Wallabies 2018 Spring Tour

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^ that's after Bled 3: we'll put out our best 23 v you blokes & the newbies v Japan.

 

[TSR]

I don’t care how young or inexperienced he is anymore - I hope they take Petaia on tour.

I can’t remember seeing anyone at his age who’ve I thought was more impressive.

 

[Up the Guts]

I don’t care how young or inexperienced he is anymore - I hope they take Petaia on tour.

I can’t remember seeing anyone at his age who’ve I thought was more impressive.

Give him a run off the bench in the Italy game.

 

[wamberal]

Give him a run off the bench in the Italy game.

Maybe he will win it for us, just as Cooper did in his cameo all those long years ago.

 

[upthereds#!]

Petaia looks solid and full of potential, JOC (James O'Connor) at 18 was legit impressive.

 

[Derpus]

Petaia looks solid and full of potential, JOC (James O'Connor) at 18 was legit impressive.

Pisses me off thinking about what he should've become.

 

[Mudslider]

Pisses me off thinking about what he should've become.

That’s why players shouldn’t be rushed to the top to early ... he just wasn’t mature enough to handle the high profile... He lacked self discipline... too young no strong mentors around him, Beale is lucky to still be around too...

He needed a Tana Umunga around to hit him with a handbag...

 

[Mudslider]

Appears the ARU status quote continues... no statements of any value released this past week... So it seems Cheika continues to lead and coach with his young loyal Captain by his side... The only short-term option was to release him and hand the head coaching role to Larkham as there is no time before the Spring tour starts in Japan... not even the gods know who Cheika will select...

 

[TSR]

That’s why players shouldn’t be rushed to the top to early . he just wasn’t mature enough to handle the high profile. He lacked self discipline. too young no strong mentors around him, Beale is lucky to still be around too.

He needed a Tana Umunga around to hit him with a handbag.

I understand what you are saying - and I have had my reservations.

But Petaia looks to me to be much more assured and grounded. I don’t know him personally at all, mind you. Maybe someone else can shed some more light - but while he may not have O’Conners brash confidence & attacking prowess he is much more precise and assured in the way he plays.

I have no doubt the environment that O’Conner went into didn’t help - but if you look at the trouble he got himself into even as he got older and got warnings then at least part of that surely had to come back to him, not his age when he started out.

 

[TSR]

It also highlights the value of a senior player like TPN in the squad (who, coincidentally is another guy bought into test rugby very young and who, to my recollection, has no blemishes at all on his record).

 

[wamberal]

It also highlights the value of a senior player like TPN in the squad (who, coincidentally is another guy bought into test rugby very young and who, to my recollection, has no blemishes at all on his record).

He was a number 8 in a very strong under 20s national team. Played for a very unfashionable Shute Shield club, and stayed faithful to them (Parramatta).

Great role model for any young player.

 

[Joe Blow]

Any smokies? We are going to need someone in the backrow. Dempsey, Cottrell or maybe Valetini?
Petaia needs to go if he is in the plans for the RWC which he needs to be.

Too early for Quade?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Back row probably should see Luke Jones in place of Ned Hanigan.

James Slipper is probably still a bit of a smokey because we don't know how Cheika will be viewing him, but he should be there.

Valetini and Petaia should both tour at least as development players.

I'd like to see Ian Prior go as a smokey, in place of Nick Phipps, but won't happen.

Will be great to see the two Ks back on deck, hopefully Kerevi to fill the No 12 spot and Kuridrani in the 13 spot.

 

[Derpus]

Back row probably should see Luke Jones in place of Ned Hanigan.

James Slipper is probably still a bit of a smokey because we don't know how Cheika will be viewing him, but he should be there.

Valetini and Petaia should both tour at least as development players.

I'd like to see Ian Prior go as a smokey, in place of Nick Phipps, but won't happen.

Will be great to see the two Ks back on deck, hopefully Kerevi to fill the No 12 spot and Kuridrani in the 13 spot.

Have you watched him play at all recently? My guess is he's better, but who's actually seen any of his football lately?

 

[Sully]

Word dribbling out of an unsurprising squad. If that's true Jone and Valetini are no hope.

 

[Joe Blow]

Surely Dempsey should go as he will be key.
I read that there will be no surprises but that’s tough to swallow considering our results of late.

 

[Derpus]

Surely Dempsey should go as he will be key.
I read that there will be no surprises but that’s tough to swallow considering our results of late.

But there was very little about the team that was contentious. Most people largely agreed at the start of the RC that the team selected was by and large the best team available.

I think at this point Cheika is past the point where he can keep blooding new players. So that really only leaves room for a few players returning from injury to make the squad or cover players returning to Europe.

 

[Slim 293]

Have you watched him play at all recently? My guess is he's better, but who's actually seen any of his football lately?

To be fair, the last time I saw him play was when he lined up for the Baa Baas last year............. and on that game alone I would take him over Hanigan, who IMO, still doesn't possess the physical attributes to be a test backrower.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Have you watched him play at all recently? My guess is he's better, but who's actually seen any of his football lately?

Jones has been playing almost exclusively lock in France, I think only a couple of games at 6 (like maybe 2 or 3?) over the last 3 years.

Not to say he wouldn't be good at 6, but it's a bit like those wanting To'omua to play 10 at the start of the TRC, there is almost no recent body of work to suggest he's in good form at the position

 

[Joe Blow]

But there was very little about the team that was contentious. Most people largely agreed at the start of the RC that the team selected was by and large the best team available.

I think at this point Cheika is past the point where he can keep blooding new players. So that really only leaves room for a few players returning from injury to make the squad or cover players returning to Europe.

I would guess that Petaia, Valetini and Cottrell would be the three exceptions.
If we take our recent squad with the same coaching setup it’s unlikely we will do well.
Some things have to change.