Lack of an effective 10 at this point in the series will cost the Wallabies

Up to this point in the series the Lions have shown that theyre fully capable of winning this series and regardless of how the dice rolled last weekend the Lions got over the line and look as though they have more in them to continue to pressure the Wallabies in the next two tests.

For Oz I believe Deans not bringing Quade Cooper into the squad at least at the second drop 2 or 3 weeks ago will be the final nail in the coffin for the W's.

Easily the best performing 10 in the early part of the sxv and with an effective combination working well with Genia Deans should have bit the bottom lip and encouraged the pairing. All he di was ignore him yet wave the never ending carrot Quades way saying his chances are not all lost.

From that point Coopers form dropped off a little and his latter games were still typical quade, but a bit on the shakier side as we all know he is capable of.

But the first test showed Deans has no idea what the skills of a 10 are and whats required for a series of this calibre. Come the second and deciding test, he now has no effective 10. JOC after 18 m onths was introduced to the fire and brimstone out of position and had he goal kicking lumped on him as well.

I have said for months that the side with the most effective 10 would end up winning this series, not for the individual themselves but more for the importance of being able to direct the play, put the side in key positions to both score and gain territory. JOC has none of that ability and its likely Beale may wear that responsibility this week. Another card trick Deans hopes will come off.

Last week the W's relied on key individuals to get near the Lions- Genia solo run and chip to put Folau in and Folau's individual talent to get over the line again. Other than that the W's were at sea, obviously not helped by key injuries. The packs will again cancel eachother out, the real fireworks in the individual efforts of the backs, as was the case last week.

This week they start in a position less than last week and the Lions are smelling blood. They wont relent and will pour the pressure on Saturday night.

With Cooper the ability to work with Beale, JOC Genia and Folau with a combination of running, chips to the wings and gaps and most importantly his superb wide flat pass would have set the W's up more often.

Now Deans is guessing. Who's going to be at 10? He has none of experience and will be clutching at straws.

Hopefully something clicks but for all their bad luck as well hard to see Oz recovering from what will be a very very hungry Lions pack.

Yep can't argue with any of that,Cooper is also an excellent counter attacker and offers a decent kicking option so the Lions loose kicking might have been punished even more.

Cooper has a lot of flaws in his game but he understands the position and would offer a much more potent threat than JoC.If you had swapped 10's last Saturday I think Australia would have won by 15+.

Wouldnt Jonathan Thurston make a good starter for 10?


Leftshoulder, also Cooper plays his best rugby outside of Genia.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Yep can't argue with any of that,Cooper is also an excellent counter attacker and offers a decent kicking option so the Lions loose kicking might have been punished even more.

Cooper has a lot of flaws in his game but he understands the position and would offer a much more potent threat than JoC.If you had swapped 10's last Saturday I think Australia would have won by 15+.

Yeah would Cooper have played worse than JOC? Can't see it. It was left to Genia and a later cameo by Beale to make any one off in-roads, helped by a supreme debut by Folau. JOC is better off wider out where he can loorange a little more in the Beale, Ioane style

I'm picking Cooper to be at 10 for the RC...under a new coach...(unless the contracts are tied up there for Deans...).

I've been real critical of Cooper in the past vs the AB's and man he can have shockers but for this series he stands out as the most proficient 10 and has the big game experience, and knows how to work with Genia, Beale, JOC, Ioane on the outside better than anyone.

I have to disagree Taylorman

JOC is a good 10 and I would far rather him there instead of cooper. Wallabies had a really unlucky game that first test. Their kicker was off instantly and it cost them in the end. They had players who were out of position due to injuries and a slip by beale lost them the game, despite having ample opportunities to win it.

Unless Wallabies miss nearly all their kicks again and have equal amount of injuries, I can only see them winning the second test. Unless of course the Lions raise their game by a considerable amount and Joubert makes a dogs breakfast of the reffing.

