Wallabies 2025

[TSR]

No he didn't, his contract just came up 2 years before Edmed's did. Donaldson started over Edmed all season in 2023

And yet the let him go.

I understand that part of this was bad luck in terms of timing of his contract expiry - but if the Tahs thought he was going to be a key playmaker going forward there is no way they would have let him go. Prior to that he was generally behind Harrison. Even in the recent Super AU final Donaldson was pushed wider and it was Beale and Burey largely running the show.

The guy is a good standard Super Rugby player but multiple coaches simply don’t see him as the ‘most talented’ of the group that you keep referring to him as.

 

[Slim 293]

No he didn't, his contract just came up 2 years before Edmed's did. Donaldson started over Edmed all season in 2023

Not quite... after pushing Donaldson out of the ten jersey for most of 2022 Edmed started the first three rounds of 2023 and then suffered a back injury after round four which put him out for ten weeks, and then he came off the bench for the last couple of games.

The Tahs re-signed him for two years in 2022 as he'd cemented himself as their leading playmaker at the time.

 

[TSR]

Not quite... after pushing Donaldson out of the ten jersey for most of 2022 Edmed started the first three rounds of 2023 and then suffered a back injury after round four which put him out for ten weeks, and then he came off the bench for the last couple of games.

Okay …. Sure…..but…..
Look, there are facts and then there are alternative facts.

 

[rugbyAU]

And yet the let him go.

I understand that part of this was bad luck in terms of timing of his contract expiry - but if the Tahs thought he was going to be a key playmaker going forward there is no way they would have let him go. Prior to that he was generally behind Harrison. Even in the recent Super AU final Donaldson was pushed wider and it was Beale and Burey largely running the show.

The guy is a good standard Super Rugby player but multiple coaches simply don’t see him as the ‘most talented’ of the group that you keep referring to him as.

why did they let Edmed go?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Yeah, but he named other Aus A players in the squad, so leaving Donaldson out was very intentional

I think you are reading way too much into this. Stewart will be training with the Aus team, as otherwise they don't have 7 v 7 in the backs.

Stewart and Donaldson both get match time for Aus A as neither have played anything like enough recently.

By the England test, one of Donaldson or JOC (James O'Connor) comes in to provide the cover needed.

 

[TSR]

why did they let Edmed go?

I assume McKellar doesn’t think he is the right person to run his game plan.

As such I assume McKellar’s decision to bench him was similiar to Thorn’s decision to drop Salakai-Loto which, to my understanding (as someone far removed who is not privy to any inside word so could be completely wrong) was done largely because Salakai-Loto and Thorn had a falling out and, once LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wasn’t going to be around Thorn prioritised the future (not saying McKellar & Edmed had a falling out - just that McKellar decided to prioritise building for 2026. With the key point being that neither Thorn nor McKellar’s decision made Sallakai-Loto or Edmed respectively bad players. Just not what the coach wanted to invest in at the time.

 

[Tomikin]

No he didn't, his contract just came up 2 years before Edmed's did. Donaldson started over Edmed all season in 2023

I'm talking about the year before Donaldson left and Tane played 5/8

Edit. See Slims post above

 

[fatprop]

I know, but he did beat out Ben Donaldson at the Tahs

I think being the only decent 10 off contract, better money being offered at the Farse and getting away from the shit show that is the Tahs may have been some of the reasons for his escape

 

[TSR]

I think being the only decent 10 off contract, better money being offered at the Farse and getting away from the shit show that is the Tahs may have been some of the reasons for his escape

I’m sure all of that could have been a factor - but again I’m sure the Tahs would have found more money and tried to make it more appealing to stay if he was seen as the future.

 

[fatprop]

I’m sure all of that could have been a factor - but again I’m sure the Tahs would have found more money and tried to make it more appealing to stay if he was seen as the future.

Maybe, but Tahs would have needed to pay quite a premium in 2023 - we were a shit show

 

[Tomikin]

I think being the only decent 10 off contract, better money being offered at the Farse and getting away from the shit show that is the Tahs may have been some of the reasons for his escape

Look, my initial comment was tongue-in-cheek, because there seems to be a name of vocal people who think that Donaldson is the answer at ten. who are screaming for him, and that he is being hard done by. But I also think Noah, Tane, TL and Donaldson (and I'll add Gordan) are pretty much on par with each other. And called it ridiculous that Tane had been selected. But when they were in the same team and both available, Tane seemed to have one the spot.

