Wallabies 2025

[Sword of Justice]

If you're comparing that to Lynagh though I don't think there's any evidence to suggest he's a better option. It's much of a muchness and we're picking the player with a bit more experience.

Super rugby is that evidence IMO, and very resoundingly, but obviously at test level you are right. I think Schmidt has picked him at 10 twice for a win against Georgia so I would challenge the supposed understanding that he’s planted a flag there. Might just be wishful thinking.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Does he get much love?

I reckon pretty much everyone acknowledges that we don't have a great option at the moment, but you have to pick someone.

He probably wouldn't get picked 5 years ago, and hopefully won't get picked in 5 years time as better options come through. But we are where we are

Well if you call what I’m saying as hate then I’m sorry, not my intention at all because I don’t know him and I hope he leads us to a series win if he’s picked. I’m genuinely perplexed as to how we got to a situation where we have a group of posters here who consider it a fait accompli when there are other options.

 

[Tomthumb]

My question is why does he get so much love? Doesn’t the fact that he’s only played 5 tests at 10 undermine an argument that Schmidt has a pedigree in picking him there? He’s usually a bench option for 10-12-15 which I’d be very comfortable with.

I'd say the fact he has only started 5 games at 10 undermines you're point about him having too many chances and being a known quantity

More comfortable with 2 test Tom Lynagh that seems to have constant injury issues? More comfortable with 35 year old James O'Connor that hasn't played a test in 3 years after Rennie dropped him due to performance? More comfortable with 35 year old Bernard Foley that also hasn't played a test in 3 years

 

[Braveheart81]

Super rugby is that evidence IMO, and very resoundingly, but obviously at test level you are right. I think Schmidt has picked him at 10 twice for a win against Georgia so I would challenge the supposed understanding that he’s planted a flag there. Might just be wishful thinking.

What evidence is there from Super Rugby? I don't think we've seen anything in Super Rugby that leads me to think that Lynagh is a better prospect or option than Donaldson.

The Reds are a better side than the Force. I don't think that is down to Lynagh though.

I don't think there is a meaningful difference between any of our 10 options in terms of their current play or their ceilings. They all have issues.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Donaldson has started at 10 in only 5 Test matches for 3 wins and 2 losses. Who are the other options you speak of? Lynagh, Edmed, Debreczeni, HMP, Creighton, Bowen?? Or Foley or O’Connor? O’Connor has only started at 10 twelve times for the Wallabies winning six
- his last appearance being 5 years ago. And from memory punters weren’t too happy with Foley last time he played.

I’d like to see Donaldson and Lynagh be given ample time in the playmaker’s seat to prove their worth. They deserve the opportunity. If they don’t aim up then move onto the next candidate. But the cupboard behind them is rather bare.

I would have JOC (James O'Connor), Lynagh and Foley in there to be honest. I think if QC (Quade Cooper) is chasing a different sport than he’s probably counted out.

 

[Tomthumb]

Super rugby is that evidence IMO, and very resoundingly, but obviously at test level you are right. I think Schmidt has picked him at 10 twice for a win against Georgia so I would challenge the supposed understanding that he’s planted a flag there. Might just be wishful thinking.

How many Force games did you watch this year?

 

[Sword of Justice]

What evidence is there from Super Rugby? I don't think we've seen anything in Super Rugby that leads me to think that Lynagh is a better prospect or option than Donaldson.

The Reds are a better side than the Force. I don't think that is down to Lynagh though.

I don't think there is a meaningful difference between any of our 10 options in terms of their current play or their ceilings. They all have issues.

The last two seasons have seen the Reds do much better than the Force and the Force have a good pack and a good 9.

 

[Tomthumb]

The last two seasons have seen the Reds do much better than the Force and the Force have a good pack and a good 9.

And the Brumbies have done better than the Reds, so should we drop Fraser McReight for Rory Scott?

 

[Sword of Justice]

How many Force games did you watch this year?

Yeah to be honest only a handful but his stats are available and he’s played a lot of minutes for not many wins*

 

[Sword of Justice]

And the Brumbies have done better than the Reds, so should we drop Fraser McReight for Rory Scott?

