Wallabies 2023

[Wallaby Man]

I feel like I have been watching a different Aus A series. I didn't see him win many collisons or make any dominate tackles. I recall him being tackled easily by wingers several times. He was a workhorse though.

I hope I am wrong. Because he does everything right besides the impact.

The feedback is prob indicating you have been watching a different game

 

[stillmissit]

We need to understand why our forwards are not as competitive as the top 5. This has been an issue for years and is a big conversation regarding training, skill development and picking players with natural aggression as well as talent. We could have done with Skelton Swinton on this trip.
We have forwards of similar size and weight compared to the top 5 but it ain't the size of a dog in a fight it's the amount of fight in the dog.
I have my own ideas about how we got into this state but this ain't the thread for that.

 

[wamberal]

I think Donaldson will take leapfrog Lolesio by the end of tour.

Who would you take him over? Maybe Wright but Wright outperformed him at super. Also I think Wright gets in as he can (in theory) play fullback.

I was not talking about my opinion, simply commenting that I have not seen his name anywhere in the media.

 

[stillmissit]

So only two 7s then.

No Querty it's 3 unless you think Samu is a better 6 than say Wilson?

 

[fatprop]

Papers have Skelton starting when he is available, if that is the case, you need back row lineout options to get the balance right

 

[qwerty51]

Yeah, it'll be Holloway or Hanigan for sure at 6 when Skelton plays.

No Querty it's 3 unless you think Samu is a better 6 than say Wilson?

Is. It's also about bench impact and overall bench versatility. Samu is bringing that in spades this year.

 

[Derpus]

We need to understand why our forwards are not as competitive as the top 5. This has been an issue for years and is a big conversation regarding training, skill development and picking players with natural aggression as well as talent. We could have done with Skelton Swinton on this trip.
We have forwards of similar size and weight compared to the top 5 but it ain't the size of a dog in a fight it's the amount of fight in the dog.
I have my own ideas about how we got into this state but this ain't the thread for that.

Eh - winning the collision is much a skill issue as it is a physicality one. I doubt guys like Tupou, Philip and Valetini etc are losing to other packs because they aren't as big or strong as their adversaries.

We don't often vary the point of attack before a collision, some of the blokes have very poor footwork, slow offensive rucks mean carriers are recieving the ball static etc.

 

[Members Section]

For a future coach, surely the flood gates open after the RWC23. Scott Robinson and Eddie Jones should be options, although probably difficult to get on board.
Maybe Jamie Joseph could be a chance. I love this idea as I feel we should be playing a more similar style to Japan (as we don't seem to be able to complete physically with less dominate forwards).
I would be chasing these 3 with McKellar as the back-up option.

Eddie is in the frame for over all rugby director, the job Johnson had

 

[stillmissit]

For a future coach, surely the flood gates open after the RWC23. Scott Robinson and Eddie Jones should be options, although probably difficult to get on board.
Maybe Jamie Joseph could be a chance. I love this idea as I feel we should be playing a more similar style to Japan (as we don't seem to be able to complete physically with less dominate forwards).
I would be chasing these 3 with McKellar as the back-up option.

Viking another thought. If the Tahs continue strongly this season then Coleman will come into strong contention. His background in picking up poor teams is strong and if he does it with the Tahs then the Wallabies are a logical extension.

 

[Derpus]

Eddie is in the frame for over all rugby director, the job Johnson had

Eddie seems uniquely unequipped for what is effectively a shmoozing role.

 

[stillmissit]

Eh - winning the collision is much a skill issue as it is a physicality one. I doubt guys like Tupou, Philip and Valetini etc are losing to other packs because they aren't as big or strong as their adversaries.

We don't often vary the point of attack before a collision, some of the blokes have very poor footwork, slow offensive rucks mean carriers are recieving the ball static etc.

Derpus agree to some extent but we don't want a pack who runs into contact dancing around like Banks. It is speed, height and weight combined with aiming at shoulders not chests. Bobby V does all of these except Height....

 

[qwerty51]

Viking another thought. If the Tahs continue strongly this season then Coleman will come into strong contention. His background in picking up poor teams is strong and if he does it with the Tahs then the Wallabies are a logical extension.

Nah he can't be considered for a while (even if the Tahs win the title).

The Tahs are his first proper professional team head role. He needs way more experience before coaching a Test side.

