Aussie Player Exodus

[Marce]

Jock Campbell won't make 15, though naturally his chances seem better now than a week ago. the plan seems to be introducing Jock as first receiver a little and getting more direct involvement during the game. Mind you it will be interesting to see how long Jock holds 14 at the Reds once Vunivalu is available. It suggests a possible slot in the WBs at 23. A different sort of flexibility to Hodge. Mind you it will be interesting to see how long Jock holds 14 at the Reds once Vunivalu is available.

Petaia just needs to play his cards right, WB 15 beckons.

Is Vunivalu still a professional athlete? He has to score something like 5 tries per game to be a real contender and the Aussies sides are going to face the Kiwis so probably he's going to tackle more than run with the ball.

Petaia is a skillful player but he has to stay healthy to prove that he can play at 15 at international level

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Is Vunivalu still a professional athlete? He has to score something like 5 tries per game to be a real contender and the Aussies sides are going to face the Kiwis so probably he's going to tackle more than run with the ball

good thing he had some time in mungoball then

 

[PhilClinton]

Petaia is a skillful player but he has to stay healthy to prove that he can play at 15 at international level

I’ve been critical of Petaia’s injury history in the past but he’s playing his best footy at the moment and is holding together alright.

Let’s put some positive vibes out there for him, he’s on track to play a key role for the Reds in the back half of the season.

 

[Braveheart81]

Let’s put some positive vibes out there for him, he’s on track to play a key role for the Reds in the back half of the season.

I'm all for it. I'm firmly on the Petaia for Wallabies fullback bandwagon as I've never been convinced by Banks.

 

[LeCheese]

Is Vunivalu still a professional athlete? He has to score something like 5 tries per game to be a real contender and the Aussies sides are going to face the Kiwis so probably he's going to tackle more than run with the ball.

Vunivalu scored 4 tries in 4 matches against Kiwi sides last year, with an average of 60min/game, so I wouldn't put it past him to have strong performances – particularly as we're seemingly seeing less of a divide between the Aussies and Kiwis this year.

And geez he still seems like a 'professional athlete' to me - would love to know the criteria you're using to suggest he isn't in any way

 

[Dctarget]

Vunivalu scored 4 tries in 4 matches against Kiwi sides last year, with an average of 60min/game, so I wouldn't put it past him to have strong performances – particularly as we're seemingly seeing less of a divide between the Aussies and Kiwis this year.

And geez he still seems like a 'professional athlete' to me - would love to know the criteria you're using to suggest he isn't in any way
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Bloooody hell get the man on a rugby pitch. This is such a tease

 

[LeCheese]

Bloooody hell get the man on a rugby pitch. This is such a tease

That was ~3wks ago too, can only imagine how he is now

 

[fatprop]

GeeRob mentions that Uelese is eyeing a UK move…

He should take the money as well

 

[Tomikin]

So who is the contender for the Wallabies fullback spot? Petaia is made of glass so I hope Brad Thorn picks Jack Campbell at 15 and develops his skills there

We are thin but I'd hope Petaia goes from strength to strength..

 

[Tomikin]

Vunivalu scored 4 tries in 4 matches against Kiwi sides last year, with an average of 60min/game, so I wouldn't put it past him to have strong performances – particularly as we're seemingly seeing less of a divide between the Aussies and Kiwis this year.

And geez he still seems like a 'professional athlete' to me - would love to know the criteria you're using to suggest he isn't in any way
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man his a beast... I can't wait for him to hit the pitch, a lot of people who said he wasn't worth it will eat humble pie in my opinion .. my only problem with him, is the Jersey

 

[Purce]

Bloooody hell get the man on a rugby pitch. This is such a tease

I think he was eyeing a return this weekend after the bye? Hope so, keen to see him on the field.

 

[dru]

And geez he still seems like a 'professional athlete' to me -

What other term would you use? Adonis?

