
Full squad: James Slipper, Nathan Charles, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper (c), Wycliff Palu, Nic White, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Israel Folau.
Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Alexander, Pek Cowan, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani (one to be omitted).
I agree Cloudy, Beale runs hot and cold so we will see what happens when he sees the Blackness descend on him, lol
hmmmm not sure but the rest of backline is very solid defensive wise and beale / folau offer good attacking dynamic...
The kicker (as predicted) will probably be the difference...
I reckon Foley will stay on the bench and if beale's confidence not up there - they'll go with plan B (Foley) -
I think the ABs would prefer foley as he plays more a traditional pivot role - KB is a bit like QC - on their night anything is possible...
From Links perspective to beat the ABs (... the best... you don't know how hard that is for me to say) you've got to roll the dice...
GOOOO WALLABIESSSS>>>>
...So what Super XV combinations have been retained if the backline looks like this...
White - Brumbies 1/2 back >> passes to Kurtley Beale - Warratah
>>passes to a Brumbie -Toomua >>>>passes to a Warratah Ashley Cooper
>>>>>passes to McCabe Brumbies
Could'nt be more disjointed, not much synergy there cobbers - no combinations retained so couldn't be better for the ABs but what more would you expect from a drunken Aussie coach .. and what folly ,sacking the kicker Foley - too funny
...what one could ask would McKenzie a prop know about backline play anyway???
...looks like he's counting on the Aussie league star from Tonga to save the day...
hahaha Brycy - best not we go down the path of tongan / samoan / Fijian players... considering the AIGs invented this rort...
Link is a master tactician a lot like the Aussie skipper that made the kiwis choke in the Americas cup - the UNLOSEABLE CUP remember that one...??
My prediction a lot like the; Rugby 7s, Netball, Rugby League, Cricket... need I go on... the kiwis on the slide...
My Tip - MOTM award to go to Kurtley... hometown aboriginal boy playing for his country in the pivot role = poetry...
Wouldn't be surprised if Link trys Foley in Eden Park too...
Luv keeping the bird brains (kbbs thx Beeno) guessing...
RE McCabe on the wing - stupid ARU policy not to include overseas players to thank...
On that note McCabe wont miss a tackle and he does an honest job with ball in hand... I think the ball will be played up the middle as much as possible with Folau the aussie born of tongan descent running through the middle of the old tiring Mccheat.... lol... finally pinged in the S15 - the beginning of the avalanche....!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think its desperation as you have Toomua to step in and they will likely rotate at 1st 5 - Beale and Folau will light it up...
Tides turning baby and only one way from the top kiwis.... lol!!!
GOOOO WALLLABIESSSSSS!!!!!!!!
CC mate... as I keep reminding every kiwi I know... theres only one way from the top and thats DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO you AUSSIES!!!!!!
Bad news I just found out Peyper is ref... he thinks that deliberately giving penalties away in own 22 isn't foulplay.... a favourite kiwi tactic...
That means ref will weigh into the outcome... shame... means aussies have to play even better....
WHY is it AIGs only get one of two refs v Aussies.... pretty damn clear if you ask me....
If kiwi teams recieve such great favours from the refs we would have won the s15.
We lost the final & congratulated the wining team. You guys should realise that it is not necessary to bleat about a loss or a bad call. All part of the game.
You don't see us listing excuses. We could be listing things like the Ozzie administrators cut a good deal to ensure the Blediloe alway starts in Ozz (current contract); the fact that we have lost one of our best props; the fact that Redsman is annoying; or that Boks always get an easy schedule (starting against the Argies) and so on & so forth. No we accept these things & don't mention them, lol
Yes, Cloudy you should join the RC foxsports fantasy rugby comp. It takes far less time than the s15 comp & we need some more kiwis. We did very will in the s15.
By the way, I have lost Sasuke San's email account. Maybe you can write to him to see if he is ok & more importantly tell him to get his butt on this site.
Clean Cut, too right I'm tense. Oz is a very close 2nd behind the Boks when it comes to teams that I hate losing to!
I'm worried about AAC at centre for Oz. Forget about Folau, it's AAC who's the class act in that backline. There was talk of him playing on the wing which I thought was a big mistake but the Missing Link isn't that stupid unfortunately! Conrad Smith will have his hands full in trying to keep AAC under control and whilst he is a reliable defender, I think he's lost a yard or 2 in pace.
Hopefully Peyper NOT a factor prefer to let rugby dominate...
Claydog - I had the same thoughts re KB re League - and I guess only the top brass know the answer but must admit wouldn't surprise me as I know bulldogs were pretty keen to get his signature...
Still I don't think he'll let anyone down and as the mass consensus is shouting - its the forwards that will ultimately decide the game...
I think it'll be down to kicks frankly though, and whether its KB or White kicking - they better have their kicking boots on - cant afford to leave any 3ptrs out there....
I hope Cruden is kicking for AIGs as he does suffer from kiwi choking nerves at lot like their America's cup sailors.....
I hope Higgen is in the 23 as he deserves a crack with 50-60 to go...
Must admit kiwi back row kaino / mccaw / read v fardy / hooper / palu - going to be key matchup...
Redsman , have been hearing a lot of criticism of McKenzie by some former Wallaby stars for not picking Foley...they're all saying McKenzie was bullied into picking Beale by the ARU....looks like the decision to use Beale is really polarising many and I hope the abo doesn't end up getting shot down like you Aussies used to do in the old days....can't be doing his confidence much good when all his countrymen are bickering over him like little old ladies...
Brycy: we have the weee Boks in their green with envy jersey and then we have the Wobblies in their yalla jersey so we can expect their fans to act accordingly.
Yes we supported the hapless stormers in spite of the facts that few of their fans did. I know some would claim we only supported them because their wins would help kiwi teams, lol We could deny this but then we would be accused of being "squabblers". Folks should learn to take things at face value