No but I did have Lolesio as my first choice 10

 

[Braveheart81]

The last two seasons have seen the Reds do much better than the Force and the Force have a good pack and a good 9.

I'm confused how you can watch Lolesio, Donaldson and Lynagh and decide that there is a significant difference in the level of play between any of them.

They are all fine but eminently replaceable if someone better comes along.

Lolesio and Lynagh both lack size and that is definitely becoming a problem, particularly for Lolesio. Both of them have had several concussions and are struggling to stay healthy.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I'm confused how you can watch Lolesio, Donaldson and Lynagh and decide that there is a significant difference in the level of play between any of them.

They are all fine but eminently replaceable if someone better comes along.

Lolesio and Lynagh both lack size and that is definitely becoming a problem, particularly for Lolesio. Both of them have had several concussions and are struggling to stay healthy.

I am also confused how you don’t because I see those players very differently. Lolesio and Lynagh seem like classical 10s to me whilst Donaldson appears to be much more of a Fullback.

Valid points re the second and third sentences of your post though.

 

[Braveheart81]

I am also confused how you don’t because I see those players very differently. Lolesio and Lynagh seem like classical 10s to me whilst Donaldson appears to be much more of a Fullback.

Style might be a bit different but they are all competent super rugby 10s and substandard test match 10s.

None of them are obviously better than the rest and none have a ceiling substantially higher than where they are currently at in my view.

Lynagh is the youngest so potentially has some development left there as he gains experience but he is also the least physically gifted in my view.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Style might be a bit different but they are all competent super rugby 10s and substandard test match 10s.

None of them are obviously better than the rest and none have a ceiling substantially higher than where they are currently at in my view.

Lynagh is the youngest so potentially has some development left there as he gains experience but he is also the least physically gifted in my view.

3 subjective statements and I take a very different view in all of them to be honest. Probably a good place to leave it for the sake of the readers.

I can only reiterate that if Donaldson is picked there I hope he does great. If my comments crossed over to hating on a player I do apologise because it wasn’t my intention.

 

[wamberal99]

I hope that JOC (James O'Connor) is in the mix somewhere.

 

[TSR]

I seem to recall JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) was awful in his last Wallabies game too

Agree - the difference is that he was hampered by injury so, for me at least, I hold some hope he is still capable of contributing at test level. I don’t see that in Foley. His issues extend well beyond the penalty he gave up.

 

[TSR]

Whether or not Foley or JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) get included in the Lions squad, I can't see either of them pushing into the matchday 23 unless Lynagh is injured. Edmed would be a more likely inclusion in my view moving into the third choice 10 role.

Donaldson will start. The starting backline seems very straight forward to me. Gordon, Donaldson, Potter, Ikitau, Sua'ali'i, Jorgensen, Wright.

Across the series it’s inevitable we are going to lose 2-3 more players to injury (probably more). There is a pretty decent possibility whoever gets called in will end up in the 23 at some point.

 

[Braveheart81]

Across the series it’s inevitable we are going to lose 2-3 more players to injury (probably more). There is a pretty decent possibility whoever gets called in will end up in the 23 at some point.

I agree with that. I do think whoever comes in is joining the back of the queue though.

We're not going to shift from the Lolesio/Donaldson/Lynagh plan to JOC (James O'Connor) or Foley coming into the squad a week out from the first test and featuring in the matchday 23 for the first test.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Foley and JOC (James O'Connor) pose the exact same thing. An older experienced head which is appealing when compared to the current group.

State coloured lenses get in the way when choosing which one if you had to. If JOC (James O'Connor) was riding the pine for the Highlanders would we be saying similar things? I think it's extremely unlikely we see either but to compare them

JOC (James O'Connor): 18 games, 1 start at 10 with an average of 24 mins per game.
Foley: 18 games, 18 starts all at 10 with an average 75min per game.

I know they are different comps but comparing the two in regards to starting 10 seems silly.

 

[fatprop]

If you're comparing that to Lynagh though I don't think there's any evidence to suggest he's a better option. It's much of a muchness and we're picking the player with a bit more experience.

and healthier