Wallabies 2023

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Following your lead, here is my 34 man squad comprised of fit / healthy with no overseas picks for the April camp:

Hookers (3): Porecki, Latu, Lonergan
Props (6): Slipper, Gibbon, Robertson, Alaalaatoa, Talakai, Fa’amausili
Second Row (4): Frost, Neville, Swain, Holloway
Backrow (6): Valetini, Samu, Hooper, McReight, Gleeson, Wilson
Halfback (3): White, Lonergan, McDermott
Flyhalf (3): Lolesio, Gordon, O'Connor
Centres (3): Foketi, Ikitau, Flook
Outside Backs (6): Wright, Nawaqanitawase, Toole, Kellaway, Vunivalu, Petaia

Not considered due to injury: Phillip, Rodda, Leota, Bell, Tupou, Paisami

Unlucky: Wilkin, L. Wright, Perese, Fainga'a, Mafi

Here is my 33 man squad for the RWC assuming 4 overseas picks and everyone fit and healthy

Hookers (3): Porecki, Latu, Lonergan
Props (6): Slipper, Gibbon, Bell, Alaalaatoa, Tupou, Fa’amausili
Second Row (3): Frost, Rodda, Skelton,
Backrow (6): Valetini, Samu, Hooper, McReight, Gleeson, Holloway (covering 2nd row)
Halfback (3): White, Lonergan, McDermott
Flyhalf (4): Cooper, Lolesio (Gordon if successfully trialed in Rugby Champ),
Centres (4): Foketi, Ikitau, Kerevi, Hodge (cover 10)
Outside Backs (5): Wright, Nawaqanitawase, Koroibete, Kellaway, Petaia

Nice work.

That April Camp Tight 5 group is a worry for me. I really hope Bell is fit come RWC. Tupou will need some Club footy IMO. Less worried about that with Bell. With Slipper and AAA getting a lot of mileage on the rig now.

The RWC squad looks a lot more formidable and the group of backs definitely look to be able score some points. Hodge is a must with the form he's shown for the Rebels. I don't see any of the fringe blokes squeezing in like L Wright, H Wilson without injury meaning they getting meaningful minutes in the Rugby Championship and perform.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

Nice work.

That April Camp Tight 5 group is a worry for me. I really hope Bell is fit come RWC. Tupou will need some Club footy IMO. Less worried about that with Bell. With Slipper and AAA getting a lot of mileage on the rig now.

The RWC squad looks a lot more formidable and the group of backs definitely look to be able score some points. Hodge is a must with the form he's shown for the Rebels. I don't see any of the fringe blokes squeezing in like L Wright, H Wilson without injury meaning they getting meaningful minutes in the Rugby Championship and perform.

Agreed. The tight 5 for the April camp is certainly the weakest component of the team. Gibbon, Talakai and Neville are all workmanlike toilers but not world beaters.

L Wright or Wilkin may be able to muscle into the frame at the expense of McReight depending on what Eddie wants from his openside. They're both stronger on the defensive side of the ball but aren't quite as strong as a link player. L Wright may be worth considering as a taller openside, especially if we Eddie goes with Skelton in the row.

I'm a Harry Wilson fan, but gee the backrow is getting crowded. I think he'll be around the squad but won't make the RWC squad thanks to the flexibility offered by others Holloway (4, 6), Samu (6, 7, 8) and Valetini (6, 8). Wilson and Gleeson will be going head-to-head for the one spot. Gleeson's explosiveness edges him for me.

The only smokey's for the backline I can foresee at this stage are Toole, C Gordon, Flook and Jorgensen. The composition of the backs I think will largely depend on the fitness of Keverei & Cooper as well as the number of overseas picks.

Squeezing Skelton, Foley, Cooper, Keveri and Koroibete into 3 spaces is incredibly challenging. I think Keveri and Cooper select themselves (subject to being 100% fit). Skelton is a point of difference to the forward pack which we sorely need. He has the ability to take us from the bullied to the bullies.

 

[Misunderstood fan]

No, he didn't. He acknowledged the impact of combinations while laughing at the obvious commentator for spruiking the bleeding obvious. Eddie never accepted it as a demanded requirement for his team selections. My interpretation was that it might be a final issue if everything else was equal, after pretty much saying that in selection everything else was not equal.

Same. Same. Not just once has Eddie pressed on this. Combinations are critical in any team sport. Combinations come in many forms. Physical size and strength, attack, defence, speed and agility, kicking, game management, ball control.

 

[Misunderstood fan]

Agreed. The tight 5 for the April camp is certainly the weakest component of the team. Gibbon, Talakai and Neville are all workmanlike toilers but not world beaters.

