Wallabies 2020
- Thread starter A mutterer
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qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Conversely, Rory Arnold broke his forearm on the weekend. Say he's gone.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Oh, that's not good. Skelton and Latu then?
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
They're definitely the front runners at this stage, Rodda and Kerevi would be outside chance. For the most part though it will all depend on the performances in the first two Bledisloes.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
Yep I always thought Rodda could be the most likely as there is a high chance he will be back in Australia play Super Rugby in the next 12-18months.
Froggy
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
There is a lot of talk here about Hodge as 23 due to his versatility, however I would argue that's not needed. With (presumably) JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua in the 23, there really is cover for just about every position. JOC (James O'Connor) can play every spot from 10 to 15, To'omua can cover 10 and 12, and assuming Petaia is there he can cover 13 and wing. For me, this means Hofge only gets in the 23 if he's good enough.
Zero_Cool
Arch Winning (36)
To those wanting To'omua at 10 -- please re-watch the Rebels games where he played 12 and contrast them with the games that he played at 12 -- To'omua is 'fine' at 10, especially at Super Rugby level. But he's very likely going to be out of his depth at Test Rugby, he's just not up to really pulling the strings for a Test backline.
Against the AB's IMO our options at 10 are O'Connor (form and experience), or Lolesio (prospect). If we don't have Petiai at 13 then our option are likely Hodge or Paisami. I'd think Paisami would be the better option he just looks like one of those players who wouldn't even notice the step up to Test Rugby. Hodge is an option to play anywhere but 9 (same as To'omua and O'Connor) but I'd expect/like to see Hodge on the bench - he's basically the ideal 23 man.
I do think Tate has proven form over White, as well as potential. I think Dan not starting White against the Reds in the Grand Final might have been the final straw for Tate to get the starting job, but White isn't a bad option. I think obviously experience is important but really I think that can only separate players with the same kind of level of form, and I don't think White has proven he's that guy. Let's keep in mind he's not Willy-G - White has a similar level of experience as Luke Burgess, he has 30 odd caps -- he's on par with Ned Hanigan...
Against the AB's IMO our options at 10 are O'Connor (form and experience), or Lolesio (prospect). If we don't have Petiai at 13 then our option are likely Hodge or Paisami. I'd think Paisami would be the better option he just looks like one of those players who wouldn't even notice the step up to Test Rugby. Hodge is an option to play anywhere but 9 (same as To'omua and O'Connor) but I'd expect/like to see Hodge on the bench - he's basically the ideal 23 man.
I do think Tate has proven form over White, as well as potential. I think Dan not starting White against the Reds in the Grand Final might have been the final straw for Tate to get the starting job, but White isn't a bad option. I think obviously experience is important but really I think that can only separate players with the same kind of level of form, and I don't think White has proven he's that guy. Let's keep in mind he's not Willy-G - White has a similar level of experience as Luke Burgess, he has 30 odd caps -- he's on par with Ned Hanigan...
Zero_Cool
Arch Winning (36)
As for Rodda I'm mixed and I think Rugby Australia are too -- they'd likely want to not send the message that what he did is anywhere near acceptable. And bringing him back into the squad so soon after doing what he did would really send the wrong message. Having said that -- he might just be our first best option. But Rennie will have a few weeks of training and a few games to feel out Salakaia-Loto, Philip, Simmons, Hosea, etc maybe they'll be able to make do without Rodda.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
I think they are bringing who they can. Both SA and Argie.
SA players will have two games under their belt. That's it. Argies none from what I know.
SA will come with a LOT of new players. At this point we don't even know if any NH players will be added once the window open in November. Nothing has been said about it so far. I would imagine a few will come in like Cheslin, Marx, Mostert, Faf and the Dup twins. It can't really work with quarantine can it? These guys would have to be separates from the squad for 2 weeks. Cannot see it working at all.
Likely starting test 15 for SA:
15 Willemse
14. Gelant
13. Am
12 F Steyn or someone else who puts their hand up this weekend
11 Nkosi or Sergeal Pietersen
10 Jantjes
9 Jantjes H
8 Duane
7. Someone needs to put their hand up
6. Kolisi
5. Lucky dip
4. Lucky dip
3. Frans
2. Bongi N
1. Ginger
4, 5, 7 and 12 are a total unknown.
