Wallabies 2021

[TSR]

A good article. In particular some interesting analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of Tom Wright.

Well worth a read, and goes to show the level of detail that goes into top level analysis that mug punters like me don’t see (but which ultimately can explain a lot about some of those mystifying selection decisions).

Just for clarity Tom Wright remains my pick for one of the wing spots for the Wallabies (and I don’t think there is any tone in the article to suggest otherwise) but I can appreciate how at international level this sort of individual scrutiny would come into play.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/05/why-a-moral-victory-was-not-enough-at-gio-stadium/

 

[fatprop]

A good article. In particular some interesting analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of Tom Wright.

Well worth a read, and goes to show the level of detail that goes into top level analysis that mug punters like me don’t see (but which ultimately can explain a lot about some of those mystifying selection decisions).

Just for clarity Tom Wright remains my pick for one of the wing spots for the Wallabies (and I don’t think there is any tone in the article to suggest otherwise) but I can appreciate how at international level this sort of individual scrutiny would come into play.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/05/why-a-moral-victory-was-not-enough-at-gio-stadium/

"Tom Wright is in a similar position to Marika Koroibete when he first transferred from rugby league. "

I am amused with those supposedly inflicted with NRL disease, Wright is a Joeys boy who played a couple of years in the NRL

He didn't grow up in Penrith, playing SG ball & Flegg

 

[Adam84]

"Tom Wright is in a similar position to Marika Koroibete when he first transferred from rugby league. "

I am amused with those supposedly inflicted with NRL disease, Wright is a Joeys boy who played a couple of years in the NRL

He didn't grow up in Penrith, playing SG ball & Flegg

that’s not what I took from that comment, he was just using Marika as a benchmark.
Players who have an elite attacking game but defensive frailties, it’s not an infliction, just pointing out that the NRL system has refined their attacking ability and they now need to sort their defence.

 

[fatprop]

that’s not what I took from that comment, he was just using Marika as a benchmark.
Players who have an elite attacking game but defensive frailties, it’s not an infliction, just pointing out that the NRL system has refined their attacking ability and they now need to sort their defence.

Whereas he is just another show pony back that will squeal if they get caught

 

[Dctarget]

You know who is fantastic in rucks on the wing? Daugunu. Funnily enough quite similar to Reece, both great on ballers.

 

[Up the Guts]

Wow, very surprising a winger missed a couple of cleanouts. Agree with FP, Bishop missed the mark with the League vs Union comparison given Wright didn’t grow up playing League. He would have been better to point out he simply had work to do defensively. Funnily enough this was a criticism of him coming through juniors and why he didn’t make Aus Schoolboys.

 

[ForceFan]

Congratulations to all players on their selection.
Well done to Tom Robertson and Feleti Kaitu’u in your selection in the SRAu Team of the Season.

 

[Joe Blow]

Congratulations to all players on their selection.
Well done to Tom Robertson and Feleti Kaitu’u in your selection in the SRAu Team of the Season.

Both well deserved and both would be in a Wallaby 23 if picked today and most likely will be in the next side if fit.

 

[griffins]

Both well deserved and both would be in a Wallaby 23 if picked today and most likely will be in the next side if fit.

Despite the fact that Kaitu'u cannot hit the side of a house when throwing?

 

[barbarian]

Hooker is a fascinating selection decision. Kaitu'u is a good player but does he scream test calibre? Not sure. But you could say that about every option I think.

If I'm picking a team tomorrow I'd probably pick BPA as he's the incumbent, he stepped up last year and his form now is fairly decent. But he's going offshore so there's plenty of reasons to ignore him, too.

There's no right answer here I think. There's a possibility Rennie goes left field with someone like Porecki, Lonergan or Chibba Hanson.

 

[Members Section]

Hooker is a fascinating selection decision. Kaitu'u is a good player but does he scream test calibre? Not sure. But you could say that about every option I think.

If I'm picking a team tomorrow I'd probably pick BPA as he's the incumbent, he stepped up last year and his form now is fairly decent. But he's going offshore so there's plenty of reasons to ignore him, too.

There's no right answer here I think. There's a possibility Rennie goes left field with someone like Porecki, Lonergan or Chibba Hanson.

I honestly dont understand the hype around Porecki

 

[barbarian]

I honestly dont understand the hype around Porecki

Neither do I. I don't think he's that good. I wouldn't pick him. But given he's made a squad there's clearly something Rennie sees in him that I do not.

 

[ForceFan]

Pleasing to see these 5 Force Academy players get selected for the 2nd Jnr Wallabies Camp.

 

[Braveheart81]

Neither do I. I don't think he's that good. I wouldn't pick him. But given he's made a squad there's clearly something Rennie sees in him that I do not.

He was specifically recruited to come back so they are going through the motions before working out he's not as good as they hoped he was?

 

[fatprop]

Neither do I. I don't think he's that good. I wouldn't pick him. But given he's made a squad there's clearly something Rennie sees in him that I do not.

Bit of Trivia, Porecki played with the scrum coach at Saracens (1 season, 4 appearances) (injury cover)

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

He was specifically recruited to come back so they are going through the motions before working out he's not as good as they hoped he was?

I don't believe he was specifically recruited at Wallabies level but Scott Johnson certainly showed him there was an opportunity both at the tahs and the Wallabies if he was good enough.

I really like that Johnson is out there talking to players overseas.

 

[barbarian]

He was specifically recruited to come back so they are going through the motions before working out he's not as good as they hoped he was?

Maybe. We need a term for this. Like a reverse Giteau rule - the Leroy Houston rule?

 

[Braveheart81]

Maybe. We need a term for this. Like a reverse Giteau rule - the Leroy Houston rule?

That's exactly who I had in mind.

 

[RugbyReg]

Pleasing to see these 5 Force Academy players get selected for the 2nd Jnr Wallabies Camp.

View attachment 12249

there's an Under 20 thread for that.

 

[Braveheart81]

More East Coast Elite bias against the Western Force!