Autumn Internationals Team Announcement/Talk

Dubinusa · 19-11-2018 02:54PM

I think a win this weekend for England will have them back in the hunt. They appear to be turning it around and Jones will be ecstatic. They have shown up rather strong and have shown some balls.
Cheika will be fired if Oz loses imo. Oz are very poor and at best average. They seem to have no real plan and they go missing for some periods during matches. It's pretty amazing, so much world class talent and little return.
S.A are coming on. I didn't think they would and Rassie is obviously a great coach. I think they'll be incredibly tough to beat in the rwc.
Obviously. Coetzee was a bust as a coach. They were right to fire him imo.
The pumas also look like they are getting their act together.
France need to sort the discipline still. They are playing better but they like Oz don't seem to be able to impose their will in the match and they seem to go AWOL for periods. Watching France, you can see brilliance in the squad and you can also see mediocrity.

Webbs · 19-11-2018 02:57PM

Dubinusa wrote: »

I think a win this weekend for England will have them back in the hunt. They appear to be turning it around and Jones will be ecstatic. They have shown up rather strong and have shown some balls.
Cheika will be fired if Oz loses imo. Oz are very poor and at best average. They seem to have no real plan and they go missing for some periods during matches. It's pretty amazing, so much world class talent and little return.
S.A are coming on. I didn't think they would and Rassie is obviously a great coach. I think they'll be incredibly tough to beat in the rwc.
Obviously. Coetzee was a bust as a coach. They were right to fire him imo.
The pumas also look like they are getting their act together.
France need to sort the discipline still. They are playing better but they like Oz don't seem to be able to impose their will in the match and they seem to go AWOL for periods. Watching France, you can see brilliance in the squad and you can also see mediocrity.

and Wales happily continue under the radar ;-)

Buer · 19-11-2018 02:59PM

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Just for context as well, it wasn't even remotely accidental and he couldn't have made the intent any more exaggerated if he tried. It's a shocker from World Rugby.

Jesus Christ. Took me a couple of views to see it. What on earth was the mitigation or the excuse here?! Unless I'm missing something, that's a 4-6 week ban if it happens in the Champions Cup.

19-11-2018 03:00PM

Webbs wrote: »

and Wales happily continue under the radar ;-)

I'd have them and South Africa as joint third in the world currently. Big match this weekend.

troyzer · 19-11-2018 03:00PM

Dubinusa wrote: »

I think a win this weekend for England will have them back in the hunt. They appear to be turning it around and Jones will be ecstatic. They have shown up rather strong and have shown some balls.
Cheika will be fired if Oz loses imo. Oz are very poor and at best average. They seem to have no real plan and they go missing for some periods during matches. It's pretty amazing, so much world class talent and little return.
S.A are coming on. I didn't think they would and Rassie is obviously a great coach. I think they'll be incredibly tough to beat in the rwc.
Obviously. Coetzee was a bust as a coach. They were right to fire him imo.
The pumas also look like they are getting their act together.
France need to sort the discipline still. They are playing better but they like Oz don't seem to be able to impose their will in the match and they seem to go AWOL for periods. Watching France, you can see brilliance in the squad and you can also see mediocrity.

Who do you replace him with though? Australian super rugby teams are pretty dire as well at the moment.

Squidgy Black · 19-11-2018 03:01PM

Buer wrote: »

Jesus Christ. Took me a couple of views to see it. What on earth was the mitigation or the excuse here?! Unless I'm missing something, that's a 4-6 week ban if it happens in the Champions Cup.

"A World Rugby statement on Monday read: ‘Having reviewed the video angles, the citing commissioner determined that there were mitigating factors which meant that the action did not meet the red card threshold, including the player being illegally prevented from re-joining the play by Scotland’s Peter Horne and the moderate force of the strike to the side of the head.

‘The match officials did not see the incident at the time on the field of play.’"

