Australia v England, 11 June

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AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
11 June 2016
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live on [tbc]

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

44 Played 44
25 Won 18
1 Drawn 1
18 Lost 25
940 Points 674

B. Recent Form

3 October 2015 - Twickenham, London: 13 – 33 to Australia

29 November 2014 - Twickenham, London: 26 – 17 to England

2 November 2013 - Twickenham, London: 20 – 13 to England

17 November 2012 - Twickenham, London: 14 – 20 to Australia

13 November 2010 - Twickenham, London: 35 – 18 to England

19 June 2010 - Telstra Stadium, Sydney: 20 – 21 to England

12 June 2010 - Subiaco Oval, Perth: 27 – 17 to Australia

C. Teams

AUSTRALIA 

Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Greg Holmes, Rory Arnold, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Sean McMahon, Nick Frisby, Christian Lealiifano

ENGLAND

15. Mike Brown; 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Luther Burrell, 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Dylan Hartley, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Kruis, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. James Haskell, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Matt Mullan, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Joe Launchbury, 20. Courtney Lawes, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Jack Nowell.

Ever so slightly non-PC comment from EJ on Yarde. Leaving out Nowell, if true, is a massive call.

They haven't quoted him as saying that though, that's really strange

Dropping Nowell is a mistake, he's so solid in defence whereas now both wingers are ropey tackles

Having said that, Yarde offers serious pace and linebreaking ability, maybe we are going to take it to them

Anyone want to see a Watson, Yarde, Nowell back 3 in another Test?

Not sure if Watson is so ropey these days. I think his defense has reached the heady heights of 'adequate'

Green and Gold claim this is the Australian team:

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Holmes
4. Arnold
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock

9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Horne
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Folau

Bench:
TPN
Slipper
Kepu
Horwill
Mumm
McMahon
Frisby
Lealiifano

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/breaking-wallaby-side-vs-england-first-test/

Rugby Fan wrote:Green and Gold claim this is the Australian team:

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Holmes
4. Arnold
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock

9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Horne
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Folau

Bench:
TPN
Slipper
Kepu
Horwill
Mumm
McMahon
Frisby
Lealiifano

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/breaking-wallaby-side-vs-england-first-test/

Yep, this is the line up. Glad to see Cheika is blooding a few new players. Debuting against England in Brisbane will be a good prep for the Bledisloe and RC.

England team announcement expected at 10:00am BST - just over an hour from now.

I would assume that Nowell hasn't done well in training camps!
Yarde must have shown something.

I quite like the idea of Nowell perhaps being on the bench and perhaps making an impact. Yarde perhaps offers a more physical presence to deal with the supersized OZ backs.

BamBam wrote:Having said that, Yarde offers serious pace and linebreaking ability, maybe we are going to take it to them

Does Yarde offer all that much pace? I like him as a player, and he is hard working and physical but I have never thought him to be especially quick, certainly no quicker than Nowell and Ashton.

I think Yard made quite a statement in that Wales match (regardless of the opposition)
I was massively surprised by his performance.

Maybe he has continued that in the training camp. Harsh on Nowell mind!

Glad to see Ford is "rested" and Teo ignored! Not comfortable with Burrell but rather him than Teo.

Finally glad they're keeping Itoje at lock. The changes / trials can be made at half time to mix things up...see how it works.

Robshaw has a lot anger to take out on Australia!

Know this is before the team is announced but I have a fair bit of excitement for this tour.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Know this is before the team is announced but I have a fair bit of excitement for this tour.

Family stuff means I am unable to watch any of the matches live - so my excitement levels are not especially high.

Rugby Fan wrote:England team announcement expected at 10:00am BST - just over an hour from now.

Delayed to 10:10

https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

The tension.....

As the press predicted last night

Will the biggest complaints be:

Nowell left out?
Haskell at 7?
Youngs starting?

Whats the bench?

Robshaw starting is my biggest gripe if that is the case?

LCD, Mullan, Hill, Launchbury, Lawes, Care, Ford, Nowell

So more roome for gripes there.

2 locks on the bench - feel sorry for Clifford.

15. Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 49 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
11. Marland Yarde (Harlequins, 8 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (vice captain, Saracens, 40 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 58 caps)

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 32 caps)
2. Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 72 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 62 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 4 caps)
5. George Kruis (Saracens, 15 caps)
6. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 48 caps)
7. James Haskell (Wasps, 68 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (vice captain, Saracens, 26 caps)

Replacements
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
17. Matt Mullan (Wasps 10 caps)
18. Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, 2 cap)
19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 32 caps)
20. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 46 caps)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 59 caps)
22. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)
23. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)

I think dropping Nowell is very harsh and quite frankly I am astonished we have two locks on the bench. Clifford/Harrison would have been a no-brainer for me.

