Wallabies 2023

[Rugbynutter39]

I’m really unsure on what the selectors should do with Nick Frost for the English series.

On current form I would absolutely have him in the squad. Even allowing for the fact we haven’t played the Kiwi teams yet he has been in very impressive form.

On the flip side we already have a situation where we are potentially going to parachute in an OS lock. We really need as many local guys in the squad as possible to build the depth in that position.

On balance I think I would include him, along with Rodda, Phillip & Swain. If Arnold is also available it does become an issue because I don’t know that you can include 5 locks in your squad and you definitely want to include Arnold as much as possible if the intent is to take him to the WC. It really is a shame he’s chosen to go OS and maybe that is an indication of where his priorities lie and that in itself might guide the decision.

I would suggest him as a possible option for 6, and he still might be, but with the form of Wilson, Harris, Uru & Valetini, plus Leota & Swinton still to come back into the mix and all of them signed in Australia i again don’t think you can push him in front of those guys.

I also wonder if Samu’s bench spot might come under fire. Yes, he offers a versatility none of those guys do but Hooper is only ever coming off if he’s injured and, if he does, playing with a backrow of any of the combination of those guys above, even if not as well balance, I still think that would be an acceptable worst case given that the scenario most weeks will be it is your 6 or 8 coming off. Not discounting him - I rate Samu - but he wouldn’t be in my top 4 options for 6 or 8 at the moment. How far does versatility take you?

Of course that could all change over the second half of the comp. especially with a young guy like Harris who might have trouble keeping his form.

I think frost should be in the squad…as form and further upside potential warrants it - give him a taste of what he is missing as want him to come back and not lost to Japanese rugby.

 

[Dctarget]

Maybe he could pull a Leota.

 

[Derpus]

He can also come back. Probably more likely to come back if he knows the Wallabies are a realistic option.

 

[Dctarget]

He can also come back. Probably more likely to come back if he knows the Wallabies are a realistic option.

Dunno, Japan sucks at developing their own locks.
I predict a Japanese XV with Dylan Riley, Lucas, Hockings, Frost etc

 

[Tomikin]

Dunno, Japan sucks at developing their own locks.
I predict a Japanese XV with Dylan Riley, Lucas, Hockings, Frost etc

Maybe we should cap Frost

 

[Derpus]

Maybe we should cap Frost

My thoughts

 

[Adam84]

 

[TSR]

I assume it will be one of those very extended squads, so who gets a gig?

A few of the fringe/new guys I’d like to see -
Campbell, Ryan Smith, Uru, Thomas, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Harris, Porecki, Harrison, Frost, Muirhead (not really a bolter but maybe not someone everyone assumes), Ryan Lonergan, Anstee. Subject to fitness also Uelese.

I would’ve liked Pasitoa and/or Gordon (simply based on our lack of 10s) to be in there but I just can’t see justification for either.

Notable exclusions - I can’t see justification for To’omua to be picked at present and not much for Hodge

 

[Derpus]

I assume it will be one of those very extended squads, so who gets a gig?

A few of the fringe/new guys I’d like to see -
Campbell, Ryan Smith, Uru, Thomas, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Harris, Porecki, Harrison, Frost, Muirhead (not really a bolter but maybe not someone everyone assumes), Ryan Lonergan, Anstee. Subject to fitness also Uelese.

I would’ve liked Pasitoa and/or Gordon (simply based on our lack of 10s) to be in there but I just can’t see justification for either.

Notable exclusions - I can’t see justification for To’omua to be picked at present and not much for Hodge

I don't think Anstee has the physicality for test rugby.

Also, Jock has to be there. Even if he isn't better than Banks (which he might be) you need two specialist fullbacks in a full squad surely. Petaia doesn't really seem to be a viable backup at test level, yet.

Also not really on board with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes). Must be some better options?

Finally, Holloway should be there.

 

[TSR]

Even if you don’t think HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is going that well - who is the better option. Off the top of my head your options are Eloff & Holmes (good prop, but I think his time is done at test level). All the other options either aren’t eligible (is Eloff??) or are reserves. And not reserves who are putting pressure on to start.

 

[Silverado]

Even if you don’t think HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is going that well - who is the better option. Off the top of my head your options are Eloff & Holmes (good prop, but I think his time is done at test level). All the other options either aren’t eligible (is Eloff??) or are reserves. And not reserves who are putting pressure on to start.