Wallabies also have an advantage in the fact Barnes won't be starting. He caused a lot of issues during his time on the pitch with some awful kicks. Beale looked very sharp at fb.

In my mind, Lions have to really step it up a notch to win the series or hope that Joubert backs their cause at the breakdown to let hp score lots of easy penalties.

bsando wrote:I have to disagree Taylorman

JOC is a good 10 and I would far rather him there instead of cooper. Wallabies had a really unlucky game that first test. Their kicker was off instantly and it cost them in the end. They had players who were out of position due to injuries and a slip by beale lost them the game, despite having ample opportunities to win it.

Unless Wallabies miss nearly all their kicks again and have equal amount of injuries, I can only see them winning the second test. Unless of course the Lions raise their game by a considerable amount and Joubert makes a dogs breakfast of the reffing.

Wallabies also have an advantage in the fact Barnes won't be starting. He caused a lot of issues during his time on the pitch with some awful kicks. Beale looked very sharp at fb.

In my mind, Lions have to really step it up a notch to win the series or hope that Joubert backs their cause at the breakdown to let hp score lots of easy penalties.

Yep thats the balance of this argument I suppose.

I just can't agree JOC is a good 10- at this level? He's been out for 2 years and played one test at 10 vs Wales in 2011 of his 40 odd tests (mwhere mostly at wing and FB) before last week.

So far he's not proved as a 10 on that basis. In sxv he's played mainly for lowly sides rebels and the Force? was it? so where is the thinking that he's a good 10? As far as I can see, this showed in many ways last weekend. Didnt run the game, didnt have a tactical boot and as time went on went missing, the kicking completely throwing what confidence he had off.

Yeah fair enough, he does lack a certain amount of vision, much like Hogg did during his matches at ten for Lions. But I don't think the Wallabies desperately need a ten who is going to be looking for space and opportunities to go wide (as G&G rugby say). JOC may well have been playing a fairly conservative role at ten, but it still got the wallabies into a winning position. If Cooper comes in to do everything many Wallabies fans want to see, he may ultimately do it badly, resulting in a disaster and more counter attacking opportunities for the Lions.

On the flip side, as the greenandgold rugby videos point out, there was opportunities for JOC to do more. I just feel Cooper is not the man to be in that position of responsibility. I'd prefer Barnes or Beale at 10 than Cooper tbh. I just think Cooper is too sketchy and unreliable at times. JOC is a classy player, and in a way, I think his lack of experience at 10 prevents him from doing anything stupid. He has a lot of responsibility and he won't make stupid decisions. There is so much talent in the Wallabies backline that I don't think it really matters if their ten is not looking to go wide all the time or boot into space. These players will get opportunities and will most likely finish them off.

Guess we'll see, but

bsando wrote:...Unless of course...Joubert makes a dogs breakfast of the reffing...

Well, it depends which side the dog's breakfast favours.

There was an interesting piece on Green & Gold about Pollock's decisionsns:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallabies-v-lions-refereeing-furore/

bsando wrote:Yeah fair enough, he does lack a certain amount of vision, much like Hogg did during his matches at ten for Lions. But I don't think the Wallabies desperately need a ten who is going to be looking for space and opportunities to go wide (as G&G rugby say). JOC may well have been playing a fairly conservative role at ten, but it still got the wallabies into a winning position. If Cooper comes in to do everything many Wallabies fans want to see, he may ultimately do it badly, resulting in a disaster and more counter attacking opportunities for the Lions.

On the flip side, as the greenandgold rugby videos point out, there was opportunities for JOC to do more. I just feel Cooper is not the man to be in that position of responsibility. I'd prefer Barnes or Beale at 10 than Cooper tbh. I just think Cooper is too sketchy and unreliable at times. JOC is a classy player, and in a way, I think his lack of experience at 10 prevents him from doing anything stupid. He has a lot of responsibility and he won't make stupid decisions. There is so much talent in the Wallabies backline that I don't think it really matters if their ten is not looking to go wide all the time or boot into space. These players will get opportunities and will most likely finish them off.

