Wallabies 2023

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I like that, but prefer Kellaway over Nawaqanitawase

I think Kellaway probably has the start ahead of Mark at this stage with previous runs on the board. Mark could play himself into the spot though if he finished off the year strongly even if Kellaway is fit. Kellaway is pretty flexible and able to fill a bench spot more than a lot of others as well. Only Hodge can cover as much

 

[Dctarget]

I like that, but prefer Kellaway over Nawaqanitawase

I agree but on Kellaway needs more runs on the board this season and actually playing wing. That said, Kellaway would be a great supersub being able to play OC, wings and fullback like Petaia. Wouldn't carry Nawaqanitawase on the bench.

 

[Members Section]

Could the Tahs have done an HIA on him post match noting he had a knock. If he had a headache or something like that post match and asked one of the trainers they are likely to have done it.

yeah maybe, hia's/concussion checks are changing across the 3 sports I watch I cant keep up half the time

 

[Proud Pig]

I would have QC (Quade Cooper) as starting 10 if fit and then have Hodge on the bench in case of injury.
Having Foley or Noah on the bench severely restricts the sides flexibility.
Neither can play anywhere apart from 10, Noah maybe 12 at a stretch.
If Foley is not going to be Eddies starting 10 he should be nowhere near the side.
My 10's for the world cup would be QC (Quade Cooper), Carter and Hodge.

It only my opinion but I would rather play a 10 that can do something spectacular even if it is a risk than someone who is a just another ball shoveler. Quade and Carter both have a bit of inspiration in them even if they both also have a potential brain fart as well. I would rather have that than the solid dependency of a Foley or a Noah who won't make many mistakes but they not going to open a game up either.
Dare to dream it may not work but at least you dreamed.

 

[Members Section]

I would have QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper) as starting 10 if fit and then have Hodge on the bench in case of injury.
Having Foley or Noah on the bench severely restricts the sides flexibility.
Neither can play anywhere apart from 10, Noah maybe 12 at a stretch.
If Foley is not going to be Eddies starting 10 he should be nowhere near the side.
My 10's for the world cup would be QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper), Carter and Hodge.

It only my opinion but I would rather play a 10 that can do something spectacular even if it is a risk than someone who is a just another ball shoveler. Quade and Carter both have a bit of inspiration in them even if they both also have a potential brain fart as well. I would rather have that than the solid dependency of a Foley or a Noah who won't make many mistakes but they not going to open a game up either.
Dare to dream it may not work but at least you dreamed.

I've always thought that, hodge can fill in anywhere Noah & Foley can only play 10

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is that so much the case?

Foley is a few metres shorter on his kicks than Cooper or Lolesio but we're not really seeing either of those guys take shots from 50m either. That seems to be White or Hodge.

Lonergan is certainly an option with the long range shots too.

I think Foley and Cooper's advantage in terms of selections will definitely be their experience. I can't see Eddie Jones opting for both Gordon and Lolesio in the squad.

But both Gordon and Donaldson kick it significantly further than Foley too. Bernard is at or near the bottom of a pretty long list.

 

[Braveheart81]

But both Gordon and Donaldson kick it significantly further than Foley too. Bernard is at or near the bottom of a pretty long list.

Kicking for touch? Foley is fine. His boot isn't as big as others but it's hardly worlds apart. Not being the goal kicker for the Rebels probably hurts Gordon more than anything else in relation to Wallabies selection.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see which way Eddie Jones goes. I tend to think that if Carter Gordon is a chance he'll be starting the first test of the season. He'll either be first choice or miss the squad in my view. There just isn't the lead-in time to blood players slowly.

 

[Doritos Day]

I agree but on Kellaway needs more runs on the board this season and actually playing wing. That said, Kellaway would be a great supersub being able to play OC, wings and fullback like Petaia. Wouldn't carry Nawaqanitawase on the bench.

For me Petaia starts with Kelleway on the bench. Mark is a depth/squad player in the mix but not first choice.

