Wilson
John Eales (66)
It's definitely an option, though I think Paisami-Ikitau is most likely with Daugunu on the bench covering wing and 13.
Wallabies 2025
- Thread starter rugbyAU
- Start date
Yoda
Nev Cottrell (35)
White is still performing well and has a good combination going with Donaldson. Not sure I agree with you re Fines coming on? His kicks with a few minutes to go v the Reds cost the Force victory in the game in Perth. White’s experience will be needed in the Lions series which will be pretty intense. Tate and JOC (James O'Connor) have a combination from the Reds and as a finisher against the Lions I think O’Connor will be extremely valuable. He’s providing this skill at the Crusaders now and doing it well. I also prefer the centre pairing that worked well on last years tour of Ikitau at 12 and Sua'ali'i at 13. I didn’t suggest Jorgo as he has to return from his ankle surgery and may not be fit enough? Otherwise he’d be starting instead of Daugunu who then would be on the bench instead of Pietsch who also is out with his quad injury and may not be fit either?
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
His been great for the last two years, I don't think his getting selected. Even though he should be.
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
If Swain gets selected he will have every Lion provoking him to their fullest ability
He probably deserves a shot, but the man will be a lightning rod
He probably deserves a shot, but the man will be a lightning rod
Adam84
John Eales (66)
just pointing out that in the above, the starting 13 has only played that position once in 2025.... And the 12 hasn't played that position at all in 2025....
Yeah, i know they did it on the EOYT, but slightly longer build-up and not playing the B&I Lions...
If that's where Schmidt intends to play those players, it would be good to see the Super Rugby clubs reciprocating by selecting them in those roles....
Yeah, i know they did it on the EOYT, but slightly longer build-up and not playing the B&I Lions...
If that's where Schmidt intends to play those players, it would be good to see the Super Rugby clubs reciprocating by selecting them in those roles....
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Sword of Justice
John Solomon (38)
I’d honestly be pretty shocked if we see a team that is very different from the one we saw on the EOYT barring injuries. There’s only one test before the Lions. That team was:
Wallabies team to play Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday November 30 at 3:10pm GMT/2:10am AEDT (Sunday)
1. James Slipper (142 Tests) – Bond Pirates
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (19 Tests) – Southern Districts
3. Taniela Tupou (57 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (24 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (9 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (51 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (24 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (21 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (28 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
10. Noah Lolesio (28 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Max Jorgensen (6 Tests) – Balmain Wolves
12. Len Ikitau (38 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i (3 Tests) – The Kings School
14. Andrew Kellaway (38 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (36 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (5 Tests) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
18. Allan Ala'alatoa (79 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (40 Tests) - Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (13 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (40 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Tane Edmed* - West Harbour Juniors
23. Harry Potter (1 Test) - Moorabbin Rams
you’d obviously expect to seek Bell at 1 and Daugunu back somewhere. Faessler likely in there as well. Probably Donaldson in ahead of Edmed.
Wallabies team to play Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday November 30 at 3:10pm GMT/2:10am AEDT (Sunday)
1. James Slipper (142 Tests) – Bond Pirates
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (19 Tests) – Southern Districts
3. Taniela Tupou (57 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (24 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (9 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (51 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (24 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (21 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (28 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
10. Noah Lolesio (28 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Max Jorgensen (6 Tests) – Balmain Wolves
12. Len Ikitau (38 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i (3 Tests) – The Kings School
14. Andrew Kellaway (38 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (36 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (5 Tests) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
18. Allan Ala'alatoa (79 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (40 Tests) - Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (13 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (40 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Tane Edmed* - West Harbour Juniors
23. Harry Potter (1 Test) - Moorabbin Rams
you’d obviously expect to seek Bell at 1 and Daugunu back somewhere. Faessler likely in there as well. Probably Donaldson in ahead of Edmed.
The Ghost of Raelene
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
He's a good Super Rugby player and I gotta say seeing him nail that Pen near the end of the game on the weekend wouldnt hurt his chances of a call up even though it rests on Gordons fitness IMO. Schmidt has shown he likes Gordon and then theres Tate and White. This is Lonergans best chance as Thomas and Wilson will go past him by 2027 I think. Thomas has been a nice surprise this season. I thought he was in a fight with Werchon but his development is worthy of a starting spot and a good lesson for sides that guys need time to mature. He's 22 now and kicking on nicely. Wilson doing the same in NSW and is behind Thomas in terms of exposure so far.
Doesn't take away his quality at Brums/Super Rugby but just has other guys a bit better. Muirhead has faced this issue as well.
Pro sports...