Just stirred the pot and got a few pages of outrage... sorry

 

[fatprop]

Look, my initial comment was tongue-in-cheek, because there seems to be a name of vocal people who think that Donaldson is the answer at ten. who are screaming for him, and that he is being hard done by. But I also think Noah, Tane, TL and Donaldson (and I'll add Gordan) are pretty much on par with each other. And called it ridiculous that Tane had been selected. But when they were in the same team and both available, Tane seemed to have one the spot.

Just stirred the pot and got a few pages of outrage... sorry

Oh, i agree, they are all Super Rugby standard at best with little upside

It is the offseason, it is post here or read another f*cking contract - no outrage at all

 

[TSR]

Haha - yeah, this place could never frustrate me half as much as some of the great ideas that come from the heirachy.

Although, I guess if I spent less time posting and just got my work done …..

 

[Rugby110]

Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) turning up to Kangaroo tour with a Wallabies’ suitcase. Gold

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I think you are reading way too much into this. Stewart will be training with the Aus team, as otherwise they don't have 7 v 7 in the backs.

View attachment 23496

Stewart and Donaldson both get match time for Aus A as neither have played anything like enough recently.

By the England test, one of Donaldson or JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) comes in to provide the cover needed.

Yep exactly, it could be as simple as they don’t know yet if JOC (James O'Connor) will be released so they are keeping their options open with JOC (James O'Connor) and Donaldson as to who will be in the squad. Also gives Donno time to prove himself

 

[stillmissit]

I expect Carter to take the starting 10 jersey before the end of this tour and maybe earlier on than many expect.
I am more concerned about JAS, not so much his running game, but he's been in the system for a while and his D doesn't seem to be improving.
We all know that 13 is a very difficult position to defend from but this lack of improvement in a guy we are paying top dollar for has me concerned.
I think most opposition have worked him out and see a gate where there was a gatekeeper in Lenny. Not sure what the solution is, but Lenny must go back to 13, and we need a tackling 12 to replace him.

 

[rugbyAU]

I expect Carter to take the starting 10 jersey before the end of this tour and maybe earlier on than many expect.
I am more concerned about JAS, not so much his running game, but he's been in the system for a while and his D doesn't seem to be improving.
We all know that 13 is a very difficult position to defend from but this lack of improvement in a guy we are paying top dollar for has me concerned.
I think most opposition have worked him out and see a gate where there was a gatekeeper in Lenny. Not sure what the solution is, but Lenny must go back to 13, and we need a tackling 12 to replace him.

He’s only played 21 rugby games and we don’t have a test quality 12 other than Ikitau

 

[Major Tom]

I expect Carter to take the starting 10 jersey before the end of this tour and maybe earlier on than many expect.
I am more concerned about JAS, not so much his running game, but he's been in the system for a while and his D doesn't seem to be improving.
We all know that 13 is a very difficult position to defend from but this lack of improvement in a guy we are paying top dollar for has me concerned.
I think most opposition have worked him out and see a gate where there was a gatekeeper in Lenny. Not sure what the solution is, but Lenny must go back to 13, and we need a tackling 12 to replace him.

Would help if we had a better defensive coach than Lord...

 

[stillmissit]

Would help if we had a better defensive coach than Lord...

I cannot imagine what Schmidt sees in him. He was great in his day, but that has long since flown. The complexity South Africa is bringing to their D is light years away from where we are.

 

[stillmissit]

He’s only played 21 rugby games and we don’t have a test quality 12 other than Ikitau

21 games for the Wallabies is about 1.5 full seasons and not a rookie effort. I don't see any reason to excuse his D. Most league players rate their tackling as better than union (not sure about that).
We cannot build a 12 unless we look for one and I'm not sure we are looking for one. It is the downside of Schmidt's pick and stick policy. Don't get me wrong, I think Schmidt is doing a great job, just not sure about his assistants.