Congratulations to all the players named in the squad. Looking forward to seeing the development of the “Rennie Version 1.0“ Wallabies.
As always, plenty of question marks over players who were named and lots of head scratching as to why some are in and some were left out.
Angus Bell who isn’t even a starter of the 4/5 placed side, over Harry Hoopert who has equal creds of Aus U20’s, NRC, been starting in Super Rugby since last year etc, and is the starting Prop for the side in the GF! Current form - Bell over Hoopert? Pftt
Oh thats right - Didn’t I read that Angus Bells father is doing some Coaching down in NSWRA - Ahh, looks like same old same old.
When you have that many players named from a team that came 4/5 and none from the team that came 5/5, well, thats a bloody case of head lice scratching right there.
When you have 11 from Tahs v 11 from Reds, well the head scratching has just blown out to a full on case of eczema.
Players picked on form Rennie says - I have one name for you - Jock Campbell. No I have 2 - Naisaraini!!
When I see names like Len Ikitau????????? & Ned Hanigan at 6 or Lock?? Seriously!!! Is anyone else smelling the stink.
Straight up there is a please explain of Bell over Hoopert and Hanigan over Neville or Blyth. That is 3 - all season starting players from Reds and Brumbies, who are in the GF, who have missed out to players in the poorly placed Waratahs. Yeah Hanigan is a flex player. You don’t need flex players in elite squads, you need players who specialise in their positions and Hanigan doesn’t stand up in this squad as a 6 or a Lock. I am seeing enough No 6’s there who stand on their own feet in that spot.
Players picked on form Rennie says. Yeah Nah! And no Naisaraini. Yeah Nah
The conversation about the 2 open spots to bring players in from O/S seems to largely around the Lock positions, I just don’t understand it.
Simmonds has the experience and leadership to manage the line out. Love him or hate him, he has found form through the back end of the season and, he is a long serving ambassador for Aus rugby that will step up and can manage the line out calls. So does Neville from Brumbies………and he is not even in the mix.
You have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) who has been playing Lock for the Reds and with the many number 6’s in the Wallaby mix, he can stay at Lock, he has been outstanding and with 50 Super caps and equally fantastic previous Wallaby experience - why are we looking elsewhere. You have Matt Phillips from Reb’s, who has experience and is def in form and does a great job. Deserves to be there. Neville from Brumbies would be feeling ripped off not to be named. Is he going O/S and is not available?
So Rennie ony picks 3 Locks. Surely he would be looking at the development of other upcoming Locks in around those 3, as he is in other positions.
Surely you would add Blyth + Hosea. Based on “form”.
What is the go with Neville or Blyth not getting the nod if Rennie says he is picking on form. Neville - on the back of excellent for, experienced campaigner in the Aus team of the season (so far
Up there with the tackles and carries stats. Blyth again, starting Lock alongside LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the GF team, been named in many “teams of the week” during the rounds”, was outstanding again in the SF again last weekend. Tackles, turnovers and metres from carries is up there. Brings some spice to the game with that smile of his that the fans love. (Players that engage the fans is defs what the sport needs) . I am thinking back to the wedgy and his reaction. It went viral, the fans love the sense of enjoyment he brings to the game. He has played last years super rugby and this years pre covid super rugby against the NZ, the Sth African and Agentina sides, he has the Aus U20’s and NRC experience behing him and again, has been starting since last year . And yet Trevor Hosea who has only just played a handful of “Aus” super rugby games, no international contests last year or this year, and for sure is doing well finding his super rugby feet, gets the nod but Blyth doesn’t?
Yeah Nah
Looking to bring Arnold? Skelton? Rodda back from France?
Havn’t they just started their comp over there? All those players are on big bucks to play for their French clubs, surely those clubs are not going to release them for the next 3 months to come and play in Aus/NZ. And then there is the availability of flights and 2 weeks in hotel quarantine to deal with. France is still getting 10 000 covid cases a day. You can’t tell me those guys can come straigh back to be in the rugby bubble without the 2 weeks hotel quarantine.
Arnold is a wonderful statesman for Aus rugby but when did he last have a game. Skelton hasnt played for Aus in 6 years, is his French club, his livelihood, going to let him go for 3 months? And…. i can’t think of any player that would be happy to strap on a boot or pull on a green and gold jersey to play alongside Izaak Rodda. Nor can I imagine any Aus rugby supporter that is happy for him to be given a free ticket back to play alongside the guys, who stood by Aus Rugby when it was down, when all he did was shite in his own dressing room and leave.
We are well placed for Lock’s both now and in the future. The now - Simmonds, Phillips, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Neville, Blyth, Hosea. Coming through, Frost, young Blyth and this years Gen of Aus U20’s that would have been but we didn’t get to see.
Second rowers - Scruuums and Lineouts.. everything else is a booooonus… These guys have that covered. What is the fuss about.