Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Rennie obviously did because he played a lot of tests for him, and after the 7 experiment continued to play him as his bench loosie…
And he was one of the players who helped turn the game against Wales.
Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Rennie obviously did because he played a lot of tests for him, and after the 7 experiment continued to play him as his bench loosie…
And he was one of the players who helped turn the game against Wales.
rodha
Dave Cowper (27)
Samu better at the ruck, Hooper better work-rate, Hardwick a far greater loss than both - most complete Aussie 7 since Pocock.
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molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Hardwick has only started to hit his stride in the last year and made his own choices (Namibia). I'm a fan, but to say he is the most complete Aussie 7 since Pocock is maybe a stretch.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
The selection I find really interesting is Blake Schoupp. I thought Gibbon has been OK but he has been axed. If Bell and Slipper are both fit it seems unlikely BS will get a run, but if one gets injured he will get thrust into the cauldron that is the Bledisloe Cup as a LHP for his debut. Further to that, as Slipper can play both sides you would think the 5th prop taken to the RWC will be a loosehead, and he is the only one of those outside of the top 2 in this squad.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Most complete 7 is an interesting term because I'd argue Pocock wasn't a complete 7, although he was still the best in the world because he was just so good at pilfering. If rodha means the best at pilfering, that is actually Reimer although he seems to be lacking in just about every other area.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Seems to be me there's still a couple of selections that are Eddie trying to confirm his last few RWC squad members although you wouldn't expect them to be in either Bledisloe 23.
Schoupp or Gibbon
Donaldson or Hodge
Also importantly, I think this also just about closes the door on anyone not named in any squad yet.
In terms of players people might've had in their RWC squads that is
Fainga'a
Lachlan Lonergan
Talakai
Neville
Swain
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Hanigan
Wilson
Jake Gordon
Foley
Flook
Campbell
Toole
Schoupp or Gibbon
Donaldson or Hodge
Also importantly, I think this also just about closes the door on anyone not named in any squad yet.
In terms of players people might've had in their RWC squads that is
Fainga'a
Lachlan Lonergan
Talakai
Neville
Swain
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Hanigan
Wilson
Jake Gordon
Foley
Flook
Campbell
Toole
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Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
The timing has been unfortunate with a change of regimes because I reckon he would’ve made at least made the squad…
griffins
Ted Thorn (20)
Schoup
Schoupp looks like another big gamble from Eddie looking to 'find' someone. He looked ok early in Super Rugby but had a pretty tough time of it scrumming against the Kiwi teams.
griffins
Ted Thorn (20)
Reckon he might be in the year too soon camp, at best. His pace is a point of difference in Super Rugby where there is a bit more space but the sight of him getting absolutely smoked running full tilt into the teeth of the d vs Italy (I think*) is a fairer expectation of what we're likely to see in test footy. Be great if he could show something over the ball though, he's definitely got huge potential.
Linerunner2023
Watty Friend (18)
Yes take on the new squad
1. Will be a fight to the 3rd centre spot between Foketi and perese to join Kerevi and ikatau at RWC
2. People playing themselves out of selection - gibbon and nongurr up front! Pone is a unit but the 3rd LH is a worry, no Robertson and gibbon not favoured now, bring back Sio?
3. Kemeny not a surprise but abit surprise on Samu! Not Samu best year but thought his ability to cover all back row positions may have got him in
4. Hodge and Wright didn’t play well, I think they could still sneak back in over Donaldson! Wright unlucky I think he still should be considered as a winger, especially over Suli and pietcsh
5. Not Many will get in the squad now unless an injury or 1 or 2 playing bad v the kiwis and getting dumped
1. Will be a fight to the 3rd centre spot between Foketi and perese to join Kerevi and ikatau at RWC
2. People playing themselves out of selection - gibbon and nongurr up front! Pone is a unit but the 3rd LH is a worry, no Robertson and gibbon not favoured now, bring back Sio?
3. Kemeny not a surprise but abit surprise on Samu! Not Samu best year but thought his ability to cover all back row positions may have got him in
4. Hodge and Wright didn’t play well, I think they could still sneak back in over Donaldson! Wright unlucky I think he still should be considered as a winger, especially over Suli and pietcsh
5. Not Many will get in the squad now unless an injury or 1 or 2 playing bad v the kiwis and getting dumped
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Given the alternatives this wouldn't be a bad use of the 5 foreign players cap even if he only plays against Portugal, as he can also play hooker.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
You think he gets smashed more in contact than McReight? (I have him down playing at 7).
Yep did his ankle a few months back, not sure what it was reported as but he couldn't walk off the field and looked serious.
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The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Looks that way. I think we need to find out if Langi is up to it at 7. For mine he definitely goes to the RWC, but the question is in which position.
rodha
Dave Cowper (27)
Well, I suppose it's a pretty low bar, only other one I can think of is Sean McMahon, could've been a real goodie if he wasn't continually shunted to 8 by Cheika for Hoops (which created an unprecedentedly small & unbalanced backrow).
Peak MacMahon 2017 was Australia's own Savea, the guy had incredible leg-drive & made huge post-contact metres every time. He deserved far more time at 7 for the Wallabies, didn't get it with Hoops there and departed for Japan at his peak. A crying shame as when Rennie called him back into the squad in 2021 he wasn't in good condition after taking it easy in Japan & was well and truly past his best by then.