L Wright or Wilkin may be able to muscle into the frame at the expense of McReight depending on what Eddie wants from his openside. They're both stronger on the defensive side of the ball but aren't quite as strong as a link player. L Wright may be worth considering as a taller openside, especially if we Eddie goes with Skelton in the row.

I'm a Harry Wilson fan, but gee the backrow is getting crowded. I think he'll be around the squad but won't make the RWC squad thanks to the flexibility offered by others Holloway (4, 6), Samu (6, 7, 8) and Valetini (6, 8). Wilson and Gleeson will be going head-to-head for the one spot. Gleeson's explosiveness edges him for me.

The only smokey's for the backline I can foresee at this stage are Toole, C Gordon, Flook and Jorgensen. The composition of the backs I think will largely depend on the fitness of Keverei & Cooper as well as the number of overseas picks.

Squeezing Skelton, Foley, Cooper, Keveri and Koroibete into 3 spaces is incredibly challenging. I think Keveri and Cooper select themselves (subject to being 100% fit). Skelton is a point of difference to the forward pack which we sorely need. He has the ability to take us from the bullied to the bullies.

Wallabies featuring QC (Quade Cooper) and Koroibete on their Facebook if that’s anything to go by.

 

[Marce]

I don't think Foketi & Perese deserve picks

That's what I thought. Not even the most Waratahs diehard supporter would pick Perese

 

[Sword of Justice]

It's not that unusual for a player to perform for the Wallabies, be quiet in a poor Super team and then perform again for the Wallabies, all in a 12 month period.

I would certainly take Foketi in the squad. He looked comfortable at Test level.

 

[Wilson]

Fwiw Tupou and Folau Fainga'a are both in Sydney right now on what looks like wallabies duties, seems pretty likely they'll both be in the camp.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

Wallabies featuring QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper) and Koroibete on their Facebook if that’s anything to go by.

The marketing pigeon is now a selector?

 

[wamberal]

Yahoo Sports reports that Nathan Cleary would consider a code switch to union in the future. Get that up you V’landys (the horse racing guy) (the horse racing guy).

No doubt, if there's enough money around. Japanese preferably.

 

[Marce]

With Paisami out, who is more deserving?

That's the problem when Super Rugby sides sign too many foreigners

 

[LeCheese]

That's the problem when Super Rugby sides sign too many foreigners

Yes, Australian Super Rugby teams, known for attracting mass amounts of international talent

 

[Marce]

Yes, Australian Super Rugby teams, known for attracting mass amounts of international talent

I mean Rebels and Force

 

[Braveheart81]

Yes, Australian Super Rugby teams, known for attracting mass amounts of international talent

In round 5, neither Rebels starting centres were Wallaby eligible, the Brumbies 12 isn't Wallabies eligible and the Force 13 isn't Wallabies eligible.

Given Kerevi isn't in the country (and is still injured) and Paisami is also now out with a substantial injury it's hard to make a Wallabies squad without Foketi and/or Perese in the centres even if their form hasn't been fantastic.

If you were looking at form Australian centres you're really only talking about Ikitau and Flook.

 

[Members Section]

Fwiw Tupou and Folau Fainga'a are both in Sydney right now on what looks like wallabies duties, seems pretty likely they'll both be in the camp.

TT might also be something to do with he rehab, he said in an interview last week that RA has taken over his rehab

Its also possible he could be in sydney for 2 things haha

 

[PhilClinton]

TT might also be something to do with he rehab, he said in an interview last week that Rugby Australia has taken over his rehab

Its also possible he could be in sydney for 2 things haha

He has been rehabbing in Brisbane still, between his local club and Reds facilities. He may end up moving elsewhere but I imagine he would stay close to home.

 

[Slim 293]

You know things are going well when you've got Betoota favourite Paul Kent writing op-eds in the Murdoch rags to attack rugby...

13 reasons rugby is dying in Australia

Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan celebrated the Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i coup as rest of the world scratched their heads in confusion, writes PAUL KENT.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fjoseph-aukusosuaalii-signing-cant-solve-ailing-rugbys-biggest-problem%2Fnews-story%2F1147a7b05c6a3a29dea11edb312606a8&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&BT=sport

Spoiler: he doesn't actually list 13 reasons...