Dog Botherer · 19-11-2018 03:30PM

Dubinusa wrote: »

I think a win this weekend for England will have them back in the hunt. They appear to be turning it around and Jones will be ecstatic. They have shown up rather strong and have shown some balls.
Cheika will be fired if Oz loses imo. Oz are very poor and at best average. They seem to have no real plan and they go missing for some periods during matches. It's pretty amazing, so much world class talent and little return.

I still don't rate this England team at all. Injury is their best selector and they don't seem to have much of a game plan apart from battering sides. They strangely remind me a lot of late-era Declan Kidney's Ireland; they're massively inconsistent and often outrageously poor, but they can still pull out a big performance. Still, if they can get Billy Vunipola or Manu Tuilagi back they'll probably win about 3 games in the 6N and that'll keep Eddie safe til they implode come WC time.

Australia are in a similar place, except they're a bit further down the line than England. A few good results have saved Cheika's bacon before but this year has been an unmitigated disaster. They definitely don't have any semblance of a gameplan, and while they have some truly world class players, they also have a lot of very very average players in their squad. Australian rugby is in crisis at all levels, so the problem runs deeper than Cheika, but he's clearly run out of ideas and needs replacing. As has already been said though, there's no clear successor, and whoever comes in will be walking into an absolute basket case with a ton weight of expectation hanging over them. Not very appealing for most coaches, I'd say.

jr86 · 19-11-2018 03:43PM

Dog Botherer wrote: »

Still, if they can get Billy Vunipola or Manu Tuilagi back they'll probably win about 3 games in the 6N and that'll keep Eddie safe til they implode come WC time.

With or without those guys, I think all their twickenham matches will be straightforward enough and they have a superb recent record against Wales. I think they're more than capable of even winning the Championship if they can put up a big score against Italy and one of Scotland/France.

I don't expect Ireland to do the slam again, I think they'll come unstuck in a game somewhere

Yeah_Right · 19-11-2018 04:57PM

Webbs wrote: »

and Wales happily continue under the radar ;-)

Wales have been under the radar for about 40 years now haven't they?

Podge_irl · 19-11-2018 05:06PM

jr86 wrote: »

With or without those guys, I think all their twickenham matches will be straightforward enough and they have a superb recent record against Wales. I think they're more than capable of even winning the Championship if they can put up a big score against Italy and one of Scotland/France.

I don't expect Ireland to do the slam again, I think they'll come unstuck in a game somewhere

Only Wales between Ireland and the slam if they play as they can/should.

Wales have looked decent enough though, and beating Australia will certainly have improved their attitude.

jr86 · 19-11-2018 05:14PM

England and Scotland (Murrayfield) will be far from pushovers either

troyzer · 19-11-2018 09:18PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

jr86 wrote: »

With or without those guys, I think all their twickenham matches will be straightforward enough and they have a superb recent record against Wales. I think they're more than capable of even winning the Championship if they can put up a big score against Italy and one of Scotland/France.

I don't expect Ireland to do the slam again, I think they'll come unstuck in a game somewhere

Only Wales between Ireland and the slam if they play as they can/should.

Wales have looked decent enough though, and beating Australia will certainly have improved their attitude.

Gatland has always pissed in Ireland's drink.

Burkie1203 · 21-11-2018 04:35PM

Scotland going with Hastings and Flaky Finn as 10-12 ðŸŒ

Clegg · 21-11-2018 04:49PM

Wales and Scotland away will be very tough fixtures. Wales have improved an awful lot and are up to 3rd in the world rankings on merit. Scotland have a very good home record. A loss in one or both wouldn't be a complete shock. Then Ewan McKenna would be along to tell us how he was right all along and we're all fools for believing in the posh boys.

