Australia A v Japan XV matches

[stillmissit]

Speaking as an onlooker, maybe the answer is to do both, if you have the speed. Don't commit to either option in the hope (expectation?) that the cover defence will get across in time.

It strikes me that we don't have much in terms of cover for our D. When the opposition gets through or round our connected defence, good chance of a score. How many wingers do you think we have who can cover their opp # and come in?

 

[dru]

A prolific winger I knew in my playing days said to his coach when asked if he would come in more often, 'Sure I can do that but I can't do both. It's either coming in or covering my winger make your choice'. So it is not easy to make those choices and I guess Koroibete is about the best at it but few have his engine to play with.

It's a lot easier "coming in" from 11 than from 14. Mostly. One tends to be blind side a lot more than the other. Which is where Koroibete excels. What I find strange is that people here are mostly happy to consider the positioning as team set up issue for Nawaqanitawase and then to divert to "oh yeah but Vunivalu hasn't learned rugby positioning".

I don't know where this issue lies, but if it's team set up then it's going to be tough at 14, less so but also relevant at 11.

 

[liquor box]

What an enjoyable series to watch, it was entertaining and served a purpose.

It is interesting that debate is happening over Vunivalu and his chances of playing for the Wallabies, I for one think that this tour was his last chance to impress.

I think the interesting debate will be if he gets to start for the Reds next season. It is not too hard to build a Reds backline that does not feature him on the field to begin the game, and due to his limitations on playing multiple positions (have not seem him demonstrate competence elsewhere) you could argue he should not be on the bench either.

 

[RugbyReg]

What an enjoyable series to watch, it was entertaining and served a purpose.

It is interesting that debate is happening over Vunivalu and his chances of playing for the Wallabies, I for one think that this tour was his last chance to impress.

I think the interesting debate will be if he gets to start for the Reds next season. It is not too hard to build a Reds backline that does not feature him on the field to begin the game, and due to his limitations on playing multiple positions (have not seem him demonstrate competence elsewhere) you could argue he should not be on the bench either.

No way - he's got potentially a whole season of Super Rugby to come. It would be ridiculous to write him off now.

 

[PhilClinton]

No way - he's got potentially a whole season of Super Rugby to come. It would be ridiculous to write him off now.

The problem is, he's fallen so far out of favour that they've left him at home with Koro being unavailable and Wright playing like a park footy player. Regardless of how well he plays now, he's got others who are ahead of him.

Not to mention a few blokes ahead of him who aren't available due to injury.

 

[RugbyReg]

The problem is, he's fallen so far out of favour that they've left him at home with Koro being unavailable and Wright playing like a park footy player. Regardless of how well he plays now, he's got others who are ahead of him.

Not to mention a few blokes ahead of him who aren't available due to injury.

no way. If you think an under pressure coach is going to ignore Super Rugby form in 2023 prior to a RWC just because of who he picked on the previous year's Wallaby tour, you're kidding yourself.

 

[Derpus]

No way - he's got potentially a whole season of Super Rugby to come. It would be ridiculous to write him off now.

Are there any tests ahead of the RWC? I expect he's got plenty of time but he's a metre or two behind in the race particularly to Nawaqanitawase who has very similar physical attributes and seems to be going from strength to strength.

 

[RugbyReg]

Are there any tests ahead of the RWC? I expect he's got plenty of time but he's a metre or two behind in the race particularly to Nawaqanitawase who has very similar physical attributes and seems to be going from strength to strength.

there would be a reduced Rugby Champs and I think another test v France

 

[qwerty51]

Not ignore but it surely puts them up against it not being on the EOYT. They need to have a very dominant Super season to get ahead of someone who A. performed on the EOYT and B. still performed in Super Rugby.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think the current wing rankings would look something like :

No 11 - Koroibete; Pietsch; Vunivalu

No 14 - Kellaway; Wright; Nawaqanitawase; Daugunu; Vunivalu.

Hodge perhaps also fits in there somewhere in front of Vunivalu. And that assumes Perese is looked at as a centre not wing.

IMO, Vunivalu would have to overtake quite a few in next year's Super season to have a chance of making the Wallabies for RWC. Not impossible but very unlikely. The chance must be high that he'll call quits on his rugby career some time before RWC.

 

[qwerty51]

Petaia?

 

[LeCheese]

I think the current wing rankings would look something like :

No 11 - Koroibete; Pietsch; Vunivalu

No 14 - Kellaway; Wright; Nawaqanitawase; Daugunu; Vunivalu.

Hodge perhaps also fits in there somewhere in front of Vunivalu. And that assumes Perese is looked at as a centre not wing.

IMO, Vunivalu would have to overtake quite a few in next year's Super season to have a chance of making the Wallabies for RWC. Not impossible but very unlikely. The chance must be high that he'll call quits on his rugby career some time before RWC.

Incumbency / desire to persist would likely put Petaia above Pietsch and Nawaqanitawase, if not Wright.

 

[PhilClinton]

no way. If you think an under pressure coach is going to ignore Super Rugby form in 2023 prior to a RWC just because of who he picked on the previous year's Wallaby tour, you're kidding yourself.

Per qwerty's response, they definitely won't ignore someone, but he's going to have to be the most dominant winger in the comp to jump ahead of the others. If I've got 4 blokes around the same level vying for the same spot and three of them are a known quantity, I'm going with those three.

The fact is Vunivalu has totally dropped off the Wallaby radar, he was being picked in Wallaby squads last year off the back of injuries without having played much. Now he's fit and had a chance to play and has been dropped.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Petaia?

Also in front of Vunivalu but imo behind both Nawaqanitawase and Pietsch.

 

[Rob42]

Petaia?

Yeah. The Reds are in the awkward position of having two guys in their backline who need consistent minutes to develop and realise their potential. Filling one position like that might be manageable over a season, having two puts a lot of pressure on the team.

 

[liquor box]

No way - he's got potentially a whole season of Super Rugby to come. It would be ridiculous to write him off now.

It would be if I thought he would be starting for the Reds, I think he should be on the bench and this would make it hard to earn a spot.

 

[dru]

I think the current wing rankings would look something like :

No 11 - Koroibete; Pietsch; Vunivalu

No 14 - Kellaway; Wright; Nawaqanitawase; Daugunu; Vunivalu.

Hodge perhaps also fits in there somewhere in front of Vunivalu. And that assumes Perese is looked at as a centre not wing.

IMO, Vunivalu would have to overtake quite a few in next year's Super season to have a chance of making the Wallabies for RWC. Not impossible but very unlikely. The chance must be high that he'll call quits on his rugby career some time before RWC.

I'd swap Daugunu to 11. I've had this conversation elsewhere but it baffles me that Wright is in the conversation. Kellaway at 14 is fine but I'd number him 15. Nawaqanitawase ahead of Vunivalu. For now.

 

[RugbyReg]

It would be if I thought he would be starting for the Reds, I think he should be on the bench and this would make it hard to earn a spot.

He’ll be starting if fit.

 

[liquor box]

He’ll be starting if fit.

I have no doubt about it, but I don't think he deserves it.

 

[wamberal]

lI have no doubt about it, but I don't think he deserves it.

Players don't get picked because "they deserve it". They get picked because they fit into the coach's game plan.