 

[dru]

I would have QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper) as starting 10 if fit and then have Hodge on the bench in case of injury.
Having Foley or Noah on the bench severely restricts the sides flexibility.
Neither can play anywhere apart from 10, Noah maybe 12 at a stretch.
If Foley is not going to be Eddies starting 10 he should be nowhere near the side.
My 10's for the world cup would be QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper), Carter and Hodge.

It only my opinion but I would rather play a 10 that can do something spectacular even if it is a risk than someone who is a just another ball shoveler. Quade and Carter both have a bit of inspiration in them even if they both also have a potential brain fart as well. I would rather have that than the solid dependency of a Foley or a Noah who won't make many mistakes but they not going to open a game up either.
Dare to dream it may not work but at least you dreamed.

If everyone is fit and in form then either:
a) Quade 10; Hodge 22; or
b) Foley 10; Hodge 22;
You only take one of Quade or Foley.

On the lessor games, or if the usual starting 10 is out for injury:
c) Gordon 10; Hodge 22

If Hodge is injured it gets interesting.

 

[Braveheart81]

Hodge is definitely your 23 if you have a 6:2 bench. He certainly offers more versatility in the 22 jersey than a specialist 10 but I think it depends on what your overall structure looks like.

Assume your centres are Kerevi and Ikitau and your back three are Koroibete, Petaia and Kellaway or Wright. If your 23 was Perese then you probably do have a specialist 10 in the 22 jersey because Perese covers the centres and wing and Petaia/Kellway/Wright (whoever was on the wing) covers fullback.

If Hodge is also covering 12 and 13 then he certainly makes sense as the player covering 10 as well.

 

[LMU]

Hodge is definitely your 23 if you have a 6:2 bench. He certainly offers more versatility in the 22 jersey than a specialist 10 but I think it depends on what your overall structure looks like.

Assume your centres are Kerevi and Ikitau and your back three are Koroibete, Petaia and Kellaway or Wright. If your 23 was Perese then you probably do have a specialist 10 in the 22 jersey because Perese covers the centres and wing and Petaia/Kellway/Wright (whoever was on the wing) covers fullback.

If Hodge is also covering 12 and 13 then he certainly makes sense as the player covering 10 as well.

Kerevi is playing in japan, He is out. What about Hunter at 12?

 

[PhilClinton]

Kerevi is playing in japan, He is out. What about Hunter at 12?

 

[Braveheart81]

Kerevi is playing in japan, He is out. What about Hunter at 12?

Paisami is also out.

Foketi seems the most likely 12 option after Kerevi.

I'd imagine Kerevi will be available for all our tests this season though.

 

[The Red Baron]

Kicking for touch? Foley is fine. His boot isn't as big as others but it's hardly worlds apart. Not being the goal kicker for the Rebels probably hurts Gordon more than anything else in relation to Wallabies selection.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see which way Eddie Jones goes. I tend to think that if Carter Gordon is a chance he'll be starting the first test of the season. He'll either be first choice or miss the squad in my view. There just isn't the lead-in time to blood players slowly.

Not if you are counting Bledisloe 2022. I'll see myself out.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Kicking for touch? Foley is fine. His boot isn't as big as others but it's hardly worlds apart. Not being the goal kicker for the Rebels probably hurts Gordon more than anything else in relation to Wallabies selection.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see which way Eddie Jones goes. I tend to think that if Carter Gordon is a chance he'll be starting the first test of the season. He'll either be first choice or miss the squad in my view. There just isn't the lead-in time to blood players slowly.

BH, my comments were only in relation to kicking from the tee. However, now you mention it, I would say any of Cooper, Lolesio, Gordon, Hodge, even Debreczini who isn't in calculations atm but wait for it- Eddie hasn't finished with the squad yet, would average many metres more than Foley kicking for touch or just in general play. The point I'm making is that Foley doesn't outshine any of the alternatives enough with his goal kicking to warrant his selection over those who are playing better in general.

 

[LMU]

Paisami is also out.

Foketi seems the most likely 12 option after Kerevi.

I'd imagine Kerevi will be available for all our tests this season though.

Kerevi wont play any tests.

 

[Braveheart81]

The point I'm making is that Foley doesn't outshine any of the alternatives enough with his goal kicking to warrant his selection over those who are playing better in general.