LondonTiger wrote:Will the biggest complaints be:

Nowell left out?
Haskell at 7?
Youngs starting?

Or maybe:

Two locks on the bench?
LCD over Jamie George?



Can someone please explain to me what LCD brings to the game? Cannot strike, not a great pushing hooker, cannot throw, average in the loose.

No backrow bench cover seems very odd.

Happy to see Ford move aside as we just couldn't afford to keep carrying him. Robshaw is a very lucky boy, as is Youngs.

Must admit there are a few left field choices there!
I can only assume that these are the guys that have really stepped up in training - but cant help feeling that England is lacking pace and have chosen a side that will try and power over pace........and that didn't work before.

Itoje is the back row cover it seems - Hoping its not Lawes.

Come 60mins it will be all change - Robshaw off, Itoje to 6, Kruis subbed and Launchbury\Lawes both come on to energise the pack.

Ford will only come on if the game breaks up or we are getting humped.

So on the bright side we have a lock in as a lock, a flanker as a flanker, a RU centre in at centre, a hooker who can hit a barn door, and the FH & winger chosen ‘on form’. This EJ seems to know his onions. However, where he blots his copybook is the bench, with a surplus lock, no pace replacement in the BR and a hooker who can’t even see the barn, let alone hit its door.

On the other hand, Cheika has decided he is going to try and batter us – maybe that’s why EJ wants to fight fire with fire and has selected a squad full of big boys.

Cheika seems to want to out-England England with muscle, shame EJ didn’t choose to out-Aus Aus with pace.

As for favourites – hmmm, Aus at home, ‘reigning’ RWC finalists, and having recently given England a spanking at HQ… I wonder?

I guess the 2 lock cover works with Haskell going to 8 and Robshaw to 7 if Vunipola gets hurt with Itoje at 6.

I always thought Dean Mumm was a second row who could play 6 and maybe being only 1.96m they feel he is too small to play lock at the highest level. Covers 6 so I guess if Pocock gets hurt, Vardy goes to 8?

Looks like both teams are subscribing to a 4 lock theory that would leave them without a decent 8 should either get hurt.

Strange to have two Locks on the bench and I would have started with Nowell.

Really surprised by George missing out to LCD. Surely makes sense to prioritise a strong set piece so we can guarantee front foot ball? George brings that, LCD doesn't.

Lawes should consider himself lucky getting on the bench over Clifford or Harrison. He's not been at the required level for some time now (one hand-off on Roberts, aside). I can only assume he's there because of EJ's odd choice to select 4 locks in the 23. He'd certainly be the first lock to miss out otherwise.

Very pleased for Paul Hill. What a brilliant year he's had. Leapfrogged Brookes and performed superbly off the bench against Wales I thought.

I'm really hoping Robshaw has got some fire in his belly for this game. People will be expecting him to vying for revenge

Hazel Sapling wrote:I guess the 2 lock cover works with Haskell going to 8 and Robshaw to 7 if Vunipola gets hurt with Itoje at 6.

I always thought Dean Mumm was a second row who could play 6 and maybe being only 1.96m they feel he is too small to play lock at the highest level. Covers 6 so I guess if Pocock gets hurt, Vardy goes to 8?

Looks like both teams are subscribing to a 4 lock theory that would leave them without a decent 8 should either get hurt.

His pace and ability to finish will be a fright to our back line. Very multi talented player too 

I think the answer for baffling selections is probably how players perform in training. Certainly seemed to be a key reason Lancaster made his. I personally believe being great in training doesn't mean you'll be on the pitch but we'll see.

Who plays no 8 if Billy goes off injured?

I agree with pretty much of all the questioning of selections.

In addition I would have started Care with Farrell too - they played best together in 2014 6 nations.

I also would have started Goode to get an additional playmaker in the backline.

Cant help feeling that Genge and Sinkler would have been better off getting game time with the Saxons.
Would have loved a mid-week match for the England tour squad.

Maybe George has a niggle? I suspect we'll only see a few minutes of LCD unless Hartley gets injured.

No Slade and no Clifford are the gripes for me. For all I'd have George on the bench LCD has looked good in his cameos so far.