Guess we'll see, but

Yeah I know and agree to a point. Its just since he returned he's not looked the same and struggled a bit even at sxv.

That long out of the test environment and coming back as a 10 vs the Lions first up is one huuuuuge leap and it showed in many ways. He even missed the kicks not because he's a poor kicker, but because his confidence was low.

Lose on Saturday and the non engagement of Cooper will stand out a mile through all this and will likely end Deans, Cooper back for the Rugby C.. Oz will need an Origin Queensland type start to the next match and the Lions are just good enough not to give it to them.

Agree though...we'll see. the point here is that this week players need to step up. Lately Oz have recovered well from losing the first test of the year to a non traditional SH foe (3 straight now) so hopefully that works as well.

Still backing the Lions if JOC's at 10 though.

Sure Cooper has his flaws which good teams can exploit, but IMO he's still the best 10 for the Wallabies

Its a close call and I like them both but prefer JOC out wide and Cooper in with genia...its that flat wide pass that I would have like to see from Cooper, he's the best at it. Mores the pity...

Where does JOC play for the Rebels?

Last week he was a complete non-entity, though his own performance was hindered by Genia doing everything. JOC has to be better this week, surely?

JOC has never looked convincing with the Rebels.... he's not a 10. He's a first five eigth and a good one at that but he just can't run a game like a world class backline requires. Henson, McAllister, Flately, Mauger, Frans Steyn, Twelvetrees, Madigan, Giteau... all class 12's, not one class 10 amongst them... JOC belongs in that group.

Will it cost AUS... perhaps not, the talent in the backline is so high chaps, like O'Connor himself, Beale & Folau can make something out of nothing... and it helps to have a little general in Genia next to him. Lealiifano will also improve his options.

I think though that Cooper should have started. AUS have no 80% kicker amongst them. Given that AUS' best chance would be to blast the lions off the park... and that means Cooper. He will make more chances then any 10 in rugby today. Forget his defensive issues.. the lions don't possess massive ball carriers anyhow (no Phillips, O'Brien, Jenkins, Roberts, Tuilagi, Cuthbert)... and they haven't used North up the middle at all this series.

Biggest gamble in Deans life. If JOC doesn't perform on Saturday Deans will be back tending to his farm in NZ within the month (assuming thats what all kiwi's do post rugby???... its what most boks do).

fa0019 wrote:JOC has never looked convincing with the Rebels.... he's not a 10. He's a first five eigth and a good one at that but he just can't run a game like a world class backline requires. Henson, McAllister, Flately, Mauger, Frans Steyn, Twelvetrees, Madigan, Giteau... all class 12's, not one class 10 amongst them... JOC belongs in that group.

Very good..I'd agree with that. I had JOC at 12 from day 1 for this series. Genia, Cooper, JOC and AAC with Beale coming in from the back and Ioane and Folau to make the most of Coopers wide pass would have been a treat. Beale, Cooper and JOC run off eachother so well.

The one thing Oz have done last two years is after losing every first test for the year theyve won the next- against tougher opposition- South Africa a week after losing to Samoa, and last year Wales after losing to Scotland....so whatever the reason for it,theyve come out much stronger after the initial loss. They have that going for them here.

I remember a discussion about JOC. Most posters agree wing was his best position but I remember Tman you wanted to take a punt at him in the 12 position. Given the resources of Australia I tend to agree. AAC offers defensive solidity but his distribution is not his forte.

Barnes is an expert in aimless kicking. Beale is wasted at 10. To an extent so is JOC but his lack of kicking control makes him actually a liability. A 10 has to be able to kick. You can't run everything. JOC has a boot on him but it's not the same. He hasn't convinced there for the Force so why on earth would he work in a wallaby jersey? To me Foley has convinced more at Super level and deserved to be at least on the bench.

