The Wallabies Thread

[RoffsChoice]

Fardy's gone, and Cheika is more likely to try and talk Mumm out of retirement than he is to try and get Fardy back. But, unless injury strikes, we know Hanigan is going to be the 6.

 

[upthereds#!]

Hanigan at 6, so not what we need sadly. Oh well - I expect it to be true. At least we will have a better option come WC time.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah, come RWC time we will have Dempsey, Timu and Valetini, maybe one or two of the young guns at the Reds and RHP/Cottrell all in the mix for the No 6 spot, assuming Naisarani will lock down the No 8 spot (if eligible then).

 

[Slim 293]

I think we'll have a lot of good young available backrow options next year, but I don't want to expect too much from then too soon............ they will more likely hit their peak when 2023 comes around.

Valetini hasn't even played a full game of Super Rugby yet and has had injury problems the last couple of years, so hopefully he won't go the way of Kimlin or Heenan.

 

[RebelYell]

Two thoughts I had today...

1 - The Giteau Law should include any Australian-eligible players over 32, such as Fardy. He came to professional Rugby late and had a huge impact in a short space of time, but should not be begrudged the chance to earn some big bucks and play overseas before he retires.

2 - Could Kerevi play on the wing, similar to the role Taqele does for the Waratahs, at national level? He's a defensive liability at 13, won't usurp KB (Kurtley Beale) at 12, but is still relatively quick, a great tackle buster and would be more capable than Taqele in fielding Connor Murray's boxkicks, for example.

 

[Derpus]

Two thoughts I had today.

1 - The Giteau Law should include any Australian-eligible players over 32, such as Fardy. He came to professional Rugby late and had a huge impact in a short space of time, but should not be begrudged the chance to earn some big bucks and play overseas before he retires.

2 - Could Kerevi play on the wing, similar to the role Taqele does for the Waratahs, at national level? He's a defensive liability at 13, won't usurp KB (Kurtley Beale) at 12, but is still relatively quick, a great tackle buster and would be more capable than Taqele in fielding Connor Murray's boxkicks, for example.

He'd just be a slightly smaller version of Taqele with the same deficiencies. Would he actually be any better under the high ball?

 

[RebelYell]

He'd just be a slightly smaller version of Taqele with the same deficiencies. Would he actually be any better under the high ball?

I truly don't know - it was a random thought and I'd love to hear others' perspectives. I just think he is one of our better players and it would be great to find the right spot for him...

 

[Tex]

I truly don't know - it was a random thought and I'd love to hear others' perspectives. I just think he is one of our better players and it would be great to find the right spot for him.

He tries to play like Taqele in that he throws a tongan sidestep at every defender when he has the gas to beat them on the outside, only Taqele weighs 300kg and can pull it off.

 

[Up the Guts]

Two thoughts I had today.

1 - The Giteau Law should include any Australian-eligible players over 32, such as Fardy. He came to professional Rugby late and had a huge impact in a short space of time, but should not be begrudged the chance to earn some big bucks and play overseas before he retires.

2 - Could Kerevi play on the wing, similar to the role Taqele does for the Waratahs, at national level? He's a defensive liability at 13, won't usurp KB (Kurtley Beale) at 12, but is still relatively quick, a great tackle buster and would be more capable than Taqele in fielding Connor Murray's boxkicks, for example.

Kerevi's best position is 12, problem is to field him there we'd need a 10 who can run the show without an additional playmaker outside him.

 

[dru]

Or you put the second playmaker at 15.

 

[Derpus]

Will actually be an option if Folau leaves.

 

[dru]

Will actually be an option if Folau leaves.

I quite like Folau at 14.

 

[upthereds#!]

can anyone post the full payto and panda article?

It addresses Cheikas chasing Pete Samu for potential WC spot (when he can barely crack crusaders bench thats a concern but ok whatever) and also about SBW and Folau.

Something about Hoopers mega 5 year deal aswell

 

[Derpus]

Pete Samu was first pick last year and the start of this. He's coming back from injury.