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Going for a 36man squad as that is what we had for 2024 Bledisloe
Hk: Faesler, BPA, Pollard
Prop: Bell, Slipper, Hodgman, Tupou, Ala'alatoa, Nonggoor (easy to swap in Kailea & Deluttis) - I don't rate Robertson
Lock: Frost, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Skelton, Williams, Hoops
BR: Tizzano, Mcreight, Wilson, Valetini, CDC, Gleeson
HB: Mcdermott, Gordon, White
FH: JOC (James O'Connor), Lolesio, Donaldson
Cen: Paisami, Kerevi, Ikitau, Daugunu
OB: Pietsch, Jorgensen, Kellaway, Wright, Sualii, Potter
Hk: Faesler, BPA, Pollard
Prop: Bell, Slipper, Hodgman, Tupou, Ala'alatoa, Nonggoor (easy to swap in Kailea & Deluttis) - I don't rate Robertson
Lock: Frost, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Skelton, Williams, Hoops
BR: Tizzano, Mcreight, Wilson, Valetini, CDC, Gleeson
HB: Mcdermott, Gordon, White
FH: JOC (James O'Connor), Lolesio, Donaldson
Cen: Paisami, Kerevi, Ikitau, Daugunu
OB: Pietsch, Jorgensen, Kellaway, Wright, Sualii, Potter
The Ghost of Raelene
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Ikitau, Daugunu, JAS and potentially Kerevi (doubt it) in the Centres for me. Paisami had a strong game on the weekend just gone but other than that nothing spectacular this season.
I don't have any defence concerns now around JAS in Defence that people did when he was picked for the Spring Tour. He's shown his ability to handle it.
HogansHeros
Alex Ross (28)
I agree, probably swap the starting props with the bench props, and maybe Daugunu instead of potter. Agree re: Faessler and Donno
Yoda
Nev Cottrell (35)
So some 8 months after a Test v Ireland you would be shocked to see a much different side? So Super rugby form doesn’t count for anything? I suspect you are right to a certain extent, however form will effect the 23 v Lions in the first Test. Still think JOC (James O'Connor) will be selected in squad. Donaldson definitely not probably and is Tupou good enough? A passenger at present. Swain should be there. Not sure Noah gets to start. Should be in squad though definitely.
The Ghost of Raelene
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
TT to be swapped to the bench as HH mentions.
It's hard to imagine Noah won't be selected. Schmidt has shown he likes or at least trusts him.
It's hard to imagine Noah won't be selected. Schmidt has shown he likes or at least trusts him.
dru
David Wilson (68)
I realise this post is basically tautology but...
Ikitau, JAS and Wright all make the squad and highly likely starters. But it seems silly to Ikitau a lock at 12, Suali a lock at 13, and if Schmidt opts for Sua'ali'i at the back then Wright is not a lock at 15.
It seems the starting 13 slot is taken but not really known ie Ikitau/Sua'ali'i and similarly 15 Wright/Sua'ali'i
12 might be Ikitau or it might be open.
Super Rugby form definitely counts for something but Sword of Justice is right that the limited preparation time makes it impossible to effectively have a clean slate in terms of selection and the continuity you have built in the prior season counts for plenty.
Guys who weren't in the squad last year are going to have a much tougher time breaking into the matchday 23 even if their form seems slightly better than the incumbent.
Swain has been good but is he really beating out Frost, Williams, Salakaia-Loto and Skelton?
Donaldson and Lolesio look like the top 2 options at 10 at the moment.
Guys like Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Max Jorgensen and Matt Faessler who were consistent selections last year but are out injured would seem pretty likely to slot straight back in providing they can return for a couple of games and prove their fitness. Obviously if that return date is too close to the tests that may prove difficult (i.e. will Max Jorgensen return in time).
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
As above, my prediction is that aside from injuries or a dramatic swing in form, we'll be seeing the same players rolled out for the Lions that Schmidt stuck with last year, particularly on the spring tour with those who were favoured earlier in the year prior to injury like Daugunu, Paisami, and potentially Cale (slim chance if he doesn't return from injury before seasons end) rejoining the squad...
Daugunu was excellent before breaking his leg and has a good chance of being returned to the starting team, or bench at least, but there's good competition there with Kellaway, Potter, and Jorgensen who was in great form.
Swain was also in pretty good form last year until the semi-final, so I fear he may get overlooked again, with the likes of Tom Hooper and Uru who play in the backrow having a stronger chance of being in the squad with Williams, Frost, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Skelton being the preferred locks.
I'm also not so sure about JOC (James O'Connor)'s chances... but that may change depending how the Crusaders finish the year.
Daugunu was excellent before breaking his leg and has a good chance of being returned to the starting team, or bench at least, but there's good competition there with Kellaway, Potter, and Jorgensen who was in great form.
Swain was also in pretty good form last year until the semi-final, so I fear he may get overlooked again, with the likes of Tom Hooper and Uru who play in the backrow having a stronger chance of being in the squad with Williams, Frost, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Skelton being the preferred locks.
I'm also not so sure about JOC (James O'Connor)'s chances... but that may change depending how the Crusaders finish the year.
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The wobs problem position for years was a decent 12, we found a solution/revelation with Ikitau @ 12
That change markedly improved outcomes, no one else is close to the same quality
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
Daugunu at 13 makes more sense given its his current position and he's lost that extra bit of pace.
11 for JAS makes more sense given it most leverages his strengths and would afford him a roaming role (and doesn't expose him as much as he would be at fullback).
12 is the issue for me. I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of weakening 13 to cover a deficiency at 12.
Edit: Although I can see the appeal of 12. Ikitau and 13. Daugunu given Ikitau's slightly better distribution game and Daugunu's ability over the ball.
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