Apart from all that, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) has made TOTW 2 out of 4 rounds.So in answer to Derpus' question, no.

 

[TSR]

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) has made TOTW 2 out of 4 rounds.

Yeah - it’s not me that needs convincing

 

[TSR]

I’m removing Uelese from my list above after tonight’s performance.

 

[RugbyReg]

Im starting with the squad that toured the UK last year and ditching the OS based crew.

Hookers:
- Fainga'a
- Kaitu’u
- McInerney

Props:
- Bell
- AAA
- Tupou
- Pone
- Robertson
- Slipper

Lock:
- Philip
- Rodda
- Swain

Backrow:
- Hooper
- Samu
- Swinton
- Leota
- Valetini

Scrumhalves:
- McDermott
- Gordon
- White

Flyhalf:
- JOC (James O'Connor)
- Loloesio

Centres:
- Paisami
- Foketi
- Perese
- Ikitau

Outside backs
- Kellaway
- Hodge
- Wright
- Daugunu
- Petaia

That’s 31.

I’d ditch McInerney, Pone, Samu, Hodge and Daugunu.

Taking it to 26. So the 14 other players I’d pick are:

Hooker:
- Porecki
- Lonergan

Prop:
- HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)

Lock:
- Lee-Warner
- Frost
- Holloway

Backrow:
- Wilson
- McReight

Flyhalf:
- Ben Donaldson
- Will Harrison

Centre:
- Irae Simone.
- Hamish Stewart

Outside backs:
- Banks
- Campbell

 

[Wilson]

Looks about right, I'd love to see Uru and Flook recognised but I'm not sure they've done enough yet and I don't know who I'd drop out of that list to make room for them.

Also wouldn't be amazed to see Fines-Leleiwasa called in with an eye to the world cup. He's not ahead of any of White/McDermott/Gordon, but the bits of time he spent on the wing at the brumbies last year may have them interested in him as a squad halfback with a bit of versatility for the world cup.

 

[Ignoto]

I'd also say Uru will be picked to keep him interested in playing for the Wallabies. Otherwise the Fijians would be licking their lips to cap him.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Im starting with the squad that toured the UK last year and ditching the OS based crew.

Hookers:
- Fainga'a
- Kaitu’u
- McInerney

Props:
- Bell
- AAA
- Tupou
- Pone
- Robertson
- Slipper

Lock:
- Philip
- Rodda
- Swain

Backrow:
- Hooper
- Samu
- Swinton
- Leota
- Valetini

Scrumhalves:
- McDermott
- Gordon
- White

Flyhalf:
- JOC (James O'Connor)
- Loloesio

Centres:
- Paisami
- Foketi
- Perese
- Ikitau

Outside backs
- Kellaway
- Hodge
- Wright
- Daugunu
- Petaia

That’s 31.

I’d ditch McInerney, Pone, Samu, Hodge and Daugunu.

Taking it to 26. So the 14 other players I’d pick are:

Hooker:
- Porecki
- Lonergan

Prop:
- HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)

Lock:
- Lee-Warner
- Frost
- Holloway

Backrow:
- Wilson
- McReight

Flyhalf:
- Ben Donaldson
- Will Harrison

Centre:
- Irae Simone.
- Hamish Stewart

Outside backs:
- Banks
- Campbell

Like that a lot. I would also like Billy Pollard in there as our development player and Gamble.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I'd also say Uru will be picked to keep him interested in playing for the Wallabies. Otherwise the Fijians would be licking their lips to cap him.

Maybe we should let him play for Fiji if comes to that rather then just cap him. Don’t know if I am into hoarding players.

Looks about right, I'd love to see Uru and Flook recognised but I'm not sure they've done enough yet and I don't know who I'd drop out of that list to make room for them.

Also wouldn't be amazed to see Fines-Leleiwasa called in with an eye to the world cup. He's not ahead of any of White/McDermott/Gordon, but the bits of time he spent on the wing at the brumbies last year may have them interested in him as a squad halfback with a bit of versatility for the world cup.

yep for thinking ahead I agree flook, fines would be good choices as other ‘development’ players

 

[Wilson]

I'd also say Uru will be picked to keep him interested in playing for the Wallabies. Otherwise the Fijians would be licking their lips to cap him.

By all accounts Uru is both committed to Australia and has been written off by Fiji because a couple of board members don't like him.

 

[Cancelled Account]

I’d be looking at Will Harris.