Aussie Player Exodus

[Gnostic]

Gits won't be there next year so that pretty much leaves the door open for To'omua to cement his spot. Maybe Cheika bringing on Beale instead of To'omua in the final was the turning point as that is his main rivalry for next year.

I agree he will be very difficult to replace. I think Gits proved experience is vital and valued in the Test scene. To'omua has a shit load of super xv experience and 30+ caps for the wallabies, there ain't no-one with that kind of experience that can step-in for him, Beale is a different style of 12. Lilo maybe, but he seems to be in the decline the last few years whilst To'omua has gotten better each year.

It will be interesting to see which direction the game tactics go next year. The 12-18 months after the RWC is usually the time of change in the game with new "interpretations" coming in and changes in direction by coaches to freshen up their attack and defensive structures.

I would think that Horne could be an option as well. His pace, strength in contact and of course defence make it a pretty good fit. Not a second "playmaker" but if we consider the Horan/Little(Herbert) mould as the ideal centre pairing type for Australian Rugby then IMO Horne is closest to Horan in Oz ATM. Kurindrani. I think Beale will remain a utility reserve for Wallaby duty and probably start for the Tahs as a 15.

A pity for the Brumbies as tey will struggle to fill his boots unless somebody makes geat strides in 2016. Maybe Gits wants to come home and finish his career in Oz and that could give them an extra year to develop a successor.

 

[KOB1987]

It should open the door for Kerevi you'd think, but in the short term I won't be surprised if we see the 10. Foley 11. Horne 12. Beale setup replicated at test level, with Speight on the other wing.

 

[Marcelo]

It should open the door for Kerevi you'd think

Yeah and that's a concern at test level. Kerevi's defense could be a highway for the ABs. While To'omua is a dominant tackler who also can kick.

 

[Gnostic]

It should open the door for Kerevi you'd think, but in the short term I won't be surprised if we see the 10. Foley 11. Horne 12. Beale setup replicated at test level, with Speight on the other wing.

so two wingers who can't kick? Makes the exit strategy pretty predictable and allows an easy territory game plan by kicking long and pressuring. Precisely why I think Mitchell was picked ahead of Speight, Horne and Tomane and why Giteau came back in as well.

 

[Marcelo]

so two wingers who can't kick? Makes the exit strategy pretty predictable and allows an easy territory game plan by kicking long and pressuring. Precisely why I think Mitchell was picked ahead of Speight, Horne and Tomane and why Giteau came back in as well.

For that reason Leali'ifano is the most solid option at 12 but an injury and the chanell 2 will be a free territority with Beale and Kerevi as reserves

 

[KOB1987]

Yeah and that's a concern at test level. Kerevi's defense could be a highway for the ABs. While To'omua is a dominant tackler who also can kick.

so two wingers who can't kick? Makes the exit strategy pretty predictable and allows an easy territory game plan by kicking long and pressuring. Precisely why I think Mitchell was picked ahead of Speight, Horne and Tomane and why Giteau came back in as well.

Horne would defend at 12, Beale on the wing. Answers both of these queries.

To'omua's weakest point is his kicking.

 

[Marcelo]

Horne would defend at 12, Beale on the wing. Answers both of these queries.

If you have a second 5/8 who can't defend his own channel and need a support like Horne with 2 injuries (Leali'ifano and Horne) you must play 11 Tomane 12 Beale/Kerevi

To'omua is so important for the squad. A dominant tackler at the backline in a squad with few of them is a real worry

To'omua's weakest point is his kicking.

To'omua can't kick to the posts but he can kick in open game like Gits did in the WC

 

[KOB1987]

If you have a second 5/8 who can't defend his own channel and need a support like Horne with 2 injuries (Leali'ifano and Horne) you must play 11 Tomane 12 Beale/Kerevi

To'omua is so important for the squad. A dominant tackler at the backline in a squad with few of them is a real worry



To'omua can't kick to the posts but he can kick in open game like Gits did in the WC

Not disputing To'omua's importance but he isn't going to be available. So in your injury scenario, that's when Cheika picks up the phone and calls Giteau, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Mitchell. That's why the rule is there.

 

[Marcelo]

Not disputing To'omua's importance but he isn't going to be available. So in your injury scenario, that's when Cheika picks up the phone and calls Giteau, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Mitchell. That's why the rule is there.

Yeah but Gits will be almost 40 at the WC 2019. He will be our Victor Matfield . I hope with a different final

 

[KOB1987]

Yeah but Gits will be almost 40 at the WC 2019. He will be our Victor Matfield . I hope with a different final

Ah yes, but To'omua will be back for RWC2019..

 

[Viking]

It should open the door for Kerevi you'd think, but in the short term I won't be surprised if we see the 10. Foley 11. Horne 12. Beale setup replicated at test level, with Speight on the other wing.

It does open the door for Kerevi but it significantly weakens our squad.
Kerevi is barely a super xv starter with one season under his belt. That lack of experience is a huge blow given To'omua has 30+ Test caps and has performed solidly at Test level. Hopefully Kerevi is naturally a quick developer.

It will be interesting to see which direction the game tactics go next year. The 12-18 months after the RWC is usually the time of change in the game with new "interpretations" coming in and changes in direction by coaches to freshen up their attack and defensive structures.

