Wallabies 2023

[KiwiM]

But Donaldson hasn't played a minute of test rugby. You can't logically think that Donaldson earns the ticket to france over Quade

Donaldson did play some minutes vs Italy last year

 

[Lorenzo]

Donaldson started against Wales, i thought?

In any event i can understand selecting an unknown quantity over the known quantity if you've decided the known isn't good enough to do what you want him to do.

 

[Dctarget]

If Jorgensen plays for the Wallabies, will he be the youngest wallaby of all time?

Nah James O'Connor and Brian Ford (debuted at 18 and 3 months) were younger

 

[dusk]

Donaldson did play some minutes vs Italy last year

My comment was more referring to this year but even then he played like 10 minutes? and didn't exactly put on a stellar performance (not his fault that we lost nor his fault for missing the kick - should not have been put in that position)

 

[eastman]

A World Cup without Quade is genuinely not worth watching.

 

[qwerty51]

Does anyone actually know why teams are getting their squads in so early? Apparently the deadline from WR (World Rugby) is August 26. That's over 2 weeks away.

AFAIK, any changes during the squad until then are freely fluid, no WR (World Rugby) involvement or regulation is required.

Now, I get they'd need to probably publicise who left on a plane but until then - what's the point?

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Out with the old and in with the new
Give it to Eddie, he’s cleaning house

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Or has he decided they can't win the world cup, and I'm going to bring guys who will be in the mix for Lions and RWC27?

That's where my head is at.

 

[Wilson]

If Jorgensen plays for the Wallabies, will he be the youngest wallaby of all time?

No, he's already older than James O'Connor was on debut (18 years, 4 months, 3 days). If Jorgensen plays against France in the warm up he'll be 18 years, 11 months, 26 days on debut.

 

[qwerty51]

That's where my head is at.

Seriously? After all of his comments since his arrival - this is what people think now?

Like, I know it presents as such but let's just wait for his press conference.

 

[KevinO]

Does anyone actually know why teams are getting their squads in so early? Apparently the deadline from WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) is August 26. That's over 2 weeks away.

AFAIK, any changes during the squad until then are freely fluid, no WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) involvement or regulation is required.

Now, I get they'd need to probably publicise who left on a plane but until then - what's the point?

To try give the French clubs time to sign fringe players coaches want with game time, they start on the 19th.

 

[fatprop]

I can't imagine anyone dying on the hill that Cooper has been great/good this season,

It really comes down to an out of form elder statesman vs an underwhelming younger plan "B"

To me it just highlights how utterly shit our depth is, we have an adequate first 15 and then ......................... not a lot in a load of positions

 

[Tomthumb]

Eddie putting his stamp on the team, good to see. The future is now

 

[KevinO]

Seriously? After all of his comments since his arrival - this is what people think now?

Like, I know it presents as such but let's just wait for his press conference.

You have to take Eddie's comments with a grain of salt, you never really know what his planning behind the comments. He brings the side the fans want and lose his head is on the chopping block, he brings a young side and loses then he has the excuse he was planning ahead.

 

[Dctarget]

So, last world cup we took our most capped squad ever. Didn't really work. Presumably now turfing out 400 caps in Hooper, Ikitau, Ala'alatoa, Cooper we'll be with our least capped squad. It's great that Carter Gordon has experienced flyhalves around him to mentor him, like Donaldson.

Funnily enough we can still roll out a fairly similar backline to the '19. We will have 11. Koroibete 12. Kerevi 13. Petaia. Nawaqanitawase instead of Hodge at 14, improvement. Kellaway at 15 instead of Beale. Leali'ifano will play 10 for Samoa not us. No Genia.

 

[Tomthumb]

He signed a 5 Year deal for a reason. Feels good to think they actually might have a plan that doesn't include scouring the Japanese 2nd Division for past their best former players to save them

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

He signed a 5 Year deal for a reason. Feels good to think they actually might have a plan that doesn't include scouring the Japanese 2nd Division for past their best former players to save them

Yes, it's becoming more and more evident that Eddie has his eyes on RWC27 and Lions.

He's really doubling down on the '19 France model.

He's trying his "smash and grab" with a couple of young pick-pockets rather than Ocean's 11.

 

[eastman]

The best the Wallabies have played in the last 5 years was when we had the 10/12/13 axis of Quade, Kerevi and Ikitau in 2021 where we were thumping SA. I still firmly believe that is our strongest combination.

 

[Derpus]

GAGR GIF Reaction Control Room on **HIGH ALERT** as news filters through that Quade is to be dropped in favour of Ben Donaldson.....

"You point that f*** thing directly
at Derpus house, block his signal
damnit, block it!"

 

[Slim 293]

The best the Wallabies have played in the last 5 years was when we had the 10/12/13 axis of Quade, Kerevi and Ikitau in 2021 where we were thumping SA. I still firmly believe that is our strongest combination.

Sure, but Quade hasn't looked his best recently... even last year before he went off injured against Argentina.