Wallabies 2021

[Tomikin]

I was quite surprised by how average many of the Reds stats are. And yet their undefeated? Perhaps stats are meaningless after all.

I think some of the stats point towards the different play in the forwards, the Brumbies really seem to have there props and locks do alot of the defensive heavy lifting (which isnt a surprise with the quality they got there) and have Samu playing more attacking and Valetini doing a bit of both but probaby more attacking and our 7 being a bit more of a dud so far in the stats setup.

Where the Reds backrow is doing alot more of the heavy lifting on defence then the tight 5... Just a different job in the packs.. interesting concept, it would be awesome to have someone break down how both packs are used.. and I wish I could get the coaches to tell us there thoughts..

Nevilles tackle stats seem low considering one of the early games he made something of 27 in a game. But it is what it is.

 

[Tomikin]

I'll have a crack

1. Slips/Bell
2. Uhm.Fainga'a/?? BIg weakness here
3. Thor/AAA
4. Hosea
5. Neville
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
9. White
10. Lolesio
11. Koirobete
12. Paisami
13. Ikitau/Petaia
14. Wright
15. Banks


Tough on JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua, but To'omua is a 12 in my eyes, he's always been best there. JOC (James O'Connor) was tough to not have starting but i'd be interested to see his stats v Lolesio, I can't imagine there'd be much between them. Having him come on as a calm head in the second half would be more valuable than starting I reckon, and Lolesio wouldn't be scared of this Frog team, he's already duked it out with most of them.

This weekend will provide a lot of answers. Arnold would walk back in if he's fit as well ahead of Hosea. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wouldn't get near my 23 at this point.

Different, I think its not the Frog's team in General I think its test rugby that's the bigger thing. I think JOC (James O'Connor) is our 10 at the moment with Lolesio on the bench, and if we are 2 nill up give him the start, or if we are getting hammered/ hammering them bring him off the bench.

Wouldn't mind him coming on at 12 either.

 

[Derpus]

I'll have a crack

1. Slips/Bell
2. Uhm.Fainga'a/?? BIg weakness here
3. Thor/AAA
4. Hosea
5. Neville
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
9. White
10. Lolesio
11. Koirobete
12. Paisami
13. Ikitau/Petaia
14. Wright
15. Banks


Tough on JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua, but To'omua is a 12 in my eyes, he's always been best there. JOC (James O'Connor) was tough to not have starting but i'd be interested to see his stats v Lolesio, I can't imagine there'd be much between them. Having him come on as a calm head in the second half would be more valuable than starting I reckon, and Lolesio wouldn't be scared of this Frog team, he's already duked it out with most of them.

This weekend will provide a lot of answers. Arnold would walk back in if he's fit as well ahead of Hosea. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wouldn't get near my 23 at this point.

Leaving both JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua out of the side? what's the point in having a crack.....

 

[Braveheart81]

Leaving both JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua out of the side? what's the point in having a crack...

It let him fit two more Brumbies into the starting XV!

 

[Jimmyjam]

I'll have a crack

1. Slips/Bell
2. Uhm.Fainga'a/?? I'd love to see Kaitu’u get a run, he's been excellent.
3. Thor/AAA
4. Hosea
5. Neville
6. Valetini Swinton/FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner)/Kemeny all complement this pack better than Valetini imo
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
9. White
10. Lolesio JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. Paisami To'omua
13. Ikitau/Petaia Paisami
14. Wright Petaia
15. Banks Wright


Tough on JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua, but To'omua is a 12 in my eyes, he's always been best there. JOC (James O'Connor) was tough to not have starting but i'd be interested to see his stats v Lolesio, I can't imagine there'd be much between them. Having him come on as a calm head in the second half would be more valuable than starting I reckon, and Lolesio wouldn't be scared of this Frog team, he's already duked it out with most of them.

This weekend will provide a lot of answers. Arnold would walk back in if he's fit as well ahead of Hosea. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wouldn't get near my 23 at this point.

Agree re LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), he's been pedestrian...

Can't go with Lolosia, Ikitau or Banks. Very good players, but JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua bump them out.

I think the backline below has more punch and experience at this stage. I think Banks shines at Super Rugby but doesn't look good at the next level. Also think Wright has a big future as a 15.

White
JOC (James O'Connor)
MK
To'omua
Paisami
Petaia
Wright ha

 

[Braveheart81]

My 23:

1. Slipper
2. BPA
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Hosea
5. Philip
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Paisami
14. Petaia
15. Banks

16. Porecki 17. Bell 18. Tupou 19. Salakaia-Loto 20. Hanigan 21. McDermott 22. Ikitau 23. Hodge

 

[Derpus]

My 23:

1. Slipper
2. BPA
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Hosea
5. Philip
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Paisami
14. Petaia
15. Banks

16. Porecki 17. Bell 18. Tupou 19. Salakaia-Loto 20. Hanigan 21. McDermott 22. Ikitau 23. Hodge

Perfect, except Wright in for Petaia.

Edit: oh and Kaitu'u in for Porecki. Porecki has been dire.

