Wallabies 2023

[Joe Blow]

Is it also true that Uelese wants to play for Samoa?

I haven't read anything official but there's been a few posts on here alluding to it.

If that's why he's not involved in Australia A, then surely he wouldn't have been considered for a late Wallaby call up?

I’m sure if he was still part of the squad then he would want to play. He has been discarded and will try and play for Samoa. Who would blame him?

 

[KOB1987]

And also some of the best. Gregan/Larkham era.

No one disputes that. But its not 1999

 

[Tomthumb]

No one disputes that. But its not 1999

It would be great if these other super teams actually won some games vs Kiwi teams, then maybe they would actually get picked for the national side

 

[stillmissit]

I think it was Paul Cully who suggested AAA, as Slipper probably won’t be first choice for long…

I think it is up in the air and may remain like that until the final squad is annouced.

 

[stillmissit]

No one disputes that. But its not 1999

Still partying like is though....

 

[Derpus]

Yeah the Uelese one is a little odd. He was second choice at RWC19 and put in some fairly solid performances behind Latu.

 

[KOB1987]

If he wants to make that point, surely he has to expand on it.

Who are the Brumbies who haven't warranted selection?

We've used three Brumbies props who are clearly in our top 5 props and largely have remained injury free this season while Bell and Tupou have both missed time.
We've used three Brumbies hookers with the second and third really only getting a crack because Porecki and/or Fainga'a were injured.
We've used three Brumbies locks and somewhat that has been because other locks (or those Brumbies ones) have been injured or suspended. No one is really arguing that they're not in our top 5.
We've picked Valetini and Samu in every test (with Samu off the bench in a bunch) and arguably they are our best two players this year.
Nic White has started a lot of tests and then been on the bench. Most people clamoring for McDermott are doing so at the expense of Gordon, not White.
Noah Lolesio clearly warrants selection based on who we have had available at certain points.
Len Ikitau is probably our most consistent back this season.
Tom Banks was an obvious first choice 15 at the start of the season before injury.
Tom Wright has deserved to be there at points and early in the test season was playing well but should be dropped now.
Irae Simone played off the bench when we were missing a lot of 12 options.

Who's the 18th player I am missing?

Laurie Fisher has joined the coaching staff at short notice after they parted way with the previous defensive coach. McKellar has been there all season.

You could write the same article and conclude by questioning how much worse things would be this season if we didn't have so many Brumbies players and coaches available for selection.

I'll say that it's hard to argue against this, however it's also hard to say it's completely right because we didn't get a look at the alternatives. Foketi for example, was written off by many but in Bled 1 at least was a revelation. He will no doubt now be subbed by another Brumbie in Simone, who has looked hopeless in gold.

 

[KOB1987]

It would be great if these other super teams actually won some games vs Kiwi teams, then maybe they would actually get picked for the national side

well at least you are showing your hand now TT, I was wondering who you support

 

[Tomthumb]

I'll say that it's hard to argue against this, however it's also hard to say it's completely right because we didn't get a look at the alternatives. Foketi for example, was written off by many but in Bled 1 at least was a revelation. He will no doubt now be subbed by another Brumbie in Simone, who has looked hopeless in gold.

Simone started 1 game for the wallabies 2 years ago. “Hopeless in gold” is a bit of a silly comment

 

[Slim 293]

I'll say that it's hard to argue against this, however it's also hard to say it's completely right because we didn't get a look at the alternatives. Foketi for example, was written off by many but in Bled 1 at least was a revelation. He will no doubt now be subbed by another Brumbie in Simone, who has looked hopeless in gold.

Who are the alternatives we didn't look at? Or rather, which players was Rennie supposed to dump to look at said alternatives?

Foketi has been a good Super Rugby player the past two years, but it would've been hard to justify selecting him ahead of Kerevi and Paisami.

And I'd say with Foketi now injured he'll be subbed for Paisami, and Simone will be there as cover as he's the next best alternative.

 

[stillmissit]

I suggest the interesting part about the Smith article which I can't read as a paywall, is about Rennie being conservative in his actions and I agree with that. When he first took over I thought it made sense picking guys the locals suggested but its been 3 years now and I don't see him picking players based on his thoughts about whether they can step up or not. Going back to Foley whilst putting the annotated 10 Lolesio on the bench or not at all is a form of madness. We need players who are going to take us somewhere at RWC and that ain't gonna be Foley or Cooper unless he makes a miracle comeback.
We are going backwards as Rennie tries different combo's looking for a magic bullet. Someone needs to tell him there ain't one and mould what you have into a powerful, or at least as good as you can team. We don't have a conveyor belt of talent so we need to build on what we have.
The injuries are a major problem and I would like to see some state of formal review into why this has happened as it ain't natural.

