Ireland v Wallabies - Sunday 1 Dec, 2:10 AEDT

[Tomikin]

Yes, and Valetini was the starting number 8. Lets drop him too

But you talk as if it would make a difference it wouldn't, you acting like Donno's some saviour, which his clearly not. The tah's didn't drop him for no reason, and he wasn't the best performing fly half in super rugby.. But then again you think changing 5/8th is going to make a difference.

Really doesn't matter what we think anyway, it's clear smarter people then you and me have gone with Noah.. no matter your bitching

 

[Ignoto]

getting to watch guys like Marcus Smith & Finn Russell etc.

Are you new to Marcus Smith's career? He was completely written off last year.

Before Sunday’s defeat by European superpower, Toulouse, Smith had registered two man-of-the-match performances. However, his decision-making and execution against the French side were uneven, with touches of class mingled with unusual inaccuracy. His probing grubber kick, around the ninth minute, forced a short lineout from which Andre Esterhuizen eventually rammed his way over the try line. He also made a superb line break in the second half that, unfortunately, Quins could not convert into a try-scoring chance.

On the other hand, he kicked the ball straight out from a penalty that should have given Quins a five-metre lineout and kicked dead from his own half. The latter act provided a platform in Quins’ territory from which Toulouse later scored their third try. At times, his short runs into the opposition 22 ended in speculative grubber kicks that were ineffective.

Marcus Smith is rugby’s future whether you like it or not – but England shirt is no guarantee

Blazing club form adds credence to calls for return to the England No 10 shirt – but Quins' fly-half must be put in the situation to succeed

www.telegraph.co.uk

Gatland also wrote similar remarks essentially saying Smith is a talent and you need to stick with him - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-u...h-fly-half-england-world-cup-squad-borthwick/

Finn has also had an up-and-down career with instances of being dropped from the Scottish team.

I think the only 10 in recent memory that has consistently played at an exceptional level has been Richie. The rest all have good and bad moments.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Are you new to Marcus Smith's career? He was completely written off last year.

Marcus Smith is rugby’s future whether you like it or not – but England shirt is no guarantee

Blazing club form adds credence to calls for return to the England No 10 shirt – but Quins' fly-half must be put in the situation to succeed

www.telegraph.co.uk

Gatland also wrote similar remarks essentially saying Smith is a talent and you need to stick with him - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-u...h-fly-half-england-world-cup-squad-borthwick/

Finn has also had an up-and-down career with instances of being dropped from the Scottish team.

I think the only 10 in recent memory that has consistently played at an exceptional level has been Richie. The rest all have good and bad moments.

Perhaps Ntamack? Though he has been very injured.

 

[Slim 293]

I think the only 10 in recent memory that has consistently played at an exceptional level has been Richie. The rest all have good and bad moments.

Even Richie wasn't immune to criticism and questions over his place in the test team at times despite tearing it up in Super Rugby...

 

[dru]

Just on that, I have it from a reliable source that a lot of the players were quite ill and that a forfeit - although obviously not seriously considered - was seen as the only alternative to what eventually transpired. It makes sense given how good we were in the first 20 minutes and that a couple of players e.g. Jorgensen were stood down for a lengthy period afterwards.

As stated this is simply conspirational. Surely when you make big claims you should back it up.

 

[Slim 293]

Anyways, McReight and JAS "expected" to be recalled to the starting lineup, according to Drennan in the SMH...

 

[drewprint]

Anyways, McReight and JAS "expected" to be recalled to the starting lineup, according to Drennan in the SMH...

I asked him over X about if he had any insight on Faessler being fit. He said he’s ’not going to be available as far as he understands’. So not promising, but you never know…

 

[Tomthumb]

Are you new to Marcus Smith's career? He was completely written off last year.

Marcus Smith is rugby’s future whether you like it or not – but England shirt is no guarantee

Blazing club form adds credence to calls for return to the England No 10 shirt – but Quins' fly-half must be put in the situation to succeed

www.telegraph.co.uk

Gatland also wrote similar remarks essentially saying Smith is a talent and you need to stick with him - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-u...h-fly-half-england-world-cup-squad-borthwick/

Finn has also had an up-and-down career with instances of being dropped from the Scottish team.

I think the only 10 in recent memory that has consistently played at an exceptional level has been Richie. The rest all have good and bad moments.

His physical abilities were never doubted, his consistency was (much like a young Quade Cooper)

Noah legitimately doesn’t look like an international calibre athlete, and doesn’t have any great athletic skills to fall back on. At the top level you really need something that can set you apart, and Noah doesn’t

 

[Tomthumb]

But you talk as if it would make a difference it wouldn't, you acting like Donno's some saviour, which his clearly not. The tah's didn't drop him for no reason, and he wasn't the best performing fly half in super rugby.. But then again you think changing 5/8th is going to make a difference.