I would think that Horne could be an option as well. His pace, strength in contact and of course defence make it a pretty good fit. Not a second "playmaker" but if we consider the Horan/Little(Herbert) mould as the ideal centre pairing type for Australian Rugby then IMO Horne is closest to Horan in Oz ATM. Kurindrani. I think Beale will remain a utility reserve for Wallaby duty and probably start for the Tahs as a 15.

A pity for the Brumbies as tey will struggle to fill his boots unless somebody makes geat strides in 2016. Maybe Gits wants to come home and finish his career in Oz and that could give them an extra year to develop a successor.

Horan's strength was always his attack which Horne is no-where near close too. I see them as 2 completely different player, Horne is primarily a defensive player with a strong but not very agile attack. I actually think Foley is the closest mould to Horan, great broken play runner with nice skills all-round and a superb support player, but he obviously plays 10 instead of 12.
Not that I disagree Horne would make a great 12, He would, but certainly a different style of 12 for Horan, Horne would basically just be the same as McCabe was. Crash baller style.

 

[RugbyReg]

Isn't the Women's Big Bash League kicking off this summer? I would've thought Ellyse Perry would've been the highest paid player in that. It means they'll be having their competition season apart. Perhaps their off-seasons together though, which may have some appeal.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Looking into my crystal ball, I see the future for Matt To'omua being (barring injuries):

An outstanding 2016 Super season behind one of the strongest packs in the comp and outside Cubelli. Will continue to share 10/12 with Lealiifano, but Bernie will probably bow to pressure to put the 12 jersey on Matt.

Will play all three tests against the English either at 10 or 12, perhaps in partnership with Lealiifano or with Kerevi at 12. I think Kerevi will contribute more points to the team than he gives away with suspect defense at this stage of his career, and it would be an ideal opportunity to blood him against a rebuilding England side with a new coach trying to implement new structures.

Hopefully, will be available for the EOY Grand Slam tour.

Three years at Leicester and return in 2019 with a two year contract with the Tahs, (I believe he has a home in Artarmon and Ellyse will probably resume her Sydney based careers as well).

2019 RWC as No 10 inside Kerevi at 12 playing like a new Nonu.

 

[Viking]

Looking into my crystal ball, I see the future for Matt To'omua being (barring injuries):

An outstanding 2016 Super season behind one of the strongest packs in the comp and outside Cubelli. Will continue to share 10/12 with Lealiifano, but Bernie will probably bow to pressure to put the 12 jersey on Matt.

Will play all three tests against the English either at 10 or 12, perhaps in partnership with Lealiifano or with Kerevi at 12. I think Kerevi will contribute more points to the team than he gives away with suspect defense at this stage of his career, and it would be an ideal opportunity to blood him against a rebuilding England side with a new coach trying to implement new structures.

Hopefully, will be available for the EOY Grand Slam tour.

Three years at Leicester and return in 2019 with a two year contract with the Tahs, (I believe he has a home in Artarmon and Ellyse will probably resume her Sydney based careers as well).

2019 RWC as No 10 inside Kerevi at 12 playing like a new Nonu.

I don't think he should be selected for the wallabies if he is going over sea's for 3 years. Only if it was a RWC year or we have an injury crisis should we do that.

Might as well let Lilo and Beale fight it out or start giving Kerevi experience. Players in Aus should get priority.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Bummer. I'm a big rap for Matt as a player, but there you go. I'd still be putting him in the squad for the England series if his Super rugby form is good enough, but I'd also have some guys who Cheika thinks could grow into the role at 12. I wouldn't be opposed at all to Horne stepping into that slot post To'omua's departure.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I don't think he should be selected for the wallabies if he is going over sea's for 3 years. Only if it was a RWC year or we have an injury crisis should we do that.

Might as well let Lilo and Beale fight it out or start giving Kerevi experience. Players in Aus should get priority.

In between RWCs, we should be aiming to win as many tests as possible while at the same time be blooding the new talent who we think will rise to the 2019 RWC. No point putting Lealiifano or Beale or Horne et al in if To'omua is playing better football next year because what's to say any or all of those won't be taking up O/S contracts in the following year or two.

 

[KOB1987]

The press release says he is leaving after the super rugby season, inferring he won't be up for selection.

 

[qwerty51]

Leicester said he's arriving their summer too.

 

[cyclopath]

In between RWCs, we should be aiming to win as many tests as possible while at the same time be blooding the new talent who we think will rise to the 2019 RWC. No point putting Lealiifano or Beale or Horne et al in if To'omua is playing better football next year because what's to say any or all of those won't be taking up O/S contracts in the following year or two.

I don't follow. If To'omua is playing better footy, but not available, they shouldn't select others, in case they might later decide to go OS? Bear in mind the players you mention are all around 25-27 now, so hardly reaching "old blood" status. Sounds an odd selection approach.
Maybe I'm reading your post wrong.

 

[KOB1987]

I don't follow. If To'omua is playing better footy, but not available, they shouldn't select others, in case they might later decide to go OS? Bear in mind the players you mention are all around 25-27 now, so hardly reaching "old blood" status. Sounds an odd selection approach.
Maybe I'm reading your post wrong.

I think BR was working off the assumption that To'omua is available in 2016. which doesn't appear to be the case.