You might say you take a risk with an untried player. But just because JOC has test experience doesn't mean he has 10 experience. It's a pivotal position. It's a highly skilled position. It needs specialist players. There's no 10.5 players or 9.5 despite the attempts of PSA! You can shuffle around the back three and to a lesser extent the centres but you don't ruck around with your halfback and fly half.

Deans is burying his head in the sand over Cooper but he's making an insane decision over JOC. The Lions won't believe their luck that he's there again. Deans should've done what Gats did to Phillips. At least in terms of recognizing when a performance hurt your team.

Taylorman wrote:
Yep thats the balance of this argument I suppose.

I just can't agree JOC is a good 10- at this level? He's been out for 2 years and played one test at 10 vs Wales in 2011 of his 40 odd tests (mwhere mostly at wing and FB) before last week.

Cooper himself has also only played one test in the last 2 years. He may have been brought in if he hadnt gone on a bender after the Reds game. However, time and time again he demonstrates you just cant trust or rely on the guy so I think Deans made absolutly the right call in not picking him.

Maybe Cooper will learn from this.

It's personal between Deans and Cooper and that is the coaches failing

Taylorman wrote:

bsando wrote:Yeah fair enough, he does lack a certain amount of vision, much like Hogg did during his matches at ten for Lions. But I don't think the Wallabies desperately need a ten who is going to be looking for space and opportunities to go wide (as G&G rugby say). JOC may well have been playing a fairly conservative role at ten, but it still got the wallabies into a winning position. If Cooper comes in to do everything many Wallabies fans want to see, he may ultimately do it badly, resulting in a disaster and more counter attacking opportunities for the Lions.

On the flip side, as the greenandgold rugby videos point out, there was opportunities for JOC to do more. I just feel Cooper is not the man to be in that position of responsibility. I'd prefer Barnes or Beale at 10 than Cooper tbh. I just think Cooper is too sketchy and unreliable at times. JOC is a classy player, and in a way, I think his lack of experience at 10 prevents him from doing anything stupid. He has a lot of responsibility and he won't make stupid decisions. There is so much talent in the Wallabies backline that I don't think it really matters if their ten is not looking to go wide all the time or boot into space. These players will get opportunities and will most likely finish them off.

Guess we'll see, but

Yeah I know and agree to a point. Its just since he returned he's not looked the same and struggled a bit even at sxv.

That long out of the test environment and coming back as a 10 vs the Lions first up is one huuuuuge leap and it showed in many ways. He even missed the kicks not because he's a poor kicker, but because his confidence was low.

Lose on Saturday and the non engagement of Cooper will stand out a mile through all this and will likely end Deans, Cooper back for the Rugby C.. Oz will need an Origin Queensland type start to the next match and the Lions are just good enough not to give it to them.

Agree though...we'll see. the point here is that this week players need to step up. Lately Oz have recovered well from losing the first test of the year to a non traditional SH foe (3 straight now) so hopefully that works as well.

Still backing the Lions if JOC's at 10 though.

Tenner says JOC wins it for the wallabies

Yeah you and others have made some good points. really comes down to personal preference in the end, mine is that cooper should never grace a wallabies top again.

looking at the two teams selections, I think Gatland has made a big mistake in brining in youngs. It shows weakness if you ask me, and it'll be pleasing for deans to know his sides tactics last week convinced Gatland to drop his first team scrum half. Vunipola at 1 however, could actually work well. I'm not going to dis that decision. His scrummaging may be questionable, but he has been on good form elsewhere. If scrum is getting totally owned, then grant can come on and save the day.

The way this series is panning out, it does look more and more like a terrible decision to leave out Cooper.

He's a guy that would really punish the lax defneding out wide from the Lions iwth the attacking talent the Wallabies have.

I won't say much more, I think its pretty much all been said above.

Who's more important to Australia right now, Deans or Cooper? Could this be the beginning of the end for Deans? A series loss (especially 3-0) could really push the ARU to make some decisions.