Really doesn't matter what we think anyway, it's clear smarter people then you and me have gone with Noah.. no matter your bitching

I never called him a saviour, I said he has a higher ceiling than Noah if he realises his potential due to superior natural gifts

“Smarter people than you or me” being Dave Rennie had a good look at Noah and decided it was better to pick every geriatric Aussie 10 in Japan over him, so it’s just one man’s opinion at the end of the day

 

[Tomikin]

I never called him a saviour, I said he has a higher ceiling than Noah if he realises his potential due to superior natural gifts

“Smarter people than you or me” being Dave Rennie had a good look at Noah and decided it was better to pick every geriatric Aussie 10 in Japan over him, so it’s just one man’s opinion at the end of the day

I mean its pretty telling that Donaldson's lost out in every flyhalf battle his had, Under 20's Harrison got picked over him, Tah's Edmen/Harrison/Bowen got picked over him, Wallabies, Foley, Quade, Lolesio and Gordon all picked over him (granted at the end of the world cup he was starting), His had a continued run at the Force, but not like they have fly half's coming out there arse. Then the games he started recently for the Wallabies 40 - 6 Wales, 67 - 27 Agentina.

Maybe his just not that good/any better than what we already have... Anyway time to agree to disagree...

P.S. Im not saying Noah's a star, his not, his just the best we have..

 

[Slim 293]

“Smarter people than you or me” being Dave Rennie had a good look at Noah and decided it was better to pick every geriatric Aussie 10 in Japan over him, so it’s just one man’s opinion at the end of the day

Yes, and as mentioned earlier it was not a process that worked well for Rennie, from throwing him into his debut too early against the All Blacks due to injuries, to then immediately dropping him for not being ready yet, and then chopping and changing throughout his tenure...

And yet, he routinely returned to playing him and he was the flyhalf present for half of his wins as Wallabies' coach... including his final test in charge during the 24 point second half turnaround to comeback against Wales.

 

[Derpus]

Perhaps Ntamack? Though he has been very injured.

France play off Dupont. Can hardly be the worlds best pivot when you aren't one.

 

[Slim 293]

Anyways, that's enough about Ben Donaldson because apparently he won't be included in the team this week...

Edmed to earn his debut off the bench, with Lolesio obviously starting according to Panda:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...t/news-story/1126338ef2b1317bff9d4050831540d9

JAS cleared to play, and McReight and Williams to also come back into the starting side.

 

[fatprop]

Maybe his just not that good/any better than what we already have... Anyway time to agree to disagree...

P.S. Im not saying Noah's a star, his not, his just the best we have..

Yep, we have no gun 10, they are all just average, I see no issue with a coach picking and sticking with the unit playing in the best program

 

[Tomthumb]

I mean its pretty telling that Donaldson's lost out in every flyhalf battle his had, Under 20's Harrison got picked over him, Tah's Edmen/Harrison/Bowen got picked over him, Wallabies, Foley, Quade, Lolesio and Gordon all picked over him (granted at the end of the world cup he was starting), His had a continued run at the Force, but not like they have fly half's coming out there arse. Then the games he started recently for the Wallabies 40 - 6 Wales, 67 - 27 Agentina.

Maybe his just not that good/any better than what we already have... Anyway time to agree to disagree...

P.S. Im not saying Noah's a star, his not, his just the best we have..

Pretty poor to write all that drivel and then end it with “agree to disagree”

Either say that at the start or be willing to have your opinion challenged

 

[Wilson]

Anyways, that's enough about Ben Donaldson because apparently he won't be included in the team this week...

Edmed to earn his debut off the bench, with Lolesio obviously starting according to Panda:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...t/news-story/1126338ef2b1317bff9d4050831540d9

JAS cleared to play, and McReight and Williams to also come back into the starting side.

The Edmed call does seem more likely with the Grand Slam no longer on the line, but it's worth noting the wording there is maybe a bit more speculative than rumoured:

Edmed, 24, was a surprise inclusion for the spring tour ahead of Tom Lynagh, but so far has not been given any game time, with Noah Lolesio starting every Test at No.10 and Ben Donaldson being his back-up on the bench.

While Lolesio has played well on tour and proven himself as Australia’s leading playmaker, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt needs to find out if Edmed can handle the Test arena before the Lions series next July.

This is his last opportunity to do so, and Edmed is expected to come off the pine in Dublin.

 

[emuarse]

The Edmed call does seem more likely with the Grand Slam no longer on the line, but it's worth noting the wording there is maybe a bit more speculative than rumoured:

Well if Edmed is playing off the pine, I hope he gets some reasonable playing time. It's hard to be given the green light 10 minutes from full time. It can take that amount of time in the Irish winter weather just to warm up.

 

[JRugby2]

And then after the next test we have all the way through to the BIL for regurgitating the same speculation/.

I for one am looking forward to rehashing the NCC/ 3rd tier debate in the off season

 

[Tomikin]

Pretty poor to write all that drivel and then end it with “agree to disagree”

Either say that at the start or be willing to have your opinion challenged

 

[Sword of Justice]

France play off Dupont. Can hardly be the worlds best pivot when you aren't one.

He’s not as good as Dupont but I’m struggling to think of a ten who’s as good as Ntamack was every week for France.