Podge_irl · 21-11-2018 05:08PM

Clegg wrote: »

Wales and Scotland away will be very tough fixtures. Wales have improved an awful lot and are up to 3rd in the world rankings on merit. Scotland have a very good home record. A loss in one or both wouldn't be a complete shock. Then Ewan McKenna would be along to tell us how he was right all along and we're all fools for believing in the posh boys.

I think a loss in both would definitely be a complete shock. One of them not so much.

troyzer · 21-11-2018 06:27PM

Clegg wrote: »

Wales and Scotland away will be very tough fixtures. Wales have improved an awful lot and are up to 3rd in the world rankings on merit. Scotland have a very good home record. A loss in one or both wouldn't be a complete shock. Then Ewan McKenna would be along to tell us how he was right all along and we're all fools for believing in the posh boys.

For all the talk of Scotland being a team on the rise, they've only won 6 of their last 10 and that includes 2 wins over tier 2 countries.

errlloyd · 21-11-2018 09:18PM

troyzer wrote: »

For all the talk of Scotland being a team on the rise, they've only won 6 of their last 10 and that includes 2 wins over tier 2 countries.

And one loss to USA. Who are on the longest winning streak of any world cup nation right now.

Burkie1203 · 22-11-2018 06:18AM

https://twitter.com/paulcullystuff/status/1065455745733283840?s=19

troyzer · 22-11-2018 07:00AM

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/paulcullystuff/status/1065455745733283840?s=19

I'm surprised they're not trying to give more time to Scott Barrett at blindside.

TJ Perenara is my number one 9 for the All Blacks now, Aaron Smith has had a very off year and as teams get better and better at frustrating New Zealand's attack he's looked more and more ineffective.

Squidgy Black · 22-11-2018 09:03AM

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/paulcullystuff/status/1065455745733283840?s=19

It must be extremely frustrating for Mo'unga. Hansen seems intent on giving him as little game time as possible unless Barrett's unavailable.

Buer · 22-11-2018 09:15AM

Squidgy Black wrote: »

It must be extremely frustrating for Mo'unga. Hansen seems intent on giving him as little game time as possible unless Barrett's unavailable.

It's a weird one. It does appear he's not particularly rated but, regardless, he's going to be their outhalf if Barrett gets injured in the RWC so needs more than the 250 or so minutes of test rugby he has to date.

Sopoaga and Cruden are both contracted to their NH clubs beyond the RWC so I don't see anyone else becoming the legitimate option unless they go back to McKenzie which I don't see happening at this point.

troyzer · 22-11-2018 09:21AM

Squidgy Black wrote: »

It must be extremely frustrating for Mo'unga. Hansen seems intent on giving him as little game time as possible unless Barrett's unavailable.

Mo'unga is in a tricky situation where he plays club rugby at a team which uses its ten like no other team, he doesn't even play in the pocket most of the time. Mo'unga is not a good substitute for Barrett because they just have completely different skill sets. McKenzie for all his flaws is closer to a Barrett lite.

We have a similar problem in that Byrne is a more natural and seamless replacement for Sexton than Carbery but Carbery is a better 10 so we have to play him.

Squidgy Black · 22-11-2018 10:42AM

troyzer wrote: »

Mo'unga is in a tricky situation where he plays club rugby at a team which uses its ten like no other team, he doesn't even play in the pocket most of the time. Mo'unga is not a good substitute for Barrett because they just have completely different skill sets. McKenzie for all his flaws is closer to a Barrett lite.

We have a similar problem in that Byrne is a more natural and seamless replacement for Sexton than Carbery but Carbery is a better 10 so we have to play him.

Yeah it's an interesting one, they're both completely different styles of players, but McKenzie also isn't a substitute for Barrett in the fact that he's just not a decent 10. His open play is similar in style, but he just doesn't have the skill set to play 10 to a decent level.

I can see Mo'unga looking to go North after the RWC if Barrett stays healthy and on form. Although he's young (he'll still only be 25 after the RWC), Barrett's only 3 years older than him.

