The Wallabies Thread

[RugbyReg]

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.

It’s Robertson and he has been very good this year. A big improvement on his form last year.

Talakai filled in at LHP last year (very admirably) but that’s pretty much he only time he’s played there at this level. He’s a THP. By no means a wallaby candidate at LHP.

It’s Sio, Robertson and (eligibility dependant) Smith. Otherwise it’s Sa’aga!!

 

[Rebels3]

Faulkner has been ok this year, nothing more nothing less, he has however been usurped and outplayed by Sa’aga who is a better scrummager and better in the contact, Faulkner prob better at getting from ruck to ruck. With Slipper gone and with Smiths eligibility in question, Sa’aga could very much be 3rd in line for the LH spot, although I could see AAT been thrown in if injuries happen to either Sio or Robertson

 

[Derpus]

It’s Robertson and he has been very good this year. A big improvement on his form last year.

Talakai filled in at LHP last year (very admirably) but that’s pretty much he only time he’s played there at this level. He’s a THP. By no means a wallaby candidate at LHP.

It’s Sio, Robertson and (eligibility dependant) Smith. Otherwise it’s Sa’aga!!

Wish it was Robbo, what a man.

 

[Up the Guts]

I would quite like to see Banks in the Wallaby 14 jersey playing the hybrid fullback-wing role. The speed he showed to get on the outside of the Bulls' fullback was unlike anything any other Australian winger could do (and we've got a number of good ones) and we haven't had a genuine flier in the Wallabies setup for some time.

 

[Up the Guts]

Wish it was Robbo, what a man.

There's a very good interview between he and Alex McKinnon (the Newcastle Knights player who had his back broken in an NRL game) on Playersvoice that really highlights the mental toll on the players when there career is cut short by injury. Well-worth a watch.

 

[Derpus]

There's a very good interview between he and Alex McKinnon (the Newcastle Knights player who had his back broken in an NRL game) on Playersvoice that really highlights the mental toll on the players when there career is cut short by injury. Well-worth a watch.

Will check it out.

 

[TSR]

I note BJ has posted on the Brumbies thread that Pete Samu is signed for next year. Does that make him eligible for the June Tests - the fact that he is signed. Or does he need to be playing in Australia as well?

 

[RugbyReg]

Assume he’s signed for 2 years? That makes him eligible I think? Assuming he can get a release from the Crusaders.

Although it’s a test match window isn’t it? So they have to right?

 

[upthereds#!]

WR (World Rugby) rules says he can play for us anytime. RA rules say he can play for us whilst in a foreign team as long as a) gits rule or b) he has signed for an aussie team for 2 years.

Test window suggests we can get him if we want, however NZRU are saying that their contracts state they will be available for NZ so they have first 'dibs' and can block.

Sometimes in France, they will have foreign players sign a contract with a clause saying they will NOT play for their home country if called upon.

If they released Shields (both RFU & NZRU thought they had strong cases of claim) it would be petty to block Samu

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

At the risk of repeating myself, it seems to me that Samu is unlikely to be on a "marquee" (foreign-qualified other than for a PI nation) contract as he was virtually unknown when he came to NZ. That means he's on either a "project player" (committed to qualifying for NZ by residence) or PI-qualified (Samoa AFAIK) contract. If it's the former I doubt NZR would be REQUIRED to release him, if the latter I doubt they'd be required to release him to Australia. Either way, though, I doubt they'd stand in his way but they might be looking for some kind of quid-pro-quo (Ringinland allegedly paid NZR a siz-figure sum to release Shields).

upthereds#1, the French contracts you mention are contrary to WR (World Rugby) regulations and AFAIK there existence has never been proven even though at least one player was punished by his French club for playing for (I think) USA, having previously made himself unavailable for either Samoa or Tonga.

 

[fatprop]

I would quite like to see Banks in the Wallaby 14 jersey playing the hybrid fullback-wing role. The speed he showed to get on the outside of the Bulls' fullback was unlike anything any other Australian winger could do (and we've got a number of good ones) and we haven't had a genuine flier in the Wallabies setup for some time.

With Banks or Maddocks we have some good options for the 14/second 15 option

A back 3 of Folau, Koriobete & Banks or Maddocks is not shabby

 

[fatprop]

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.

