Wallabies 2023

[Derpus]

Wilson was meant to play Aust A but given the late(ish) call up to the last Wallaby test for Leota, they apparently couldn't get his visa sorted.

MAssive drop from starting side to not making the squad. With Hooper back, though, Samu probably reverts back to the #1 6 option.

Its surprising given no Leota either. I dont think he was so bad as to warrant a complete drop from the side.

 

[Derpus]

Squad overall doesn't feel like a strong one - and we are up against the two best sides in the world at the moment and another two sides we havnt beaten in a few years. Even Italy are showing glimmers of life.

I expect it to be a rough tour.

 

[qwerty51]

I think still Samu will go back to the bench and we'll see Hanigan or Holloway at 6.

I'm not predicting much success on this tour, we definitely lose to France and Ireland. Italy will be tough depending how strong we go and maybe 1 win against either Scotland or Wales but wouldn't bank on it.

2 wins at most, could be 1.

Edit: Actually shocked Beale didn’t make it too, thought he was a shoo-in given versatility.
I struggle to see where our points come from and how this pack stands up to big NH packs in tight.

 

[Heavyd]

OMG Ned Hanigan?? No Vunivalu. Rennie has to go.

 

[dru]

Oh that's bull crap he had some good games and some average ones.

I get it you don't like the bloke. But his still one of the best wingers in the country and better then Vunivalu.. easily... But hey yeah the coaches pick worse players cos they like to lose. Give me a break..

I seriously don't see whatever it is you are seeing in Wright. He'd be the first cut for me. Vunivalu didn't really do enough either but I'd have him in front of Wright and suggesting he's one of the best wings in the country seems a long way off. Hard to know what the coaches are seeing but it is more than we have a chance for - training as well as the games. But I can't imagine that Wright is there from solely his on-field performances.

 

[Joe Blow]

Skelton and Foley

I like the squad but feel it will be a big challenge for the bench loosehead.

Has Robertson been playing loosehead or tighthead recently?

Robertson is a good pick. Always stands up in the set piece and is busy around the park. A no nonsense prop.

 

[Derpus]

OMG Ned Hanigan?? No Vunivalu. Rennie has to go.

Hope this is fuckn sarcasm.

 

[swingpass]

so come the RWC, injuries depending, our (my opinion obviously) best 23 will be, the names crossed out are currently unavailable, you can argue that all of Swinton, Hanigan, Swain, Holloway, Neville, Skelton could fill the 4,5,19 numbers, and Gordon could be 1/2 or bench, likewise Perese or Foketi in 22. But those 17 who are available and on tour should play every game from now on in, the remaining tourists, unless something exceptional occurs are just filling in till November 2023

1 Slipper
2 Porecki
3 AAA
4 Arnold
5 Philip
6 Leota
7 Hooper
8 Valetini
9 White
10 Cooper
11 Koroibete
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitau
14 Kellaway
15 Banks

16 Fainga'a
17 Sio
18 Tupou
19 Frost/Skelton
20 Samu
21 Tate
22 Paisami
23 Hodge

 

[Lightblue]

Vunivalu.. you wouldn’t know he grew up on the game. He has no idea in defence, doesn’t know how to go looking for the ball and if you were the coaches you’d probably say …. Not your game son. Rugby Australia needs to spend that money on the youngsters on a fraction of his salary. If he was on a performance based salary he wouldn’t get a zack.
Hanigan. All the baggers of him on this forum clearly have no idea, are Queenslanders or just taking the piss.

 

[wamberal]

The big Pone misses out? Injured or just not good enough??

 

[Derpus]

The big Pone misses out? Injured or just not good enough

Sam Talakai wasn't getting ahead of Pone on merit.

 

[PhilClinton]

This might seem like a big step. But with Vunivalu’s RWC future pretty much shot, and considering that’s the reason he extended his contract, I wonder if he might look for a release.

The Redcliffe Dolphins still have packets of cash for players like him and he wouldn’t even have to relocate.

 

[swingpass]

The big Pone misses out? Injured or just not good enough??

He’s injured in the last Aus A game

 

[Derpus]

This might seem like a big step. But with Vunivalu’s RWC future pretty much shot, and considering that’s the reason he extended his contract, I wonder if he might look for a release.

The Redcliffe Dolphins still have packets of cash for players like him and he wouldn’t even have to relocate.

Personally don't think this would be a bad option for all involved

 

[Dctarget]

Wales have an injury list as bad as ours, could be the one.

 

[Dctarget]

so come the RWC, injuries depending, our (my opinion obviously) best 23 will be, the names crossed out are currently unavailable, you can argue that all of Swinton, Hanigan, Swain, Holloway, Neville, Skelton could fill the 4,5,19 numbers, and Gordon could be 1/2 or bench, likewise Perese or Foketi in 22. But those 17 who are available and on tour should play every game from now on in, the remaining tourists, unless something exceptional occurs are just filling in till November 2023

1 Slipper
2 Porecki
3 AAA
4 Arnold
5 Philip
6 Leota
7 Hooper
8 Valetini
9 White
10 Cooper
11 Koroibete
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitau
14 Kellaway
15 Banks

16 Fainga'a
17 Sio
18 Tupou
19 Frost/Skelton
20 Samu
21 Tate
22 Paisami
23 Hodge

Angus Bell

 

[Lightblue]

I seriously don't see whatever it is you are seeing in Wright. He'd be the first cut for me. Vunivalu didn't really do enough either but I'd have him in front of Wright and suggesting he's one of the best wings in the country seems a long way off. Hard to know what the coaches are seeing but it is more than we have a chance for - training as well as the games. But I can't imagine that Wright is there from solely his on-field performances.

“Vunivalu didn't really do enough either but I'd have him in front of Wright”……sorry, but if you think that, you weren’t seriously watching the games I watched. Vunivalu is on a lot of money, and it is a complete waste. He needs to plead the Benji Marshall case and accept he’s a good NRL player but rugby is not his game. Strange though, in that he is Fijian and would have grown up on rugby.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Squad overall doesn't feel like a strong one - and we are up against the two best sides in the world at the moment and another two sides we havnt beaten in a few years. Even Italy are showing glimmers of life.

I expect it to be a rough tour.

They need to get their defensive structures sorted. If they can do that, they probably won't win against the best but will be competitive even if the attack leaves a bit to be desired.

 

[swingpass]

Angus Bell

yeah forgot about him

 

[Slim 293]

I feel for Harry Wilson…

In my opinion he’s still easily the best backup no 8 if Valetini goes down.

And what direction are we now going at 6 with Leota out?

Until I see Ned Hanigan win a collision against his opposite winger I won’t be convinced he’s a candidate.