Summer Tournament Round 9 - Pools A and B

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Pool A

Reds vs. Saracens

Queensland Reds
Manager – Richard Graham

01. James Slipper	09. Will Genia
02. James Hansen	10. Quade Cooper
03. Greg Holmes
04. Rob Simmons	11. Lachie Turner
05. James Horwill	12. Samu Kerivi
06. Adam Thomson	13. Karmeichel Hunt
07. Liam Gill	14. Chris Kuridrani
08. Jake Schatz	15. James O'Connor

Subs:
16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Pettowa Paraka 18 Sam Talakai 19 Eddie O'Donoghue 20 Hendrik Tui 21 Beau Robinson 22 Nick Frisby 23 Ben Tapuai

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Brad Weber
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Beuden Barrett
03. Jannie De Plessis
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Patrick Tuipultou	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Dave Denton	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. James Haskell	14. Hosea Gear
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Rory Best 17. Ben Franks 18. Tom Francis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Thierry Dusatoir 21. Morgan Parra 22. Pat Lambie 23. Chris Ashton

Tactics:

Does the powerful pack work? Good for Winter?

Crusaders vs London Irish

Crusaders
Manager – Todd Blackadder

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Andrew Ellis
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Carter
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Robbie Fruean
07. Richie McCaw	14. Johnny McNicholl
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Dagg

Subs:
16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Matt Todd  21 Mitchell Drummond 22 Colin Slade 23 Nafi Tuitavake

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London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213        

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons	11. Anthony Watson
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Henry Slade
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Bryan Habana
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Ben Youngs 22. Brad Barritt 23. Noa Nakaitaci

Falcons vs Stormers

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Ed Slater (c)	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Scott Williams
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Richie McCaw	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Yohan Maestri 20. Chris Henry 21.Nick Phipps 22. Ian Madigan 23. Charlie Sharples

Stormers
Manager – Allister Coetzee

01. Steven Kitshoff	09. Nic Groom
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Demetri Catrakilis
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Seabelo Senatla
05. Manuel Carizza	12. Damien de Allende
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Schalk Burger	14. Cheslin Kolbe
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

Subs:
16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Oli Kebble 18 Vincent Koch 19 Ruan Botha 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Louis Schreuder 22 Kurt Coleman 23 Kobus van Wyk

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Pool B

Lions vs Highlanders

Gloucester vs Exeter Chiefs

Gloucester

1 Wood
2 Strauss
3 Antonio
4 Tapfufina
5 Gray
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 TJ Perenara
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Beast
17 LCD
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Robson
22 Pollard
23 Naiyavaro



Rebels vs Sale Sharks

Melbourne Rebels
Manager – Tony McGahan

01. Toby Smith	09. Nic Stirzaker
02. Pat Leafa	10. Jack Debreczeni
03. Paul Alo-Emile
04. Luke Jones	11. Cam Crawford
05. Lopeti Timani	12. Micth Inman
06. Sean McMahon	13. Tamati Ellison
07. Scott Fuglistaller	14. Sefanaia Naivalu
08. Scott Higginbottom	15. Mike Harris

Subs:
16 Tom Sexton 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Tim Metcher 19 Sam Jeffries 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Jordy Reid 22 Ben Meehan 23 Jonah Placid

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Francois Steyn
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Iain Henderson	11. Josua Tuisova
05. Sam Carter	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Jonathan Danty
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Charles Ollivon	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Atu Moli 19. Matt Garvey 20. Steven Luatua 21. Callum Braley 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Seta Tamanivula

Could I have feedback on the backline as a world cup selection please?

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Ed Slater (c)	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Scott Williams
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Richie McCaw	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Yohan Maestri 20. Chris Henry 21.Nick Phipps 22. Ian Madigan 23. Charlie Sharples

Mark

Can I use same side as last week.

I can't get online properly as away until Friday

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Brad Weber
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Beuden Barrett
03. Jannie De Plessis
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Patrick Tuipultou	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Dave Denton	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. James Haskell	14. Hosea Gear
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Rory Best 17. Ben Franks 18. Tom Francis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Thierry Dusatoir 21. Morgan Parra 22. Pat Lambie 23. Chris Ashton

Tactics:

Does the powerful pack work? Good for Winter?

