Wallabies 2019 Thread

['Tattsy'TaylorFan1]

A few observations from the Rebels/Tahs:

- Naisirani would have to be short odds to take the #8 jersey. I've said it in the past, but he really is Cliff Palu 2.0. He doesn't necessarily steamroll over defenders, but he just works and works and works. The effort he was putting into his work in the last 5 minutes of the game was just outstanding.

- Beale is coming into form. He was assured at the back for the Tahs, taking high balls, returning kicks and injecting himself into the line when it's needed. You get the sense he has a few more strings to his bow than DHP, who looks OK but didn't have a great game.

- Koroibete is tightening his hold on the wing spot. He's in great form.

- Matt To'omua has to feature in our squad, on defence alone.

- Adam Coleman might be finding some form. Hope it continues. Had that abrasive edge in defence, which was great to see.

- Harry Johnson-Holmes will play plenty of games for the Wallabies, maybe not this year though.

Will Naisarani help our scrum and lineout?

 

[Up the Guts]

Will Naisarani help our scrum and lineout?

Yes

 

[Slim 293]

To be honest I thought that the Tahs handled Naisarani quite easily on the weekend. Wells and Swinton outplayed him.

That's not surprising..........

I don't think he is going to be effective at test rugby. Will he help fix our lineout?

Yes.

What's more important the core roles of scrum and lineout or abrasive ball carries?

Thankfully Naisarani is good at both.........

The way a no.8 handles the ball at the back of the scrum is a very underrated skill (one of the reasons why the ABs don't pick Akira Ioane).

That's not why the AB's don't select Ioane, and Naisarani seems to handle the ball just fine.

 

[Sully]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-wont-relax-giteaus-law-for-lock-will-skelton

Rugby Australia's 'Giteau's Law' won't be relaxed to allow giant lock Will Skelton to play at this year's Rugby World Cup, says chief executive Raelene Castle.
If they do not meet those guidelines, the player must have signed to play with Australian Super Rugby club for the next two seasons.
With only 18 test caps from 2014-16 to his name, Auckland-born Skelton meets none of those requirements but there was a buzz the 27-year-old's barn-storming form for his Saracens club in England could see the rules bent.

I can see how Will would be an asset to the Wallabies but he wants his cake and doesn't want to follow the same rules as everyone else. We've already stretched the eligibility for others another stretch, in my opinion is too far. Sign a two year contract starting next year and you're in Will.

 

[Braveheart81]

To be honest I thought that the Tahs handled Naisarani quite easily on the weekend. Wells and Swinton outplayed him.

I thought he was comfortably the best of the Rebels forwards and with Philip, the only ones that really gave them any go forward.

He's going to be an important player for the Wallabies this year.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yes

Looks like in some people's eyes Isi needs to wear a light blue jersey to be considered Wallaby ready (Wells and Swinton FFS). In my opinion, he has been the stand out No 8 in the Aussie conference all year and warrants selection in TRC and RWC.

 

[Silverado]

Looks like in some people's eyes Isi needs to wear a light blue jersey to be considered Wallaby ready (Wells and Swinton FFS). In my opinion, he has been the stand out No 8 in the Aussie conference all year and warrants selection in TRC and RWC.

No, just yours, as per usual

 

[upthereds#!]

Swinton a better 6 then ASY (Angus Scott-Young) at the Reds who has been invited to wallaby camps.....I believe Swinton and Swain (brumbies) are showing more dynamic movement in their contact for young, slighter framed guys). Guys like ASY (Angus Scott-Young) and Hockings are quite...slow...in their movements. It's what sets guys like Higginbotham and Mowen apart in contact. Same height, weight, but one is able to explode and the other just grafts away. I really liked the shot Swinton did early, showed really explosiveness that Hanigan is missing.

 

[Silverado]

Swinton a better 6 then ASY (Angus Scott-Young) at the Reds who has been invited to wallaby camps...I believe Swinton and Swain (brumbies) are showing more dynamic movement in their contact for young, slighter framed guys). Guys like ASY (Angus Scott-Young) and Hockings are quite.slow.in their movements. It's what sets guys like Higginbotham and Mowen apart in contact. Same height, weight, but one is able to explode and the other just grafts away. I really liked the shot Swinton did early, showed really explosiveness that Hanigan is missing.

