Wallabies 2020
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Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
If you adhere to the Ben Darwin cohesion theorem then you are best off picking combinations. i.e. Powell & Lolesio or McDermott & JOC (James O'Connor) (assuming they are cohesive in their Super Rugby sides).
You could also see the centre pairings as a single pick. Simone & TK or Stewart & Paisami.
Id go McDermott, JOC (James O'Connor), Simone, TK - for the first test.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
You’ve got to start the combinations somewhere though, I’d rather use the disrupted year to get the young fellas into it. Lolesio is 10 for me and McDermott the 9. Stick JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 (I think he’s been better than To'omua) and TK at 13.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Not keen on To'omua or JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 if they havent been playing there, particularly as Stewart and Simone are both in good form.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
10 to 12 isn’t the hardest transition in the world (not nearly as hard as 12 to 10), particularly when both play 10 more like 12s anyway.
rugboy
Jim Clark (26)
While I appreciate the theory of an interrupted season as a good as reason as any to blood the youngsters I still think there should be some level of caution about throwing in a host of rookies as starters in a Bledisloe. McDermott, Lolesio, Simone, Stewart and Paisami are all going reasonably well but to throw too many into the furnace together would be a mistake. Lolesio was targeted against the Highlanders pre-Covid and produced easily his worst performance. We need some experience in there especially in midfield with what the All Blacks will throw at us. Blood some younguns around them and maybe another one or two off the bench for a late cameo to get the exposure. If we throw a host in and they get exposed it can have long lasting ramifications on them.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
I definitely wouldn’t have a fresh 10, 12 and 13. I’m pretty sure 12 and 13 is going to be JOC (James O'Connor)/MT and 13 TK. If White gets back he will be 9 so one of the rookies is off the bench. I really think we have to get Lolesio (with Harrison not far behind) at 10, we’ve stuffed around with indecision in the position for so long.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
The Brumbies were also missing Simone in that match, and Ikitau was brought in to play at inside centre, where I don't think he's had much if any experience...........
But largely I agree we want to be cautious about blooding too many young ones straight up, however I think Lolesio's form is so far ahead of all the other options I think we should throw him in.
Tangawizi
Peter Fenwicke (45)
This year's gear has popped up on the Asics website now. Colour scheme suggests that Dave Rennie might be a big fan of those beige brigade retro Kiwi cricket kits.
https://www.asics.com/au/en-au/wallabies-gear/c/wallabies-gear
https://www.asics.com/au/en-au/wallabies-gear/c/wallabies-gear
rugboy
Jim Clark (26)
That was my point, Lolesio and Ikitau as two rookies got seriously exposed against a NZ provincial team. Definitely no argument from that that Lolesio is the best performing 10. I would like to see him start a Bledisloe this year, although I think throwing him in to start game one could be counter productive to a player who has all the makings of our long term solution at 10. Get him to be part of it in game 1, bring him on in the second half when much of the heat has come out of the game, let him find his feet with a view to starting games 3 and 4. Take the long term view.
That's a pretty fair point.
I'd be bringing the likes of Lolesio, Harrison, Wilson, McDermott, McReight, Swain, Simone, Bell, Blyth, Gibbon, Swinton into the training squad, but in the end you might just run with this this year.
15 Banks
14 DHP
13 Kuridrani
12 To'omua
11 Koroiebete
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
9 White
8 Naisirani
7 Hooper
6 Samu
5 Simmons
4 Philip
3 Ala'alatoa
2 Fainga'a
1 Slipper
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
I’ll probably eat these words when we get our traditional game one whooping but I don’t think the ABs are as scary a prospect as they were a few years ago. New coach, soundly beaten in the World Cup Semi last year, new combinations after World Cup retirements, it’s not just the well-oiled machine turning out for another year. The fact that the Reds went as a bunch of rookies to Christchurch and for large parts of the game dominated the Crusaders physically says that a lot of these younger guys won’t be overawed.
I’d be disappointed not to see at least one of Wilson/Valetini/Lolesio/McDermott
Edit: I should probably also mention the Brumbies absolutely smoked the Chiefs in the Waikato (admittedly, they have been pretty poor under Gatland) in one of the best performances from an Australian Super team on NZ soil in recent memory.
I’d be disappointed not to see at least one of Wilson/Valetini/Lolesio/McDermott
Edit: I should probably also mention the Brumbies absolutely smoked the Chiefs in the Waikato (admittedly, they have been pretty poor under Gatland) in one of the best performances from an Australian Super team on NZ soil in recent memory.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Edited my post to add that match before I saw yours. Brumbies vs Crusaders would have been very tight. On the Brumbies, I think Wright is also someone to throw out there for a definite squad position and maybe an appearance in jersey 23 at some point.
B