The Wallabies Thread

[Derpus]

It was only against a Sunwolves side that had made 14 changes but the incumbent Wallabies in the Rebels had better games last night. Coleman looked to have his old aggression back and Koroibete finished well and put on a couple of bone crunchers in defence although DHP looked a bit rusty. I thought Phillip was excellent and should be a good squad member even if he can’t crack the team in the second row. If there’s any second rower that could be turned into a 6 it’s Phillip, also looks to be a bit of a nutcase (in a good way) on the field yelling at the opposition during the lineout and always in the thick of any scrap.

Worst side in the competition played their B team. If ever a game was irrelevant.

 

[Slim 293]

That Tom Banks fellow is having a solid fortnight............

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Tom Robertson been a revelation for the Tahs in recent games....could possibly be a consideration for Wallabies bench...

 

[KOB1987]

That Tom Banks fellow is having a solid fortnight....

He is, you'd think that Folau and DHP would have the dual fullback role covered for the Ireland series though, but he'd definitely be in the wider squad you'd think.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Tom Robertson been a revelation for the Tahs in recent games..could possibly be a consideration for Wallabies bench.

Are you serious, I really like the kid, and while I haven't really paid much attention to him in recent games but I do find it hard to believe he's actually improved enough to be a genuine consideration for a place in the 23.

 

[TSR]

If JP Smith is eligible then he should get the gig. If not, Robertson is next in line. He has definitely improved for mine.

He was a promising THP - maybe it has just taken him a while to get comfortable on the LH side.

 

[MarkJ]

I don’t think citizenship matters as far as eligibility is concerned, it’s place of birth, ancestry or residency I believe. JP would have reset his eligibility time when he went back to SA

 

[TSR]

My crack at the squad -

Props : Sio, Smith (or Robertson), Kepu, Tupou, Ala'alatoa
Hookers: Uelese, BPA, Latu
Locks: Coleman, Rodda, Phillip, Simmons
Backrow: Pocock, Hooper, Timu, dunno - choose your poison - I would have Higgers and have him starting with Hooper & Pocock, but I don’t think Cheika will. Maybe a converted lock is the next best option.
Halves: Genia, Gordon, Phipps
Flyhalf/IC: Foley, Beale, Meakes
OC: TK, Rona, Kerevi (2nd choice at 12)
Wings: Hodge (also utility), Koriobete, DHP, either Banks or Perese
Fullback: Folau

First test team : Sio, Ulese, Kepu, Rodda, Coleman, Pocock, Hooper, Timu, Genia, Foley, Koriobete, Beale, Rona, DHP, Folau, Smith/Robertson, BPA, Tupou, Simmons, ???, Gordon, Kerevi, Banks/Perese

 

[Up the Guts]

If JP Smith is eligible then he should get the gig. If not, Robertson is next in line. He has definitely improved for mine.

He was a promising THP - maybe it has just taken him a while to get comfortable on the LH side.

Robertson has been excellent the past two weeks and has been regularly getting over the advantage line in attack. Seems to have improved his body-height into contact and is slipping underneath tackles.

 

[TSR]

Robertson has been excellent the past two weeks and has been regularly getting over the advantage line in attack. Seems to have improved his body-height into contact and is slipping underneath tackles.

I agree - although JP Smith has been excellent all season and I would still take him first if he is eligible.

 

[wamberal]

Get the back row right, and we will have a pretty good team.

 

[Derpus]

Are you serious, I really like the kid, and while I haven't really paid much attention to him in recent games but I do find it hard to believe he's actually improved enough to be a genuine consideration for a place in the 23.

No Slipper though. So i mean, he's been the reserve LHP for the Wallabies for near on two years and Cheika said he's going to wind back the debut's given proximity to WC. JP Smith has been good but i would be surprised, though not upset, if he gets picked.

 

[Zero_Cool]

No Slipper though. So i mean, he's been the reserve LHP for the Wallabies for near on two years and Cheika said he's going to wind back the debut's given proximity to WC. JP Smith has been good but i would be surprised, though not upset, if he gets picked.

Is Sam Talakai playing LHP for the Rebels (I'm pretty sure he plays both)? He was very good for the Reds last season when Slipper went down.
Like I really like Robinson, I want him to be awesome, and think he could be. I just think he's a little bit shit and his scrummaging has been average at best when I've seen him.

 

[TSR]

He didn’t play LHP for the Rebel’s against the Sunwolves and I don’t recall him playing there earlier in the season, nor ever for the Reds. If they choose to swap a player over I would guess at AAA.

 

[Derpus]

Is Sam Talakai playing LHP for the Rebels (I'm pretty sure he plays both)? He was very good for the Reds last season when Slipper went down.
Like I really like Robinson, I want him to be awesome, and think he could be. I just think he's a little bit shit and his scrummaging has been average at best when I've seen him.

He's not really, he's just not Tupou. I even saw him make the gain line a few times last night against the Chiefs.

 

[Zero_Cool]

He didn’t play LHP for the Rebel’s against the Sunwolves and I don’t recall him playing there earlier in the season, nor ever for the Reds. If they choose to swap a player over I would guess at AAA.

Maybe I'm thinking of Fa'agase. But one of the Reds front row last year pre-slipper injury was on one side then swapped to the other side after the Slipper injury.
Maybe it's just because we have AAA, Kepu, and Tupou all playing at THP and yet Tom Robinson is our second best LHP, it's like falling off a cliff.

 

[Up the Guts]

Is Sam Talakai playing LHP for the Rebels (I'm pretty sure he plays both)? He was very good for the Reds last season when Slipper went down.
Like I really like Robinson, I want him to be awesome, and think he could be. I just think he's a little bit shit and his scrummaging has been average at best when I've seen him.

Ah I see how it is, when a Reds player is unavailable just pick old Reds who don't even play the same position.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Are you serious, I really like the kid, and while I haven't really paid much attention to him in recent games but I do find it hard to believe he's actually improved enough to be a genuine consideration for a place in the 23.

He had quite a good game v the Chiefs, being effective in his ball carries. The Tahs' scrum is weak, but from my viewing the TH side was where the trouble is. I think there is definitely a discernible improvement in Robertson's game lately.

 

[swingpass]

Faulkner has been playing LHP, at the behest of the Wallabies coaching staff (apparently). Without Slipper he must be in with a show again. The Rebels have rotated him and Sa'aga as starters, with Daley making cameo's off the bench.

 

[dru]

He had quite a good game v the Chiefs, being effective in his ball carries. The Tahs' scrum is weak, but from my viewing the TH side was where the trouble is. I think there is definitely a discernible improvement in Robertson's game lately.

He's always had excellent energy, not always effective, but e has always worked hard around the field. Great to hear fans suggest his scrummaging is improving. Have to say, it will take a bit before I am convinced.