Marce
John Hipwell (52)
Just one year?Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) re-signs, just for another year…
Mark Nawaqanitawase re-signs with Waratahs, Rugby Australia
www.rugby.com.au
Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
14 July.
Ikale Tahi Rugby World Cup Preparations begins with Australia A - Tonga Independent News
Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu is working with a 50-man squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup kicking off on the 5th of October 2023. However, this number will be reduced to 35 at the beginning of June as the team prepares to play at least three test matches in July and August.
tongaindependent.com
The question is how useful will that game be for the actual Wallabies. We play in South Africa on 8 July then Sydney on 15 July. Does the game in Tonga involve any players who went to South Africa and/or how big will the Wallabies squad be at that point. Are you releasing players from the Wallabies squad for the game or is it entirely the next group of players who realistically aren't any chance to go the RWC?
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Fattie, the RWC is an opportunity to show that we cannot just go well against the top countries, Ireland and France being fine examples. To win we need to maximise the opportunities to win it. I am concerned that the most talked about 10's - Cooper and Foley are poor defensive players, although Cooper has improved somewhat. Gordon defends well and as a 22 year old should get some decent bench time in the pre-cup games as well as at this cup. Like everybody, I have my fingers crossed for Cooper and Kerevi.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Depending on rehab for some of the injured players it could be a chance to bring them back slower than the potential of just running them out at the WC.
I'd release players to play in it if they are genuine chance for the WC. Match fitness will be essential and we may end up with 3 Super Rugby teams not in the finals which can be a lot of down time. Yes I know Club Rugby exists but it's not the same for these guys..
I'd release players to play in it if they are genuine chance for the WC. Match fitness will be essential and we may end up with 3 Super Rugby teams not in the finals which can be a lot of down time. Yes I know Club Rugby exists but it's not the same for these guys..
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
14 July.
Ikale Tahi Rugby World Cup Preparations begins with Australia A - Tonga Independent News
Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu is working with a 50-man squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup kicking off on the 5th of October 2023. However, this number will be reduced to 35 at the beginning of June as the team prepares to play at least three test matches in July and August.
The question is how useful will that game be for the actual Wallabies. We play in South Africa on 8 July then Sydney on 15 July. Does the game in Tonga involve any players who went to South Africa and/or how big will the Wallabies squad be at that point. Are you releasing players from the Wallabies squad for the game or is it entirely the next group of players who realistically aren't any chance to go the RWC?
Sorry didn't realise the game was scheduled to happen, thought it was a discussion.
Last edited:
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Zero will play from the 23s of either match. But that looks like a perfect spot for guys like Bell, Tupou, Leota and maybe Phillip & Rodda if they're not selected for Tests. Carter Gordon should play 10 in that. I'd assume 25/26 will go to SA and be kept for Sydney so we've probably still got a chunk of guys that could play in Tonga that who will go the RWC.14 July.
Ikale Tahi Rugby World Cup Preparations begins with Australia A - Tonga Independent News
Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu is working with a 50-man squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup kicking off on the 5th of October 2023. However, this number will be reduced to 35 at the beginning of June as the team prepares to play at least three test matches in July and August.
The question is how useful will that game be for the actual Wallabies. We play in South Africa on 8 July then Sydney on 15 July. Does the game in Tonga involve any players who went to South Africa and/or how big will the Wallabies squad be at that point. Are you releasing players from the Wallabies squad for the game or is it entirely the next group of players who realistically aren't any chance to go the RWC?
Interestingly that article also says Colby Fainga'a and Alex Mafi declined to play for Tonga, Mafi I get who will hold out for Aus selection you'd assume but wonder why Colby turned it down.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
I could see Wilson, Campbell, Perese, Gordon, Wilkin, Wright, Robertson all there as well.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Ghost, I think for several of our players match fitness will be an issue, some players can step back in pretty quickly and some take time. Tupou will be interesting and I suspect he is going to miss it but I hope not.
It's tricky. I would assume we would normally take more than 25 or 26 players to South Africa particularly in a RWC year as I'd guess we would have a week of training there before the match.
Likewise when we get back, how much preparation does the Australia A side get? Do those in the main squad just miss a single training session because they fly out to Tonga on the Thursday?
I definitely think it is a good opportunity for the team rehab guys who might not be back in the best 23 then but are ready to play some rugby.
Foley and/or Cooper won't lose us these matches whilst Gordon will not win us these matches.
We have bigger problems, we have injured first choice props, no set hooker, no set locks, a champion 7 who isn't playing like a champion and questions across the whole back row (except for Valetini), we will lucky to win a 1/4 final
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
That's a pretty pessimistic view. Yes, our two best props are injured but our backups who will probably start are highly experienced and good players. Hooker is definitely our biggest issue. I'd argue Frost/Skelton is almost a certainty, at least in the 23 and are great players. Hooper won't be 7, lucky to even be in the squad. Holloway looks a certainty at 6 and his lineout and maul prowess is as good as ever. I think we should only be concerned about Tupou's fitness, hooker and who is going to play 7. Rest is fine.
I am relying on Ben Darwin's concept of cohesion, we don't have a settled side and the teams we will need to beat do
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
Kerevi's fitness too
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
Ironic that Foley did in fact lose us a game last year though!
The pigs win or lose rugby matches, the backs just decide by how much
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
A perennial truism Fattie. I put my faith in how we went in Europe under Rennie. I thought our boys played very well whilst losing to France and Ireland. Note: I am trying to forget Italy...
If Eddie can get their heads right we should get through the 1/4's but beyond that is a dream we will struggle to live....
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
One guy can change a lot in a rugby match but that is too much to ask of Gordon. If he distributes well and defends in his channel I'd be happy with that.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
It's a long time since we had a really tough 10.
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
Article in smh implied, he wants to stay long term. They couldn’t come to an agreement on that, so for now he’s signed one year.
How a rev-up from Mum put Nawaqanitawase on the path to being a Wallaby
Rising Waratahs and Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase is staying in Australian rugby for another season. And he’s got his mother to thank.
Last edited:
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
An all time favourite line of shit half backs and fly halves