I understand that Aus went for a 6 2 bench split so maybe why we have 2 locks along with the very real possibility Itoje will go to 6 at some point.

lostinwales wrote:Maybe George has a niggle? I suspect we'll only see a few minutes of LCD unless Hartley gets injured.

Perhaps, plus he has had little rugby since his biceps injury, failing to oust Brits (who was close to incompetent at the set piece last season) for the big games.

beshocked wrote:I think the answer for baffling selections is probably how players perform in training. Certainly seemed to be a key reason Lancaster made his. I personally believe being great in training doesn't mean you'll be on the pitch but we'll see.

Who plays no 8 if Billy goes off injured?

I agree with pretty much of all the questioning of selections.

In addition I would have started Care with Farrell too - they played best together in 2014 6 nations.

I also would have started Goode to get an additional playmaker in the backline.

Haskell presumably. Itoje covers at flank.

No 7&1/2 wrote:No Slade and no Clifford are the gripes for me. For all I'd have George on the bench LCD has looked good in his cameos so far.

Slade was never going to be covering 10 from the bench, so his only real chance would have been if Ford/Farrell had started.

Dropping Nowell is frankly ridiculous. He's had an incredible season.

Nowell/Yarde with Watson FB would have been better if he wanted to bring in Yarde.

EDIT: Nevermind may be injury related.

If Hartley gets injured 10 mins in I'm turning it off and watching the cricket

Well so much for that being England's third choice team the other week then... Also don't Aus have two locks on the bench? I do agree that Clifford should be in there somewhere, hopefully the second test at least.

It's a big strong England pack at least. A lot stronger than the one that faced Australia in the RWC.

Got to be confident. Coming off a GS for England and a good European campaign for English clubs in general.

Debutant in the 2nd row for Australia against England, very interesting. Up against Kruis-Itoje arguably the form 2nd row partnership in the NH.

Plus of course England have professor of the lineout as a coach.

Thanks Jimpy you're right. Subs doesn't feel me with confidence though. Got to hope Hartley and Billy stay on for the full 80 IMO.

The back-row performed well in the 6N, but surely there are concerns coming up against Fardy, Pocock and Hooper - a proper fetcher back-row and arguably the best in world rugby?

mikey_dragon wrote:The back-row performed well in the 6N, but surely there are concerns coming up against Fardy, Pocock and Hooper - a proper fetcher back-row and arguably the best in world rugby?

Could have picked Harrison to show them who is boss in his second international?

mikey dragon of course there is but that's why the rest of the pack need to help. Mako for a big bloke goes through a surprising amount of work, Cole is no slouch, Itoje doesn't really operate like a traditional lock, makes more turnovers than many backrowers.

England players need to make sure they don't get isolated. Need to support others, though I guess the worry is that the England pack isn't pacy enough. I don't think there's a lack of power in the England pack though.

Haskell inevitably will be a key man for England. I think Billy will run hard and Robshaw will work hard but it's Haskell who needs to help bring things together. Help physically boss the Aussies. Easier said than done but it's his job.

Need to impose their gameplan on the opposition.

Scottrf wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The back-row performed well in the 6N, but surely there are concerns coming up against Fardy, Pocock and Hooper - a proper fetcher back-row and arguably the best in world rugby?

Could have picked Harrison to show them who is boss in his second international?

Yeah why not, he played well enough. Are Aus crying about their 4 debutants?

Completely missed Sean McMahon was on the bench for Aus. Is he a 7? If so, can he cover 8 should Pocock go off?

LondonTiger wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:No Slade and no Clifford are the gripes for me. For all I'd have George on the bench LCD has looked good in his cameos so far.

Slade was never going to be covering 10 from the bench, so his only real chance would have been if Ford/Farrell had started.

I'd have started him, but I'd like to see him involved asap. Looks a good strong team, and I'm feeling optimistic.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The back-row performed well in the 6N, but surely there are concerns coming up against Fardy, Pocock and Hooper - a proper fetcher back-row and arguably the best in world rugby?

Could have picked Harrison to show them who is boss in his second international?

Yeah why not, he played well enough. Are Aus crying about their 4 debutants?

mikey dragon playing debutants in tough matches can backfire.

England will have more continuity surprisingly than the Aussies. In the first XV anyway.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Completely missed Sean McMahon was on the bench for Aus. Is he a 7? If so, can he cover 8 should Pocock go off?

Fardy would go to 8?

beshocked that's confident. The SH don't need much time to gel as a team, personally I put that down to super rugby.