Wallabies 2023

[Braveheart81]

We cant win a rwc if we dont have a 6 that wins contact & a 2 that struggles over the ball at the breakdown

I think Leota is a real shot for 6 if he makes a good return. Otherwise Gleeson could make his way into the first choice team. Holloway is excellent in the lineout and fine in contact. He's not dominant but he's also not weak.

I don't think Samu makes sense anywhere other than the 20 shirt for his versatility.

Our problem at hooker is that everyone is a compromise. Porecki is potentially the safest option at lineout time which has been a problem in the past. Uelese might be the best over the ball of people actually in contention (I don't think Latu is given he isn't even getting game time for the Tahs) but his lineout is generally pretty poor.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think Leota is a real shot for 6 if he makes a good return. Otherwise Gleeson could make his way into the first choice team. Holloway is excellent in the lineout and fine in contact. He's not dominant but he's also not weak.

I don't think Samu makes sense anywhere other than the 20 shirt for his versatility.

Our problem at hooker is that everyone is a compromise. Porecki is potentially the safest option at lineout time which has been a problem in the past. Uelese might be the best over the ball of people actually in contention (I don't think Latu is given he isn't even getting game time for the Tahs) but his lineout is generally pretty poor.

Agree with all of this. I was high on the potential of Latu before the season, but he hasn't been getting the minutes to earn his way into it IMO.

Leota has an ability to play at a higher speed than some of the others which is a benefit. Holloway brings a mature/hard nose attitude we need at a RWC. Slipper has this as well but there is something to be said for a bit of grizzle. Gleeson and Samu might be paying off for a spot during the Rugby Championship.

 

[Misunderstood fan]

Just saw this.

 

[John S]

Hooper floats retirement, concedes this year probably his last at Waratahs

Intrigue surrounds Michael Hooper’s next career move as the Wallabies veteran weighs up whether to continue playing or throw himself into life after rugby.

www.smh.com.au

Given the Hooper talk, this is relevant. I'll quote the relevant paragraph - direct quote from Hoops.

He knows it too, saying his own form hasn’t been where he wants it to be. “In a romantic sense, [hopefully] I can play my best game of rugby on the 28th of October come the World Cup final. That’s where you want to be,”

Hooper said.“I don’t think I’m playing my best rugby. I think I’ve still got a lot more to give to this team and what I’m capable of. I’m chasing that. It’s not through a lack of effort, I’ve just got to find where I fit and really contribute to this team well."
“I’m having some good patches and some not so good involvements."
“I just want to be more efficient. I think I can be more dominant in the tackle area. That’s in the tackle and also in the breakdown. Also, how I can get involved in attack more. I don’t think any player would be satisfied with their game."

So I think even he knows he's not a 100% certainty of getting a start this year - obviously hoping to, and will be working to that. I'm not saying we should write him off though just yet.

 

[Members Section]

I think Leota is a real shot for 6 if he makes a good return. Otherwise Gleeson could make his way into the first choice team. Holloway is excellent in the lineout and fine in contact. He's not dominant but he's also not weak.

I don't think Samu makes sense anywhere other than the 20 shirt for his versatility.

Our problem at hooker is that everyone is a compromise. Porecki is potentially the safest option at lineout time which has been a problem in the past. Uelese might be the best over the ball of people actually in contention (I don't think Latu is given he isn't even getting game time for the Tahs) but his lineout is generally pretty poor.

Gleeson doesn't give you a lineout option though, just a 2nd bobby v

2 is a serious prob for us

Porecki, gets dominated
Jordy & FF (Folau Fainga'a) cant throw
BPA serious knee inj

 

[qwerty51]

If you're playing Gleeson and Valetini, Gleeson is at 7. I can't see Gleeson/Valetini and a 7. Too short, and not enough tall lineout options - especially if Skelton in.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Gleeson will replace Samu on the bench. That still allows us to carry a regular bench (5-3 split).

6. Holloway/Leota/Swinton/Hanigan/Wright/ 7. Hoops 8. Bobby V

 

[stillmissit]

We cant win a rwc if we dont have a 6 that wins contact & a 2 that struggles over the ball at the breakdown

A 7 over the ball?

 

[Proud Pig]

In my opinion for Australia to stand any chance whatsoever the following needs to occur:
You need a 7 and a 2 who can be dominant over the ball, I am not sure who the best options are.
At 2 Jordy U is good over the ball and at the scrum but his throwing is sub standard.
DP has a good throw but doesn't bring enough physicality and is pushed off the ball too easily, Lonergan the same.
Pollard looks like he could be a good call come next year.
Bobby V should be the starting 8 with another line bender at 6, Leota is probably the best bet at this stage.
The locks need to be lineout threats, so unless Skelton starts to be lifted more that really does preclude him from that, I would have Frost and Philip if available.
If Skelton can show that he is a lineout threat then he is a great choice to start in 2nd row, with either Frost or Philip to the bench.
If he can't then maybe Swain to the bench spot.
Samu needs to be on the bench for his flexibility.

