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John Thornett (49)
thats what i'm saying it has to be then, its only a rwc year the the RC is in july so you cant have a pac cup run at the same time as the RC 3 out of every 4 years
Australia A - Back on the Cards
- Thread starter Tomikin
- Start date
thats what i'm saying it has to be then, its only a rwc year the the RC is in july so you cant have a pac cup run at the same time as the RC 3 out of every 4 years
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Punctuation is your friend...
All confirmed
Rugby Australia and Tonga Rugby Union have confirmed that an Australia A team will travel to Tonga to play the Tonga national team on July 14.
The fixture will be a key match-up for both teams as the Wallabies and the Ikale Tahi continue their preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.
The sides will clash in the Pacific Island nation on the 50th anniversary of Tonga’s victory over the Wallabies at Ballymore in Brisbane; a match of great significance to Australia and Tonga where Fatai Kefu, the father of current Tonga coach and Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu, represented the Ikale Tahi.
The match is a continuation of the Australian Government’s investment in the development of Rugby throughout the Pacific through the PacificAus Sports program, and follows significant investment to support Pacific Rugby pathways in partnership with Oceania Rugby.
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP (Moana Pasifika), hailed the excitement surrounding the event.
“The invitation for an Australian team to play Tonga at their home ground in Nuku’alofa, 50 years after the famous Test match in Brisbane – exemplifies our countries' close relationship on and off the sporting field.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be supporting this historic match because we understand the power of our shared love of sport to bring Australians and people across the Pacific even closer together.”
The Australia A program was re-introduced in 2022, with tours to Fiji and Japan, and saw a number of players go on to make their debuts for the Wallabies on the season-ending tour of Europe and the UK, such as Langi Gleeson, Jock Campbell, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Ben Donaldson.
Rugby Australia’s General Manager, National High-Performance Programs, Adrian Thompson says the success of last year’s program showed its importance to the elite level of Rugby in Australia.
“Last year showed how the Australia A program can help advance players take that next step into international Rugby,” he said.
“It also provides some extra game-time for players on the fringes of the Wallabies squad – which will be increasingly important in this truncated Rugby World Cup season.
“Tonga has built an impressive squad under Toutai Kefu, and they will be tough competition for Australia A and at the World Cup later this year – it will be a great hit-out for both teams.”
Australia A will play the Ikale Tahi at 3:00pm local time (12:00pm AEST) on 14 July at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
Rugby Australia and Tonga Rugby Union have confirmed that an Australia A team will travel to Tonga to play the Tonga national team on July 14.
The fixture will be a key match-up for both teams as the Wallabies and the Ikale Tahi continue their preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.
The sides will clash in the Pacific Island nation on the 50th anniversary of Tonga’s victory over the Wallabies at Ballymore in Brisbane; a match of great significance to Australia and Tonga where Fatai Kefu, the father of current Tonga coach and Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu, represented the Ikale Tahi.
The match is a continuation of the Australian Government’s investment in the development of Rugby throughout the Pacific through the PacificAus Sports program, and follows significant investment to support Pacific Rugby pathways in partnership with Oceania Rugby.
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP (Moana Pasifika), hailed the excitement surrounding the event.
“The invitation for an Australian team to play Tonga at their home ground in Nuku’alofa, 50 years after the famous Test match in Brisbane – exemplifies our countries' close relationship on and off the sporting field.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be supporting this historic match because we understand the power of our shared love of sport to bring Australians and people across the Pacific even closer together.”
The Australia A program was re-introduced in 2022, with tours to Fiji and Japan, and saw a number of players go on to make their debuts for the Wallabies on the season-ending tour of Europe and the UK, such as Langi Gleeson, Jock Campbell, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Ben Donaldson.
Rugby Australia’s General Manager, National High-Performance Programs, Adrian Thompson says the success of last year’s program showed its importance to the elite level of Rugby in Australia.
“Last year showed how the Australia A program can help advance players take that next step into international Rugby,” he said.
“It also provides some extra game-time for players on the fringes of the Wallabies squad – which will be increasingly important in this truncated Rugby World Cup season.
“Tonga has built an impressive squad under Toutai Kefu, and they will be tough competition for Australia A and at the World Cup later this year – it will be a great hit-out for both teams.”
Australia A will play the Ikale Tahi at 3:00pm local time (12:00pm AEST) on 14 July at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
Say what you will about either govt. & medaling in the region by sugar daddying those nations it’s given so many opportunities that weren’t there before pacsports was introduced
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
saw this on insta but no on an official account
train on "a" squad
fwds
Cale
Canham
Pone
Gamble
Hanigan
Lambert
Lonergan
Neville
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Schoupp
Swain
Swinton
Talakai
Wilson
Wilkin
Uru
backs
Anderson
Jock
Daugunu
IFL
Flook
Foley
Gordan
JOC (James O'Connor)
Hunter
Tuttle
Walton
train on "a" squad
fwds
Cale
Canham
Pone
Gamble
Hanigan
Lambert
Lonergan
Neville
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Schoupp
Swain
Swinton
Talakai
Wilson
Wilkin
Uru
backs
Anderson
Jock
Daugunu
IFL
Flook
Foley
Gordan
JOC (James O'Connor)
Hunter
Tuttle
Walton
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
These are the guys in bold think are still in with a huge chance of going to the RWC.