A bit of background on Paul Kent:

Paul Kent Returns To His Cave To Hibernate Until An NRL Player Punches Someone At A Pub In April — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT As the manufactured scandals of the 2022 NRL Grand Final post-match celebrations die down, the Murdoch goons at Fox Sports have officially expended their usefulness for another year. In fact, bar a few boxing fight nights, there is very little chance TV...

www.betootaadvocate.com

Paul Kent Doubles Down And Says Muhammad Ali Also Lacked Class And Acted Like A Teenager — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT Despite claiming to oppose the growing ‘woke’ culture in Australian sport, NRL Fox League commentator Paul Kent is this week doing his very best impersonation of someone who likes to tell people what they can and can’t say. This comes as the heartbroken former...

www.betootaadvocate.com

Visibly Hungover Paul Kent Disgusted By Youthful Polynesians Enjoying The Fruits Of Hard Work And Talent — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT This year’s NRL Premiership winners are today under fire for not acting like they actually lost the Grand Final. The cranky old men at Fox Sports are today blasting the Penrith Panthers for lacking “class and humility” as they squeeze out the last remaining...

www.betootaadvocate.com

Paul Kent Not Arrested For Behaving Exactly Like Latrell and Wighton In Sydney's Broad Daylight — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT Uh oh! It seems the moral arbiter of professional rugby league may have fallen off the saddle of his high horse, according to recent reports by the Sydney Morning Herald. In news that can only undermine his ability to criticise players for off-field misconduct...

www.betootaadvocate.com

 

[Drew]

I’ve been in the pub when Kent has arrived. His angry little guy thing on tv is not an act.

 

[Marce]

In round 5, neither Rebels starting centres were Wallaby eligible, the Brumbies 12 isn't Wallabies eligible and the Force 13 isn't Wallabies eligible.

Given Kerevi isn't in the country (and is still injured) and Paisami is also now out with a substantial injury it's hard to make a Wallabies squad without Foketi and/or Perese in the centres even if their form hasn't been fantastic.

If you were looking at form Australian centres you're really only talking about Ikitau and Flook.

That what I'm saying. If @Braveheart81 says it, it's a clever comment. If @Marce says it, it's a foolish comment

There's plenty game time in Aussie sides to give to someone like Tupulotu Junior before he goes to try luck in Scotland

 

[RugbyReg]

In round 5, neither Rebels starting centres were Wallaby eligible, the Brumbies 12 isn't Wallabies eligible and the Force 13 isn't Wallabies eligible.

Given Kerevi isn't in the country (and is still injured) and Paisami is also now out with a substantial injury it's hard to make a Wallabies squad without Foketi and/or Perese in the centres even if their form hasn't been fantastic.

If you were looking at form Australian centres you're really only talking about Ikitau and Flook.

such a clever comment.

 

[Members Section]

You know things are going well when you've got Betoota favourite Paul Kent writing op-eds in the Murdoch rags to attack rugby...

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fjoseph-aukusosuaalii-signing-cant-solve-ailing-rugbys-biggest-problem%2Fnews-story%2F1147a7b05c6a3a29dea11edb312606a8&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&BT=sport

Spoiler: he doesn't actually list 13 reasons...


A bit of background on Paul Kent:

Paul Kent Returns To His Cave To Hibernate Until An NRL Player Punches Someone At A Pub In April — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT As the manufactured scandals of the 2022 NRL Grand Final post-match celebrations die down, the Murdoch goons at Fox Sports have officially expended their usefulness for another year. In fact, bar a few boxing fight nights, there is very little chance TV...

www.betootaadvocate.com

Paul Kent Doubles Down And Says Muhammad Ali Also Lacked Class And Acted Like A Teenager — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT Despite claiming to oppose the growing ‘woke’ culture in Australian sport, NRL Fox League commentator Paul Kent is this week doing his very best impersonation of someone who likes to tell people what they can and can’t say. This comes as the heartbroken former...

www.betootaadvocate.com

Visibly Hungover Paul Kent Disgusted By Youthful Polynesians Enjoying The Fruits Of Hard Work And Talent — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT This year’s NRL Premiership winners are today under fire for not acting like they actually lost the Grand Final. The cranky old men at Fox Sports are today blasting the Penrith Panthers for lacking “class and humility” as they squeeze out the last remaining...

www.betootaadvocate.com

Paul Kent Not Arrested For Behaving Exactly Like Latrell and Wighton In Sydney's Broad Daylight — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT Uh oh! It seems the moral arbiter of professional rugby league may have fallen off the saddle of his high horse, according to recent reports by the Sydney Morning Herald. In news that can only undermine his ability to criticise players for off-field misconduct...

www.betootaadvocate.com

This was my favorite one hahahahaha

Paul Kent Returns To His Cave To Hibernate Until An NRL Player Punches Someone At A Pub In April — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT As the manufactured scandals of the 2022 NRL Grand Final post-match celebrations die down, the Murdoch goons at Fox Sports have officially expended their usefulness for another year. In fact, bar a few boxing fight nights, there is very little chance TV...

www.betootaadvocate.com