S3, P1: Great Britain vs. Australian Wallaroos (vBookie)

Great Britain

1. Eddie Morris
2. Callum Laing
3. Doug Dafter
4. James McDougal
5. John McGrath
6. Sam Verigotta
7. Simon Laing
8. Marcuss Deane

9. Ben Hornby
10. Jake Luffman

11. Al Farnsworth
12. Ed Ames
13. Chris Golding
14. Simon Nova
15. Jordan Logan

Designated Place Kicker: Ed Ames

Substitutes
16. Bruce Force
17. Rikki Fittaman
18. Lee Sweetman
19. Reece Fisher
20. Jake Howe
21. Tom Clough
22. Zohaib Ikram

Australian Wallaroos

1. Wes Welker (Hurricanes)
2. Tom DeLonge (Vikings)
3. Dave Eggman (Spartans)
4. Morgan Burridge (Vikings)
5. Jack Dempsey (Vikings)
6. Ben Manera (Vikings)
7. League Lover (Hurricanes)
8. Brett Gemmell (Hurricanes)

9. Luke Pilgrim (Hurricanes)
10. Aaron Hunt (Vikings)

11. Kelvin Fung (Hurricanes)
12. Paddy Orr (Spartans)
13. Stephen Cambridge (Vikings)
14. Ben Herd (Vikings)
15. Al Son (Hurricanes)

Substitutes

16. Benny Read (Hurricanes)
17. Chocolate Man (Vikings)
18. Charlie Downes (Spartans)
19. Theo Miokovic (Vikings)
20. Dion Alessi (Spartans)
21. Adam Vago (Vikings)
22. Daniel Speirs (Vikings)

Place Kicker: Aaron Hunt

 

Pre Match Analysis

On paper, the Brits have a superior line up. Both teams have been decimated by injury - which is most clearly shown by the selection of rookie Simon Nova and useless shunt Aaron Hunt.

A makeshift British pack will lineup against a well balanced Wallaroo set of forwards. Look out for the massive hits from Tom Delonge at hooker, who will look to make mincemeat out of backrower Callum Laing.

Both backlines have some real quality at their disposal, but much will depend on how Ed Ames adapts to playing in the unfamiliar role of Centre. He is also set to take kicking duties from the more consistent Jake Luffman, but many teams would envy having one of these two kicking dynamos in their line up.

The benches both consist of novices, unproven players and also rans. Two exceptions to this come in the form of Benny Read - who the Brits would kill to have in their front row, and Dion Alessi. The young rookie has impressed off the bench for the Spartans this season, and this tipster foresees him overhauling the inconsistent Aaron Hunt in the Australian first XV by the end of the season.

Player Analysis

Eddie Morris < Wes Welker
Callum Laing <<< Tom Delonge
Doug Dafter < Dave Eggman
James McDougal >> Morgan Burridge
John McGrath > Jack Dempsey
Sam Verigotta << Ben Manera
Simon Laing >> League Lover
Marcuss Deane > Brett Gemmell

Ben Hornby << Luke Pilgrim
Jake Luffman >>x100>> Aaron Hunt

Al Farnsworth >> Kelvin Fung
Ed Ames ? Paddy Orr
Chris Golding = Steve Cambridge
Simon Nova < Ben Herd
Jordan Logan = Al Son

Looking at those matchups, there's some possible value on the Wallaroos springing a surprise here. I just don't like the look of the British pack. On a damp or wet pitch, they could get torn to shreds up front. The Poms will be hoping for perfect weather.

 

Really think the selection of Hunt could be a the most controversial choice in those two line-ups. If Australia score more tries and still lose, it will be fair game to blame Hunt.

 

Oh.

 

First Grade Conversion Stats

Code:

Name		Team		CA	CS	%
Matthew Scoble	Sharks		14	13	92.9%
Jake Luffman	Spartans	25	23	92.0%
Henry Marshall	Vikings		10	8	80.0%
Ed Ames		Hurricanes	21	16	76.2%
Aaron Hunt	Vikings		5	1	20.0%