I'd love to see Mo'unga at 10 and Barrett at 15, but it's obvious Hansen is targeting this game as a big win to try brush the loss and win by the scrape of their teeth vs England under the carpet.

Yeah_Right · 22-11-2018 11:00AM

I had completely forgotten that Laumape and Jordie Barrett were on this tour. Would be good to see them back in form. Especially Barrett. He's had a horrible year. Also looking forward to seeing Fafita. Blindside is a spot that is crying out for someone to claim it. Hope Papalii getts a good run off the bench.

troyzer · 22-11-2018 11:07AM

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Yeah it's an interesting one, they're both completely different styles of players, but McKenzie also isn't a substitute for Barrett in the fact that he's just not a decent 10. His open play is similar in style, but he just doesn't have the skill set to play 10 to a decent level.

I can see Mo'unga looking to go North after the RWC if Barrett stays healthy and on form. Although he's young (he'll still only be 25 after the RWC), Barrett's only 3 years older than him.

I'd love to see Mo'unga at 10 and Barrett at 15, but it's obvious Hansen is targeting this game as a big win to try brush the loss and win by the scrape of their teeth vs England under the carpet.

He could be waiting for Barrett to move north, something which seems very likely given the insane numbers being thrown out there.

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I had completely forgotten that Laumape and Jordie Barrett were on this tour. Would be good to see them back in form. Especially Barrett. He's had a horrible year. Also looking forward to seeing Fafita. Blindside is a spot that is crying out for someone to claim it. Hope Papalii getts a good run off the bench.

Hence why I'm surprised he didn't start Scott Barrett there.

stephen_n · 22-11-2018 02:02PM

troyzer wrote: »

Mo'unga is in a tricky situation where he plays club rugby at a team which uses its ten like no other team, he doesn't even play in the pocket most of the time. Mo'unga is not a good substitute for Barrett because they just have completely different skill sets. McKenzie for all his flaws is closer to a Barrett lite.

We have a similar problem in that Byrne is a more natural and seamless replacement for Sexton than Carbery but Carbery is a better 10 player so we have to play him.

I'd say that's more true, currently Byrne is the better 10.

croket · 22-11-2018 07:47PM

Georgia vs Tonga teams up :

GEORGIA
1- Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, Fra)
2- Shalva Mamukashvili (Enisei-STM, Rus)
3- Levan Chilachava (Montpellier, Fra)
4- Nodar Cheishvili (Cornish Pirates, Eng)
5- Lasha Lomidze (Aurillac, Fra)
6- Otar Giorgadze (Brive, Fra)
7- Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Aurillac, Fra)
8- Beka Gorgadze (Bordeaux-Bègles, Fra)
9- Vasil Lobzhanidze (Brive, Fra)
10- Tedo Abzhandadze (Aia Kutaisi)
11- Giorgi Kveseladze (Armazi Marneuli)
12- Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen, Fra)
13- Merab Sharikadze (Aurillac, Fra)
14- Zurab Dzneladze (Locomotive Tbilisi)
15- Lasha Khmaladze (Batumi)

#6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 are born from 1996 et 1999 !!

16- Jaba Bregvadze (Sunwolves, Jap)
17- Zurab Zhvania (Wasps, Eng)
18- Beka Gigashvili (Grenoble, Fra)
19- Shalva Sutiashvili (Soyaux-Angoulême, Fra)
20- Beka Bitsadze (Narbonne, Fra)
21- Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi)
22- Gela Aprasidze (Montpellier, Fra)
23- Merab Kvirikashvili (Lelo Saracens Tbilisi)

