Wallabies 2025

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Has Tom Wright gone into a shell? He seems to have gone from the guy who would rather run than pass, now he seems to have gone to rather pass than run. He needs to find some of his old self without going full out, 'give it to me and I'll score'.

He has been a bit quieter but the Brums position on the table says it’s also working and he is likely sticking to the plan.

Last night he did step into first receiver quite a bit when Noah went off so wasn’t in position for those explosive runs as much.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Wright touched the ball 50 times last night. I'm guessing, but I'd say he is easily getting his hands on the ball more than any other 15 in Super Rugby.

He ran (or at least was tackled with the ball) 16 times

 

[BDA]

I'd go with

4.Willams
5.Frost
6. Wilson
7. McReight
8. Valetini

And a bench of
19.LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Gleeson

I think that's pretty close to what Schmidt was going with last year and I think it's a well balanced 2nd row / back row

If Wilson is injured I'd probably be minded to chuck either Uru or Hooper into that starting role. Gleeson I see as just a straight replacement for Valetini if he was unavailable.

 

[BDA]

For me the stand out props are easy to prick:

LHP - Bell, Hodgman
THP - AAA, Nongoor

I assume the squad will include 6 props altogether. Gets a bit tougher from there. THP lots of options (Toomaga Allen, Robertson, Tupou, De Luttis). If i was betting man I'd still imagine Tupou will be given that 3rd THP spot but who know. I reckon De Luttis is a tad too green to include in the Lions Tour. Options at LHP not great. Schoupp looked the goods but is out. Slipper has looked decent this year but his past his best.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I like Wilson at 6 and Bobby at 8. I think we need a bit more on the post contact meters and he's the guy for it. Let Wilson move a bit wider and utilise his handling skills.

For me the stand out props are easy to prick:

LHP - Bell, Hodgman
THP - AAA, Nongoor

I assume the squad will include 6 props altogether. Gets a bit tougher from there. THP lots of options (Toomaga Allen, Robertson, Tupou, De Luttis). If i was betting man I'd still imagine Tupou will be given that 3rd THP spot but who know. I reckon De Luttis is a tad too green to include in the Lions Tour. Options at LHP not great. Schoupp looked the goods but is out. Slipper has looked decent this year but his past his best.

Robertson is probably the form one of that group. TT has the scrum power. As you say De Luttis probably too green for this level at his current stage. JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) overall hasn't as dominant at scrum time tbh and I'd rank him 4th in that list.

It's a fairly strong group really. Slipper will be good for minutes. He's looking much fresher this year than he was mid way through last when he looked on last legs. He's a warrior and if needed won't let anyone down.

 

[Wilson]

Toomaga-Allen is not eligible for the Wallabies. If you want a smokey former All Black prop to add Hodgman it's Aidan Ross, who links up with the Reds immediately after the super season (from the Chiefs) and is eligible for the Wallabies from the 16th of July (3 days before the first Lions test).

Realistically though, I don't think he'll be called in for the Lions tour without an injury crisis on the loose head side. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature later this year, particularly if they want to give Slipper a break. Might feature in the Aus/NZ game, there's more than enough time (10 days) between that and the Reds game for him to do both.

 

[Dctarget]

I thought Slipper has had his best super season in a long time. He's going great guns. Same goes for Ala'alatoa actually, looks to have brought some real venom back to his contact work.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Toomaga-Allen is not eligible for the Wallabies. If you want a smokey former All Black prop to add Hodgman it's Aidan Ross, who links up with the Reds immediately after the super season (from the Chiefs) and is eligible for the Wallabies from the 16th of July (3 days before the first Lions test).

Realistically though, I don't think he'll be called in for the Lions tour without an injury crisis on the loose head side. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature later this year, particularly if they want to give Slipper a break. Might feature in the Aus/NZ game, there's more than enough time (10 days) between that and the Reds game for him to do both.

Slipper to get a Summer at home. Do wonders for the body to have a proper rest and pre season. Be silly not to take Ross on the tour although it will also be a great chance for a guy like De Luttis to get high quality exposure pre WC.

 

[drewprint]

And Tupou had by far his best game of the year on the weekend too. He looked dialled in. Hopefully bodes well, we need the big guy fit and firing.

