Australia Vs Italy

profitius

The Aussies have named their team. Same as the last day. Lets hope Italy puts out a strong side too.

Australia XV: Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs);
Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies),
Anthony Faingaa (Queensland Reds),
Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies),
Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds);
Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds),
Will Genia (Queensland Reds);
Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs),
Stephen Moore ,
Ben Alexander (both ACT Brumbies),
D Vickerman (NSW Waratahs),
James Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt),
Rocky Elsom (ACT Brumbies),
David Pocock (Western Force),
Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW waratahs), James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs), James O'Connor (Western Force).

wixfjord

It actually could be a big thing for Ireland that Aus have named their team so early, and that it's a full strength team.

I'd wonder whether Italy may slightly gloss over this game and instead concentrate on toppling us for second.

I'm nearly more worried about Italy than Aus, because I think we'll lost to Aus well, and all the pressure will be heaped on for the final game.

A wet NZ night and a strong Italy pack could be a big hurdle for us.

trippyrez

Australia will have to face down a big test in the Italian pack and I do think its good for us that they're playing them first and we're playing USA. I'm expecting the Italians to try and dominate them at the set pieces and around the fringes and if we're lucky they'll soften them up a bit.

I really think we can beat Australia. What I'd love to see Ireland do is play their rugby like Leinster. Change the point of attack, switch up the tempo and interchange between backs and back rowers. If Ireland play like we've been playing recently then we're in serious trouble though.

ionadnapokot

wixfjord wrote: »

It actually could be a big thing for Ireland that Aus have named their team so early, and that it's a full strength team.

I'd wonder whether Italy may slightly gloss over this game and instead concentrate on toppling us for second.

I'm nearly more worried about Italy than Aus, because I think we'll lost to Aus well, and all the pressure will be heaped on for the final game.

A wet NZ night and a strong Italy pack could be a big hurdle for us.

JO'C will be in that team come the Ireland game.

endabob1

wixfjord wrote: »

I'd wonder whether Italy may slightly gloss over this game and instead concentrate on toppling us for second.

I'm nearly more worried about Italy than Aus, because I think we'll lost to Aus well, and all the pressure will be heaped on for the final game.

A wet NZ night and a strong Italy pack could be a big hurdle for us.

Add to that the Kaplan factor and we will have a HUGE test imo.

LostPassword

wixfjord wrote: »

I'd wonder whether Italy may slightly gloss over this game and instead concentrate on toppling us for second.

They don't play Ireland until the last pool game, so there's no point in resting people - I would be amazed if they didn't put out their strongest side. A fresh and fired up Italy could take a lot out of the Aussies, especially if the weather is poor. It could work out well for us.

thomond2006

Interesting order of fixtures for the Aussies, the two big guns up first followed by the two minnows. They will play their full strength in the first two games but will they rest players for USA and Russia?

Taco Corp

thomond2006 wrote: »

Interesting order of fixtures for the Aussies, the two big guns up first followed by the two minnows. They will play their full strength in the first two games but will they rest players for USA and Russia?

Interesting point. Good opportunity for game time for the rest of the squad and having the rest of the first team nice and rested for the quarters.

When you look at the fixture list, the weaker teams seem to have fewer days between matches in some cases. Minimum gap between games is 4 days and it's always a weaker team that get this.

theboss80

Just on that point who makes the fixtures and order? Host nation or IRB or what?

GerM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Interesting order of fixtures for the Aussies, the two big guns up first followed by the two minnows. They will play their full strength in the first two games but will they rest players for USA and Russia?

I'm sure they'll make a fair few changes. It won't weaken them massively. They have a few players like Mitchell, Barnes and Palu that will be looking for game time after injuries that will play I'm sure. Then the likes of O'Connor, Burgess, Sharpe and Higginbotham will come in if they're not starting the first two also. Not a bad second string.

Fight_Night

Wonder if O'Connor can win his place back...

Aus have a fairly strong bench.

Kiwi_knock

Who will be taking the kicks for Australia, Cooper or Beale? I presume Cooper, O'Connor will be brought back in for the bigger games because frankly he is the only Aussie player who is a decent kicker even though he is not that great. Australia will not win a WC with Cooper kicking the goals.

vinny chase

Fight_Night wrote: »

Wonder if O'Connor can win his place back...

Aus have a fairly strong bench.

You'd have to figure he can't be that far out in the cold there seeing as he's still named on the bench. If Deans was really annoyed with him he wouldn't be there.

Anthony Fainga'a is an absolutely top class defender, but doesn't offer nearly as much ball in hand as their back line with Ashley-Cooper in the centre and O'Connor back in the side.

ArmaniJeanss

Surley wrote: »

Interesting point. Good opportunity for game time for the rest of the squad and having the rest of the first team nice and rested for the quarters.

When you look at the fixture list, the weaker teams seem to have fewer days between matches in some cases. Minimum gap between games is 4 days and it's always a weaker team that get this.

theboss80 wrote: »

Just on that point who makes the fixtures and order? Host nation or IRB or what?

I think its that the top 8 in the seedings when the draw was made get four fixtures of Weekend, Weekend, Weekend, Weekend, whilst the other 12 teams have each to play one or two midweek matches so that all the group games encompass the four weekends.

GerM

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Who will be taking the kicks for Australia, Cooper or Beale? I presume Cooper, O'Connor will be brought back in for the bigger games because frankly he is the only Aussie player who is a decent kicker even though he is not that great. Australia will not win a WC with Cooper kicking the goals.

Cooper will be kicking according to reports. JOC may or may not take over the duties again when he returns. He was interviewed and stated that he has been working on his kicking and hopes to be the first choice kicker again but there's no certainty. Neither of them are very good kickers. I think JOC is slightly ahead but they're both in the 60%-70% bracket.

rockman15

I took italy +30 on paddy power the other day. I believe they are well within that.

thomond2006

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/worldcup/2011/0907/qanda.html

Interesting Q&A with Kaine Robertson. Former Italy winger.

Pudsy33

is this not on tv then? setanta don't have it listed

MrDerp

Pudsy33 wrote: »

is this not on tv then? setanta don't have it listed

UTV have it:

http://www.u.tv/Whats-On/

Listed, oddly, under Saturday 10th "Night Time" rather than Sunday 11th "Morning"

Kinda happy with the old UPC subscription for once