 

[wamberal]

Tolu Latu is very good over the ball (or he used to be). Forget Skelton being a lineout ace, that has never happened and never will.

 

[Members Section]

In my opinion for Australia to stand any chance whatsoever the following needs to occur:
You need a 7 and a 2 who can be dominant over the ball, I am not sure who the best options are.
At 2 Jordy U is good over the ball and at the scrum but his throwing is sub standard.
DP has a good throw but doesn't bring enough physicality and is pushed off the ball too easily, Lonergan the same.
Pollard looks like he could be a good call come next year.
Bobby V should be the starting 8 with another line bender at 6, Leota is probably the best bet at this stage.
The locks need to be lineout threats, so unless Skelton starts to be lifted more that really does preclude him from that, I would have Frost and Philip if available.
If Skelton can show that he is a lineout threat then he is a great choice to start in 2nd row, with either Frost or Philip to the bench.
If he can't then maybe Swain to the bench spot.
Samu needs to be on the bench for his flexibility.

100% agree with this

 

[Derpus]

In my opinion for Australia to stand any chance whatsoever the following needs to occur:
You need a 7 and a 2 who can be dominant over the ball, I am not sure who the best options are.
At 2 Jordy U is good over the ball and at the scrum but his throwing is sub standard.
DP has a good throw but doesn't bring enough physicality and is pushed off the ball too easily, Lonergan the same.
Pollard looks like he could be a good call come next year.
Bobby V should be the starting 8 with another line bender at 6, Leota is probably the best bet at this stage.
The locks need to be lineout threats, so unless Skelton starts to be lifted more that really does preclude him from that, I would have Frost and Philip if available.
If Skelton can show that he is a lineout threat then he is a great choice to start in 2nd row, with either Frost or Philip to the bench.
If he can't then maybe Swain to the bench spot.
Samu needs to be on the bench for his flexibility.

Or just have your line bender at 5 and your lineout exponent at 6 i.e. Skelton and Holloway.

 

[whitefalcon]

Listening to the Eddie podcast today.

Does Eddie Jones actually have issues remembering or pronouncing players names? I know he had a stroke a few years ago.

Maybe its my Brumbies bias but actually shocked that he struggled to remember/pronounce Lolesio and Lonergan's names and couldnt remember Debrecini's.

I kinda expect the national coach to be all across the depth in each of the Aussie sides

 

[Rob42]

Listening to the Eddie podcast today.

Does Eddie Jones actually have issues remembering or pronouncing players names? I know he had a stroke a few years ago.

Maybe its my Brumbies bias but actually shocked that he struggled to remember/pronounce Lolesio and Lonergan's names and couldnt remember Debrecini's.

I kinda expect the national coach to be all across the depth in each of the Aussie sides

All part of the Eddie schtick, mate. He knows them.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

All part of the Eddie schtick, mate. He knows them.

About creating dominance. Call someone by the wrong name. Instant backfoot.

Wonder why so many former players/teammates can’t stand the bloke

 

[Members Section]

About creating dominance. Call someone by the wrong name. Instant backfoot.

Wonder why so many former players/teammates can’t stand the bloke

Ron Swanson classic calling someone by the wrong name to show you dont care about them hahahahahaha

 

[rodha]

Does Eddie Jones actually have issues remembering or pronouncing players names? I know he had a stroke a few years ago.

Review: Eddie Jones, My Life and Rugby.

Book Review: Eddie Jones Autobiography

News and opinion focusing on Tier 2 rugby nations.

tier2rugby.blogspot.com

His account includes a handful factual blunders (perhaps his claim that he "won't sleep for more than four or five hours" a night is not helpful for memory). He appears to think he was coaching Suntory Sungoliath against Robbie Deans' Panasonic Wild Knights playing "Crusaders-style rugby" (Jones coached Suntory from 2009 to 2011, Deans only became Panasonic coach in 2014).

He also thinks Japan played Scotland, Russia, and Spain in their November tests of 2014 (that was in 2013, the tests Jones missed after the stroke he had just been describing on the preceding pages).

He thinks when Japan beat 13-10 Georgia in their final RWC warm up in 2015 that "we turned over their scrum and scored a try in the last minute" (simply untrue, they actually conceded five scrum penalties in that match, but won late on with a rolling maul).

Depending on how nit picky you want to be. You could find quite a number more instances of these lapses in Jones' memory and other rather odd pronouncements throughout the book.

 

[Lightblue]

All part of the Eddie schtick, mate. He knows them.

Like when he called Peter V’landys (the horse racing guy) ‘The horse guy’!

 

[SouthernX]

All part of the Eddie schtick, mate. He knows them.

like that team sheet at super rugby round.

think he left off a couple of names and what would you know. “The snubbed started to shine”

 

[TSR]

Ben O’Donnell firming for a spot.