And yet you are prepared to write him off without the research and evidence required to make a valid decision

 

[RugbyReg]

With Banks or Maddocks we have some good options for the 14/second 15 option

A back 3 of Folau, Koriobete & Banks or Maddocks is not shabby

DHP too.

 

[Derpus]

At the risk of repeating myself, it seems to me that Samu is unlikely to be on a "marquee" (foreign-qualified other than for a PI nation) contract as he was virtually unknown when he came to NZ. That means he's on either a "project player" (committed to qualifying for NZ by residence) or PI-qualified (Samoa AFAIK) contract. If it's the former I doubt NZR would be REQUIRED to release him, if the latter I doubt they'd be required to release him to Australia. Either way, though, I doubt they'd stand in his way but they might be looking for some kind of quid-pro-quo (Ringinland allegedly paid NZR a siz-figure sum to release Shields).

upthereds#1, the French contracts you mention are contrary to WR (World Rugby) regulations and AFAIK there existence has never been proven even though at least one player was punished by his French club for playing for (I think) USA, having previously made himself unavailable for either Samoa or Tonga.

Getting into restraint of trade territory.

 

[Braveheart81]

Banks form could see him beat out DHP for that wing spot or we could just go with two wingers who can kick and Koroibete misses out.

It's good that he's added a genuine option in the back three given some of our incumbent wingers have been down on form.

 

[wamberal]

I would hope Banks is in the 23. Maybe he should make his debut from the bench?

 

[Rebels3]

Banks would of just piped Maddocks for that Utility outside back bench spot if i was selecting. But as a back 3 i'd still go Folau, DHP and Koroibete. DHP and Folau are the two best players in Australia under the high ball, which is critical when playing Ireland especially with Murray and his box kicks. The other spot will go to someone able to win the contact zone against a big Irish back line in Henshaw, Aki and Stockdale, so either TN or Koroibete of which it will be Koroibete as TN is heading offshore. Koroibete was also comfortably the best outside back Australia had on the spring tour and he's found some form the past few games (3 vs the Sunwolves). Both Banks and him were equally crap in the first few games with Koroibete coming back from injury and Banks getting dropped out of the 23 after a few games. I'd prob run Banks and Hodge off the bench with Kerevi at 13 and Kurindrani out of the 23 all together

 

[Rebels3]

Also interesting to note Bernie Larkham was at the Rebels game on Friday, so would of been impressed with what he saw with DHP and Koroibete esp off the ball, kick chase etc

 

[Up the Guts]

Also interesting to note Bernie Larkham was at the Rebels game on Friday, so would of been impressed with what he saw with DHP and Koroibete esp off the ball, kick chase etc

I thought DHP was a little rusty coming off the back of his injury. Got burnt badly by Tongan Godzilla and threw a few poor passes. Based on experience and ability under the high ball as you say he’s probably still the front runner but Banks’ pace adds something we don’t have in the current setup.

 

[Derpus]

Banks would of just piped Maddocks for that Utility outside back bench spot if i was selecting. But as a back 3 i'd still go Folau, DHP and Koroibete. DHP and Folau are the two best players in Australia under the high ball, which is critical when playing Ireland especially with Murray and his box kicks. The other spot will go to someone able to win the contact zone against a big Irish back line in Henshaw, Aki and Stockdale, so either TN or Koroibete of which it will be Koroibete as TN is heading offshore. Koroibete was also comfortably the best outside back Australia had on the spring tour and he's found some form the past few games (3 vs the Sunwolves). Both Banks and him were equally crap in the first few games with Koroibete coming back from injury and Banks getting dropped out of the 23 after a few games. I'd prob run Banks and Hodge off the bench with Kerevi at 13 and Kurindrani out of the 23 all together

Hodge for me has lost his place. Where does he fit in? Certainly not the centres. Kerevi and Beale are both far better options at 12. TK will retain his place despite his form and Rona is the form 13 at the moment. He could play wing but we have specialist wingers and fullbacks who are all in better form.

He could be the bench utility option but again, one of Maddocks/Banks will probably take it on form.

The only aspect of his game that is stand-out is his long range goalkicking. Is that enough?