Will add last week's team Matt

Gloucester

1 Wood
2 Strauss
3 Antonio
4 Tapfufina
5 Gray
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 TJ Perenara
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Beast
17 LCD
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Robson
22 Pollard
23 Naiyavaro

Bam/SJE, thanks for sorting this lads, I am all over the place this week. I'll get league tables up after this round so everyone knows where they are going into the final group matches.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Francois Steyn
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Iain Henderson	11. Josua Tuisova
05. Sam Carter	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Jonathan Danty
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Charles Ollivon	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Atu Moli 19. Matt Garvey 20. Steven Luatua 21. Callum Braley 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Seta Tamanivula

Could I have feedback on the backline as a world cup selection please?

No problem Ozzy, hope the Mrs is doing well!

Waiting for a teamsheet from Fluxy, if its in before lunchtime I'll add it, otherwise you'll have to scroll down as am off for the weekend at 1pm!

PREDOS OPEN

RESULTS:

Reds 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)
Saracens 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Crusaders 25 (T:1 C:1 P:6)
London Irish 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Newcastle Falcons 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Stormers 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Gloucester 28 (T:4 C:4)
Exeter Chiefs 0

Rebels 19 (T:1 C:1 P:4)
Sale Sharks 33 (T:4 C:3 P:3)

BONUS:
Full: Prop, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly & CJ
Incomplete: Steve

Reds 24-27 Sarries
Bit more in the front row for Sarries, feel the 2nd row battle could be a bit closer. Looking at the back row Sarries have a lot of power but Reds could get over the ball a bit. Half backs a bit more for the Reds but Sarries defensively solid at centre and more attacking threat there. Back 3 goes to Sarries with players able to run great angles. Bench is where the game is won. Pooly, pack is good for winter but maybe look to start Dus in it for balance.

Reds 20 - 30 Saracens
Sarries have gone with a pack built for the winter, but it still has plenty of mobility to compete at the breakdown, and after that its just far too strong for the Reds front 5. Sarries will dominate the ball and territory with the varied kicking options, and can see them scoring a few tries. Only thing that holds them back slightly is the lineout for me, think they lack a bit of variety there. Easy enough win on the road

Reds 26 - 28 Saracens
Saracens just about get on top of the scrum, but Reds take the line out with Sarries not at the strongest there with this set up. However, Sarries are better at the breakdown and have power in their back. Reds have more settled HB pairing, then Sarries just about have an edge at centre and with the breakdown this is enough to win away

Reds 26-30 Saracens
Loving the power in the Sarries pack and can see them really getting on the front foot in this one and Barrett having a field day picking the bug guys running off him.

Reds 15 - 27 Saracens
I like the pack. Maybe lacks rugby brains a little and I'd maybe put out more experienced half backs to marshall them. All depends on the opposition pack as to how successful they would be.

Reds 27 - 25 Saracens.
Carries pack lacks a bit of nous, full of power but don't see any as particularly intelligent and could cause them issues when up against guys like Gill and Thomson in the Reds backrow. Would probably start Ashton as opposed to have him as a sub as offers more there. 

Crusaders 24-26 Irish
Irish will give the Crusaders a good run for their money in the front row, Crusaders slightly stronger in 2nd row but experience of AWJ helps. Backrow would be a very close battle with both teams well balanced, can’t see a lot between the two to be honest. Half backs to Irish, Crusaders centres are steady but feel Irish’s have more unpredictability. Both back 3’s will be dangerous but think Irish will get better ball from half backs. Smith vs Ellis is a big factor in this game and the Irish bench benefits with the addition of O’Brien.

Crusaders 30 - 32 Irish
Really tough to call. Even in the front 5s for me, prefer the Irish front row and Crusaders second row. Really good battle at the ruck, plenty of quality on both sides and it's pretty much split down the middle for me. Aaron Smith is the biggest single advantage that Irish have for me, will be a real pest and can't see Ellis being close to competing. After that, Carter is the man in form at 10, about evens in the centres and back 3. Irish will be as tough as ever as long as they have that 8 9 10 combo, good win

Crusaders 23-23 Irish
Little in a good scrum battle and similar in the back rows with some good quality on show. Crusaders get a line out edge though and a bit more quality in the engine room. Halfbacks close with Smith edging it to Irish. Centres to Crusdaers though with Slade hard to rate at 12. As a combo Slade/Kriel lack a physical edge for AP games. Not too much in the back 3's and a good contest.