I'd put Blyth in that category. He's in everything and does it all with intent

 

[upthereds#!]

I'd put Blyth in that category. He's in everything and does it all with intent

Agreed - I like the cut of his jib - Hockings needs to fill out 10 kg to get on par with Arnold - its a long way to go

Blyth is more like 5 to get on par with coleman/rodda.

I love his stupid big grin - reminds me of a lavanini/etzebeth but forgot to do biceps curls every day since learning to walk.

 

[Tomikin]

Agreed - I like the cut of his jib - Hockings needs to fill out 10 kg to get on par with Arnold - its a long way to go

Blyth is more like 5 to get on par with coleman/rodda.

I love his stupid big grin - reminds me of a lavanini/etzebeth but forgot to do biceps curls every day since learning to walk.

Rugby Australia say Hockings is only 2 kg's lighter and 2 cm's shorter then Arnold.. maybe he has rocks in his pockets.

 

[TSR]

Hockings and Blythe have both been exceptional IMO.

Edit: Exceptional Relative to their age/experience, but still very good otherwise

 

[upthereds#!]

Rugby Australia say Hockings is only 2 kg's lighter and 2 cm's shorter then Arnold.. maybe he has rocks in his pockets.

He was at 110 last year - if he has put on 8kg then good on him! Doesn't seem it though. Arnold says 120, though I swear there has been match weigh ins where he has come in over that.

 

[Joe Blow]

Hockings and Blythe have both been exceptional IMO.

Edit: Exceptional Relative to their age/experience, but still very good otherwise

Blythe was very impressive on the weekend

 

[KOB1987]

Anyone still wanting Matt To'omua as the Wallabies 10?

I’ll reiterate my stance on the bloke. I like him as player but at 12. He’s not even close to a soup level 10, let alone an international one. Unfortunately he’s not likely to unseat Kerevi for the 12 jersey nor get the #22 jersey. I’d still have him in my 31 man RWC squad though.

 

[Gnostic]

KOB I'd like the post #2295 - right up to the part of having him in the 31 man squad. No form, comes back at the 23rd hour to a sinking Australian ship. Just because Australian Rugby hasn't developed a player in the 10 position for a decade shouldn't make a decent 12 a chance at the position by a default selection given there are better 12s out there as well. By far.

 

[KOB1987]

KOB I'd like the post #2295 - right up to the part of having him in the 31 man squad. No form, comes back at the 23rd hour to a sinking Australian ship. Just because Australian Rugby hasn't developed a player in the 10 position for a decade shouldn't make a decent 12 a chance at the position by a default selection given there are better 12s out there as well. By far.

Ok that’s fair, and on merit I agree with you. Where I was coming from though is that in a RWC squad we need a few versatile options (dirt trackers), he’s one, so is AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). World Cup isnt the time or place to chuck a developing player in

 

[Gnostic]

Ok that’s fair, and on merit I agree with you. Where I was coming from though is that in a RWC squad we need a few versatile options (dirt trackers), he’s one, so is AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). World Cup isn't the time or place to chuck a developing player in

I don't think there is much chance of the Wallabies doing anything at the RWC, really. I'll agree with you though, we don't want any promising young talent associating in any way with Chieka or anything he has to say on Rugby. Let him give a motivational speech sometime in the future.

 

[Up the Guts]

Anyone still wanting Matt To'omua as the Wallabies 10?

I’ll reiterate my stance on the bloke. I like him as player but at 12. He’s not even close to a soup level 10, let alone an international one. Unfortunately he’s not likely to unseat Kerevi for the 12 jersey nor get the #22 jersey. I’d still have him in my 31 man RWC squad though.

In fairness, I haven’t seen much suggestion on the forum for MT at 10, it’s mainly been those on the front page banging their pots and pans for him.

On a wider note, the only good thing to come out of the Rebels loss was Naisarani 100% locking down the #8 gold jersey.

 

[Sully]

It would be a disgrace if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) went to the world cup ahead of just about any other out centre in Australian Super Rugby.