AUS aren't going to win this through taking it to the wire kick for kick with halfpenny. They will win it by smashing the doors down.... something JOC has never shown capable of running... finishing sure, but not running. In the end it was Beale who was running the fightback yet you'd rather have him receiving then distributing.

Without Cooper I always preferred a Barnes-O'Connor 10 and 12. At least it enables you to run a decent backline and mix conservative with creative.

O'Connor looks a bit unsure what to do.... running through the plays rather than playing whats in front of him.

fa0019 wrote:JOC has never looked convincing with the Rebels.... he's not a 10. He's a first five eigth and a good one at that but he just can't run a game like a world class backline requires. Henson, McAllister, Flately, Mauger, Frans Steyn, Twelvetrees, Madigan, Giteau... all class 12's, not one class 10 amongst them... JOC belongs in that group.

Not disagreeing with your point at all. Just adding this for clarity as a lot of people ask about it

12 is 2nd 5/8ths not a 1st 5/8ths

Kiwiland

9 = Halfback

10 & 12 = 5/8ths

11,13, 14 = 3/4 line (with 13 as the only "Centre")

15 = fullback


Rest of the world

9 & 10 = Halfback

11,12,13 & 14 = 3/4 line (with 12 and 13 as 1st and 2nd centre)

15 = fullback

So basically we see our halfbacks as a pair and our centres as a pair. They see their 10 and 12 as a pair.

I'm sure we can get a few kiwis to disagree with me.

HI Jennifer... yeah, you're right. I did actually mean to write second five eigth but for some reason wrote first which makes no sense!!! But I think you got what I meant.

fa0019 wrote:HI Jennifer... yeah, you're right. I did actually mean to write second five eigth but for some reason wrote first which makes no sense!!! But I think you got what I meant.

I figured that, but just put that post up for the benefit of everyone as the subject seems to confuse people.

I remember trying to explain it to someone in a pub once and they just couldn't get it, until I drew a diagram on a beermat and laid it out graphically.

They told me it had been puzzling them for years.

Looking at teams that do well without a good fly half are few and far between.

Italy this year did good when their fly halfs where on form, when parks waz on form for scotland they beat oz and SA. No fly half or a bad fly half like france in the 6N or Wales in the AIs is proof it doesn't matter whats backs are like a few poor kicks or wrong passes will lose you are game and discourage the team moral at international level

The term first five eighth is drug related actually Jen. A fly half is a first five eighth because historically the fly half would buy an ounce or an eighth for his 5 other backline mates. Hence why that position was described as the pivot and the one who worked the magic or ran the show.

The captain would bring the oranges or party pills. The tradition of swapping jerseys was code for showing you wanted to share your product.

Won't find that on Wikipedia but doesn't mean to say it doesn't happen up and down the country week in and week out.

Brendan wrote:Looking at teams that do well without a good fly half are few and far between.

Italy this year did good when their fly halfs where on form, when parks waz on form for scotland they beat oz and SA.  No fly half or a bad fly half like france in the 6N or Wales in the AIs is proof it doesn't matter whats backs are like a few poor kicks or wrong passes will lose you are game and discourage the team moral at international level

Ulster rugby??? Chaps like Ruan are rare themselves though. Like Genia, a good operator himself.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:The term first five eighth is drug related actually Jen. A fly half is a first five eighth because historically the fly half would buy an ounce or an eighth for his 5 other backline mates. Hence why that position was described as the pivot and the one who worked the magic or ran the show.

The captain would bring the oranges or party pills. The tradition of swapping jerseys was code for showing you wanted to share your product.

Won't find that on Wikipedia but doesn't mean to say it doesn't happen up and down the country week in and week out.

I find it impossible to call this match. I think they way things are shaping up either team will be able to win. In Melbourne the Lions will have home advantage but the Aussies will undoubtedly have Joubert on their side.