Crusaders 30 - 31 Irish 
Irish take the scrum and evenly matched in the line out with back row taken into account. V close breakdown and carrying battle, Vermeulen maybe gives the edge over the Crusaders except his injury, so I can't separate it. Then Irish have the better HBs and Smith makes a HUGE difference. Very good backs for both sides, but think Slade at 12 could work and the Irish back 3 very good indeed and have enough advantage through HBs to win away

Crusaders 23-28 Irish
Irish can get at the scrum and more about them carrying around the ruck area. Halfbacks a good edge as well. Midfield full of potential but need to see more of Slade at the top level. Missing a real power option in the backs.

Crusaders 20 - 28 London Irish
Strong side for Irish. Nice balance. I remain unconvinced by Matt Symons and possibly a bigger carrier in the back line somewhere. Like the bench.

Crusaders 23 - 22 London Irish
Pack battle is excellent, some world class players in quite a few positions but see Crusaders having that bit more experience. A very young backline from Irish who will be very exciting to watch but with exception of Habana they must all be under 22/23 years old and having someone like Barritt playing for them could really make a difference in starting lineup.

Falcons 28-24 Stormers
Stormers could cause Falcons some problems in the front row, 2nd row pretty even here. Again back row is very close, can’t really see much in it. Half backs is where Falcons come alive and they will give great ball to their potent centre pairing. Stormers will hold them in defence in the centres but out wide the Falcons are too strong. Good impact bench gives them a good win.

Falcons 28-23 Stormers
Prefer the Falcons front 5 and they'll edge set piece. Backrow battle is tighter and little in it. Falcons better at halfback and a bit better in most back positions giving them a decent win.

Falcons 27 - 23 Stormers
Falcons just pipped at the scrum, and at the line out.But the breakdown is about even and the carrying and loose game of the Falcons pack is impressive and makes an advantage. The HB combo for Falcons are better with an excellent balance. Equally settled centre combos, but the spark of Smith gives an advantage to Falcons

Newcastle 25-20 Stormers
Hard to seperate the packs overall on current form but halfbacks a step up. Big fan of Webb. Back line has a bit of everything about it. NZs run at the world cup and the form of their loosies will have a big say on Falcons season.

Newcastle 24 - 24 Stormers
Ducalon a weakness. Second row not as strong as other options in the league. Nice backs. Good in attack and defence. Like the Webb Farrell combo they cover the others weakness.

Newcastle 25 - 20 Stormers
Some great experience in the pack and that will be needed against a pretty bruising Stormers team. Really like the balance of the home teams backline and can see them doing more damage with the ball they get. If Slater gets a run for Tigers injury free then that will be a big boost to Falcons over the season.

Rebels 20-30 Sale
Pretty simple up front for Sale who will school the Rebels here. Back row battle slightly closer but Rebels won’t have a front 5 platform to work off. Sale good at half back and those centres on front foot ball will cause anyone issues. Solid back 3 will run in the tries for Sale. Bench will make the margin bigger. SJE, it’s alright for a world cup squad, Danty will hopefully break through more this season too.

Rebels 23 - 34 Sale
Sale gone with an international quality pack, and the front row will dominate up against a fairly poor looking Rebels tight 5. Slimani especially impressed me against England. Not the biggest fan of Carter, but the rest of the pack is far too strong for Rebels, and the backs have too much power and pace for the Aussie side, despite Steyn at 10. SJE - Really not sure of Steyn as a 10, has all the skills but just not a proven number 10. Other than that, outside backs look good to me

Rebels 17-25 Sale
Sale with a good pack out and set the tone. Rebels better than they are on paper but can't live with the quality in the Sale side. Steyn ok at 10 but not living with quality in the league.

Rebels 19 - 38 Sale
Sale don't have their best front row out but it's good enough. They have the advantage at the line out and breakdown and back row play, and advantage at HB. Some defensive issues with the backs for Sale but could be lethal in attack, I like the attacking balance of Eastmond and Danty but it will suffer against clever attacks. The back 3 dangerous with good ball. Think Steyn not ideal at 10 but will do well enough

Melbourne 12 - 27 Sale
I'm not a fan of Steyn at 10 and I haven't seen a lot of Danty at 13. No issues in other positions. Good pack with no massive issues. Maybe a little short at line out.

Rebels 22 - 25 Sale Sharks
Really not sure about Steyn as a no10 as he likes to take the ball into contact and plays like a no12 does. Although Eastmond next to him will make a difference as adds some great creativity. Really strong back three and Roko has been in great form for Bath, only issue you could find with them is that they might get turned with a good kicking game, but in terms of attacking threat I can't see many teams offering that quality during WC.