England to whitewash Australia
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<p>Really curious to see how the backrow go. The trio to me last year seemed gimmicky at worst and fatally unbalanced at best - however given the nature of a RWC year schedule their performances were tough to judge given minnow opposition, rest and rotation and general RWC foxing interspersed with the most important games in a 4 year cycle.</p>
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<p>This June window plus TRC will deliver the verdict no doubt. I would be curious as to the confidence level the Aussie fans have that this will be their reliable, dominant loose forward trio going into the EOYT.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="585966" data-time="1465473184"><p>
Nah I reckon one lock and a back rower get replaced and both reserve locks come on and Itoje plays 80. <br><br>
I think the England pack will secure enough good ball, my concern is with what happens from 10 out. There are still issues with organisation in attack.</p></blockquote>
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Will it matter? How good are 11-15 at chasing kicks? -
<p>Im starting to think Australia are going to win this series quite well now , </p>
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<p>I think it would be more interesting for me if it was at Twickenham , there I would rate the odds closer to 50 50 , </p>
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<p>In Aus im thinking more 65 - 35 Australias way </p> -
If I was Nowell I'd be spewing. I'm not sure what %Eddie sees in Yarde. I like the Joseph/Burrell combo in the middle, I think our attack looks better with them. Like Mike I wish we had Clifford on the bench at least. Line-out will go well, my biggest worry is the scrum.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cookie" data-cid="585996" data-time="1465502795">
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<p>If I was Nowell I'd be spewing. I'm not sure what %Eddie sees in Yarde. I like the Joseph/Burrell combo in the middle, I think our attack looks better with them. Like Mike I wish we had Clifford on the bench at least. Line-out will go well, my biggest worry is the scrum.</p>
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<p>No sarcasm intended , but are English fans thinking now, Australia has the upper hand at scrum time ? </p>
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<p>That is a massive turn around of the stereotypical way we usually see these sides ..... Australia with more flair , England with more grunt </p> -
<p>Scrums will certainly be interesting. Oz obviously much improved there and had the upper hand at the WC.</p>
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<p>That said, Cole is the only remaining player from the front 5 that played that day. It's definitely a concern though until proved otherwise and would be more comfortable with Mullan at LH</p>
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<p>Rest of the team is certainly interesting. Would rather have had Clifford at least on the bench over Lawes, as Vunipola getting injured would be a real pain. You don't want to have to play Hask at 8 more than is strictly necessary (or at all). I like both Yarde and Nowell, who both offer something slightly different. Nowell has done nothing wrong and is probably the better all round player, but I guess Eddie has a hunch about the additional athleticism that Yarde offers. He may also have been much sharper in training, which we obviously don't see.</p>
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<p>Looking forward to it now anyway. </p> -
I hope you're right Bones, I just haven't seem that much from him in a Harlequins shirt this season. <br><br>
Regarding the scrum, the problem is we've been dependent on a dominant scrum for years but the last few times we've played Oz I think it's been pretty even. Add in that Vunipola's strengths Iie more in ball carrying than scrummaging, I think Oz could well do a number on us this time round. -
<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cookie" data-cid="586008" data-time="1465506631"><p>I hope you're right Bones, I just haven't seem that much from him in a Harlequins shirt this season.</p></blockquote>
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Well there you go Stephen Jones, it only matters what happens in test rugby when we're talking test rugby. It doesn't matter if Smith/Yarde is looking average or it apparently looks powderpuff 😉 -
<p>England are going to try and batter Aus into submission. There is no plan B. It has been the platform for English victories over Aus in the past and Eddie is betting on it again. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="586011" data-time="1465506985"><p>
Well there you go Stephen Jones, it only matters what happens in test rugby when we're talking test rugby. It doesn't matter if Smith/Yarde is looking average or it apparently looks powderpuff </p></blockquote>
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If Smith is playing then we really are in trouble... -
<p>I'm seeing a repeat of the 2001 Lions series.</p>
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<p>England to come out fired up, everybody looking at the forwards, but then the backs to break the game open for a shocking, and also slightly dominant win.</p>
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<p>Then Australia to win the next 2. I genuinely think that Australia have the better rugby team, but they just won't be ready for the first match. England are riding on the coat tails of a grand slam, smashing Wales and some superb domestic form. Australia look a little under done, although their players have looked a bit better in the previous month as opposed to the first 2.</p> -
<p>Side note: George Smith rumoured to return to Australia next year, playing at the Reds.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/teams/reds/wallabies-great-george-smith-to-join-queensland-reds-in-super-rugby/news-story/bf129e5d20c456da37064d44e0526063'>http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/teams/reds/wallabies-great-george-smith-to-join-queensland-reds-in-super-rugby/news-story/bf129e5d20c456da37064d44e0526063</a></p>
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<p>...</p>
<p>The Wallaby great is in the midst of moving back to Brisbane with his family from England, where he has been starring for Wasps and is tipped by many to win the player of the year award in the premiership.</p>
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<p>The 35-year-old seems ageless, such has been the excellent consistency of his form, and he will replace Liam Gill who will leave for French glamour club Toulon.</p>
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<p>Smith will also play two years in Japanâ€
s Top League, and could potentially be available for the 2018 Super Rugby season as well, while its understood he is keen to pursue coaching opportunities in that time and beyond.</p>
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<p>Smith, who played 111 Tests for the Wallabies, is considered one of the greatest flankers to have played the game.</p>
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<p>He recently helped England coach Eddie Jones prepare players for their tour to Australia, and Smith will also have be used in a coaching capacity while playing for Suntory.</p>
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<p>While Smith has a long history at the Brumbies, his family has links to Brisbane and so he is set to settle there long-term while playing out the remaining few years of his stellar career.</p>
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<p>Smith would bolster a 2017 Reds squad that has already locked in Wallabies captain Stephen Moore, and backrower Leroy Houston, while playmaker Quade Cooper is expected to confirm his return to the club shortly.</p>
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<p>Nooo don't ruin your legacy by turning out for that mob!</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cookie" data-cid="586008" data-time="1465506631">
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<p>I hope you're right Bones, I just haven't seem that much from him in a Harlequins shirt this season.<br><br>
Regarding the scrum, the problem is we've been dependent on a dominant scrum for years but the last few times we've played Oz I think it's been pretty even. Add in that Vunipola's strengths Iie more in ball carrying than scrummaging, I think Oz could well do a number on us this time round.</p>
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<p>No Douglas in the tight 5 so that may impact OZ's scrum a touch. They debutante Arnold is a big unit but quite unknown. The Aussie props go alright at scrum time. Far better technique to years past. </p> -
<p>Don't love the England team, I have to say. Robshaw, Vunipola & Haskell with no backrow cover on the bench? Youngs-Farrell-Burrell? I think Jones has taken his 'bodyline' schtick too seriously, particularly given the Australian tight 5 and midfield.</p>
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<p>Worried we'll fail to dominate physically, Aus will up the pace and we'll have nowhere to go.</p> -
So is this the England/Oz match thread then?
