Digby Ioane - OUT

Ioane has a broken thumb and is undergoing surgery. He is staying in NZ so they must think he is ok to return at some point.

Faingaa might stay there as 13 now with OConnor on the wing and AAC on the other wing. Or Mitchell might come in the wing, AAC to 13 and Faingaa out.

I'd bring Mitchell and O'Connor in, with AAC Moving to OC, and Fa'ainga moving to the bench. Shame for Digby, but agree that they must see him playing some part to keep him in NZ?

That's a blow, but thumbs can be as little as a few weeks even for us amateurs. He could be back by the quarters (4 weeks?) if not too serious a break.

That is not good news, he is one of your game breakers and Australia will miss him dearly.

Fingers ( and thumbs ) crossed, Ireland will be the only big game he misses. Unlike previous years at least there are good back ups. He probably would have been rested for USA/Russia in any event.

It's a shame. Probably the world's no 1 winger going into the tournement.

Certainly a shame for digby as he was at his peak.
The form winger and easily the best to watch.

Not good at all for oz who cant afford injuries to the key players required for their breathtaking assaults. Hopefully for oz he will still figure. Seems 3N all have key players out. SA with bakkies and matfield. Read for us.

Yeah, the problem for us is we have Victor and Bakkies out, our best back up Andires Bekker is at home injured and now Jean de Villiers is also out.

Line outs, normally our strength is now a major issue for us.

The interesting question is now, whether PDV will realise he will have to adapt his game plan, becuase kicking for touch will now not be the most intelligent thing to do if you can't dominate line outs.

Watch this space, you know what I think the "most intelligent coach in world rugby" is going to do. absolutely nothing.

Ioane is out of the Ireland game with a fractured thumb. Will Australia miss him? Presumably James OConnor will replace on the wing. Although OConner is a great player I think Ioane is a bit of a loss as he is Australia's most potent try scorer at the moment.

Moot point really as form would suggest that Australia will spank Ireland anyway. What are you're thoughts?

Edit, I'll merge this with the existing Ioane thread - KRD

Thank feck, he's probably the best winger in the tournament. Ireland will need all the luck they can get but lets face it O'Connor is no slouch either.

Presuming Barnes plays fullback, AAC on right wing,the posible replacements for Ioane are :
Pat McCabe.
Drew Mitchell
Beiber O'Connor
take your pick,yes he would be a loss to any team in the World,But against ireland not a problem.....

He is the No1 wing in the world at the moment, though this is a position that is covered well in terms of depth. Mitchell and O'Connor were the wings last year. Mitchell is devastating when in form. O'Connor is all class too as he showed in the second half when he came on. Deans may even choose to leave AAC and O'connor as the wings. Not good news, but he still may figure come QF time.

Yeah, I'd guess Mitchell will be bought onto the bench. A game earlier than planned you would think, but still the obvious thing.

An alternative would be McCabe to wing (or bench) and Barnes into 12, but you would only do that if concerned about Mitch being ready.

Rob B wrote:He is the No1 wing in the world at the moment, though this is a position that is covered well in terms of depth. Mitchell and O'Connor were the wings last year. Mitchell is devastating when in form. O'Connor is all class too as he showed in the second half when he came on. Deans may even choose to leave AAC and O'connor as the wings. Not good news, but he still may figure come QF time.

Doesn't he play centre for the reds? He is Oz number 1 threat at the moment. No doubt.

aucklandlaurie wrote: Presuming Barnes plays fullback, AAC on right wing,the posible replacements for Ioane are :
Pat McCabe.
Drew Mitchell
Beiber O'Connor
take your pick,yes he would be a loss to any team in the World,But against ireland not a problem.....

Yeah when your cover is drew Mitchell or James OConner then it's not such a big deal. According to Campo the Australia team will not win the WC because it is a team of individuals and attitudes rather than a tight knit team. He has a point. He also said Ireland could rattle the Aussies. Admittedly though on form Australia should win in first gear.

leinsterbaby wrote:

Rob B wrote:He is the No1 wing in the world at the moment, though this is a position that is covered well in terms of depth. Mitchell and O'Connor were the wings last year. Mitchell is devastating when in form. O'Connor is all class too as he showed in the second half when he came on. Deans may even choose to leave AAC and O'connor as the wings. Not good news, but he still may figure come QF time.

Doesn't he play centre for the reds? He is Oz number 1 threat at the moment. No doubt.

No, he was on the wing all year.

leinsterbaby wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote: Presuming Barnes plays fullback, AAC on right wing,the posible replacements for Ioane are :
Pat McCabe.
Drew Mitchell
Beiber O'Connor
take your pick,yes he would be a loss to any team in the World,But against ireland not a problem.....

Yeah when your cover is drew Mitchell or James OConner then it's not such a big deal. According to Campo the Australia team will not win the WC because it is a team of individuals and attitudes rather than a tight knit team. He has a point. He also said Ireland could rattle the Aussies. Admittedly though on form Australia should win in first gear.

Unfortunately Campo holds the belief that if you are an ex-Wallably anything you say about the current Wallabies must be gospel and therefore should make the headlines in the sports pages. Too many like him always stealing oxygen in giving his views. The only guys I listen to are John Eales, Andrew Slack and Michael Lynagh. The rest are ratbags and Campo is the biggest ratbag of them all.

Is Mitchell fit. If so you should play him AND O'Connor with AAC at 13.

I thought AAC looked like the weak link for you guys on Sunday. I'd have Mitchel and O'Connor with AAC at 13 or benching and Fianga at 13.

Just how many bombs can a wing drop?

AAC was class against NZ though.

Rob does it bother you that Ioane is out though? I'm glad he is not playing because he said he has some dance moves he has been saving for the WC for when he scores and he didn't use them v Italy. Don't think I could stomach them against Ireland even it's meant as a bit of fun.

It's not great at all - which team can do without a player who is No. 1 in the world in his position without it hurting. He is an attacking weapon and would make any team. They will miss his ability to break tackles and achieve go forward. But IMO he ought to be back by QF. On that basis he will miss Ireland but I'm not that worried about that.

I do not think they will rush Mitchell back into the 15 given his lack of match fitness. I think they will retain the same backline, bring O'Connor in; Mitchell on the bench; Faingaa luckily survives.

Suspect Deans will bring in Palu to the bench for McCalman too and work towards his "No1 bench".