Wallabies 2025

[Slim 293]

Ulugia officially takes over from Cron, who is going to stick around in a mentoring role...

Scrum coach Cron to mentor next generation as Wallabies announce Ulugia as replacement

Renowned scrum coach Mike Cron will remain with Rugby Australia, as the former Wallabies assistant looks to mentor the front-rowers of the future.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[dru]

I still say JAS at inside centre. Itikau is the best OUTSIDE centre we have. You shouldn't weaken a strength to strengthen a weakness.

I'm resigned to it. JAS is one of the first picked simply on his athleticism. Ikitau is both a better 13 and a better 12 (though he is much better at 13 imo). You could look to shift JAS wide but we are now pretty strong there and may have Nawaqanitwase returning at some point. Petaia as well.

Overall the coach needs to put the strongest overall team on the field. That can well involve someone shifted out of their best position if the team is stronger for it.

 

[Joe Blow]

What are we thinking about Carter Gordon straight back in?

 

[TSR]

I reckon Ikitau is playing better at 12 than he was at 13, simply because he is far more involved. He has still thrown plenty of passes to set up tries and line breaks so it’s not like his skills with setting up his outside player are being wasted.

I assume he’s favourite for JEM and he’s been at 12 all year. Quite possible he would have been favourite playing 13 too but apart from the last game he’s been great all year.

I’d think the only threats to JEM would be McReight & Hooper. Jorgo, Wilson & Frost will probably pick up decent votes too but I don’t think and of those 3 will top the voting.

 

[rugbyAU]

What are we thinking about Carter Gordon straight back in?

I think it’s good to at least bring him back to speed with the WC approaching and given he has the biggest upside/potential

 

[Rugby110]

What are we thinking about Carter Gordon straight back in?

If Phil Waugh can get Carter back to rugby, then why waste time. Have him around the squad learning the dynamics and plays. That would be a master move.

 

[Tomthumb]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

 

[Rugby110]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

I don’t know if you have noticed, we don’t have the luxury of Finn Smith, George Ford and Marcus Smith as selection options. The old saying, if nothing changes then nothing changes. No one has said superstar in these discussions. Phil Waugh is making smart moves and backed by Schmidt and Kiss.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

Happens with every player that is suddenly distant. Oh the memories.

Same goes for all those stories of your Dads run away try it was 10m, 30, length of the field these days.

With the group of Flyhalves I have no issue with him being in the squad. Nobody better is missing out if he's included.

 

[Major Tom]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

If we think single-handedly he’s going to fix the team, then yes we’re setting ourselves up for failure. If we recognise that he’s a very good option at flyhalf, who would be there if he didn’t go to league then I think we’re in a good space. I don’t know what else you expect RA to do? Clearly, 10 is a concern for us. He fits the age profile and physical profile that we want from a playmaker. It makes complete sense.