Wallabies 2020
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wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
He'll be there, sooner rather than later, I reckon.
It is the biggest head-scratcher. I mean, if they want him being a harder off-the-ball worker and / or fitter, what better place to get him in and get it done? What other rugby will he be playing?
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
That's what I was thinking too. I have heard that he and TK are both lazy trainers, I wonder if this is maybe just a bit of a kick up the rectum type thing. There are 2 spots yet to fill, and one of them will be going to a loose forward probably.
I think this is true. As others have said, I'm not sure Rodda will get such an easy path back after walking away. But, who knows? He is a good playing option.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
How do you reckon that'll happen Wamb? By sooner I assume you mean some time this year.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I tried to reply to Bobby, but evidently he isn't with us anymore, and it looks like I missed a bit of action while I was away.
Bobby, I know you can still see this, seriously a good starting point when you return would be to have a bit of a sense of humour and not take everything as a personal insult. We're all not horrible human beings just because we are from NSW, take a chill pill and enjoy the banter.
Bobby, I know you can still see this, seriously a good starting point when you return would be to have a bit of a sense of humour and not take everything as a personal insult. We're all not horrible human beings just because we are from NSW, take a chill pill and enjoy the banter.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Also, I have questions over how much scope players have to respond to feedback from the national coach and still play the game that their domestic coaches want. Wessels has always wanted big run metres out of his 8, Mafi was used exclusively in that role and Naisarani took over the mantle since he left. When the Rebels are playing two 7s alongside Isi it's pretty obvious the onus is on him to be doing the carrying leaving the other two to the ruck work.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Really? Is that really true KOB? I can see I have been sorely mistaken.
Rugby Head
Billy Sheehan (19)
On that note, I think McReight was lucky to get onto the list. I would have brought Isi over him. Realistically, Hooper will be more or less playing the full 80 (Unless injured) every game. Rennie would use Wright as a backup and if worse comes to worse, Samu is equipped to play 7. Good to build his confidence up, but I don't see him getting any minutes.
I wonder if "the 46 player bubble" included the two Bledisloe games in NZ? Will we take 46 over there and then continue with that back in Australia or will we take less than that to NZ knowing it is only for two games and then reconvene the larger squad back in Australia?
Will there be any opportunity to add/subtract to the group after those two Bledisloe games?
Given the COVID protocols you'd imagine we are heading to NZ more than 2 weeks out from the first Bledisloe on October 17 unless they allow different arrangements (say heading over there early in the week as we often would and accepting that if we've come from an isolation bubble and are arriving in a bubble, that is satisfactory.
Will there be any opportunity to add/subtract to the group after those two Bledisloe games?
Given the COVID protocols you'd imagine we are heading to NZ more than 2 weeks out from the first Bledisloe on October 17 unless they allow different arrangements (say heading over there early in the week as we often would and accepting that if we've come from an isolation bubble and are arriving in a bubble, that is satisfactory.
Number 7
Darby Loudon (17)
Yep, that was a big surprise. That and Hanigan's inclusion. I can't see Hanigan playing lock over LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Phillip or Simmons (or Hosea) and I can't see him playing 6 either over others chosen. He isn't exactly a development player thus I would much rather have seen Blyth in the squad (unless the Rodda rumours are true).
Try-ranosaurus Rex
Darby Loudon (17)
I disagree re: McReight. I think he's had a whale of a season and he has demonstrated his importance to the Reds over the past month. Their back row has been substantially better balanced with him playing at 7. His stats are also quite impressive (18 turnovers won in SRAu). He is the future at 7.
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
There are a few surprises to me.
Isi not making it is a massive head-scratcher.
Swinton even being considered is a little confusing to me as all I see he brings is a faux tough man image.
Bell and Ainsley over Hoopert and Orr on form is simply nonsensical.
Itikau is simply bizarre.
There are better locks than Hanigan not selected and better back-rowers than Hanigan not selected.
Pone is simply not the complete prop he is great as a ball runner but not so great in the tight which is his main job.
Anyway, the selections have left m scratching my head a bit as the argument that he is selecting on form is simply not borne out by choices made.
Isi not making it is a massive head-scratcher.
Swinton even being considered is a little confusing to me as all I see he brings is a faux tough man image.
Bell and Ainsley over Hoopert and Orr on form is simply nonsensical.
Itikau is simply bizarre.
There are better locks than Hanigan not selected and better back-rowers than Hanigan not selected.
Pone is simply not the complete prop he is great as a ball runner but not so great in the tight which is his main job.
Anyway, the selections have left m scratching my head a bit as the argument that he is selecting on form is simply not borne out by choices made.
Rugby Head
Billy Sheehan (19)
The biggest selection I am struggling with is Ainsley, what's the point? He's off to NZ next year, likely he won't be coming back and getting any more caps.
On the other hand, great to see Pone selected in the squad. He has all the attributes to become a very dominant prop, him and Tongan thor will be frightening come RWC 2023!
On the other hand, great to see Pone selected in the squad. He has all the attributes to become a very dominant prop, him and Tongan thor will be frightening come RWC 2023!
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
At today's Covid update Jacinda confirmed that the training bubble rules that would've applied to TRC had it been in NZ were driven by concerns over South Africa & moreso Argentina, & indicated that those applying to NZ Bleds are still being worked through with NZR but are likely to be much less strict.
I think Hanigan has had a strong season but I also wouldn't have picked him.
The only scenario where he really makes sense is if you're looking for a bench 4/6 and another person who is capable of calling lineouts.
If we bring in Arnold and Skelton I think we're pretty lacking on lineout callers outside of Simmons. I think Philip is the Rebels caller isn't he but outside of that I don't think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) calls for the Reds (that was Rodda and is now Blyth?!?) and neither Arnold or Skelton are lineout callers to my knowledge.
In terms of fitting Hanigan into a 23 if you were playing a 5:3 split and were thinking that your optimum planned replacements were replacing both locks and leaving your backrow for 80 minutes, Hanigan works as the reserve lock who could come on at 6 if you had to replace a backrower.
That is a pretty edge use scenario though.