The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
He's certainly been excellent for the Horsies. Could well come into Wallaby calculations this international season.
Wallabies 2025
- Thread starter rugbyAU
- Start date
Quite interesting comments from Nick Phipps on Les Kiss's coaching style, very positive (Stan's Between the Posts)
Talked about his focus on improving individual skills, focus on work off the ball and a want to flood attacking opportunities with units. Also quite comfortable in being the coach working with a Director of Rugby
My only question is, are those attributes better for a test coach or a provincial coach?
Some interesting comments on Cheika, would likely lead to a big short term upside, with a complimentary marked drop over time as his style diminishes returns
Talked about his focus on improving individual skills, focus on work off the ball and a want to flood attacking opportunities with units. Also quite comfortable in being the coach working with a Director of Rugby
My only question is, are those attributes better for a test coach or a provincial coach?
Some interesting comments on Cheika, would likely lead to a big short term upside, with a complimentary marked drop over time as his style diminishes returns
JRugby2
Cyril Towers (30)
Sounds like we'll almost certainly find out
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
Given Kiss's pretty underwhelming record of success at "provincial"/club level, hopefully it's a much better attribute at test level.
(I don't really mean this, because he has obviously improved the Reds in his time there)
(I don't really mean this, because he has obviously improved the Reds in his time there)
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
I thought there was a whole RA lead program to align the coaching priorities of the various franchises?
John S
Peter Fenwicke (45)
That's what I thought too - but you know what RA is like. There may be a "program" but the actual delivery isn't always there.
However looks like the program might actually be working
HogansHeros
Dave Cowper (27)
Seems like a nice guy.
master
Bob McCowan (2)
hogan,
I was just wondering how hes going in the wallabies side. Is he expected to keep his starting position and play minutes thus scoring tries?
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Best ask Bob Dwyer
Yoda
Trevor Allan (34)
Barbed Wire? Why?
HogansHeros
Dave Cowper (27)
As long as he stays fit he will certainly be in the squad. He is showing a lot of promise this super season as a young fella, certainly has an edge. He seems to have gotten stronger over the last couple years and holds his own defensively. He will be gunning for a starting spot, however there is a lot of other outside backs putting their hands up. (Wright, Daugunu, Potter, Pietsch, Kellaway etc)
rugbyAU
Desmond Connor (43)
Matt Phillip returning to the Waratahs, reportedly available for the Lions:
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Personally I think he has been clearly our best winger, with Daugunu very good too. And that’s not to bag the others. Guys like Peitsch & Potter have been strong. Kellaway seems to be getting better each game - although that is at 15.
At the moment my preferred back 3 would be 11. Daugunu, 15. Wright, 14. Jorgenson. Kellaway in the 23 shirt. And, based on form so far this year, I think that would be the strongest back 3 we’ve put out for some time.
I’ve been pretty happy with the form of most of the contenders.
As a Reds fan really happy with how all of our tight 5 have been going. Then add to that guys like Ala'alatoa who seems getting right back up towards his best, Bell, Frost, Williams & Swain. Even Slipper seems pretty solid so far this year when last year it looked like he was on the slide. Schoupp is scrumming very well from the Brumbies bench.
Two guys in particular that I had question marks over are Pollard and Gleeson and I think both have been excellent so far this year (Pollard was a bit down last night but that was his worst performance of the year and was still pretty decent overall). Gleeson is really starting to mature to justify the hype.
The big question marks continue to be our halves and our depth in the centres. Hopefully Sua’ali’i back soon so he gets plenty of game time leading into the Lions.
RebelYell
Colin Windon (37)
Best thing right now is that there is close to a unanimous starting XV, based on Schmidt's consistency in selection.
Most would consider that this is Joe's (not mine) favoured 23, but look at the depth we have for a second 23...
