Wallabies 2025

[Major Tom]

While injuries are never ideal, it is forcing us to test our depth which is holding admirably. Either, our player pool is better than we thought or Schmidt's coaching is making a real difference.
Toole got a run and he showed he's up to it. Nonngorr getting more of go. Hopefully we get some more troops back in this rest week.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

he’ll come back, they always do .. it’s in his blood

Hopefully in Aus and not overseas though.

 

[Wilson]

Skelton out for the rugby championship:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/08/26/exclusive-skelton-out-of-rugby-championship-in-blow-to-wallabies-hopes-for-silverware/

 

[Dctarget]

Skelton out for the rugby championship:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/08/26/exclusive-skelton-out-of-rugby-championship-in-blow-to-wallabies-hopes-for-silverware/

fluffybunnys.

 

[Dctarget]

What the flying fuck is the point of reg 9 if Skelton can't play for the Wallabies in the Bledisloe of all matches. The system is broken and rigged against us.

 

[Tazzmania]

Agreed, a further reason not to pick overseas based players.

Rugby is about cohesion, and we are just starting to build something which is still very fragile and needs to be handled with care. With our limited depth we cannot afford to have strings being pulled elsewhere.....

 

[Dctarget]

I also take back my kind words about Ronan O'Gara. He's a cravenly coward.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Agreed, a further reason not to pick overseas based players.

Rugby is about cohesion, and we are just starting to build something which is still very fragile and needs to be handled with care. With our limited depth we cannot afford to have strings being pulled elsewhere.....

Could argue without selecting Will in the recent games the side wouldn't have got some of the performances we have.

 

[The Red Baron]

Well that's some bullshit right there. So now I wonder if LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) will slot into the second row, or whether Williams will move back to the starting side with LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) off the bench?

 

[Joe Blow]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) to take his starting spot. Skeltons weight and size maybe not as effective against the likes of Argentina and the ABs who have more mobile packs? Lukhan also brings a lot to the lineout. Amatosero another option to join the squad.

 

[Crashy]

Carter Gordon picked on the bench in rugby league.

 

[Major Tom]

Playing for a spot in 2026.

 

[rugbyAU]

Carter Gordon picked on the bench in rugby league.

how depressing for him

 

[Major Tom]

how depressing for him

Probably more depressing that it’s with the titans

 

[Red Runner]

Carter Gordon picked on the bench in rugby league.

for the Titans?

 

[Cauliflower Ear]

What the flying fuck is the point of reg 9 if Skelton can't play for the Wallabies in the Bledisloe of all matches. The system is broken and rigged against us.

Can he be selected for the NH Tour? We definitely get the best out of him against the northern countries.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

for the Titans?

no.21 on the extended bench so he's likely left off come game day unless there's an injury at Captain run

 

[Slim 293]

RA negotiating with La Rochelle to get Skelton back for the Bledisloe tests...

Rugby Australia has not given up hope of Will Skelton featuring in the Bledisloe Cup after he was forced to return to French club La Rochelle.
The giant lock will miss Australia’s two home games against Argentina, but negotiations continue between RA and La Rochelle to potentially get Skelton back in the Wallabies jersey against the All Blacks.

Skelton has been available for Australia against the British & Irish Lions and South Africa under World Rugby’s Regulation 9 window, which states clubs must release players for Test duty, but at the same time RA is aware La Rochelle is paying him more than $1 million a season.

RA boss Phil Waugh wants to work hand-in-hand with overseas clubs to ensure the Wallabies get the best talent available, while ensuring the clubs paying the wages aren’t disadvantaged by extended international duties.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/rugby-australia-working-with-la-rochelle-to-release-will-skeltonfor-bledisloe-cup-against-all-blacks/news-story/8894417a0eaf5900808f27a17d267b65

 

[Major Tom]

RA negotiating with La Rochelle to get Skelton back for the Bledisloe tests...

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/rugby-australia-working-with-la-rochelle-to-release-will-skeltonfor-bledisloe-cup-against-all-blacks/news-story/8894417a0eaf5900808f27a17d267b65

I don't get the argument "we're paying him 1 million dollars". It's literally the rules that they need to release him as international football is the pinnacle of the game! WR (World Rugby) really just needs to grow some balls and say these are the rules and we're protecting fabric of the game by enforcing them. Otherwise just change it reg 9 to a "vibe". And If La Rochelle are worried that they're paying a 33yr old, 135kg second rower that amount of coin to potentially get injured in a game then welcome to the world of sport dumb arses!

 

[John S]

I don't get the argument "we're paying him 1 million dollars". It's literally the rules that they need to release him as international football is the pinnacle of the game! WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) really just needs to grow some balls and say these are the rules and we're protecting fabric of the game by enforcing them. Otherwise just change it reg 9 to a "vibe". And If La Rochelle are worried that they're paying a 33yr old, 135kg second rower that amount of coin to potentially get injured in a game then welcome to the world of sport dumb arses!

Doesn't Reg 9 give certain windows that they have to give him up, and I think that the next tests are outside these windows?