Make Bell Tah captain.
Wallabies 2025
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wamberal99
Alex Ross (28)
Has he expressed a wish to be a captain?
hammertimethere
Trevor Allan (34)
Still an absolute no brainer for guys like Bell and Bobby V (and RA). Easier comp on the body, get paid an absolute packet and get to enjoy the change of scenery renting a flat in Tokyo, but still available for most of the international season.
Good option for 2026
Yoda
Trevor Allan (34)
I’ve heard rumours that Lolesio may go overseas next year? What’s everyone’s thoughts on that? For mine he never really owned the gold 10, yet others didn’t grab it off him. Donaldson and Lynagh are there … could Meredith be a dark horse come next year to be a 3rd option? Not convinced on Edmed, Creighton or HMP. I understand Noah going overseas for the money, as I’m sure RA won’t have much left to throw around after Fraser’s deal. Interesting if he does go where he goes. Playing subbies in Japan won’t improve his game. France though definitely would. The 10 is a pretty important position in your team though.
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
He already had a pretty successful short stint at Toulon a couple of years ago. Id say chances are he's be looking at going back there
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
No 10 in the country screams elite right now and that's the problem (that includes Carter Gordon). It's going to be who is in form at the right time and probably the 10 in the best franchise likely to get first crack.
It's a problem because we have talent growing out wide but they'll be held back if the distribution isn't where it could
I get the feeling he could take it on when Gordon moves on but with his recent injuries I don't mind the objective being to just play and play well.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Sorry Harry but Bobby V is playing at the back and Hooper is now our 6
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Since he’s leaving will Schmidt pick him.
Should be best 15 if you want to win anything IMO
Should be best 15 if you want to win anything IMO
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Yeah he will pick him.
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
I think Noah cops alot from A being the best of a bad bunch and B yeah never really being a standout, we want Dan Carter we get Tom Carter.. I think him being pineappled from the world cup, and then sent to france where he was told he lauded as great by them.. its nice not to get told your shit every week. And maybe the draw of the walliabies dont beat that.
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yeah one of the strange things of making Harry Captain, is in our best team is he better then Bobby V, and no his not.. now is a Bobby V and Wilson backrow better then we can put out with others.
Would I make Bobby captian no, Wilsons better, but would I drop Bobby for him, hell no.. so what do we lose with them both there, and what can we gain.
I actually think we were pretty successful there end of season, so Id keep it.
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
Seems unlikely. Schmidt showed no interest in Hooper and now that he's leaving I think it'd be long, long odds for him to change his mind now.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Aside from the impending departure he doesn't fit the model Schmidt has been going for either - Hooper is going really well at the moment, but he is doing it filling in for Valetini working the heavy carries. When it wasn't Wilson Schmidt still consistently went with a back rower with .ore mobility to pair Valetini last year - Clae, Uru and Wright, instead of the guys who could carry more in the mold of Valetini, like Gleeson. That balance was what worked really well for us and let Valetini play his best game, and is probably a big part of what's working for Hooper right now, with Cale and Scott offering a similar style of mobility and involvement to what you get from Wilson and McReight.
That said I don't think Hooper (or Gleeson) are entirely out of contention, just that they're much more likely in a bench role if Schmidt decides they're worth persisting with despite them heading overseas.
I don't think Hooper's case to start will necessarily be helped by shifting to lock, which I expect will happen once Valetini is back, given Shaw looks to be the weak link in that pack right now.
That said I don't think Hooper (or Gleeson) are entirely out of contention, just that they're much more likely in a bench role if Schmidt decides they're worth persisting with despite them heading overseas.
I don't think Hooper's case to start will necessarily be helped by shifting to lock, which I expect will happen once Valetini is back, given Shaw looks to be the weak link in that pack right now.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Wilson made 20 from 20 tackles last night and plenty of grunt work. On the back of 20 tackles and 20 carries last week.
Hooper’s going great, but Wilson is too and I doubt Schmidt is as fickle as the general public.
Edit: I think the other thing people are missing is that increasingly last year Valetini was starting to gel with McReight & Wilson and there was increasing inter-play between them. He was getting benefit of their work and vice-versa. Exactly what you want in a backrow.
The biggest threat to Wilson is Skelton in the row. It is conceivable Schmidt will decide he wants a different profile of player if he starts Skelton.
I’m not saying Schmidt will be closed to change but when he has three guys settled and playing well what top tier coach looks for change unless there is a standout reason? Not knocking Hooper at all - I think he’s really stepped up - but I don’t think he’s playing better than Wilson.
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The Marketing Pigeon
Herbert Moran (7)
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www.rugbypass.com
Looks like Jake Gordon signed in France from the end of the year