Wallabies 2023

[The Ghost of Raelene]

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Adelaide and Darwin in expansion.
If you don’t want to be that brave and bold, give Brisbane and Sydney their 2nd super rugby franchise

In the past I wouldn’t of given this much thought but now I’m more of the mind that you have to give things a go to find out. I worry RA doesn’t have the money to take leaps like that though.

Darwin has weather issues you’d have to think about but it’s generally dry in Winter.

Probs more suited to the thread about NRC and other options.

 

[Marce]

Our pathways for young players lead to only 5 Super sides. Going overseas is sometimes the better option to get game time and learn your craft week in week out. Or for some, going to League gives them more options. Not sure how you fix it to be honest, but sitting on the bench and getting minimal game time does not improve a player.

5 Super sides are 200 professional contracts in the best of the cases. Currently you aren't take advantage of those contracts, too many inelegible players, specially in Force and Rebels. First of all, use those 200 spots properly and then take another action

 

[Marce]

Adelaide and Darwin in expansion.
If you don’t want to be that brave and bold, give Brisbane and Sydney their 2nd super rugby franchise

Before that you have to secure your 5 franchises. Even the big 3 are in problems. Brumbies is struggling financially with poor crowds. NSW and QLD aren't at 100% in terms of crowds and winning percent. And then you have WA and Victoria, both are failed sides so far.

Think about an expansion right now is ridiculous. Make your 3 traditionals sides work properly and the 2 non-traditionals sides viable

 

[LeCheese]

Brumbies is struggling financially with poor crowds.

You know this for a fact? When their financial report for '22 hasn't been released yet? And after they maintained a profit in '21?

I understand your concerns around the viability of expansion, and it's fair to call out the poor crowds, but you can't just make up evidence to support your arguments.

 

[fatprop]

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Adelaide and Darwin in expansion.
If you don’t want to be that brave and bold, give Brisbane and Sydney their 2nd super rugby franchise

We can't provide enough quality units for the current sides

Lets try being competitive before trying to expand and dilute our talent pool even further

 

[SouthernX]

We can't provide enough quality units for the current sides

Lets try being competitive before trying to expand and dilute our talent pool even further

Yeah but then you have people leaving for overseas because they are stuck behind a player because there’s only 5 provinces.

The argument could be made the talent pool is diluted cause too many players / not enough teams… so player X pisses off to play in france because his stuck behind player Y who is the starter at their franchise.

 

[Braveheart81]

Previously an Rugby Australia/Wallabies announcement of a re-signing more than likely indicated a Rugby Australia top-up but there's been quite a few of these announcements over the last year and so now I'm not so sure.

I'd obviously love him to be 1 or 2 on the pecking order but he may not be the type of player Jones wants to use.

I think RA promotes any re-signing where they have or do play for the Wallabies regardless of whether they are likely to be getting additional money from RA.

That is how they should do it too. It's decent social media content.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah but then you have people leaving for overseas because they are stuck behind a player because there’s only 5 provinces.

The argument could be made the talent pool is diluted cause too many players / not enough teams… so player X pisses off to play in france because his stuck behind player Y who is the starter at their franchise.

If we had 20 sides, that would still be happening

 

[Slim 293]

Has White ever been picked in as a captain

White has captained the Brumbies for a number of games...

For the first time back in 2013 under Jake White, against the Reds this year, and for quite a few games last year when AAA was injured.

He was also acting captain for at least one Wallabies test last year during the second half.

 

[Merrow]

Before that you have to secure your 5 franchises. Even the big 3 are in problems. Brumbies is struggling financially with poor crowds. NSW and QLD aren't at 100% in terms of crowds and winning percent. And then you have WA and Victoria, both are failed sides so far.

Think about an expansion right now is ridiculous. Make your 3 traditionals sides work properly and the 2 non-traditionals sides viable

A case of pot meet kettle regarding crowds.

 

[Braveheart81]

White has captained the Brumbies for a number of games...