1. Bell
2. Faessler
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Williams
5. Skelton
6. Valetini
7. McReight
8. Wilson
9. Gordon
10. Lolesio
11. Jorgensen
12. Ikitau
13. Sua'ali'i
14. Kellaway
15. Wright
16. Pollard
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Leota
21. McDermott
22. Daugunu
23. Donaldson
Australia XV
1. Hodgman
2. Porecki
3. Nongorr
4. Canham
5. Frost
6. Uru
7. Tizzano
8. Gleeson
9. White
10. Lynagh
11. Potter
12. Paisami
13. Flook
14. Pietsch
15. Campbell
16. BPA
17. Ross
18. De Lutiis
19. Philip
20. Hooper
21. Reimer
22. Lonergan
23. Edmed
Still leaves the following as depth:
Kailea, Schoupp
Nasser, Dolly, Lonergan
Talakai, Van Nek
Smith, Swain, Blyth
Cale, Wright, Brial, Scott
Fines
HMP
Kerevi, Stewart, Sapsford
Koroibete, Anderson, Toole, Lancaster
Grealy
Most would consider that this is Joe's (not mine) favoured 23, but look at the depth we have for a second 23...
1. Bell
2. Faessler
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Williams
5. Skelton
6. Valetini
7. McReight
8. Wilson
9. Gordon
10. Lolesio
11. Jorgensen
12. Ikitau
13. Sua'ali'i
14. Kellaway
15. Wright
16. Pollard
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Leota
21. McDermott
22. Daugunu
23. Donaldson
Australia XV
1. Hodgman
2. Porecki
3. Nongorr
4. Canham
5. Frost
6. Uru
7. Tizzano
8. Gleeson
9. White
10. Lynagh
11. Potter
12. Paisami
13. Flook
14. Pietsch
15. Campbell
16. BPA
17. Ross
18. De Lutiis
19. Philip
20. Hooper
21. Reimer
22. Lonergan
23. Edmed
Still leaves the following as depth:
Kailea, Schoupp
Nasser, Dolly, Lonergan
Talakai, Van Nek
Smith, Swain, Blyth
Cale, Wright, Brial, Scott
Fines
HMP
Kerevi, Stewart, Sapsford
Koroibete, Anderson, Toole, Lancaster
Grealy
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Good list - although a couple on there I’d differ on.
I doubt Leota is that high up given all the rugby he has missed and the other options open to Schmidt.
In the Australian XV is Ross meaning Tom Ross?? Do you possibly mean Tom Robertson?
How long is Jake Gordon out for. Reality is that we have a lack of depth at half. Lonergan seems to lack support on here these days (whereas 12 months ago he seemed the number 1 pick for quite a few). If Gordon returns to the field I expect he’ll be a likely starter but I got the impression he was expected to be out for some time. Maybe I have that wrong. I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest fan these days but we definitely don’t have a ready replacement so, hopefully, he’s back soon.
NB I also wouldn’t be surprised if Frost is in the 23. Although he does still seem to miss some tackles he should make. But otherwise he’s been very good.
I doubt Leota is that high up given all the rugby he has missed and the other options open to Schmidt.
In the Australian XV is Ross meaning Tom Ross?? Do you possibly mean Tom Robertson?
How long is Jake Gordon out for. Reality is that we have a lack of depth at half. Lonergan seems to lack support on here these days (whereas 12 months ago he seemed the number 1 pick for quite a few). If Gordon returns to the field I expect he’ll be a likely starter but I got the impression he was expected to be out for some time. Maybe I have that wrong. I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest fan these days but we definitely don’t have a ready replacement so, hopefully, he’s back soon.
NB I also wouldn’t be surprised if Frost is in the 23. Although he does still seem to miss some tackles he should make. But otherwise he’s been very good.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Oh yeah - forgot about him. Fair enough. I expect you can add Robertson in there somewhere too.
Yeah, Leota did but I thought Gleeson was better and Gleeson has the advantage of incumbency and having already played in the system. Nice to have a player like Leota putting pressure on though.
Yeah, Leota did but I thought Gleeson was better and Gleeson has the advantage of incumbency and having already played in the system. Nice to have a player like Leota putting pressure on though.
HogansHeros
Dave Cowper (27)
Id love to see this as a match.