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The Murdoch papers are suggesting Vunivalu is "in demand" from NRL and French clubs, which could just be agent talk, but Pandaram is using his omission as a sign he's going to get an early release from RA... which wouldn't be the worst thing...

But Wright was already an established player ahead of him at that point, and a good choice of skipper.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8797657/wallabies-spring-tour-the-17-brumbies-in-the-mix-for-test-duty/?cs=14276

Nah, he was available for the Wales tests and was playing club rugby, when Schmidt opted for Wright and Cale, and Gleeson on the bench for the second with the former two both not playing again through injury...

I'm not really surprised we've gone through a few captains this year as it's pretty much what Schmidt predicted from the outset as he's worked through settling on his squad. But his first pick hasn't played since the first test of the year, and he's obviously been relying on who from his wider...

I can only continue to use common sense and suggest he wasn’t under consideration until he played some rugby and showed his worth…

Possibly because he has only just returned from six months off due to a syndesmosis injury…

Two games, against the Cheetahs and Emerging Ireland… two more than zero. It’s also possible that Schmidt has been following his career for longer, when he was playing in a premiership winning Leicester team.

Yep, and I think it’s fair to say that Potter’s recent form at 13 on the Force tour is what saw him elevated into the squad.

It sounds like Sua'ali'i won't be in the frame for the English test, but might come off the bench following that game... https://www.rugby.com.au/news/schmidt-backs-Sua'ali'i-wallabies-australia-xv-spring-tour-grand-slam-response-20241022

Tom Hooper, Lonergan, Swain, Reimer... Actually the opposite... there's probably more test caps in that forward contingent.

Just remembered Potter actually played at 13 for the recent Force matches...

And considering how many injuries seem to get picked up on the spring tour, there'll be a few players in that Aus X squad that will likely get a call up.

No real complaints about those squads... Toole is unlucky, and I'd really love to see his pace in the test arena, but Potter deservingly rewarded for playing well against decent quality opposition on the Force tour. A bit concerning to see Liam Wright and Leota still unavailable through injury.

Wallabies squad for Grand Slam Tour Forwards (19) Allan Ala'alatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors) Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club) Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints) Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions) Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins) Isaac Kailea (#975, Harlequin Junior Rugby...

The graphic is wrong… Lynagh is named in the Aus XV squad.

That, and sticking with the Pooper for too long...

Cheika's preferred backrow had been Fardy/Hooper/Palu up until he went with the Fardy Pooper. Hypothetically, Valetini would come off the bench or replace one of the latter, and not Fardy. Anyways, vastly different players playing at different times.

Nah... If Cheika wanted to stick with the Pooper, Fardy would remain at 6 and Valetini would come off the bench instead of McCalman.. Palu was also initially a member of that RWC squad.

No, that's just downright silly. And they're not even a similar style of player... it would be like comparing Hooper to Valetini. In a fantasy world where you had peak Fardy and Valetini you would play both of them in the backrow. Fardy was arguably the form 6 of the 2015 RWC, which is saying...