I think a lot of the others like Schoup, Flook and Walton are in the development pile and the others like Jock, Swain and Hunter are in the stay fit in case we see a repeat of last year.
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
IMO
LL should be in the squad already
Hanigan/LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) one of them straight in if Leota doesn't come up
I'd love us to to player rsa a, the friday before the 1st test & if any country in the world would organise a game like that within 2 weeks it would be them (i'm well aware it prob wont happen)
LL should be in the squad already
Hanigan/LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) one of them straight in if Leota doesn't come up
I'd love us to to player rsa a, the friday before the 1st test & if any country in the world would organise a game like that within 2 weeks it would be them (i'm well aware it prob wont happen)
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Best chance of an extra game for the A side would be a NZ Māori side with both countries players being on the same timing season wise.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
South Africa are basically running two squads for the Rugby Championship, so I'm not sure they'd be too keen to run a 3rd string 'a' side as well.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
I don't mind it so much when it is a super team being sponsored, or local competitions but I do find it uncomfortable to be playing a team at a world cup (U20's) with our own government being their sponsor. If we are going to sponsor world cup teams then put some more money into our teams. These games should mean something and our government should not assist other countries.
As I said, use it for other rugby, but not for national teams
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
National teams do mean something, that's exactly why the Aus Govt is sponsoring them, to improve the geo-political influence of Australian within Fiji. I don't think it lessens the passion that any of the players play with against each other.
Mr Pilfer
Alex Ross (28)
I think Pone still a chance as well, I thought he would have been a type that Eddie would be keen on
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Wish he’d got more minutes in him through Super Rugby. I know we have some props there with zero mins but we’ve seen them start and perform before at Test level.
Linerunner2023
Watty Friend (18)
Yes there will be several of these guys disappointed and pushing hard to get back in the main squad, with 40 in the main squad one would assume some of these guys may drop back to this squad
Particularly Lonergan, Fainga'a, pone, talakai, Neville, swain, hanigan, Wilson, Wilken and foley
Biggest surprise is Neville not being in the main squad, and Wilson and Wilken and Lonergan unlucky
I don’t think Wilson can do any more so maybe his days as a wallaby are nearly done?
Also surprise mafi, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Wright did not make it
Noah has fallen well down the pecking order now
if Toole and jorgo were okay I think this would have only made this squad! Robertson and rodda could have been either the main squad or this one
not a bad Aus a side though
I can see nongurr, Perese, Donaldson, kemeny, Pietch all coming back into this squad
Particularly Lonergan, Fainga'a, pone, talakai, Neville, swain, hanigan, Wilson, Wilken and foley
Biggest surprise is Neville not being in the main squad, and Wilson and Wilken and Lonergan unlucky
I don’t think Wilson can do any more so maybe his days as a wallaby are nearly done?
Also surprise mafi, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Wright did not make it
Noah has fallen well down the pecking order now
if Toole and jorgo were okay I think this would have only made this squad! Robertson and rodda could have been either the main squad or this one
not a bad Aus a side though
I can see nongurr, Perese, Donaldson, kemeny, Pietch all coming back into this squad
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
The guy is only 23 years old, his wallaby days are far from done. He's still a good chance of getting time at the top this year, particualrly given the injury cloud around a few of those ahead of him.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Exactly. He'll be in his physical prime at the next RWC. Looking at all his metrics he has everything you want in a Prop. Plenty have before and not kicked on but I have no problem with his inclusion. Probably finished the year in better form that he started which is a good sign.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Don't think Harry will want to transition to the front row.
Pone is 26 now but yes your point remains that he still remains in the conversation especially since he's just re-signed.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
My brain has fucked up here. Was reading through threads and then I associated Wilsons comment with Zane Nonggorr.
Linerunner2023
Watty Friend (18)
Yes I’m a big advocate for Wilson to get in the wallabies squad, but the fact he didn’t get selected after the year he had in wondering what else he can do
Especially with valetini and Gleeson still so young as well
I would line to see valetini at 6 and Wilson 8 but this would affect the line out unless they get better jumping
I think jones like more quicker and footwork on comtact where Wilson is the old school straight runner
I’m a big fan of Harry but I’m concerned if jones does not rate him in the top 40 now will he ever?
Especially with valetini and Gleeson still so young as well
I would line to see valetini at 6 and Wilson 8 but this would affect the line out unless they get better jumping
I think jones like more quicker and footwork on comtact where Wilson is the old school straight runner
I’m a big fan of Harry but I’m concerned if jones does not rate him in the top 40 now will he ever?
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
He should think about a position swap to #6. Think he’d fare up well against the incumbents on account of his high work rate in defense and viable lineout option.