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Wallabies 2025

upthereds#!

Peter Johnson (47)
That's not quite how a depth chart works. Initial squad of 40 will feature 3, maybe 4 playmakers - he is definitely in that frame.

For those that aren't in the top 2 for their position, the next 2 questions asked are
a) what OTHER value do that person being in the squad offer?
b) in an emergency (and likely short notice), who is more likely to fulfil the core roles?

I think answers to those 2 questions answer favourably for JOC (James O'Connor)
 
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Derpus

Phil Waugh (73)
Yeah didn't JOC (James O'Connor) come on at the tail end of one of the England tests and absolutely blow it? Not really convinced he's a better bet than the younger lads.

Can't seem to help ourselves with the older playmakers though so wouldn't be shocked to see him.
 

Ignoto

Peter Sullivan (51)
Wright had an absolutely shocking series but here we are a few years down the track putting his name down as one of the first on the team list.

2022 form is probably something we leave in the past no?
 
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Derpus

Phil Waugh (73)
Yeah but how much footy has Wright played compared to JOC (James O'Connor) since? I don't think its entirely irrelevant in JOCs case.
 

PhilClinton

Paul McLean (56)
Can't seem to help ourselves with the older playmakers though so wouldn't be shocked to see him.

I mean that’s a bit harsh - vintage Quade put together probably the best string of games as a Wallaby playmaker in the last 5 years.

I think a more accurate statement is that none of our younger playmakers have been able to make themselves clear selections because they simply aren’t that good at international level.
 

TSR

Steve Williams (59)
He didn't seem to play a hugely prominent role for the Reds and I don't think has been capped for the Wallabies since?
He was injured last year (and for a decent amount of the year before including just before those tests from memory).

He isn’t injured now.
 

Major Tom

Ted Thorn (20)
He was injured last year (and for a decent amount of the year before including just before those tests from memory).

He isn’t injured now.
Still, it would be odd if he played better now, what 3 or 4 years older. If he was starting week in, week out for the crusaders and playing how he plays then he would be an absolute certainty but he's not doing that.
 

dru

David Wilson (68)
He didn't seem to play a hugely prominent role for the Reds and I don't think has been capped for the Wallabies since?

On this thread you are writing him off on the basis of a test in 2022. We are three seasons down. He's playing well and with the maturity that a #22 slotting into flyhalf needs to close out games.
 

TSR

Steve Williams (59)
Still, it would be odd if he played better now, what 3 or 4 years older. If he was starting week in, week out for the crusaders and playing how he plays then he would be an absolute certainty but he's not doing that.
In 2022 he was Super Rugby player of the year. Then he got injured. Since then he had a string of injuries but, from all accounts, he is now very meticulous about managing his body. I actually think it is perfectly understandable that he is playing better now when he is injury free.

He did play a couple of tests in there and he wasn’t great but most (all?) were off the back of return from injury or limited prep.

I was really just responding to the suggestion his currently selection prospects should be impacted by a game he played 3 years ago and I don’t think him not playing for the Reds because of injury should reflect on his chances now when he’s injury free. He more test experience than any of our current options, he’s demonstrated that he is calm under pressure at the end of a game and he’s playing well. And he’s only 34. I can understand Schmidt including him in the squad given the importance of the Lions series.
 

Ignoto

Peter Sullivan (51)
He didn't seem to play a hugely prominent role for the Reds and I don't think has been capped for the Wallabies since?

Was close to MOTM for the Reds last home game in 2024 against the Welsh...... Him and Lynagh were sharing duties in 22/23 when fit as Lawson was either injured or covering fullback.

James also played for Australia A in 2023 hence him not being available to be picked by NZ.
 

TSR

Steve Williams (59)
Sorry. Stand corrected. I did google search it to try to be accurate but just realised the article I found was from 2022 but was referring to 2021.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
If he was starting week in, week out for the crusaders and playing how he plays then he would be an absolute certainty but he's not doing that.

I'm not picking him for that. I am selecting him based on what he is doing in the last 20 minutes of matches to close them out. If he makes the matchday 23 it's in the 22 jersey to perform that role.

I don't see much downside using one of my three selections for the 10 position in the squad on that.
 
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