Yoda
Arch Winning (36)
We were smoked in the forwards that terrible day.
Wallabies 2025
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Yoda
Arch Winning (36)
I recon Declan Meredith will not let that happen old Ghosty.
Agreed. HMP has a better shot than Meredith and hes not picking him either
whitefalcon
Vay Wilson (31)
It will be interesting to see what the brums do with Meredith and Edmed now theres no Jack Deb
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
Im hoping we pickup Pasitoa.. if he has a good NPC season
Yoda
Arch Winning (36)
Another good option. Injuries ruined his time at the Force. Hope he is past all that.
emuarse
Chilla Wilson (44)
There's an interesting article in The Roar, regarding the Wallabies poor defence. <https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/07/...d-what-has-happened-to-the-wallabies-defence/>.
I have to agree with this ascertion that our line speed in defence is poor, and that if the Wallabies keep hanging back, then the series will be lost.
Hoping Laurie sees the error in his ways as the defence coach, and takes a more agressive approach.
I do believe for selection of the backs with defence in mind, that we should have the following back line for my reasoning given:
Flyhalf: Tom Lynaugh - for me, he is the one player that has the natural abilities for that position, and he can actually tackle.
Inside Centre: Hunter Paisami - he does like to rush up in defence, and hits hard. Also half three quarters is his natural position.
Outside Centre: Len Ikitau - arguably currently the best outside centre in the world, so why play him out of position.
Wingers: Max Jorgensen - played with his speed in defence; a natural winger
: Harry Potter - has great mindset to be in the right place at the right time.
Fullback: Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i - well you might say Tom Wright, but this is a complex situation. I believe JAS is more a naturally gifted full back than Wright, and he looked a bit lost in the 13 position against Fiji; whereas he has played in the Super Pacific competition as full back for the Waratahs, so has more experience there. He is better in one-on-one tackle defence than Wright, and is naturally gifted at receiving kicks, of which there will be a lot. And finally because, as stated above, Ikitau should be playing at 13.
I have to agree with this ascertion that our line speed in defence is poor, and that if the Wallabies keep hanging back, then the series will be lost.
Hoping Laurie sees the error in his ways as the defence coach, and takes a more agressive approach.
I do believe for selection of the backs with defence in mind, that we should have the following back line for my reasoning given:
Flyhalf: Tom Lynaugh - for me, he is the one player that has the natural abilities for that position, and he can actually tackle.
Inside Centre: Hunter Paisami - he does like to rush up in defence, and hits hard. Also half three quarters is his natural position.
Outside Centre: Len Ikitau - arguably currently the best outside centre in the world, so why play him out of position.
Wingers: Max Jorgensen - played with his speed in defence; a natural winger
: Harry Potter - has great mindset to be in the right place at the right time.
Fullback: Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i - well you might say Tom Wright, but this is a complex situation. I believe JAS is more a naturally gifted full back than Wright, and he looked a bit lost in the 13 position against Fiji; whereas he has played in the Super Pacific competition as full back for the Waratahs, so has more experience there. He is better in one-on-one tackle defence than Wright, and is naturally gifted at receiving kicks, of which there will be a lot. And finally because, as stated above, Ikitau should be playing at 13.
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Slim 293
George Smith (75)
I saw the headline but I tend to ignore any analysis from The Roar's "rookie" contributors, who I believe are just some randoms who frequent their comments sections, particularly when their "experts" attempts are often not up to scratch...
So I read this one, and I should've stuck with my initial instincts...
So I read this one, and I should've stuck with my initial instincts...
Tazzmania
Dave Cowper (27)
Not sure if this "Roar"contributor checked the stats first.
I am led to believe that according to AI in super rugby a tackle completion rate of 85% is considered to be good.
Tom Lynaugh for 2025 Super Rugby 68/86 that makes 79%.
emuarse
Chilla Wilson (44)
Your remarks are very opinionated, without any meaningful contribution. I would not have referred it if I didn't agree with the slow defence from the Wallabies. Also, I've come across similiar criticism from other posters who have also supplied reasoning.
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
My other problem with the article is that after offering absolutely no real insight into the Wallabies' defensive system, it then ends with a few paragraphs praising Paisami whose defensive misreads last year created overlaps for the Wallabies' wider channels...
emuarse
Chilla Wilson (44)
79% from a flyhalf would be considered a high pass mark. Did you also use AI to check on other Aussi flyhalves?
Chat GPT supplies the following info:
Ben Donaldson (Western Force)
Ben Donaldson's tackle completion rate for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season was approximately 55%, which is below the benchmark of 85% considered good for tackle efficiency. rugbypass.com
Tane Edmed (NSW Waratahs)
Tane Edmed made 24 tackles over 518 minutes of play, with a tackle completion rate of 71%. This rate is below the 85% benchmark.
Noah Lolesio (ACT Brumbies)
Specific tackle completion statistics for Noah Lolesio during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season are not readily available in the provided sources. However, as a fly-half, his primary responsibilities are often centered around playmaking and kicking, with defensive duties being less emphasized compared to other positions.
Hogan
Sydney Middleton (9)
Donaldson and Lynagh will be the Wallaby 10’s moving forward whilst Noah recovers from injury. And to be honest they’ll do just as good a job if not better than Lolesio imo. Both have more distance in their kicking games and offer more in attack than Noah. As Steve Larkham was quoted as saying yesterday…“They haven’t had the chance to cement their position for long enough. Unlike a seasoned Test player like Finn Russell who has had time in the seat, we haven’t had the guys who’ve had time in the seat.” Maybe now it’s their time.
Tazzmania
Dave Cowper (27)
I already knew what the others were but the Roar poster did not say he was good compared to the others he said HE CAN ACTUALLY TACKLE.
Note: Slim's stats are more acurate than the ones you quoted
Stats I have:
TL 68/86 (79%) (742 minutes) [8.6 minutes between tackles]
BD 58/80 (73%) (988 minutes) [12.35 minutes between tackles]
NL 41/51 (80%) (732 minutes) [14.35 minuts between tackles]
TE 24/29 (83%) (516 minutes) [17.79 minutes between tackles]
So yes TL may be a better tackler than the other flyhalf options, but not sure "HE CAN ACTUALLY TACKLE" is validated.
Unfortunately the stats cannot account for the stregnth of the team you play for v the opposition.
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The Red Baron
Chilla Wilson (44)
Without critiquing anything else, there's an issue straight away with playing Paisami in that backline in the current system. The idea of hanging back is to present a wall to the attacker, which requires the whole defensive line to be connected. The second Paisami rushes up for a big hit, the system will fall apart.
Second, why you would want to bench one of the best attacking backs we have in Wright and put Sua'ali'i at fullback, particularly when he's been training at outside centre since he got into Wallabies camp and has formed a combo with Ikitau, is beyond me. If we're worried about his positioning and reading at 13, how is putting him at 15 going to solve that problem?
I think I'll pass on that article thanks.
Sword of Justice
Alan Cameron (40)
I’m more interested in the number of tackles and minutes which supports my impression that Lynagh is in the line a lot more than the other 10s. I think that validates that he can actually tackle.
Tomthumb
Ken Catchpole (46)
Whether you want your First five making all those tackles is more the question