 

[The Bulldozer]

I'd go with

4.Willams
5.Frost
6. Wilson
7. McReight
8. Valetini

And a bench of
19.LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Gleeson

I think that's pretty close to what Schmidt was going with last year and I think it's a well balanced 2nd row / back row

If Wilson is injured I'd probably be minded to chuck either Uru or Hooper into that starting role. Gleeson I see as just a straight replacement for Valetini if he was unavailable.

Tizzano? Has had a blinder of a season so far. Schmidt would surely have to have a look at him

 

[TSR]

I think Aidan Ross is a very realistic option to be included for the Lions squad. Especially if the Chiefs play the Super GF.

 

[TSR]

Tizzano? Has had a blinder of a season so far. Schmidt would surely have to have a look at him

Any news on how bad his pec injury is?

 

[The GroundsKeeper]

Tizzano? Has had a blinder of a season so far. Schmidt would surely have to have a look at him

Agree that he has been solid this season but can't overlook the strength of Backrow stated by @BDA think there could be potential for him to come in with the risk of Harry Wilson going down with a forearm injrury again.

I do however think that Carlo should be ahead of Gleeson on the bench

 

[The Bulldozer]

Any news on how bad his pec injury is?

Medical staff seemed to think it wasn't major - Just didn't want to risk making it worse for the back end of the season

 

[The GroundsKeeper]

Early Predicted team for the Lions tour ( If Joey is ok as well as Noah)

1. Angus Bell
2. Dave Porecki
3. AAA (VC)
4. Nick Frost
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Rob Valetini
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson (C)
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Corey Toole
12.Hunter Paisami
13. Len Ikitau
14. Filipo Daugunu
15. Joseph Sua'ali'i

16. Matt Faessler
17. James Slipper
18. Tom Robertson ?
19. Jeremey Williams
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Tate McDermont
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Dylan Pietsch

Thoughts??

 

[The Bulldozer]

Early Predicted team for the Lions tour ( If Joey is ok as well as Noah)

1. Angus Bell
2. Dave Porecki
3. AAA (VC)
4. Nick Frost
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Rob Valetini
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson (C)
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Corey Toole
12.Hunter Paisami
13. Len Ikitau
14. Filipo Daugunu
15. Joseph Sua'ali'i

16. Matt Faessler
17. James Slipper
18. Tom Robertson ?
19. Jeremey Williams
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Tate McDermont
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Dylan Pietsch

Thoughts??

I'd have Faessler in for Porecki with Pollard on the bench. Porecki has barely played this season

 

[Major Tom]

Early Predicted team for the Lions tour ( If Joey is ok as well as Noah)

1. Angus Bell
2. Dave Porecki
3. AAA (VC)
4. Nick Frost
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Rob Valetini
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson (C)
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Corey Toole
12.Hunter Paisami
13. Len Ikitau
14. Filipo Daugunu
15. Joseph Sua'ali'i

16. Matt Faessler
17. James Slipper
18. Tom Robertson ?
19. Jeremey Williams
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Tate McDermont
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Dylan Pietsch

Thoughts??

I think they'll run JAS at centre and wright at fullback. Robertson is going to get bullied so bad in the scrum. Tupou or Nongorr off the bench for me. I'm also not really a fan of 2 Openside flankers in the team, unless they are tall for the lineout. Your openside can play the 80. Both injured, but Jorg instead of Pietsch.

 

[Homer]

I cant see Tizzano on the bench just because of the size differential (although he has earned it). WIlliams is a shoe in but gives up a lot of bulk so i reckon Gleeson, uru or Champs de Crep will get the bench roll to add some weight and potentially a lineout option. CDC isnt far behind Tizzano each week on the tackle stats and would thrive in the Lions style game, and you want a big body to target Aki and Tuipolutu in the midfield.

One way or the other though there will be significant changes between the first and third tests.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Couldn't help but think when Koteka got the try at the back of the maul how much credit the Force forwards coach should be getting for all the buzz about Tizzano. He has been very good don't get me wrong, but his try tally has been a big part of it and it can't be denied. McReight was out there limping and holding an arm with 3 clutch turn overs in a game that Gamble was also doing very well in.

 

[The GroundsKeeper]

Where has Josh Flook been (obviously injured) when will he be back.