Wallabies vs Fiji

Wallabies XV to face Fiji

1 Tom Robertson (7 Tests)
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (68 Tests)
3 Allan Alaalatoa (9 Tests)
4 Sam Carter (13 Tests)
5 Adam Coleman (9 Tests)
6 Ned Hanigan*
7 Michael Hooper (c) (65 Tests)
8 Scott Higginbotham (32 Tests)
9 Will Genia (75 Tests)
10 Bernard Foley (42 Tests)
11 Henry Speight (11 Tests)
12 Karmichael Hunt*
13 Tevita Kuridrani (45 Tests)
14 Dane Haylett-Petty (14 Tests)
15 Israel Folau (52 Tests)

• denotes debutant

Reserves to be named on Friday

Interesting squad, without Stephen Moore, Hooper to captain, and Hunt at second-five.

That is a decent 4, 5, 6 combination. No lack of lineout options, and should be abrasive.

442 caps. Bench will probably have a few caps

@NTA

Any thoughts on Hanigan? A better option than Fardy?

@Duluth said in Wallabies vs Fiji:

@NTA

Any thoughts on Hanigan? A better option than Fardy?

Not right now. But in the same vein as Steven Luatua has been looked over for the future prospects of Akira Ioane, so too would Ned be a development. Fair bit of pace on him too.

@Duluth ^ what he said.

Hanigan is a good prospect. Maybe a few kg short of the bashy blindside we're used to, and a little young, but very handy in the air, and good support runner.

This is the period to bring some of these guys in. Just need to make sure - as a team - we don't trip over the three teams ranked lower than us.

Its a 2019 plan by Cheika.

The clown is starting to wake up and smell the shite. Moore should have been dumped last year at the latest.
Why not name the reserves? Isn't it a team of 23 now? Don't your plans get made around the whole group?

Flying Fijians to play the Aussies:

1 Campese Maáfu
2 Sunia Koto
3 Peni Ravai
4 Tevita Cavubati
5 Leone Nakarawa
6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7 Naulia Dawai
8 Akapusi Qera
9 Nikola Matawalu
10 Ben Volavola
11 Vereniki Goneva
12 Jale Vatubua
13 Albert Vulivuli
14 Timoci Nagusa
15 Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves
16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17. Joeli Veitayaki, 18. Kalivati Tawake, 19. Api Ratuniyarawa, 20. Viliame Mata, 21. Nemani Nagusa, 22. Seurpepeli Vularika, 23. Benito Masilevu

I like the look of Hanigan - the best Aussie 6 prospect in a long time. Looks to have the dimensions and skills for it. Might need to develop a bit of mongrel.

So Stephen Moore is Wallaby captain but doesn't start. Interesting.

@Crucial said in Wallabies vs Fiji:

Why not name the reserves? Isn't it a team of 23 now? Don't your plans get made around the whole group?

I guess they're still trying to work out who the 24th man will be.....

I like the starting lineup. Hunt should bring a bit of steel to that Wallaby midfield.

@ACT-Crusader CONTROVERSY!!! NO 24TH MAN NAMED!

Reserves
16. Stephen Moore (117 Tests)
17. Toby Smith (4 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu (77 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (9 Tests)
20. Richard Hardwick*
21. Joe Powell*
22. Quade Cooper (67 Tests)
23. Reece Hodge (10 Tests)

*Denotes debut

Cheika in non "edgy" team naming shock.

@Bones I hope he doesn't let Steve Hansen wind him up again this year.

@Tim He's obviously a humbled man.

@Tim said in Wallabies vs Fiji:

@Bones I hope he doesn't let Steve Hansen wind him up again this year.

I wonder if Vern Cotter will have a go

Folau yellow card. Was a bit unlucky actually. Pulled out almost straight away but that's the Law

Aussies up 15-0 nearly 20 gone

Wallabies looking solid but not quite putting everything together. Khunt is having a good game. So is debutant Hanigan

Nice set piece try to Folau.

Wobs up 25-0 after 56

Fiji clearly suffering from not having some of its more experienced players. Nadolo is a huge loss.

@NTA said in Wallabies vs Fiji:

Khunt is having a good game

A Hunt/Kerevi combo might be the best option

That was a great try from the Fijians.