There are a lot of exciting backline players. I hope they throw caution to the wind and give youngsters like Arendse from the Bulls a shot. Take a sip of your beer and he has run the length of the park.
Edit: wrong thread, sorry
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Simone has great hands from what I can see. He played in a Brumbies setup where has was made top crash it up. I think he has something about him.
dru
David Wilson (68)
I definitely like Hodge at full back and for his versatility. It you mount a very good argument and if back line flexibility is Inherent in the selections then a big chunk of the logic to include Hodge is gone. He’d still be my 15 but the argument for him is weakened.
Hodge becomes a real contender for the 23 jersey if you want to pick Lolesio or Harrison on the bench as a 10 to blood them.
If JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua start at 10 and 12 you ordinarily wouldn't carry a 10 on the bench because you've already got it covered.
Hodge is also the guy if you want to run a 6:2 bench.
I certainly don't see him starting.
If JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua start at 10 and 12 you ordinarily wouldn't carry a 10 on the bench because you've already got it covered.
Hodge is also the guy if you want to run a 6:2 bench.
I certainly don't see him starting.
His crash ball is average, he is a big ball playing 12 - and does that rather well
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
To me Hodge is best used as a utility off the bench, his goal kicking is another asset. He’s never going to set the world on fire, but is good in the 23. Also, Maddocks, DHP and Banks don’t do as much on the wing, so you kind of having to start with whoever is picked from them instead of starting with a specialist fb on the bench. I also think JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua is too much of the same thing, ones flashier in attack, the other tackles better, neither are as dynamic as they were, both tend to play a bit deep and both are 12s. I’d prefer lolesi or Harrison thrown in there for that bit of spark, especially if pateia, who can beat his man somewhat consistently, is out. As an aside, Pete samu was tearing up Shute Shield for Randwick as a 12 before heading to play NPC in NZ. Certainly wouldn’t be ideal at international level, but might be a stop gap measure if we go with a 6/2 bench, in the same way a reserve halfback might play wing if necessary.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Perfect bench player. Can cover 11 to 15 and he will not let you down. And he can kick goals. Don't understand how people can't see this. He had a crap game against Fiji where he got stepped a couple of times. Who has not been stepped by a 110KG flying Fijian?
At Super Rugby level, he genuinely might be the best long passer we've got at the moment. I think people see what they expect to see, and a big player is expected to go the bosh.
Yep, when he was bouncing around at the Tahs, with no actual knowledge, I expected someone smashing units not kicking and distributing - he worked well with an aggressive runner at 13 the ponies
Not sure how he fits for the Wobs, anywho To'omua will be 12
dru
David Wilson (68)
JOC (James O'Connor) plays deep or flat depending on the position on the field and what the Reds are setting up. When he is flat he is very flat. It is a coached attack strategy not a capability issue. I don’t think that To'omua is much different.
We definitely need to be blooding whoever is (currently considered) the next gen 10 but this is much better from the bench. Experience is needed here I think in the starting players. If Simone is considered good enough (I don’t for now) he might well take 12 with JOC (James O'Connor)/To'omua at 10. Personally I’d find a test for Simone to take 12 (not the ABs) but leave him out before hand.
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
Understand there’s a horses for courses thing in the positioning deep or flat. I still believe they are both 12s and a bit too similar in approach to ask questions of the opposition. Where will the x-factor come from to break up the oppositions defence? If It’s white, JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua with Maddox/banks/DHP/hodge at fb I fear it’s too much strategy and not enough flash there. JOC (James O'Connor) would be my preferred 5/8 in that situation as he is less predictable and has better vision. Can’t see them picking Simone before JOC (James O'Connor) or To'omua at present. Also, do we have the luxury of carrying a 5/8 on the bench? Guess it depends on the configuration, 5/3 or 6/2. Usually you’d a halfback, 5/8 and jack of all trades back if it’s 3, but drop the 5/8 if it’s 2. Anyone know how Rennie has picked his bench previously?