Wallabies 2023

[BDA]

Player agents are such a waste of money, it's not like they're entertainment agents who constantly get them gigs. It's a deal every couple of years. No idea why players can't just handle it themselves or pay a contract lawyer a one-off fee to sort it. Much better than 10% of their salary going to them or whatever it is.

I agree with this. As a commerical lawyer who's dealt with my share of sports agents, iv long held this view. I can possibly see the value for very young guys who are new to the scene, agents can give them guidance on their market value, who to talk to, what they can and cant expect. There's undoubtedly lawyers out there that specialise in representing sports star that can offer more value but lawyers they charge by the hour which is probably less attractive to young players that are yet to make much coin.

But in terms of veteran players i cant see why any of them would see value in an agent

 

[qwerty51]

Getting ahead of myself but let's assume Hooper doesn't go on the EOYT. I'd say we need another pure 7 to go on tour. I think Gleeson right now would be considered the backup to McReight and play 7 if he gets injured. Who's next?

-Wright
-Hardwick
-Wilkin
-Reimer
-Scott

Have any of them been playing footy recently?

We do have the option of Colby Fainga'a in France too.

 

[Members Section]

Getting ahead of myself but let's assume Hooper doesn't go on the EOYT. I'd say we need another pure 7 to go on tour. I think Gleeson right now would be considered the backup to McReight and play 7 if he gets injured. Who's next?

-Wright
-Hardwick
-Wilkin
-Reimer
-Scott

Have any of them been playing footy recently?

We do have the option of Colby Fainga'a in France too.

Harwick has been playing 6 in club footy in Melbourne,
Wilkin hasn't played since the end of SRpac,

Gamble played at 7 all year for the tahs then McReight did in the A series how would Gleeson be considered next? Wouldnt someone like Samu be a fit while we have plenty of options for 6/8 & 20? or even 21 of we have to go a 6/2 bench?

 

[qwerty51]

Gamble isn't eligible until next year.

Samu's not a 7, or he's a worse one than Gleeson imo who has decent fetcher skills and is quicker. Samu started 7 against Wales last year and it didn't go so well. He's got the bench spot locked up, I'd keep him in that role.

 

[Members Section]

Gamble isn't eligible until next year.

Samu's not a 7, or he's a worse one than Gleeson imo who has decent fetcher skills and is quicker. Samu started 7 against Wales last year and it didn't go so well. He's got the bench spot locked up, I'd keep him in that role.

I know Gamble is not eligible but Samu is someone who has at least played 7 at Super Rugby level & filled in there at international level, yet you want to pick a 6/8 who has come off the bench in most of his career to play 7 for the wallabies?

 

[Viking]

I wouldn't take another 7. Samu can cover it if need be. I'd be giving McReight as much game-time as possible. If he goes down, Samu to fill in until we fly some-else over.

 

[Viking]

I totally forgot about Liam Wright, wonder if he will be an option for next year. Could make a decent 6 with his line-out ability. I wouldn't mind having another forward with decent fetching in the starting team.

 

[dru]

I know Gamble is not eligible but Samu is someone who has at least played 7 at Super Rugby level & filled in there at international level, yet you want to pick a 6/8 who has come off the bench in most of his career to play 7 for the wallabies?

His role as a loose forward coming off the bench completely is the same as being back up 7 to McReight - if Hooper isn't available. I don't see the problem even though I agree that I wouldn't generally choose to start Samu at 7.

 

[Braveheart81]

Depending on tour numbers I can certainly see Rennie deciding that just having Samu as the backup 7 is adequate because it lets him pick a player like Gleeson to tour who is closer to a regular test spot than any of the pure 7s that could be selected to tour.

Let's not forget that McReight was the only pure 7 in the Australia A team for the Pacific Nations Cup. If one of those other guys was really on the radar they would have probably been included.

We will get a better idea when the Australia A team is picked to go to Japan because that won't involve McReight.

 

[SouthernX]

I’d be taking Seru Uru overseas before Gleeson.

More flexibility with positional coverage.

 

[Members Section]

I hope Harry Wilson gets 60+ min in all 3 Aus A games, the games are before the spring tour so hopefully wider squad players get game time v Japan A.