 

[Braveheart81]

Our glaring issue is that there isn't a huge amount of difference in opinion on the selection of the bulk of the team and outside of Valetini, Samu, Ikitau and probably Koroibete, most players haven't been nearly good enough on a consistent basis.

 

[KOB1987]

Who are the alternatives we didn't look at? Or rather, which players was Rennie supposed to dump to look at said alternatives?

Foketi has been a good Super Rugby player the past two years, but it would've been hard to justify selecting him ahead of Kerevi and Paisami.

And I'd say with Foketi now injured he'll be subbed for Paisami, and Simone will be there as cover as he's the next best alternative.

I’ll agree with your second paragraph but as for the last the point I was making is we don’t know if players like Stewart, even Tom English (past) etc are a better option because they aren’t going to be given the opportunity. I know the coach makes the call, and usually I trust said call, but it just seems the Brumby is getting the priority right now.

 

[Derpus]

Our glaring issue is that there isn't a huge amount of difference in opinion on the selection of the bulk of the team and outside of Valetini, Samu, Ikitau and probably Koroibete, most players haven't been nearly good enough on a consistent basis.

Its almost like we are a bad team or something.

 

[KOB1987]

Simone started 1 game for the wallabies 2 years ago. “Hopeless in gold” is a bit of a silly comment

Depends, what was your opinion of Eto Nabuli in his. Would you pick him again?

Im also going to say that I don’t have anything personally against any of these players, they are far superior to anything I ever achieved on the pitch. Point is we want to make sure our best available players are the ones who are being selected.

 

[RugbyReg]

On form both Pollard & Lonergan deserve their spot. Kaitu’u was poor this season and Uelese has had plenty of chances and taken none

Simone never started, and he’s been the form 12 in Australia for the last 3 years so seems a strange guy to complain about

Wright is rocks & Diamonds yes, but people acting as if he isn’t a good player on his day. Played well vs England and in the first Argentina test. Or are we only allowed to mention bad moments?

After watching Holloway flounder in test rugby, you really think Swain is not a better option?

Frost & Lolesio can barely make the team and we are claiming a Brumbies bias??

I would disagree that Pollard showed sufficient form to earn a spot in the Wallabies squad. he's barely started a half a dozen games (as far as I can recall). Forget that Simone only was a bench replacement - he was selected in the squad.

You should go back and read Rod McQueen's book and particularly the bit where he admitted the Brumby power he subconsciously brought into the Wallaby team in the tail end of 1997, detrimentally impacted the team. You had guys like Robinson, Howard, Finegan, Langford, Hardy all basically acting like it was a psuedo Brumbies team and it really put the Tahs and Reds players off side. Thankfully McQueen picked this up (via Eales) and was able to adjust how he operated.

This will be a bigger challenge for Rennie considering he is surrounded by Brumby coaches and a captain.

Managing team dynamics is such a crucial part of the game at this level. It’s what Link did so well at the Reds but couldn’t do at the Wallabies.

 

[Slim 293]

Depends, what was your opinion of Eto Nabuli in his. Would you pick him again?

Im also going to say that I don’t have anything personally against any of these players, they are far superior to anything I ever achieved on the pitch. Point is we want to make sure our best available players are the ones who are being selected.

We can’t give every player an opportunity…

They need to at least show their worth in Super Rugby or some other similar tiered comp first to get selected.

 

[Slim 293]

I would disagree that Pollard showed sufficient form to earn a spot in the Wallabies squad. he's barely started a half a dozen games (as far as I can recall). Forget that Simone only was a bench replacement - he was selected in the squad.

You should go back and read Rod McQueen's book and particularly the bit where he admitted the Brumby power he subconsciously brought into the Wallaby team in the tail end of 1997, detrimentally impacted the team. You had guys like Robinson, Howard, Finegan, Langford, Hardy all basically acting like it was a psuedo Brumbies team and it really put the Tahs and Reds players off side. Thankfully McQueen picked this up (via Eales) and was able to adjust how he operated.

This will be a bigger challenge for Rennie considering he is surrounded by Brumby coaches and a captain.

This seems like a stretch… a 25 year old stretch.

 

[KOB1987]

We can’t give every player an opportunity…

They need to at least show their worth in Super Rugby or some other similar tiered comp first to get selected.

I'm not sure if you are arguing with me or agreeing with me.

 

[Viking]

As a Brumbies fan, he has point about Pollard, I thought that was a crazy selection. Or even Longeran. I think every Brumbies reserve Hooker has been part of the squad now.

I don't agree on Simone or any other Brumby selection, there is plenty of evidence they deserved to be there, and no alternatives who were clearly better.