He could be the best goal kicker of the bunch and he's the starting 10 for the second best team in Japan.

If he gets picked it won't just be because he's a good goal kicker.

Kerevi wont play any tests.

What makes you think that?

 

[Derpus]

My biases aside and putting on my Eddie hat, there are 20 short weeks till the RWC kicks off. I think we'll essentially see Rennie's preferred 23 too with little surprise.

The props will be Slipper & Ala'alatoa with Bell & Tupou off the bench if their recovery comes on in time.

Holloway will get in over Leota, I prefer Leota but not with this short run up.

I think Hooper could be past it but too big a risk to go without him. I would want Gamble but with half an injured season it's too late for him. Maybe Eddie's trick will be taking the captain armband off Hooper.

Only question mark for me is hooker and fullback. With BPA injured, it's wide open. I really thought Latu would've been the Waratahs preferred by now but clearly something's not working for him. I guess it'll be Porecki by default, Uelese is too much of a liability. I think Longeran is great but pretty similar to Harry Thacker who is brilliant but was overlooked by Eddie.

Fullback.. No idea. I'm going to choose Wright because he's actually been playing there.

1. Slipper
2. Porecki
3. Ala'alatoa (c)
4. Frost
5. Skelton
6. Holloway
7. Hooper
8. Valetini
9. White
10. Cooper
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. Ikitau
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Wright
16. Longeran
17. Bell
18. Tupou
19. Philip
20. Gleeson
21. Longeran
22. Foley
23. Petaia

I reckon we can beat anyone with this team on the field. Maybe even twice in a row.

Getting this team on the field though... nigh on impossible.

Minor quibble but Petaia's all round game has him ahead of Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) I reckon. Both powerful going forward but Petaia is strong in defence and has started to make the right decisions.

 

[Lightblue]

Note on Quade he hasn't played for Kintetsu yet & they only have 1 game left which will prob be a relegation game v Green Rockets. I think Quade is our best chance but he wont have played a game by the time we play RSA.

Fantastic… no game time and he’s our messiah?

 

[Rugbyman2023]

My biases aside and putting on my Eddie hat, there are 20 short weeks till the RWC kicks off. I think we'll essentially see Rennie's preferred 23 too with little surprise.

The props will be Slipper & Ala'alatoa with Bell & Tupou off the bench if their recovery comes on in time.

Holloway will get in over Leota, I prefer Leota but not with this short run up.

I think Hooper could be past it but too big a risk to go without him. I would want Gamble but with half an injured season it's too late for him. Maybe Eddie's trick will be taking the captain armband off Hooper.

Only question mark for me is hooker and fullback. With BPA injured, it's wide open. I really thought Latu would've been the Waratahs preferred by now but clearly something's not working for him. I guess it'll be Porecki by default, Uelese is too much of a liability. I think Longeran is great but pretty similar to Harry Thacker who is brilliant but was overlooked by Eddie.

Fullback.. No idea. I'm going to choose Wright because he's actually been playing there.

1. Slipper
2. Porecki
3. Ala'alatoa (c)
4. Frost
5. Skelton
6. Holloway
7. Hooper
8. Valetini
9. White
10. Cooper
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. Ikitau
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Wright
16. Longeran
17. Bell
18. Tupou
19. Philip
20. Gleeson
21. Longeran
22. Foley
23. Petaia

Yes you are right there is very little time, I think the 23 will be close to what Eddie wants, it will be a few squad members who mag vary depending what he needs as cover
I agree with what you think, I was hoping and expecting latu to come back firing as the best hooker, in 2019 his scrummaging was awesome and like another 7 on the ball on attack!
if leota gets back to fitness would take him at 6!
and then kellaway and Peteia between 14 and 23, marky N in the squad but not main 23
I hope Scott sio gets a call as the 4th overseas player, is killing it and would potentially start over slipper and bell
Also locks I wonder if rodda or Phillip can prove enough fitness
I honestly think if they have a full fit squad they could go close
All black and springbok are beatable
And wallabies Neally 2nd grade side on end of year tour should have beat both France and Ireland! We missed a lot or players and could have won