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

[Derpus]

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.

I'd certainly prefer Mounga at least.

AB fans just bitched about Richie because he wasn't DC. News flash fluffybunnys - no one is.

 

[Brumby Runner]

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..

Tom, tbh I don't think he's necessarily the best No 10 we have at the Brumbies. He is more effective at the lower Super Rugby level than at test match level.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I'd certainly prefer Mounga at least.

AB fans just bitched about Richie because he wasn't DC. News flash fluffybunnys - no one is.

I’d take Mounga in a heartbeat for sure but I think he didn’t reach the same heights internationally as he did at super level.

 

[KOB1987]

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

Which is why I haven’t mentioned it before. When the game was mentioned in a prior post I thought about it for a bit and decided to write as it’s no secret that a few players returned home sick and it’s nothing really controversial, it’s merely just a talking point.

 

[Slim 293]

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:

Doran now reporting the same…

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/...th-wallabies-debutant-in-2024-for-final-test/

Also…

Taniela Tupou is a strong chance to return after missing the past two Tests with a knee issue, with the Wallabies sensing an opportunity to attack the Irish scrum in the absence of Tadhg Furlong.

Elsewhere Noah Lolesio is expected to finish the year where he started by wearing the No.10 jersey, while Max Jorgensen is expected to return on the wing.

 

[Tomthumb]

Hopefully he gives Edmed more than 5 minutes at the end of the game. We are a Lolesio injury away from utter disaster at 10 vs the Lions with no other 10 been given the chance

 

[Yoda]

Hopefully he gives Edmed more than 5 minutes at the end of the game. We are a Lolesio injury away from utter disaster at 10 vs the Lions with no other 10 been given the chance

Exactly. Donno has had about 5 minutes in each of the last 3 games. As we both agree, Noah is hardly better. Pop gun kick, no pace, stands to pass often …. Oh yes… but he can kick goals. Joe seems set on him which I don’t understand though. So if Edmed gets 5 minutes what will that achieve? If he gets 20, why didn’t Donno get more minutes on tour. In Joe we trust? I‘m starting to question that logic. In the 10 selections that is. Go Wallabies.

 

[Khun Phil]

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.

Even Richie was criticised by a lot of Kiwis!

 

[Joe Blow]

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…

Calf muscles normally take a few weeks. I doubt we will see him unfortunately. If he's out I would have Nasser on the bench.

 

[Italophile]

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.

Personality clash with the coach as much as anything.

 

[drewprint]

Calf muscles normally take a few weeks. I doubt we will see him unfortunately. If he's out I would have Nasser on the bench.

True. Just odd there’s been no confirmation either way. And I am an eternal optimist!

 

[Purce]

It's wonderful to see guys like Faessler take their opportunities with both hands. He has come on tremendously over the past couple of years, in a position which we really needed someone to step up. There have been a number of others hyped who, unfortunately, never quite hit their stride. He seemed to come from nowhere and now looks completely comfortable at test level. I think he was stuck in a 3 way battle for the Reds no. 2 spot just 2 years ago.

The flip side is... when he's injured it feels like quite a drop down to the next couple of players. Nasser seems like a really solid player with the same potential ability to look at home in the test match arena. Hopefully he has left his injury curses behind him.

 

[Overtime]

Oh I agree. I’m a Donaldson fan and think his ball playing and kicking game has a higher ceiling than Noah. But he’s been weak on the tackle so that isn’t a reason to start him

Yes, as you know I have always thought Donaldson has had a higher ceiling than Noah. Noah seems a great team man but definitely not Test standard. In saying that I am not sure Donaldson is the long-term answer either however he deserves a go. I would definitely start him against Ireland.

 

[Dctarget]

I love this flyhalf chat, makes me realise it's probably the hardest position to be complete in.

Then when they are nearing perfection, they become prima donnas, naturally. Case in point is Monsieur Mathieu Jalibert, who I'd take in a heart beat for the Wallabies, spat his dummy and left camp after being named on the bench, refusing to play if he was only a reservist aha.

 

[Overtime]

I love this flyhalf chat, makes me realise it's probably the hardest position to be complete in.

Then when they are nearing perfection, they become prima donnas, naturally. Case in point is Monsieur Mathieu Jalibert, who I'd take in a heart beat for the Wallabies, spat his dummy and left camp after being named on the bench, refusing to play if he was only a reservist aha.

Would have loved Isaac Lucas to have stayed in Aus Rugby. He probably is the player we have sorely missed at fly half.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Would have loved Isaac Lucas to have stayed in Aus Rugby. He probably is the player we have sorely missed at fly half.

His background might suggest otherwise. Was rated behind both Donaldson and Lolesio in the U20s.

 

[stillmissit]

Just reading Nick Bishops review of the Scottish match and agree with this paragraph.

Every coach has an inbuilt bias, a slight favouritism between play with the ball or play without it. It is not a criticism, it is a statement of where interest ignites and curiosity climbs. Schmidt’s bias has always been on the attacking side: when he was rushed in to help Ian Foster with the 2023 All Blacks, it was primarily to coach play with ball. The outcome is the Wallaby defence is not improving on the same steep curve as the offence. my bolding

 

[Wilson]

His background might suggest otherwise. Was rated behind both Donaldson and Lolesio in the U20s.

Might have had something to do with his versatility, but I don't think under 20s means much once they've got years of pro rugby under their belt. Lots of players haven't even settled into a consistent position yet

That was a wild year for u20s flyhalves though - 10 Will Harrison, 12 Noah Lolesio, 15 Isaac Lucas and 23/Squad Ben Donaldson. Kind of wish we could've spread them out over a few more years

 

[rugbyAU]

So expect:

1 - Bell
2 - BPA
3 - AA
4 - Frost
5 - Williams
6 - Valetini
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson
9 - Gordon
10 - Lolesio
11 - Jorgensen
12 - Ikitau
13 - Sua'ali'i
14 - Kellaway
15 - Wright
16 - Pollard
17 - Kailea
18 - Tupou
19 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Edmed
23 - Potter

 

[Wilson]

Sounds like Prendergast will start at 10 for Ireland:

Prendergast set to retain Ireland's 10 shirt against the Wallabies

Jack Crowley looks likely to be part of the Irish bench.

www.the42.ie

Seems like a good talent but he's very young and pretty raw, so it's definitely a selection we should be looking to put pressure on.