 

[Marce]

Vunivalu scored 4 tries in 4 matches against Kiwi sides last year, with an average of 60min/game, so I wouldn't put it past him to have strong performances – particularly as we're seemingly seeing less of a divide between the Aussies and Kiwis this year.

And geez he still seems like a 'professional athlete' to me - would love to know the criteria you're using to suggest he isn't in any way
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I'm a HUGE Vunivalu fan and I have not problem to say here that I watch NRL, not at the same level as Rugby Union but I follow League.

I'd put my money to see Josh Addo-Carr or James Tedesco wearing the gold jersey. To sum up, he hasn't played this year so he has to EARN the opportunity. That's my point, I want to see him beating Super Rugby defenses but if I have to pick my Wallabies 23 for next weekend I won't pick him

 

[Adam84]

Nah Addo-Carr is a one trick pony that benefited by sitting on the end of the best team in the NRL for years. His performances at the Bulldogs are highlighting this.

James Tedesco on the other hand..brilliant player and would definitely make wallabies if he transitioned

 

[Lindommer]

Give up on the idea of a 3rd layer (NRC) and make the Shute shield and QPR the engine room.

Brilliant idea. Then we get even more of the talented youth heading off to Sydney Uni/Randwick/Easts/Eastwood/Qld Uni/Brothers/Souths etc. resulting in the rest of the teams get flogged week in, week out and the game disappears up its fundament. Our Saffer and Kiwi cousins have the Currie Cup and NPC to develop their young up-and-comers and have won three RWCs each to our two, which one could argue were both results of serendipitously-talented teams rather than successful long term planning. We NEED a broad-reaching national competition rather than a narrow club comp to develop our game further, something like the Sheffield Shield competition.

The ARC/NRC needs a decade of support and patience. And a team in western Sydney.

 

[Marce]

Nah Addo-Carr is a one trick pony that benefited by sitting on the end of the best team in the NRL for years. His performances at the Bulldogs are highlighting this.

You can say the same about Koroibete or Vunivalu. I'd bet my car against a meat pie that the fox would smash any international RU tackler, I can't see Kellaway doing what the fox has done in the NRL and he was stood out at international level last year

Tom Wright is probably the most solid winger in RA this season and he only played 5 NRL games. But you put in doubts a lad with 132 NRL games and 102 tries, plus 12 Origin games and 10 tries lol

 

[Adam84]

You can say the same about Koroibete or Vunivalu. I'd bet my car against a meat pie that the fox would smash any international RU tackler, I can't see Kellaway doing what the fox has done in the NRL and he was stood out at international level last year

Tom Wright is probably the most solid winger in Rugby Australia this season and he only played 5 NRL games. But you put in doubts a lad with 132 NRL games and 102 tries, plus 12 Origin games and 10 tries lol

Nah he has speed and that’s about it. He can’t pass and is average under the high ball. If you’re talking amazing NRL athletes, then Tedesco and Trbojevic are the ones to secure.

Comparing to Tom Wright is stupid, Tom returned to rugby at 21. The same age Ado-Carr made his NRL debut.

anyway, Ado-Carr is signed for 4 years so not a necessary discussion.

 

[RugbyReg]

Tom Wright is probably the most solid winger in Rugby Australia this season.

With all due respect but does “probably” mean something else in South America?

 

[TSR]

You can say the same about Koroibete or Vunivalu. I'd bet my car against a meat pie that the fox would smash any international RU tackler, I can't see Kellaway doing what the fox has done in the NRL and he was stood out at international level last year

Tom Wright is probably the most solid winger in Rugby Australia this season and he only played 5 NRL games. But you put in doubts a lad with 132 NRL games and 102 tries, plus 12 Origin games and 10 tries lol

Tom Wright is the most solid? In what sense.

I like the guy, but he is solid in neither physicality nor consistency.

 

[Marce]

With all due respect but does “probably” mean something else in South America?

Ok, for me is the most solid winger ATM