For the first time back in 2013 under Jake White, against the Reds this year, and for quite a few games last year when AAA was injured.

He was also acting captain for at least one Wallabies test last year during the second half.

Urghh. That was the start of a previous post that I didn't go ahead with because I knew it was wrong but now that the forum remembers what you have typed as a draft it was still there when I posted something different and unrelated and I didn't notice.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I think Rugby Australia promotes any re-signing where they have or do play for the Wallabies regardless of whether they are likely to be getting additional money from Rugby Australia.

That is how they should do it too. It's decent social media content.

I agree they should, but I don't read into the marketing that this means he is or isn't favoured by Jones which was the crux of my reply to Ghost, perhaps clumsily worded as to not be clear.

The RA release doesn't mention top up at all but does mention that McDermott has signed on with Australian Rugby, which could mean a couple of different things I suppose.

For what it's worth I think his detractors don't see the wood for the trees in his performances for the Wallabies. My perception is that the pace of the game increases in our favour and we get more front foot ball as opposed to Gordon's contributions. It is however a fact that I'm a Reds fan and think that Tate is just swell.

 

[LeCheese]

If Tate isn't on some amount of Rugby AU top-up I'll eat my hat

 

[Braveheart81]

The Rugby Australia release doesn't mention top up at all but does mention that McDermott has signed on with Australian Rugby, which could mean a couple of different things I suppose.

I think RA is party to every Super Rugby contract or at least every contract where the player is Wallaby eligible.

 

[Sword of Justice]

If Tate isn't on some amount of Rugby AU top-up I'll eat my hat

I'd hope so but how many players in each position could possibly be so as to not dilute the money pool?

 

[LeCheese]

I'd hope so but how many players in each position could possibly be so as to not dilute the money pool?

For a position like halfback, it wouldn't surprise me if those identified as the top 4 or 5 would have some level of top-up - especially when they have already played a number of tests

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

There has been a rumour for a while now that Kalani is already looking elsewhere, potentially an NZ side

Getting off track here but Mo Sorovi was in a similar boat. Minimal weekly game time in either Super or QPR impacted his development. It is certainly hard when you are a clear number two player in a position of less wear and tear. Interestingly though in Super Rugby this season with the law variations there seems to be more field time for bench scrum halves. Brings up the interesting topic in a RWC if Nic White is your starting 9 but only plays 60mins do you have Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott or Jake Gordon to close it out. Each have their own strengths.

If we are behind and chasing the game I want McDermott running game and spark. If it is tight and you need a kicker go with Lonergan or if you want the bigger body stronger defensive player bring on Gordon.

 

[SouthernX]

Of course Tate is on a top up (least I assume)

Nic White not getting any younger. He will be passing from the base of a ruck with a gray Fu Manchu moustache soon.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Getting off track here but Mo Sorovi was in a similar boat. Minimal weekly game time in either Super or QPR impacted his development. It is certainly hard when you are a clear number two player in a position of less wear and tear. Interestingly though in Super Rugby this season with the law variations there seems to be more field time for bench scrum halves. Brings up the interesting topic in a RWC if Nic White is your starting 9 but only plays 60mins do you have Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott or Jake Gordon to close it out. Each have their own strengths.

If we are behind and chasing the game I want McDermott running game and spark. If it is tight and you need a kicker go with Lonergan or if you want the bigger body stronger defensive player bring on Gordon.

Big part of it will be who do you trust the most. For me its Lonergan right now. If we were chasing a game you need a player that will follow the plan. His kicking has been excellent and also puts pressure on an opponent. If you go for it and mess up, he's going to score 3 on you every time.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Big part of it will be who do you trust the most. For me its Lonergan right now. If we were chasing a game you need a player that will follow the plan. His kicking has been excellent and also puts pressure on an opponent. If you go for it and mess up, he's going to score 3 on you every time.

Agree and that's why I think Eddie Jones has picked him.