TONGA
1- Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (Stade Français, Fra)
2- Sefo Sakalia (unattached)
3- Maʻafu Fia (Ospreys, Wal)
4- Leva Fifita (Grenoble, Fra)
5- Steve Mafi (Manawatu, NZ)
6- Daniel Faleafa (Coventry, Eng)
7- Fotu Lokotui (Counties Manukau, NZ)
8- Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty, NZ)
9- Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle, Eng)
10- Kurth Morath (Doncaster, Eng)
11- Daniel Kilioni (Grenoble, Fra)
12- Alaska Taufa (Grenoble, Fra)
13- Latu Vaeno (Taranaki, NZ)
14- Viliami Lolohea (unattached)
15- Vunga Lilo (Montauban)

16- Sione Anga’aelangi (Biarritz, Fra)
17- Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington, NZ)
18- Ben Tameifuna (Racing92, Fra)
19- Sam Ulufonua (Hawke's Bay, NZ)
20- Mike Faleafa (Perpignan, Fra)
21- Sione Vailanu (Saracens, Eng)
22- Leon Fukofuka (Auckland, NZ)
23- Atieli Pakalani (NSW Country, Aus)

troyzer · 22-11-2018 08:06PM

croket wrote: »

Georgia vs Tonga teams up :

GEORGIA
1- Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, Fra)
2- Shalva Mamukashvili (Enisei-STM, Rus)
3- Levan Chilachava (Montpellier, Fra)
4- Nodar Cheishvili (Cornish Pirates, Eng)
5- Lasha Lomidze (Aurillac, Fra)
6- Otar Giorgadze (Brive, Fra)
7- Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Aurillac, Fra)
8- Beka Gorgadze (Bordeaux-Bègles, Fra)
9- Vasil Lobzhanidze (Brive, Fra)
10- Tedo Abzhandadze (Aia Kutaisi)
11- Giorgi Kveseladze (Armazi Marneuli)
12- Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen, Fra)
13- Merab Sharikadze (Aurillac, Fra)
14- Zurab Dzneladze (Locomotive Tbilisi)
15- Lasha Khmaladze (Batumi)

#6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 are born from 1996 et 1999 !!

16- Jaba Bregvadze (Sunwolves, Jap)
17- Zurab Zhvania (Wasps, Eng)
18- Beka Gigashvili (Grenoble, Fra)
19- Shalva Sutiashvili (Soyaux-Angoulême, Fra)
20- Beka Bitsadze (Narbonne, Fra)
21- Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi)
22- Gela Aprasidze (Montpellier, Fra)
23- Merab Kvirikashvili (Lelo Saracens Tbilisi)

TONGA
1- Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (Stade Français, Fra)
2- Sefo Sakalia (unattached)
3- Maʻafu Fia (Ospreys, Wal)
4- Leva Fifita (Grenoble, Fra)
5- Steve Mafi (Manawatu, NZ)
6- Daniel Faleafa (Coventry, Eng)
7- Fotu Lokotui (Counties Manukau, NZ)
8- Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty, NZ)
9- Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle, Eng)
10- Kurth Morath (Doncaster, Eng)
11- Daniel Kilioni (Grenoble, Fra)
12- Alaska Taufa (Grenoble, Fra)
13- Latu Vaeno (Taranaki, NZ)
14- Viliami Lolohea (unattached)
15- Vunga Lilo (Montauban)

16- Sione Anga’aelangi (Biarritz, Fra)
17- Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington, NZ)
18- Ben Tameifuna (Racing92, Fra)
19- Sam Ulufonua (Hawke's Bay, NZ)
20- Mike Faleafa (Perpignan, Fra)
21- Sione Vailanu (Saracens, Eng)
22- Leon Fukofuka (Auckland, NZ)
23- Atieli Pakalani (NSW Country, Aus)

I will give €20 to the first person here who records themselves pronouncing all of those names correctly.

prawnsambo · 22-11-2018 08:36PM

stephen_n wrote: »

I'd say that's more true, currently Byrne is the better 10.

Is this the new ROG v Sexton? :pac:

22-11-2018 08:46PM

prawnsambo wrote: »

Is this the new ROG v Sexton? :pac:

Hopefully

Autumn Internationals Team Announcement/Talk

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