England to whitewash Australia
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="575227" data-time="1461750843">
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<p>Was 2003 the last time they were in NZ? Remember a very young Dan Carter and Joe Rok playing in that game.</p>
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<p>The test where Jerry Collins knocked a guy out in a tackle and put him in the recovery position in the same movement.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="575090" data-time="1461677210"><p>Not a chance</p></blockquote>
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I have to disagree Mike. There's always a chance. <br><br>
There's also a vanishingly small chance that I could become Pope, but I think it's possibly the safer bet. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="575237" data-time="1461753436">
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<p>The test where Jerry Collins <strike>knocked a guy out in a tackle</strike> clotheslined Colin Charvis and Tana Umaga put him in the recovery position in the same movement.</p>
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<p>Fixed it for you :hi:</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="575432" data-time="1461823397">
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<p>Who will Australia not have from last year's RWC squad?</p>
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<p>AAC? Mitchell? Giteau? Presumably all eligible to play if they want to?</p>
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<p>The lack of players in the RWC squad is less interesting for me than the lack of the RWC.</p>
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<p>An RWC always seems to focus the mind of the Australian Rugby fraternity - without it however they are all over the shop. I fancy they will struggle this season - odd selections and underperformance are very likely.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="575432" data-time="1461823397">
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<p>Who will Australia not have from last year's RWC squad?</p>
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<p>AAC? Mitchell? Giteau? Presumably all eligible to play if they want to?</p>
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<p>Cheika just confirmed yesterday that the NH players won't be selected for the England series.</p>
<p>They will be available for selection in the RC though however.</p>
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<p>So that's also Sekope Kepu and Will Genia out.</p>
<p>Kane Douglas is injured.</p>
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<p>That's not too bad but there isn't exactly a plethora of in-form candidates putting their hand up to fill these gaps.</p> -
<p>This is the most settled our team will be coming into the first test in recent memory. Basically there are only a few spots free. 99% locked are:</p>
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<p>1. Scott Sio</p>
<p>2. Stephen Moore</p>
<p>3. Greg Holmes</p>
<p>4. Rob Simmons</p>
<p>5.</p>
<p>6. Scott Fardy</p>
<p>7. Michael Hoopah</p>
<p>8. David Pocock</p>
<p>9. Nick Phipps</p>
<p>10. Bernard Foley</p>
<p>11.</p>
<p>12.</p>
<p>13. Tevita Kuridrani</p>
<p>14.</p>
<p>15. Israel Folau</p>
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<p>Joe Tomane would have had a wing spot locked down but he is unlikely due to injury. 12 is between Beale and Toomua. The other lock spot is fairly open, as are the wingers - though Rob Horne has the inside running for one spot.</p>
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<p>But really there will be very little controversy when the team is picked. That won't stop some from whinging though, I'm sure.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="575507" data-time="1461843916">
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<p>This is the most settled our team will be coming into the first test in recent memory. </p>
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<p>Fair point. Four spots up for grabs is very settled in the greater scheme of things.</p>
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<p>What would your 23 look like?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="575513" data-time="1461847272">
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<p>Would love to see Holloway get a crack at some point.</p>
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<p>Sorry Nick, I'm too lazy to look it up, number 8? Which team?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="575515" data-time="1461847628"><p>Sorry Nick, I'm too lazy to look it up, number 8? Which team?</p></blockquote>
Think it's the waratahs bloke? Damaging runner, like Thomas Waldrom but slightly slimmer. -
<p>The way we mullered the Aussie line out in the RWC final, and given that the poms have a pretty good line out (new black fellow looks the goods), it might be prudent for the Wallabies to have 4 options instead of their current 3. </p>
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<p>Pocock can do Hoopahs job if they have a jumping number eight option</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="575519" data-time="1461850611">
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<p>Who do the non-Aussies and non-English want to win the series?</p>
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<p>Ockers for me</p>
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<p>A bit like choosing between gonorrhea and herpes I'll grant you but, gonorrhea doesn't linger for your lifetime :)</p>
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<p>Convicts every time</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="575519" data-time="1461850611">
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<p>Who do the non-Aussies and non-English want to win the series?</p>
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<p>Ockers for me</p>
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<p>A bit like choosing between gonorrhea and herpes I'll grant you but, gonorrhea doesn't linger for your lifetime :)</p>
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<p>England, for all his eccentricities I do quite like Eddie Jones. He isn't exceptional, but he does run a very efficient ship and there aren't too many objectionable players these days. The media (at least what I've read) haven't been too OTT about the team so far.</p>
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<p>Australia winning would be nice though just to have the media/coach/team crowing going into another Bledisloe spanking. How many false dawns can that country have since 2003?</p>