Also the likes of Fa'amausili, Frost, Lonergan who weren't in the original Aus A squad

 

[Tomikin]

Getting ahead of myself but let's assume Hooper doesn't go on the EOYT. I'd say we need another pure 7 to go on tour. I think Gleeson right now would be considered the backup to McReight and play 7 if he gets injured. Who's next?

-Wright
-Hardwick
-Wilkin
-Reimer
-Scott

Have any of them been playing footy recently?

We do have the option of Colby Fainga'a in France too.

Would think Samu probably before Gleeson.. and isn't he a 6. But as a next cab off the rank for a 7 probably go Wright or Gamble if his available.

 

[qwerty51]

Gleeson is more a 7 than a 6 imo - at least at Test level currently.

FWIW, at the Waratahs he was equal fastest tied with Pietsch. He's played there for Manly and in preseason matches for the Tahs pretty sure. He has pilfering ability.

Looks a similar player to Josh van der Flier but slightly bigger.

I hardly think Samu's experience of 1? Super and 1 Test cap at 7 counts for much, especially at it was a fill in role and he didn't impress. He's suited to the bench role.

 

[Members Section]

Gleeson is more a 7 than a 6 imo - at least at Test level currently.

FWIW, at the Waratahs he was equal fastest tied with Pietsch. He's played there for Manly and in preseason matches for the Tahs pretty sure. He has pilfering ability.

Looks a similar player to Josh van der Flier but slightly bigger.

I hardly think Samu's experience of 1? Super and 1 Test cap at 7 counts for much, especially at it was a fill in role and he didn't impress. He's suited to the bench role.

What are you basing this on? when has Gleeson ever played 7 at professional level?

 

[qwerty51]

What are you basing this on? when has Gleeson ever played 7 at professional level?

Waratahs, probably same amount of pro games Samu has.

 

[dru]

Waratahs, probably same amount of pro games Samu has.

Really? Not dissing, just surprised.

 

[Members Section]

Waratahs, probably same amount of pro games Samu has.

Gamble played at 7 all this year & Tizano all the season before. Your clearly just swinging from his nuts on the back of he played well in a couple of games for aus a at 8, its as stupid as me saying well Carter Gordan played well at FB in a colts game in qld pre covid he should be at 15 for the wallabies now. Your barracking for a player who has shown a slight be of talent.

Samu has played at 7 at the highest level & played several games for the brums there when needed & thats what everyone here is saying that IF hoops doesnt go in the spring & IF Fraser gets inj that Samu can fill in & its a lot more of a creditible idea than bringing in some with zero expierence at that level or in that position. No one so far has given any evidence at all that your mate has played at 7 at all. This chat is at the same stupid level the Ed Craig nonsense was.

 

[RugbyReg]

Waratahs, probably same amount of pro games Samu has.

Wouldn’t Gamble and Hooper have been the only 7s for the Tahs???

Samu started there for the Wallabies last year!

I’m with the ‘I don’t see Gleeson as a 7’ crew. There’s a lot more to the position then just being fast.

He’s a bloody powerful 6 or 8 for me. Very Illie Tabua or Willie O.

 

[tragic]

For me Gleeson was the standout player of the series for Aus A. Even with Mcreight there - and he’s subsequently been immense for the Wobs in Hoopers absence.
I’d like to see how that translates at Wallaby level sometime this year. Hard to fault McReight or Valetini so that leaves no. 6 - no-ones really grabbed that jersey with both hands yet.

 

[qwerty51]

Wouldn’t Gamble and Hooper have been the only 7s for the Tahs???

Samu started there for the Wallabies last year!

I’m with the ‘I don’t see Gleeson as a 7’ crew. There’s a lot more to the position then just being fast.

He’s a bloody powerful 6 or 8 for me. Very Illie Tabua or Willie O.

Hooper wasn’t available until what, 8 rounds in? He played there in a trial pretty sure, definitely in Tahs A games in 2021 and I think off the bench against the Brumbies down in Canberra he came on at 7.
All I’m saying is he likes to get his hands on the ball on the ground and has great technique over the ball - haven’t really seen that from Samu.