Sadly I think this game will be decided by the ref. In the 6 nations match between Wales and Scotland for example Joubert was the ref and was very very whistle happy. He awarded 30 penalties and there was a world record 18 penalty attempts for goal between both side. Most of them came from the scrum. The Lions are bound to cop a lot of penalties here!!!!

However, if he does award the Lions anywhere near the same amount of pens as Aus the Lions should win. Very unlikely.

fa0019 wrote:

Brendan wrote:Looking at teams that do well without a good fly half are few and far between.

Italy this year did good when their fly halfs where on form, when parks waz on form for scotland they beat oz and SA.  No fly half or a bad fly half like france in the 6N or Wales in the AIs is proof it doesn't matter whats backs are like a few poor kicks or wrong passes will lose you are game and discourage the team moral at international level

Ulster rugby??? Chaps like Ruan are rare themselves though. Like Genia, a good operator himself.

See i would say that they are a result of not having a good fly half. Either way one of your half backs needs to dictate the game. If the fly half doesn't the scrum half has to step it up.

With Oz when they had genia and cooper the opposition had to watch both. Sarries (and i know there are other) when matched in the pack, get killed because everyone knows how the ball will go from the ruck so easier to defend. Carter and sexton on ths other hand are unknown as to what they might do.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

fa0019 wrote:JOC has never looked convincing with the Rebels.... he's not a 10. He's a first five eigth and a good one at that but he just can't run a game like a world class backline requires. Henson, McAllister, Flately, Mauger, Frans Steyn, Twelvetrees, Madigan, Giteau... all class 12's, not one class 10 amongst them... JOC belongs in that group.

Not disagreeing with your point at all. Just adding this for clarity as a lot of people ask about it

12 is 2nd 5/8ths not a 1st 5/8ths

Kiwiland

9 = Halfback

10 & 12 = 5/8ths

11,13, 14 = 3/4 line (with 13 as the only "Centre")

15 = fullback


Rest of the world

9 & 10 = Halfback

11,12,13 & 14 = 3/4 line (with 12 and 13 as 1st and 2nd centre)

15 = fullback

So basically we see our halfbacks as a pair and our centres as a pair. They see their 10 and 12 as a pair.

I'm sure we can get a few kiwis to disagree with me.

Yes thats right, if they'd kept up the fractions game with 2nd 5/8ths it'd be called 11/16ths- the true half way point between 5/8 (10/16) and 3/4 (12/16ths) so glad the common sense kicked in and called them first and second...imagine being called an 11/16ths? Truly crazy naming system...

Prior to the series I really thought that Oz would be strongest with Quade in the side and I haven't changed my mind. Yes he has bad games but he's worth the risk for what he offers when he links up with Genia, Beale, JOC and Ioane.

9.Genia 10.Cooper 11.O'Connor 12.Lealiifano 13.Ashley-Cooper 14.Folau 15.Beale

That would have been great to see for the second test.

Does cooper have bad games at home, isn't it more away from home he struggles. An international 10 playing bad is better then a make shift 10 doing their best.

I know it is a bit off-piste but look at Scotland. We have really struggled over the last few years because of many reasons but a major one being the lack of an effective SO.
I appreciate that this isn't the same as a Lions/Aus match but an interesting aside/comparison?

Brendan wrote:Does cooper have bad games at home, isn't it more away from home he struggles.  An international 10 playing bad is better then a make shift 10 doing their best.

The bad games they are reporting recently largely revolve around two horrible and in all honesty flukey charge down try's and some poor defensive efforts. One of the charge downs wacked straight into another player after being charged down it was a bit weird. And only when Deans started mucking Cooper around did he start going off a bit.

And Carter is charged down all the time,Cruden scooping a try off him a few weeks ago. The French got him a couple of times as well.

JOC's now gotta front and not picking QC it appears will end up making or breaking Deans this series- in fact in just over 24 hours and a bit.

