• Welcome to the forums of Green & Gold Rugby.
    We have recently made some changes to the amount of discussions boards on the forum.
    Over the coming months we will continue to make more changes to make the forum more user friendly for all to use.
    Thanks, Admin.

Aussie Player Exodus

Godfrey

Phil Hardcastle (33)
Speculation in the press about Bernard Foley potentially being selected for the Wallabies next year based on a 6-month contract with the Waratahs between Japanese seasons. Just words, but it was suggested he might be selected while based overseas.

I appreciate Foley's strengths but it would really irritate me if he was the player that rules were changed/stretched for, after all the others that have left. Foley going leaves us with To'omua and Cooper as front line options, with some thoroughly decent options behind them. We can't say the same about some of the others we've lost. It's not a huge complaint though as I don't begrudge him the opportunity, it's probably because I just don't find him a particularly compelling player.
 

Beefcake

Bill Watson (15)
Your rock is larger than mine I fear. On the EOYT, the Wallabies'scrum was almost always very competitive when the starting players were on. It only became obviously weaker when the reserves and Skelton came into the game. And a large part of that situation was the unwise selection of only one extra prop in the touring side meaning that one of Kepu or Slipper had to play the whole game, each and every test.

Against the Poms, of course, it was the latter's ability to get away with cheating that was decisive at scrum time.

With a full complement of props, now with some half way decent reserves, and Skelton showing all the signs of having put his scrummaging woes behind him, I fully expect the Wallabies will be a whole lot more competitive in the RWC and have no need for the likes of Salesi Maafu or any other Aussie player currntly plying their wares overseas.

You cant spin results, 'almost always very competitive' led to an exposed and intolerable NH tour 4 zip. You prolly reinforced my argument - a competitive scrum is one prone inconsistency and rightly earns the ire of any whistle. The ABs and Springboks are prolly the only teams that guarantee set piece position at the scrum. Why not include the likes of Maafu or whoever else who has spent a number of seasons butting heads or earning respect in NH rugby both to anchor and improve the Wobs (atleast against NH opposition) - the Wobs engine room needs all the grunt they can get
 

p.Tah

John Thornett (49)
Speculation in the press about Bernard Foley potentially being selected for the Wallabies next year based on a 6-month contract with the Waratahs between Japanese seasons. Just words, but it was suggested he might be selected while based overseas.

I appreciate Foley's strengths but it would really irritate me if he was the player that rules were changed/stretched for, after all the others that have left. Foley going leaves us with To'omua and Cooper as front line options, with some thoroughly decent options behind them. We can't say the same about some of the others we've lost. It's not a huge complaint though as I don't begrudge him the opportunity, it's probably because I just don't find him a particularly compelling player.
Wasn't the Japanese stint offered to allow him to supplement his income so he can play 7s?
 

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
Wasn't the Japanese stint offered to allow him to supplement his income so he can play 7s?
That's what I thought was said a little while back. Given that he was a well established 7s player previously, I can see some sense in it for the Olympics.
But once a precedent is created, it can become awfully messy. Tricky course to navigate.
 

Forcefield

Ken Catchpole (46)
Let Cliffy move on. Between Ben McCalman and Ita Vaea we have two great options at 8 after the RWC.

I am disappointed to hear reports of the Waratahs chasing McCalman- not because I am desperate for him to stay at the Force- but because Tala Grey and Jed Holloway who have a hell of a lot of potential. Maybe one of them can go to the Rebels to replace Higginbotham (unless Timani moves back there after this season). Options a plenty!
 

Strewthcobber

Simon Poidevin (60)
I wonder if he saw the writing on the wall for topups etc.

Palu's played 18 games in the last 5 years for the wallabies, even Pockock's played more than 30.

Really unlucky guy.
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Speculation in the press about Bernard Foley potentially being selected for the Wallabies next year based on a 6-month contract with the Waratahs between Japanese seasons. Just words, but it was suggested he might be selected while based overseas.

I appreciate Foley's strengths but it would really irritate me if he was the player that rules were changed/stretched for, after all the others that have left. Foley going leaves us with To'omua and Cooper as front line options, with some thoroughly decent options behind them. We can't say the same about some of the others we've lost. It's not a huge complaint though as I don't begrudge him the opportunity, it's probably because I just don't find him a particularly compelling player.


So the same as the Honey Badger
 

Marcelo

Ken Catchpole (46)


2dgt4sg.png
 
Top