Wallabies 2020

[Derpus]

Meh Latu was one of our best at RWC and our current hookers are completely underwhelming. No brainer for me, pisshead or not.

 

[Zero_Cool]

So you reckon we us one of our two OS players bring back a guy with very well known disciplinary issues who hasn't even been making the XV for his European team, a guy who probably isn't fit.... 'Because he was good at the World Cup' last year...

Despite BPA being good against Ireland and being dropped for no real reason, and Fianga being arguably the form Hooker of the comp all year....

Because he was good last year, before he went away to probably just get pissed in France.

 

[Derpus]

Yes.

He is way better than BPA.

 

[Up the Guts]

So you reckon we us one of our two OS players bring back a guy with very well known disciplinary issues who hasn't even been making the XV for his European team, a guy who probably isn't fit.. 'Because he was good at the World Cup' last year.

Despite BPA being good against Ireland and being dropped for no real reason, and Fianga being arguably the form Hooker of the comp all year..

Because he was good last year, before he went away to probably just get pissed in France.

Look, I'd probably prefer to bring back a couple of locks but I don't think BPA will be in the 23. Also, your butchering of Fainga'a* is really annoying.

 

[kiap]

I'd suggest he's been (successfully) lobbying the RA board for an update on the eligibility criteria.

To be fair, by the wholetruth, I can now answer my query. He is still around:

Western Force future assured, says Rugby Australia director Scott Johnson​

​

9 September 2020​

​

Western Force have secured their place in the sport’s future, according to Rugby Australia’s director of rugby Scott Johnson.​

​

Johnson was not surprised by how competitive the side was in trying conditions in the Australian Super Rugby competition and having players picked for the Wallabies training squad was just reward.​

​

… “From a rugby standpoint I see them as being a part of us. We’d like to think they are part of the future. It’s good to have them around that’s for sure.”​

​

Johnson echoed the sentiments of new RA chairman Hamish McLennan. McLennan told thewest.com.au in July, after the Force had been invited back into Super Rugby: “I envisage they will be in for the long term.”​

​

Reports that the Force could relocate to New Zealand to play in their Super Rugby competition next year have been dismissed by insiders as “drawing a very, very long bow”. …​

​

https://thewest.com.au/sport/wester...y-australia-boss-scott-johnson-ng-b881662379z

 

[Silverado]

I'd prefer something like:

1) Sio
2) Fianga
3) Tupou
4) LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
5) OS LOCK
6) Samu
7) Wright
8) Willson

9) McDermott
10) O'Connor
11) Daugunu
12) To'omua
13) Petaia
14) Koroibete
15) Banks

16) BPA
17) Slipper
18) AAAAA
19) OS LOCK
20) Hooper
21) Naisarani
22) White
23) Hodge

Too many Tahs

 

[Joe Blow]

Arnold and Latu(if fit)

 

[Dctarget]

How will Covid affect parachuting them in? You'd imagine they'd have to arrive 2 weeks earlier than any potential training. So minimum 2 weeks training with the team + 2 weeks isolation = has to be announced at least a month prior first match.

 

[Joe Blow]

What's ol' Fardy up to? Still winning European player of the year?

That would be something!

 

[BDA]

Agree that he probably wont go with mcmahon even though i think mcmahon is likely at the top of the list of players rennie would like to bring into the side (he's in the prime of his career)
In terms of which locks you choose, itll come down to which players rennie rates and/or sees fitting in to his plans. Does Rennie see Skelton as a potentially great test player or not? Rory is the obvious choice but at 30 is he a serious option for the next world cup? Rodda is young and will by in the prime of his career in 2023 but rennie might see more benefit in letting him develop his game for a season up north.

 

[Purce]

From what I remember one of the main reasons McMahon left was due to his body not being up to a mix of his style of play and the physicality of super rugby and test matches. I like him however think his window of opportunity is probably closed. Way too much depth in the backrow now.

Latu, Arnold and Koro were our best last year. Those 2 are in the exact positions we are struggling with depth and experience at the moment. They would be my 2. Kerevi hasn't been playing, if we really wanted a big bodied back I'd probably go for Naiyaravoro.

Also playing 2 OS locks severely dents our development of another lock who we can ease into test matches with 15/20/30 off the bench this year. Perhaps even expose 2 to test footy.

I'm not sold on Skelton. He has been gone quite a while now. We know what Arnold brings and I think he would be the perfect foil to LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto).

 

[Purce]

Another point... is the 2 player rule just for the game day 23 or for the squad? ie could we have 4 in the squad then pick 2 depending on opposition/ circumstances?

 

[Derpus]

Another point. is the 2 player rule just for the game day 23 or for the squad? ie could we have 4 in the squad then pick 2 depending on opposition/ circumstances?

Doubt they are gunna pay to have two expensive guys hanging round the squad

 

[Purce]

Doubt they are gunna pay to have two expensive guys hanging round the squad

This is Rugby Australia we are talking about. Also given their already lucrative contracts maybe it wouldn't be as much to have them around. Who knows.

 

[TSR]

I’m not convinced on Latu. Credit to him for having a great World Cup, but aside from that he’s been very inconsistent and, at his worst, he is a low work rate, low discipline option whose throwing is poor. I get that the options here have been a bit Meh as well, but I don’t think Latu is worth bringing back. I’d rather they persist with Ulese & Fainga’a and try and bring through either BPA or Mafi (I don’t think Ready is fit enough - which is a shame because he can play).

I’d suspect they’ll definitely bring a lock, and that’s fair enough (Arnold would be my pick) but I hope they only bring 1. The locks on the weekend are Salakai-Loto, Blyth, Phillip & Hosea. IMO both Philip & Salakaia-Loto are worthy of test selection and both Hosea & Blyth are promising for the future and worthy of squad selection. Throw in Neville, Frost & Swain from the Brumbies plus Simmons from the Tahs and I’m happy we can pick 4 locks to complement Arnold which provide us a competitive squad, and return the players who have stayed in Australia. I’d actually be happy to see 2-3 of Blyth, Hosea, Frost & Swain picked in the squad for development and potential game time off the bench as they all look to be quality to me. Frost is probably the least ready, yet could be the best of them.

 

[BDA]

Also playing 2 OS locks severely dents our development of another lock who we can ease into test matches with 15/20/30 off the bench this year. Perhaps even expose 2 to test footy.

I'm not sold on Skelton. He has been gone quite a while now. We know what Arnold brings and I think he would be the perfect foil to LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto).

I wouldnt be starting 2 OS locks, but i think it would be ideal to have 2 in the squad. U have to walk a fine line between blooding new locks and being competitive against nz/sa. Other than LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), (who's played mostly at 6 at test level) which other locks would you feel comfortable selecting against the all blacks? these guys should be blooded of the bench. If your going to have 3 locks in your 23, preferably only one would have limited test experience. Any locks being blooded will benefit a lot from having more experienced locks in the squad. Also if you only bring one OS lock in your one injury away from disaster

 

[Dctarget]

Still sad things never worked out with Nadolo, that man was fun to watch.

 

[Derpus]

Still sad things never worked out with Nadolo, that man was fun to watch.

Where did that come from

 

[Dctarget]

Where did that come from

just ya know, day dreams.

Nah, saw an interview with him on facebook and forgot how he's Australian through and through. I know he was capped for Fiji 5 years before he came good but he seems like a solid bloke that's a terrific footballer.

 

[Derpus]

just ya know, day dreams.

Nah, saw an interview with him on facebook and forgot how he's Australian through and through. I know he was capped for Fiji 5 years before he came good but he seems like a solid bloke that's a terrific footballer.

Looked it up, he is huh.