The Wallabies Thread

[Braveheart81]

Plus test stuff thereafter. Like rugby it's a long season.

Sure, but like the rugby test season, a reasonable amount of that is spent based in camp and/or overseas so you're not at home anyway.

E.g. there are netball tests in South Africa and England (that both Australia and NZ are involved in) during January and February 2017.

I guess they'll see how it works out in 2017 and 2018.

 

[amirite]

Sure, but like the rugby test season, a reasonable amount of that is spent based in camp and/or overseas so you're not at home anyway.

E.g. there are netball tests in South Africa and England (that both Australia and NZ are involved in) during January and February 2017.

I guess they'll see how it works out in 2017 and 2018.

True, but the fact you're not home during the test season increases the value of being 'home' outside of the test season. Particularly when unlike Super Rugby you don't have 'tours' during your domestic season.

 

[Braveheart81]

If you want to bet that Israel Folau leaves Australian rugby in 2019 to play Super Rugby in New Zealand then I'm happy to take the bet!

 

[zer0]

I actually quite like the idea of Izzy playing in NZ.

It's shit for the 'tahs, but great for the wallabies. We get to have (and develop) 6 starting fullbacks in soup teams. NZ will only be developing 4 starting fullbacks. Izzy will get great experience and someone like Kellaway will get more attention and practice.

If this move ever were to eventuate (which I, personally, doubt that it will) then I imagine he'd be played on the wing, not at fullback. Particularly as -- if we continue the hypothetical theme -- Piutau could be in line for a return to the Blues at about the same time IIRC.

Were it to happen, mind, a Williams/Ioane/Moala/Folau/Piutau backline would be pretty ridiculous. Though it would probably be ruled illegal under some international weapons of mass destruction proliferation treaties or something.

 

[amirite]

If you want to bet that Israel Folau leaves Australian rugby in 2019 to play Super Rugby in New Zealand then I'm happy to take the bet!

Not at all, I just love discussing a good hypothetical and wouldn't think he'd be a dick for doing it. I'd be surprised if it happened, though no more than Diggers playing for the Saders.

Izzy has sensible reasons, lord knows he could get more cash elsewhere.

 

[amirite]

Were it to happen, mind, a Williams/Ioane/Moala/Folau/Piutau backline would be pretty ridiculous. Though it would probably be ruled illegal under some international weapons of mass destruction proliferation treaties or something.

The Blues always manage to lose with a backline that reads well, I have a strong belief they'd find a way.

Still would produce some nice highlights.

 

[zer0]

The Blues always manage to lose with a backline that reads well, I have a strong belief they'd find a way.

Still would produce some nice highlights.

That's more because they've been living off a string of of poor first fives since Spencer retired (you'll note I didn't actually name a first five there for this reason), as the Crusaders were hogging them all. We have a new teenage messiah mind, so I'll be joining Dismal upon the latest blue coloured hype train.

 

[amirite]

That's more because they've been living off a string of of poor first fives since Spencer retired (you'll note I didn't actually name a first five there for this reason).

Yeah? Evans was pretty handy, and Brett, Mcalliser, and Toeva were decent for moon-lighters.

Edit: Come to think of it, they had a lot of 12s playing 10.

 

[Highlander35]

Piutau has another two seasons at Ulster, that takes him to end of May 2019 I think.

 

[Hawko]

If you want to bet that Israel Folau leaves Australian rugby in 2019 to play Super Rugby in New Zealand then I'm happy to take the bet!

The odds shorten dramatically if we bet on moving for the 2020 Super season.

 

[Brumby Runner]

And not necessarily to play for the Blues. He might return to League.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

That's more because they've been living off a string of of poor first fives since Spencer retired............ as the Crusaders were hogging them all..........

Oi! Did we not provide you with the legend that is Stephen Brett?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Williams/Ioane/Moala/Folau/Piutau backline

"YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES....."

 

[TOCC]

Chance Peni into the wallaby squad for the June tests


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[Brumby Runner]

Peni and Nabuli were standouts tonight. Good to see more depth at wing.

 

[RugbyReg]

Foley's ongoing issues are a concern for him personally obviously but its a real worry for the Wallabies. QC (Quade Cooper) is looking anything but a test 10 and we have kiwis at the Brumbies and Rebels.

Its early days but Lance needs to stay (get?) fit and stay on the park and he may finally get that Wallaby debut.

 

[The torpedo]

Foley's ongoing issues are a concern for him personally obviously but its a real worry for the Wallabies. QC (Quade Cooper) is looking anything but a test 10 and we have kiwis at the Brumbies and Rebels.

Its early days but Lance needs to stay (get?) fit and stay on the park and he may finally get that Wallaby debut.

I'm wondering why QC (Quade Cooper)'s form is off. The only reasons (I can think of) why are this:

1. Carrying an undisclosed injury (knee?)
2. Confidence is completely shot from 4 major injuries in the past 6 years (ACL in 2011, shoulder in 2014, collarbone in 2015 preseason, scapula in 2015)
3. plummeted over the cliff side
4. Still adjusting back to super rugby pace

bottom line though, he's out of form and won't be considered for the wallabies ATM

I do really feel sorry for Foley though - concussions are horrible and this one is particularly bad (he's left the Tahs SA tour to consult a specialist)

 

[TOCC]

Quade is a confidence player; it's 90% mental for him and he is playing well below Wallaby requirements at the moment, but I think a couple of wins will put the wind back in his sails.

Based on current form Lance is next in line for Wallabies.. A low percentage style player and pretty consistent. I think his ceiling potential is less then his other 2 competitors, but he has been playing pretty close to it the last 18months.

 

[disco]

After two rounds of Super Rugby it is clear that our fitness level and skill is no match for the Kiwis already, whatever Michael Cheika wanted from the super rugby coaches pre season he didn't get because what I saw was all of our boys playing with half the pace of the kiwis and our backs have about half the skill of their props.
It was scary over the weekend watching the Chiefs play the Blues, I then watched the Aussie teams play and it's almost like watching Champions League football and then watching the A League.

The beauty of this realization is I won't be devasted come Bledisloe 1.

 

[Slim 293]

Did this require another thread?