rugbyAU
Dick Tooth (41)
Thursday night3 weeks??? Gees this RWC thing is coming around quick. I better pack.
So squad named soon???
Thursday night3 weeks??? Gees this RWC thing is coming around quick. I better pack.
So squad named soon???
Gleeson should be in the #20 jersey for meFaesslar ahead of Porecki after 1 match is wild. Unless you want your best hooker on to finish which isn’t the worst idea. I’d start Pone just so we break up Bell and Tupou imo.
I reckon after Tom Hooper, McReight and Valetini it’s anyone’s guess who the other 3 backrowers will be in the squad.
Ikitau is world-class- gee people have a short memory.Ikitau has been great at 13 and I would have considered, until injury, 13 was locked in.
But then he got injured and Petaia got his shot and he has been excellent.
I’ personally leave Petaia at 13.
In fact I would be leave yesterdays starting XV as is, including Arnold. I’m not convinced he is better than Neville - but that is the way Jones has gone and it’s too late for further changes.
Ikitau & Tupou on to the bench. Maybe Holloway for Leota. Otherwise leave it unchanged.
I don’t have a short memory at all.Ikitau is world-class- gee people have a short memory.
I think we are pretty close to locking in our best 23. The changes being Tupou, M Hooper (potentially) and Ikitau coming back in. Nonggorr, McReight and Ikitau come back in. Also think that Holloway might add more than Leota as well.
Fair enough but don’t get surprised when Ikitau walks back into the 13 jersey (and most people agree with my post).I don’t have a short memory at all.
There is a reason every coach rushes to get Petaia into their starting lineup whenever they can.
That isn’t a slight on Ikitau - it is a reflection of how good Petaia is even if he has had some issues with injury and decision making in the past.
Read the post.Nonggorr isn't up to test match standard he drops out when Tupou's fit
I’m genuinely interested what you are basing that on.Gleeson should be in the #20 jersey for me
Yes - I’m sure most people do. I’ll trust the coaching staff to make the right call. Ikitau has been very consistently high level and I won’t have any concerns if he does.Fair enough but don’t get surprised when Ikitau walks back into the 13 jersey (and most people agree with my post).
I'd start him but given he wasn't selected who knows where he stands.Gleeson should be in the #20 jersey for me
Problems with decision making and playing centre don’t normally work outI don’t have a short memory at all.
There is a reason every coach rushes to get Petaia into their starting lineup whenever they can.
That isn’t a slight on Ikitau - it is a reflection of how good Petaia is even if he has had some issues with injury and decision making in the past.
Out of interest, what does world-class mean? IMO world class means you are in the best 15 or 23 in the world. Is that your definition? If yes, you rate Ikitau that highly? (Noting I think Ikitau is a great player)Ikitau is world-class- gee people have a short memory.
I think we are pretty close to locking in our best 23. The changes being Tupou, M Hooper (potentially) and Ikitau coming back in. Nonggorr, McReight and Ikitau come back in. Also think that Holloway might add more than Leota as well.
Ikitau would be in the conversation of the best 13’s in the world. That’s world classOut of interest, what does world-class mean? IMO world class means you are in the best 15 or 23 in the world. Is that your definition? If yes, you rate Ikitau that highly? (Noting I think Ikitau is a great player)
So at least in the top half of the Tier 1 teams?Ikitau would be in the conversation of the best 13’s in the world. That’s world class
I have Perese in there, I don't think there is any point persisting with Hodge any more, may as well get some minutes into Donaldson against Georgia and Portugal. Perese, Petaia & Donaldson will effectively all be utility players. I suspect we will run the 1sts out against France in the warm up game and the 2nds to hopefully open the account v Georgia.Get rid of Donaldson and include Hodge and I reckon thats it. Maybe Perese or Wright in as a utility.
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So at least in the top half of the Tier 1 teams?
Wright for Donaldson & Leota might sneak in, otherwise I think that’s the goRighto so here's my guess on the RWC 33:
LHP: Bell, Slipper, Gibbon
HKR: Porecki, Faessler, Uelese
THP: Tupou, Faumasili, Nonggorr
LCK: Skelton, Frost, Arnold, Philip
BSF: Hooper, Holloway
OSF: McReight, Hooper
N8: Valetini, Gleeson
HBK: McDermott, White, Lonergan
10: Gordon, Cooper
IC: Kerevi, Foketi
OC: Ikitau, Petaia
WNG: Koroibete, Nawaqanitawase, Perese
FB: Kellaway, Donaldson