Wallabies vs Fiji, 1:30pm July 6 @ McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

[Wilson]

23 is starting to shape up based on releases to play for the super teams:


Forwards (20)

Allan Ala'alatoa
Angus Bell
Nick Champion De Crespigny *
Matt Faessler
Nick Frost
Langi Gleeson
Tom Hooper
Fraser McReight
Zane Nonggorr
Billy Pollard
David Porecki
Tom Robertson*
Will Skelton
James Slipper
Darcy Swain*
Carlo Tizzano
Taniela Tupou
Rob Valetini
Jeremy Williams
Harry Wilson

Backs (16)

Filipo Daugunu
Ben Donaldson*
Jake Gordon
Len Ikitau
Max Jorgensen
Andrew Kellaway
Noah Lolesio
Tom Lynagh
Tate McDermott
Hunter Paisami
Dylan Pietsch*
Harry Potter
Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
Corey Toole
Nic White*
Tom Wright

Bold for those whose teammates have been released, strike through for those released, * for the Force players given they are now back with the squad, but are probably only injury cover options.

We're still yet to see the Brumbies releases, but I'm guessing that means a 23 of:

1 Bell
2 Porecki
3 Ala'alatoa
4 Frost
5 Skelton
6 Valetini
7 McReight
8 Wilson
9 Gordon
10 Lolesio
11
12 Ikitau
13 Sua'ali'i
14
15 Wright

16 Pollard
17 Slipper
18 Nonggorr
19 Williams
20 Gleeson
21 McDermott
22 Lynagh
23

Props, hookers, locks and halves are all locked. Centres are probably also locked, though Daugunu could theoretically get picked at 13 (very unlikely). Start/bench could swap for most of these still. Tom Hooper still a chance, but with Wilson and Gleeson retained that's looking less likely.

Wings and 23 is anyone's guess at this stage - Potter, Daugunu, Kellaway and Jorgensen have all survived releases but Wright is almost certain to be 15 so that's 3 spots max for 5 of them (those plus Toole) to slot into. Seeing Jorgensen retained probably means he'll play though, given he's short on minutes. I'm less sure Toole will play then I was as a result, he looks more likely to drop off at this point. If I had to guess it's Jorgenson and Potter with Daugunu on the bench, with Kellaway the emergency cover for most of the backline.

That would also mean Hooper and Toole are released for the Brumbies.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I wouldn't be so sure that Pietsch is out of the picture for a wing spot. Arguably, he played himself well and truly back into contention on the weekend.

 

[Braveheart81]

I wouldn't be so sure that Pietsch is out of the picture for a wing spot. Arguably, he played himself well and truly back into contention on the weekend.

Then we miss out on playing the other guys.

I definitely think Pietsch is in contention for the first Lions test. I highly doubt he will play against Fiji though. It would be a strange decision to decide that the player you initially had lower in the pecking order has surpassed players above him through a good performance without those other players playing.

 

[whitefalcon]

I reckon Toole will debut against Fiji. He has been wearing the "A" team kit in all of the BTS socials
Hopefully Lonergan gets a run against them too

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon Toole will debut against Fiji. He has been wearing the "A" team kit in all of the BTS socials
Hopefully Lonergan gets a run against them too

I think Toole will debut as well. He's done a lot of media in the lead up not to.

Neither Lonergan is in the squad are they?

Hooker will be Porecki and Pollard. Halfback will be Gordon and McDermott.

 

[Wilson]

I reckon Toole will debut against Fiji. He has been wearing the "A" team kit in all of the BTS socials
Hopefully Lonergan gets a run against them too

That was my initial thinking, but none of the tahs wingers getting a release makes it feel a little less likely, unless there are a few injury niggles we haven't heard about.

Neither Lonergan is in the squad (Ryan is in the wider training group), I can't see them getting selected for this game unless there are injuries.

 

[TSR]

Then we miss out on playing the other guys.

I definitely think Pietsch is in contention for the first Lions test. I highly doubt he will play against Fiji though. It would be a strange decision to decide that the player you initially had lower in the pecking order has surpassed players above him through a good performance without those other players playing.

Your comment is very inconsistent with the approach to selecting generally taken in comments on here.

 

[Braveheart81]

Your comment is very inconsistent with the approach to selecting generally taken in comments on here.

What do you mean?

My position is that a week or so ago, Pietsch was far enough down the pecking order that he was released to play the Force game.

He was excellent against the Lions and if I was Joe Schmidt I would be thinking that he's back in the running for the Wallabies' best 23. I wouldn't be deciding that it is done though and put him on the wing for the Fiji game.

Would you really be deciding that Harry Potter (for example) who up until Force vs Lions you had penciled in for the 11 jersey had now been relegated for Pietsch?

 

[A mutterer]

I'd guess potter and tooled for Fiji, jorgo off the bench

 

[TSR]

What do you mean?

My position is that a week or so ago, Pietsch was far enough down the pecking order that he was released to play the Force game.

He was excellent against the Lions and if I was Joe Schmidt I would be thinking that he's back in the running for the Wallabies' best 23. I wouldn't be deciding that it is done though and put him on the wing for the Fiji game.

Would you really be deciding that Harry Potter (for example) who up until Force vs Lions you had penciled in for the 11 jersey had now been relegated for Pietsch?

Yeah, sorry - I was being a smart arse, but not really doing a good job at it.

My point was how many players reputations/place in the pecking order appears to change for many when they don’t play. But normally it improves and they leap frog those choosen in front of them. Given you are talking about the opposite I get my comment is a bit hard to follow.

 

[whitefalcon]

I think Toole will debut as well. He's done a lot of media in the lead up not to.

Neither Lonergan is in the squad are they?

Hooker will be Porecki and Pollard. Halfback will be Gordon and McDermott.

Ryan is in the training squad. My thinking was that all three of White, Gordon and McDermott would have played in the week leading up to Fiji. McDermott isn't with the reds though and White would be 7 days since his game.

Gordon possibly wont get released either so it appears my logic was wrong

 

[Dan54]

Interesting to see Tupou being released for the Tahs. Wonder if it to test Lion's scrum or an indication of where he is in pecking order.

 

[Heavyd]

Release Kellaway for the Tahs!!

 

[whitefalcon]

Interesting to see Tupou being released for the Tahs. Wonder if it to test Lion's scrum or an indication of where he is in pecking order.

it might be to try and get some confidence into him

 

[Slim 293]

Ryan is in the training squad. My thinking was that all three of White, Gordon and McDermott would have played in the week leading up to Fiji. McDermott isn't with the reds though and White would be 7 days since his game.

Gordon possibly wont get released either so it appears my logic was wrong

Lonergan was only training with the squad while the Force contingent were in Perth, who rejoin the main squad this week...

 

[Heavyd]

Friday Wallaby team announcement seems way too late. We are still awaiting visibility of teams for Aust/NZ game & indigenous/pasifka teams.

 

[Braveheart81]

Friday Wallaby team announcement seems way too late. We are still awaiting visibility of teams for Aust/NZ game & indigenous/pasifka teams.

48 hours before the match like every other team announcement?