Knuckles goes for inexperience

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

AUSTRALIA coach John Connolly has selected a brand new front row for Sunday's Cook Cup clash against England at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

Connolly has gone for the inexperienced trio of Greg Holmes, Tai McIsaac and Rodney Blake, naming 63-Test hooker Jeremy Paul and 31-Test prop Al Baxter on the reserves bench.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19403427-27561,00.html

I can't believe this, I knew Knuckles had no f**king idea.

 

[Timbo]

We are going to get smashed. Conolly was the worst choice ever.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

The worst front-row the Wallabies have ever fielded.

 

[lockyno1]

Good decision. All 3 are in form.

 

[aussies1st]

The Reds front row was the best of the Australians so no complaints here.

 

[Dragons_#1]

no benn robbo wat the hell

 

[Woods99]

Connolly, Alec Evans, and Michael Foley are three of the top scrummaging experts in Australia. If they think this front row will work, so do I.

Let's wait and see on Sunday night.

Benn Robinson's day will come soon. He has more ability than any other Australian front row, in all aspects of the game.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

They'll get smashed but at least they'll improve, unlike the Wallaby front rows ofthe last few years.

 

[Thomas]

I reckon they'll go well...they'll go really well.

Blake and Holmes were easily the best Australian props in the S14...and the use of Blake as a ballrunner in midfield is something that other props don't provide.

Even if we gain parity with the English pack (which, with our back row we will) then our backs will tear them a new one.

Australia by 17

 

[Jackal Dog]

pfth the english frontrow have gone back to a dads army approach bring em on I think we can take em.

But it will still be a tight game IMO Aus by 6

 

[Scott]

Great backline

sh*t forward pack

This should be a good game. I'd probably say Australia by a couple, but with no confidence at all.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

I understand that those blokes are better scrummagers, than most
Running around atm.

But you can not go into the first game of an international campaign with a
Front-row that has one test cap between them.

 

[lockyno1]

I understand that those blokes are better scrummagers, than most
Running around atm.

But you can not go into the first game of an international campaign with a
Front-row that has one test cap between them.

Ok smarty, who would you have picked! As it is it is a joke Baxter is there! Robinson has zero test caps as well!

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

the use of Blake as a ballrunner in midfield is something that other props don't provide.

That is crap mate,

He is bloody useless as a ball runner and his pick 'n' drive is flawed as well. Adam Firer and Ben Robertson run absolute rings around him in those areas. The only thing he brings to the table is his size.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

Ok smarty, who would you have picked! As it is it is a joke Baxter is there! Robinson has zero test caps as well!

I would have started with Baxter and Holmes, with Jeremy paul at hooker.

And What the f**k has McIssac done this year??

 

[lockyno1]

I would have started with Baxter and Holmes, with Jeremy paul at hooker.

And What the f**k has McIssac done this year??

Baxter! FFS, did you not see him last year and this year costing the waratahs a finals spot! The bloke is USELESS! Paul- please! Frier before him

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

I would rather Firer too mate,
But the bloke has got Matt Bowen's luck, just not seen as big enough.
Went with Paul, because of the experience.

Baxter will hold up his side of the scrum, true he has had his troubles
But have faith in the bloke, he'll have a big game to make up for the
Farce of last year.

 

[lockyno1]

I would rather Firer too mate,
But the bloke has got Matt Bowen's luck, just not seen as big enough.
Went with Paul, because of the experience.

Baxter will hold up his side of the scrum, true he has had his troubles
But have faith in the bloke, he'll have a big game to make up for the
Farce of last year.

Frier was the standout hooker for Australia in the Super 14. Some of the best hookers have been smallish- Keith Wood anyone? As for Baxter, I have seen more than enogh thanks! Please get rid of him!

 

[Thomas]

That is crap mate,

He is bloody useless as a ball runner and his pick 'n' drive is flawed as well. Adam Firer and Ben Robertson run absolute rings around him in those areas. The only thing he brings to the table is his size.

Did you not see Blake's last couple of games? Breaking tackles and offloading like a number 8?

Baxter...Englands bitch? :lol:
As for going into a game with uncapped players...do the names Daly, Kearns and Mackenzie ring any bells?
They'll do well.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

I completely agree with you on Firer, no questions asked.

But to Blood 2 new blokes, who lets face it their teams didn't over perform
was imo a silly move.

Holmes deserves to be there but McIssac and Blake, should not be starting.
Especially McIssac, for him to get the nod above Firer, Jeremy Paul and Tatafu Polota-Nau, who had a bumper super 14 season, is a joke.