The Wallabies Thread

[Braveheart81]

I think Robertson added 0 value to the wallabies last season. Can't hit hard, can't run hard, can't dominate any collision and can't dominate International tightheads. Sooner we identify another up and coming loosehead to develop under Sio and Slipper the better.

He was no worse than the other LHPs who played during the season though (Smith and Faulkner). The issue for the Wallabies was that there was no good candidate to fill that position.

I agree that it would be great for another LHP to really improve and start demanding selection.

 

[Bandar]

He burst onto the scene as a tight head - why was he changed to the other side?

I was excited by his potential in his first season of super rugby but it has been down hill since was moved to the left of the scrum....

 

[Braveheart81]

I think it was to accommodate the return of Kepu and to fill a gap the Tahs had at LHP.

At this stage it clearly isn't working. He has definitely regressed.

We are struggling for good LHPs in general right now. It seems most of our best prospects are on the THP side.

 

[RebelYell]

I think it will be TPN, Uelese and either Rangi/Fitzy. Can't have another rookie IMO.

Latu's fitness and attitude must be a concern, and clearly Ready's as well, in regards to securing selection at Super Rugby level.

Roach, Mann-Rea, Abel not quite up to it IMO.

Fainga'a, Malolo, Mafi too young at the minute.

Paenga-Amosa a wildcard.

 

[Slim 293]

Rangi/Fitzy.

For the Wallabies?

 

[Derpus]

I'd take an unfit Slipper over a fit Robertson anyday.

By unfit i meant his injury issues may still be plaguing him. Not general cardiovascular fitness.

 

[RebelYell]

For the Wallabies?

Yep. With Chibba overseas and Squeak retired, not many other options.

 

[Slim 293]

Yep. With Chibba overseas and Squeak retired, not many other options.

I wouldn't have thought either would be in contention........... some of those other names you mentioned would probably be higher up the pecking order despite their age or experience.

 

[Brumby Runner]

In terms of hooker:

TPN is certainly the likely starter but you would question whether Cheika will want to use him during the June series.

Uelese would have to be favourite to continue with a spot in the 23 and then it is wide open between Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Damien Fitzpatrick, Anaru Rangi and then Tolu Latu and Folau Fainga'a assuming they return to the matchday 23s soon.

I can't see Alex Mafi, Hugh Roach, Josh Mann-Rea or Robbie Abel figuring in selections.

If TPN doesn't play there is a Wallaby jersey that is absolutely wide open.

Prop:

I think the top 5 props will be Sio, Slipper, Kepu, Ala'alatoa and Tupou.

I think Falalei Sione will be a smokey amongst the potential Wallaby props this year. We seem to be a bit short on LHPs atm.

 

[Wilson]

Prop:

I think the top 5 props will be Sio, Slipper, Kepu, Ala'alatoa and Tupou.

I really like the look of that. If we have those 5 fit and firing that had to be the strongest we've been in prop for ages. Only other time I can think is when Holmes was around, but all the others there have improved since then except for maybe Slipper.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Benaud]

Looking more and more like if we added the Wallabies to the Kiwi conference as the 6th team, they wouldn't win a game all season either.

 

[KOB1987]

I know it’s a trait of TK’s to take half a season to get going, but he’s truly looking awful. Kerevi has to be early fav for the 13 jersey and I’d have Hodge as the back up before Tevita ATM.

 

[Up the Guts]

I know it’s a trait of TK’s to take half a season to get going, but he’s truly looking awful. Kerevi has to be early fav for the 13 jersey and I’d have Hodge as the back up before Tevita ATM.

I reckon English has thrown his hat in the ring in the last few weeks as well. Very solid defender, and a hard runner that often breaks tackles. Probably wouldn't pick him ahead of Kerevi at this stage (who just walks over defenders at Super level for fun and whose defence looked better against the Brumbies) but certainly impressive so far.

 

[KOB1987]

Definitely include him in the squad, I’ve always liked him but have reservations about how he’d perform at the top level. Solid reliable player but not a standout at any particular discipline, your typical journeyman.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Honestly I wouldn't pick kerevi no matter how good he looks with the ball. His defence is (still) that bad. Brums didn't even test it, which says more about their coaching than about Kerevi

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[KOB1987]

Actually I think you’ve jogged my memory enough strewth, Kerevis defence really was bad last year in gold wasn’t it. But it’s that trade off thing I guess, defence v attack. But with DHP fit and in form and a queue of Fijians for the other wing, Hodge has to be in serious consideration for the 13 jersey.

 

[TOCC]

Ok, time for some contention... A Wallabies XV based purely on Super Rugby form in 2018 and the position they have been playing in.

1. Slipper
2. Uelese
3. Tupou
4. Phillip
5. Arnold
6. Timu
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. Genia
10. Lance
11. Naivalu
12. Kerevi
13. English
14. Maddocks
15. Folau

16. Faulkner
17. BPA
18. Ainsley
19. Douglas
20. Hanigan
21. Foley
22. Hodge
23. Feauai-Sautia

*Please don't read too much into the combinations, its just a selection of form players, rather then the selection of a team.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Ignoring the rest (not to say I disagree) I applaud the inclusion of Jonno at No 10. Should have been there at the end of last year.

If things continue as they are at present, can't see many, if any, Brumbies or Tahs in the 23. But even today, Cheika would no doubt have a very different take to me.

 

[Derpus]

If we are going off the form of the last three games can we just drop all the Brumbies and Tahs?

Also, what's the point of listing Naisarani at 8, he can't play for us.

 

[wamberal]

Ignoring the rest (not to say I disagree) I applaud the inclusion of Jonno at No 10. Should have been there at the end of last year.

If things continue as they are at present, can't see many, if any, Brumbies or Tahs in the 23. But even today, Cheika would no doubt have a very different take to me.

My wife actually asked me last night if I thought that the Reds 10 would play for the Wobbs this year. She is a pretty astute student of the game.


I told her that he probably wouldn't, because he has already signed to play in the NH. But in these strange times, who knows?