Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
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The comments around Foley looking like being the starter at least at the beginning of the Spring Tour and Donaldson and Edmed auditioning for a spot in the squad certainly make it look like Rennie is moving past Lolesio as his starter.
It's somewhat surprising but in many ways mirrors JOC (James O'Connor). Rennie was waiting for him to be healthy and then unceremoniously dumped him when he was deemed not up to standard.
It's a bit puzzling because it doesn't feel like it is clear that Lolesio isn't still the best choice available heading towards the RWC seeing how little time there is to go but it is feeling more and more like Rennie has moved on (or is trying to).
It's somewhat surprising but in many ways mirrors JOC (James O'Connor). Rennie was waiting for him to be healthy and then unceremoniously dumped him when he was deemed not up to standard.
It's a bit puzzling because it doesn't feel like it is clear that Lolesio isn't still the best choice available heading towards the RWC seeing how little time there is to go but it is feeling more and more like Rennie has moved on (or is trying to).
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
It would be ridiculous to move on from Lolesio at this stage. I've been critical of aspects of his game at times but he's still one of our top options and still so young.
I'd be in full support of taking either Donaldson or Edmed as well on the trip, even if it was for development. But If they are looking to these guys as a potential option at 10 they would need to play in every game between now and the RWC and most of those games will be without Koro and Kerevi which would make it even harder.
whitefalcon
Ron Walden (29)
I'm not sure if I've picked up on Foley to be a starter. My interpretation was that Foley is there as experienced cover and to mentor the younger guys
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I don’t see how that means Lolesio is on the way out. Foley/Lolesio will both in the 23 in any order, probably Foley starts but I’m sure we will see some rotation too. One of Donaldson/Edmed will be there purely injury cover and likely to play against Italy only on the bench.
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Tomikin
David Codey (61)
And with the way we have been getting injured good chance they will get a run at some stage, but will be great for the development and learning the game plan. To me based off Australia A it will be Donaldson.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Agree with Donaldson being the pick if it was to be only 1 of the pair. Think he's slightly ahead and has the ability to do things at times that are the uncoached instinct plays. Have seen him play and cover Fullback as well which may help his case for a bench spot if required.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
It would seem strange to dump Lolesio now, after he's started and played well in 2/3 of the wins Australia has had this year and may have started in the first Bledisloe if not for concussion...
The fact that they're selecting the squad before the Aus A game would make me think that Donaldson will definitely go, along with Foley and Lolesio.
The fact that they're selecting the squad before the Aus A game would make me think that Donaldson will definitely go, along with Foley and Lolesio.
Rob42
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
This conversation is getting split over a couple of threads, but...
I think Lolesio needs to be viewed as the RWC 2023 fly-half now, and given opportunities based on that. I don't mind taking Foley on the EOYT to share some of the load with Lolesio - they can swap the 10 and 22 jerseys throughout, I reckon. Noah's a young bloke, it's a long season.
I just can't see that Donaldson or Edmed can usurp Lolesio in the next 12 months - we can really only compare them at the Super level so far, and neither of the other two have shown enough to warrant leap-frogging Lolesio at the Wallabies level. There's too few games between now and the RWC to develop another option beyond Lolesio. Take someone else on the tour by all means, but with no expectation that it's an audition for RWC 2023.
If Quade can come back in time, great. But I think Rennie needs to build a game plan around Noah for the next 12 months.
I think Lolesio needs to be viewed as the RWC 2023 fly-half now, and given opportunities based on that. I don't mind taking Foley on the EOYT to share some of the load with Lolesio - they can swap the 10 and 22 jerseys throughout, I reckon. Noah's a young bloke, it's a long season.
I just can't see that Donaldson or Edmed can usurp Lolesio in the next 12 months - we can really only compare them at the Super level so far, and neither of the other two have shown enough to warrant leap-frogging Lolesio at the Wallabies level. There's too few games between now and the RWC to develop another option beyond Lolesio. Take someone else on the tour by all means, but with no expectation that it's an audition for RWC 2023.
If Quade can come back in time, great. But I think Rennie needs to build a game plan around Noah for the next 12 months.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
The squad is apparently being named before the match... so I'd say unlikely.
whitefalcon
Ron Walden (29)
I'd agree.
I'd like to see us ensure Noah gets good minutes too. Preferably starting but if not then a good 30 off the bench in all games besides maybe Italy where we can try Donaldson/Edmed.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Noah should be starting in every game if he's fit. I would only be using Donaldson or Edmed if actually required and not just capping them because they are there. I'm a fan of both but I don't know what it would achieve to just play them when those games v Italy and alike a perfect for Noah to keep developing.
Unless one of this pair or another (Harrison etc...Gordon is too raw to consider) is the best 10 in Super Rugby next year they should plan around the Brumbies Halves combo to start the WC.
....I haven't mentioned Quade. I don't think we know yet if we can build around a 34 year old Fly Half coming off an Achilles. His inclusion would be a bonus and I'm sure they have a plan (I hope)
Friday lunchtime I believe.
Running_rugby_1954
Ron Walden (29)
I think there is some double and triple checking on some overseas players after last year.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Going to use the ABS squad as a template (35 players)
Foreign players (*)
Hooker: Porecki, Fainga'a, Lonergan
Prop: Slipper, Gibbon, Ala'alatoa, Tupou, Faaumausili
Lock: Holloway, Neville, Swain, Frost, Skelton*
BR: Valetini, Wilson, Samu, Hoopers, Mcreight
HB: White, Gordon, Mcdermott
FH: Foley*, Donaldson, Lolesio
Ce: Simone*, Paisami, Ikitau,
OB: Vunivalu, Banks, Kellaway Wright
Util: Hodge, Petaia, Beale
I would like to have Sio there with Bell out, but that would be 4 foreign players.
Foreign players (*)
Hooker: Porecki, Fainga'a, Lonergan
Prop: Slipper, Gibbon, Ala'alatoa, Tupou, Faaumausili
Lock: Holloway, Neville, Swain, Frost, Skelton*
BR: Valetini, Wilson, Samu, Hoopers, Mcreight
HB: White, Gordon, Mcdermott
FH: Foley*, Donaldson, Lolesio
Ce: Simone*, Paisami, Ikitau,
OB: Vunivalu, Banks, Kellaway Wright
Util: Hodge, Petaia, Beale
I would like to have Sio there with Bell out, but that would be 4 foreign players.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Sio isn't OS yet, he played 2022 Super season. Same goes for Simone I believe. So you've only used 2 OS players there.
Hasn't Simone been released already though and Sio hasn't. It's somewhat arbitrary as this is just a Rugby Australia rule but Simone would need to be pulled from his club under Reg 9 whereas Sio can just be selected normally.
Surely Foketi tours if he is healthy (which I have seen reported).
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Reg 9 isn't very well respected is it.