 

[KOB1987]

Payto & Panda: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s World Cup carrot for Crusaders gun Pete Samu

Iain Payten and Jamie Pandaram, The Daily Telegraph
April 26, 2018 8:44pm
Subscriber only
​

AUSTRALIAN-raised Crusaders flanker Peter Samu is being heavily pursued by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika for a return to Australian rugby and a crack at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.​

Samu, who was born and raised in Melbourne, has been in the Crusaders’ squad for the last three seasons and featured as an impact player off the bench for the powerhouse Kiwi team’s win in the Super Rugby final last year.​

The 26-year-old played club rugby in Brisbane (Sunnybank) and Sydney (Randwick) - and did an off-season with the Waratahs in 2013 - but a lack of Super Rugby opportunity saw him move to New Zealand to play for Tasman in the ITM Cup in 2014.​

Peter Samu has won 19-straight with the Crusaders.

Samu impressed enough to be named the Crusaders Knights’ player of the year in 2015, and was promoted from the development team to the powerhouse Super Rugby side in 2016.​

Samu has played 23 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders - nine in the starting team - and has won 22 of them. He has won his last 19 straight games in Super Rugby.​

That amazing stat is a testament to the Crusaders’ strength obviously but by being in that team, it also points to Samu’s high calibre - which has clearly skyrocketed playing alongside Kieran Read.​

GOLDEN BOY: RA offers Hooper mega contract​

FORMULA: Wallabies reveal pre-Bledisloe gamble​

SURGERY: James O’Connor’s startling admission​

VETERAN: Incredible longevity of George Smith​

The Melbourne Rebels unsuccessfully chased Samu last year before he re-signed in Christchurch.​

The Rebels and the Brumbies - who Samu will play against in Canberra - are believed to be the clubs chasing the flanker for Super Rugby duties.​

Cheika is pushing hard to get Samu home to bolster an already strong stable of Aussie backrowers, albeit with uncertainty still swirling around Sean McMahon’s presence in Australia next year.​

RECORD BREAKER

IF Samu’s 19 straights wins sounds like a lot to you, apply for a sporting stats job. It is almost a record.​

FoxSports stats tells us if the Crusaders beat the Brumbies, Samu will equal the Super Rugby record for most consecutive wins (20) held by Crusaders flanker Johnny Leo (2004-06).​

SONNY BILL’S BACK AT BROOKIE

SONNY Bill Williams has made strong sides in his recovery from a broken wrist and is now set to return to the field for the Auckland Blues’ crunch match against NSW Waratahs on Saturday week.​

Sonny Bill Williams could return to Brookvale Oval.

The match will also see the return from injury of Israel Folau, pitting the two former NRL stars against each other in the suburban league ground of Brookvale Oval.​

The Tahs had to move the fixture from Allianz Stadium due to a clash with the A-League grand final, and with two of the biggest names in rugby making returns to the field it should ensure a big crowd in Manly.​

 

[Joe Blow]

To “compliment” the Pooper I’d be looking for a player who:
x had height, can jump and is very useful in the line out.
x could shove a scrum behind the tight head
x can hit it up tight in the pigs
x works with speed as a “1” in the 1-3-3-1 formation

If Fardy is not the player to fit this mould who is?

On paper yes, but he was unable to fill the role previously. I’m not sure that the Pooper is still relevant.
I’d love to see him at 6 with Pocock at 7 and Timu at 8.

 

[Slim 293]

On paper yes, but he was unable to fill the role previously. I’m not sure that the Pooper is still relevant.
I’d love to see him at 6 with Pocock at 7 and Timu at 8.

The 2015 RWC and RC might suggest otherwise, but it would require our tight five to do a bit better.

 

[Slim 293]

But two of the best performing backrowers in Australia last year were Fardy and McMahon, and I would have them both in the team with Pocock if they were available, and in that same form.

 

[Joe Blow]

We are going to miss McMahons running game

 

[fatprop]

We are going to miss McMahons running game

We need the 6 for the pooper to have a running game and be a 3rd lineout option