For all the criticism of Deans I don't think its fair to say he doesn't know what the skills of a 1st 5/8 are. He did an alright job himself in his day and has seen Merts and Carter in action a few times.

His non choosing of Cooper is probably related to lots of things - maybe Horwill has said "Quad is a d!ck and I dont' want him in the team" who knows.

Well he was a FB but I agree re Merts as he will have coached Merts for years. But how he can compare the two as playmakers is beyond me- Merts had the complete range for a 10. JOC hasnt showed anywhere near whats neededfor the pos.

Agree theres more to it with Quade but why keep throwing him a lifeline. He kept saying he needs to man up on D and Cooper didnt do that great there but JOC's been struggling as well and wasnt great vs North and Cuthbert on their way to the line. Wasnt his fault but to push on with an obviously lacklustre JOC at 10 shows hes clutching at straws.

Lose Saturday and EVERYONE will be criticising him for not selecting Cooper. Geez the irony...

I agree QC should be in the side with JOC on the wing - JOC is not a 10.

However, I do not believe the Wallabies lost the game last week because of JOC's performance as a 10/playmaker - maybe as goal kicker. Plain and simple they missed 5 kicks - some easy. They just needed ONE of the 5 to go over then a totally different story. If that happened then suspect the focus would not be on JOC - it would be about how the Lions will struggle to get back into the series having received a massive psychological blow.

I think the series will remain close. Personally I think we have seen the best from the Lions - I know a big call. With a couple of injuries and a scrum that is being matched by and large by W, I don't see what else they will bring in the second test over what we already saw - time will tell.  However, W will be better with a game under their belts and presumably a more fluid and stable backline. Key will be using their back 3 in attack as often as possible especially in the second half as the game opens up. Watch for Beale and CL in the playmaker role as the match goes on - just my view.

Yep Rob for all the things that happened for Oz last week the Lions sure made hard work of winning by two points. And go back two years. A loss to Samoa then a 39-20 win a week later against the Boks. Thats the kind of improvement levels that are possible with this side so in that respect youre probably right- Oz have the most to improve on.

The thing going for the Lions is they have their tails up and can smell victory. That can backfire as well but if nursed right it could give them the extra fight theyll need. Cant see Oz just giving this away too easy and who knows...JOC could have a blinder...

JOc is going to wear 10 but he won't be a Flyhalf, not in the real sense. LLF will be the playmaker and Genia the commander and JOC will play a "free-floating" blind side wing type role, often coming onto the inside pop off LLF. That's what I reckon

yeah in looking at the team again its looking fairly solid and it does seem that all oz need to do is kick their goals and stay on the field to win- based on last weeks performance so this week I'll back the W's who have much more improvement in them.

Still dont like an out of form JOC at 10 but he 'was' a classy player so enefit of the doubt has to apply. Beale will be the go to man and Folau can't have a beter match than last week I wouldnt think, being closer marked this time.

I find it hard to predict the result this week,both teams should be looking to improve as despite the excitement of the tight scoreline I don't think it was a particularly good game.Both defenses were well on top and 4 moments of quality attacking play doesn't chaneg that.

The Lions have a few unknown entities as the scrum might not functiopn and losing PoC is a massive blow but if they can speed up their delivery to the backline I think they can make hay.If the Oz defense suffocates them like it did last week then I think Oz will win.The forwards need to get over the gainline when they carry and both North and Bowe need to come infield looking for work as without Roberts their isn't the same grunt in the midfield.

Yeah POC's a big loss and Oz will be fighting tooth and nail for every scrap of ball and inch forward. Its what theyre good at...making something from nothing. Just can't see them giving this one up and if they click with the type of focus I think they'll have the score could blow out. Starting to feel that way about this one now.

Yeah I was disappointed with how the Lions played in the 1st match I thought they'd be a lot stronger so a decent Aussie win wouldn't shock me.Have to say it shows just how tough it is to create a team from scratch as I think England and Wales would both have looked stronger even though the quality of their players wouldn't be as high.