If RA appoint Eddie in any role that even has the tiniest thing to do with Australian rugby, I will support the All Blacks.

 

[stillmissit]

Yeah, it'll be Holloway or Hanigan for sure at 6 when Skelton plays.


Is. It's also about bench impact and overall bench versatility. Samu is bringing that in spades this year.

Qwerty, I don't disagree regarding versatility but that ain't what we are short of. We need another big body to make some impact and with Wilson, you get some extra skills as well as better D than Samu brings. In his last game, he was the poorest of our forwards in terms of tackles missed, the D is going to be very important on this tour. He's a very useful player in the open but is that what we need?

 

[stillmissit]

Nah he can't be considered for a while (even if the Tahs win the title).

The Tahs are his first proper professional team head role. He needs way more experience before coaching a Test side.

If Rugby Australia appoint Eddie in any role that even has the tiniest thing to do with Australian rugby, I will support the All Blacks.

Your guess is as good as mine but another high profile coach? That's been tried a few times with limited results. We need a coach who can build on what we have. Scott Robinson may be the one but ARU will be in a deep hole financially unless we go well and Coleman may just fit the bill, figuratively and in reality.

 

[stillmissit]

If Rugby Australia appoint Eddie in any role that even has the tiniest thing to do with Australian rugby, I will support the All Blacks.

I'm with you on this one. I will support SA as I dislike the AB's at a fundamental level.

 

[qwerty51]

Well in Rennie's opinion he thinks Holloway and Hanigan are going to offer more at 6 than Wilson, which is fair enough with their lineout prowess which is going to be critical against the NH. Samu was always going to maintain the bench loosie role with Hooper back. McReight is the pure 7 backup.

The only player I see in direct competition with Wilson's skillset is Gleeson. I agree it's tough to pick Gleeson over Wilson at this stage of their careers but Gleeson put in the performances for Aus A (and unlucky to Wilson for not getting a go) to push his case. He's clearly going to be a player for the future and even possibly the RWC next year and Rennie wants to get a good look at him (he's seen Wilson already).

Direct quotes from Rennie on the issue:

“Harry is such a good man. Langi edges him out because what he’s shown has been hard to ignore.

“We had him in (Wallabies) camp for a few weeks and he really impressed at training. He’s athletic, he’s got great feet, he’s powerful and gives you go forward in attack and defence.”

And just also some quotes why Beale wasn't considered too:

Leaving three-time World Cupper Beale behind made sense even if his hamstring may have repaired.

He’s played no rugby, he’s still rebuilding power in his body and recent parenthood has been a more pressing focus anyway.

“It was a tough call with KB (Kurtley Beale) but we want to make sure his body is where it needs to be when he makes his comeback. He dropped some kilos and is building those up again,” Rennie said.

“He can have a strong Super Rugby season and push from there.

 

[stillmissit]

Qwerty, all will be revealed in the next 4 weeks. I would prefer Wilson on the bench over Samu but I wish him well and appreciate what he can do in the loose.
Interested to see how Gleeson goes if he gets a run against any team other than Italy.

 

[Brumby Runner]

For a future coach, surely the flood gates open after the RWC23. Scott Robinson and Eddie Jones should be options, although probably difficult to get on board.
Maybe Jamie Joseph could be a chance. I love this idea as I feel we should be playing a more similar style to Japan (as we don't seem to be able to complete physically with less dominate forwards).
I would be chasing these 3 with McKellar as the back-up option.

Can see a lot of benefit in playing more like Japan and Japan XV play. Our recent coaches have concentrated on trying to get us to compete in the physicality side of things but we have not been successful on the whole in doing so, and arguably that has led us to being one of the most penalised and carded teams for foul play (or just ill discipline) in tests in the past 5 years or so. Maybe it is time for a radical change.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The feedback is prob indicating you have been watching a different game

Nah, just through different glasses. Quite a few posters see the same Hanigan as Viking does. Most posts that see any sort of go forward by Ned seem to come from Tahs' supporters.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Papers have Skelton starting when he is available, if that is the case, you need back row lineout options to get the balance right

That is so true. But let's select the big mauler and weaken every other part of the pack just like we used to do with two 7s in the backrow. It's not as though we don't already have arguably four of the best maul disrupters in world rugby at our disposal, Neville, Swain (not this tour), Frost and Holloway.