 

[Tomikin]

Not

My 23:

1. Slipper
2. BPA
3. Ala'alatoa
4. Hosea
5. Philip
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Paisami
14. Petaia
15. Banks

16. Porecki 17. Bell 18. Tupou 19. Salakaia-Loto 20. Hanigan 21. McDermott 22. Ikitau 23. Hodge

Not bad, would you carry Ikitau as a specialist 13 on the bench, although his slinky skills make him probably a 12 as well. I'd probably swap him for Wright / Lolosia

 

[Brumbieman]

Leaving both JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua out of the side? what's the point in having a crack...

JOC (James O'Connor) is on my bench.

To'omua has been wonderful guiding his team to....have they won a game? He's not a test 10, and he's not beating Paisami or Simone into the 12 jersey atm.

 

[Braveheart81]

Perfect, except Wright in for Petaia.

Edit: oh and Kaitu'u in for Porecki. Porecki has been dire.

Scott Johnson was a big part in bringing him back to Australia and I think he is a smokey based on his experience.

I wouldn't say he's been dire.

Hooker is comfortably our most problematic spot. There are no clear options.

 

[Tomikin]

Mine would be

1 Slipper
2 FF (Folau Fainga'a)
3 AAA
4 Neville
5 Swain
6 Valetini
7 Hooper
8 Samu
9 White
10 Lolosia
11 Murihead
12 Simoni
13 Ikitau
14 Wright
15 Banks

Who cares about the bench, and the Brumbies 7 hasn't been good all season, but Hooper was trained in Canberra so he can fill that role.

 

[Derpus]

Scott Johnson was a big part in bringing him back to Australia and I think he is a smokey based on his experience.

I wouldn't say he's been dire.

Hooker is comfortably our most problematic spot. There are no clear options.

He's way down the list, though. Even in an tight field. Fainga'a, BPA, Mafi and Kaitu'u have looked better. BPA and Fainga'a are also fairly experienced internationals now. I'd be surprised.

 

[Braveheart81]

He's way down the list, though. Even in an tight field. Fainga'a, BPA, Mafi and Kaitu'u have looked better.

I agree. I'm not saying my choice is overly logical.

 

[Dctarget]

JOC (James O'Connor) is on my bench.

To'omua has been wonderful guiding his team to..have they won a game? He's not a test 10, and he's not beating Paisami or Simone into the 12 jersey atm.

You’re kidding me? Simone over To'omua? That undermines anything else you have to say.

 

[RugbyReg]

I'd be interested in your XV to play France tomorrow Reg, mixing the stat analysis with your sharp selectors eye.

Would much rather hear from you than all the other weirdos who populate this cesspool.

tomorrow. Ok.

15 Tom Banks
14 Tom Wright
13 Hunter Paisami
12 Matt To'omua
11 Marika Koroibete
10 James O'Connor
9 Tate McDermott
8 Michael Wells
7 Fraser McReight
6 Harry Wilson
5 Cadeyrn Neville
4 Trevor Hosea
3 Taniela Tupou
2 Folau Fainga'a
1 James Slipper

16 Alex Mafi
17 Angus Bell
18 Allan Ala'alatoa
19 Lukhan Salakai-Loto
20 Rob Valetini
21 Nic White
22 Reece Hodge
23 Jordan Petaia


That was pretty hard around the backrow and lock spots.

 

[barbarian]

So Hooper doesn't even make the 23? So much for that sharp selectors eye.

Or are you taking me literally and assuming Hooper can't play tomorrow, in which case I rescind my insult and pose another question - is Hooper in your best 23 to play the French in July?

 

[James GC]

tomorrow. Ok.

15 Tom Banks
14 Tom Wright
13 Hunter Paisami
12 Matt To'omua
11 Marika Koroibete
10 James O'Connor
9 Tate McDermott
8 Michael Wells
7 Fraser McReight
6 Harry Wilson
5 Cadeyrn Neville
4 Trevor Hosea
3 Taniela Tupou
2 Folau Fainga'a
1 James Slipper

16 Alex Mafi
17 Angus Bell
18 Allan Ala'alatoa
19 Lukhan Salakai-Loto
20 Rob Valetini
21 Nic White
22 Reece Hodge
23 Jordan Petaia


That was pretty hard around the backrow and lock spots.

Is Wells a strong line out option, I realise you are using stats to pick the team but LO looks week with that back row

 

[Braveheart81]

Reg, please name your team for the first test against France to be played in July as scheduled.

 

[Derpus]

Is Wells a strong line out option, I realise you are using stats to pick the team but LO looks week with that back row

Yes, see Reg's stats.

 

[RugbyReg]

Reg, please name your team for the first test against France to be played in July as scheduled.

stuff you. I was avoiding the hard decisions!

15 Tom Banks
14 Tom Wright
13 Hunter Paisami
12 Matt To'omua
11 Marika Koroibete
10 James O'Connor
9 Tate McDermott
8 Michael Wells
7 Michael Hooper
6 Sean McMahon
5 Cadeyrn Neville
4 Matt Philip
3 Taniela Tupou
2 Folau Fainga'a
1 James Slipper

16 Alex Mafi
17 Angus Bell
18 Allan Ala'alatoa
19 Trevor Hosea
20 Harry Wilson
21 Nic White
22 Reece Hodge
23 Jordan Petaia

McMahon would be the one player I'd pick from anywhere as part of the "Rennie Clause"