Wallabies 2023

[Ged]

I said it at the time but geez Slipper/MHooper co-captains was such an awful call, there's no way Eddie didn't know Bell was a far superior player and that MHooper (even injury free) was very non-secure in his position.

The only explanation to me is he did it to see who else stepped up in a leadership role, it's kind of smart really, give the captaincy to two veterans rather than make a rash decision before he's fully evaluated other candidates properly.

I think that's exactly what he was doing, fully intending on switching to someone else once they put their hand up (White, McDermott, Bell and McReight being the obvious candidates)

 

[Ged]

Surely you take MHoopen on tour purely for his experience and leadership even if he’s not going to play. He’s going to add more overall than the 40 mins that Donaldson plays against Georgia.

Maybe there's a judgement that he'd be a bad influence on the team, and that his "experience" isn't wanted?

 

[Ged]

At this stage I wouldn't be surprised to see Sua'ali'i

I reckon you're right. Massive announcement to get attention.

 

[Brumby Runner]

This is such a dumb argument. 'You know all of that top level international experience? That's actually a *bad* thing'.

How good would a team of complete newbies be at the World Cup. They've never lost anything - undefeated!!!!

I'm even off Fraser McReight. What have the Reds won since he's been there? Did we win the U/20 World Cup with him as skipper? Nope. Face it guys, the bloke is a capital-L Loser and it's time to move on. Let's cut our losses before we invest too much in this guy.

Tom Hooper has a 0% win record as a Wallaby. Bloke has literally never won a game. I'd be looking at holidays in South East Asia in the next few months if I were him, as there's no way he will be heading to France.

I assume Barb that you are a keen supoorter of Pete Samu to take the last backrow spot off Langi Gleeson?

 

[Ged]

There's still a bolter or two to make the squad that we haven't guessed yet

H Wilson
Flook
Sua'ali'i

 

[stillmissit]

I assume Barb that you are a keen supoorter of Pete Samu to take the last backrow spot off Langi Gleeson?

BR I would take Pete Samu over Langi Gleeson every day of the week.

 

[dillyboy]

Skelton captain

 

[Wilson]

Skelton captain!

 

[dillyboy]

Tate vc and Carter only flyhalf

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

what

 

[LeCheese]

 

[rugbyAU]

Why is Keneny there over Samu

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

How many minutes is Skelton realistically going to play per game?

 

[footy1>31]

Congratulations to Will Skelton. Awesome story of his. Remember his Tahs Debut. Now gets to lead the Wallabies to a Quarter Final defeat

 

[upthereds#!]

wtf. Donaldson as the backup to Gordon. This is bad. Quade will have to be with Aus A in europe.

Some of this is wild. How did Jorgenson earn it? He hasn't played a minute...

Rough on Lonergan. Wasn't given a minute and Fines wasn't in the squad. Obviously they must train together but jeez.

 

[swingpass]

well pretty much as expected except Will Skelton as C, Jorgensen !!, Kemeny Fines in no Lonegan

 

[HogansHeros]

Vunivalu must have something on eddie.

Keen to see Jorgo have a run

 

[Highlander35]

 

[BDA]

This squad has the smell of a coach that thinks its more realistic to just start planning for 2027...

I dont hate it but there's some strange selections. Skelton captain?

Donaldson's selection has Steven Bradbury vibes

 

[BDA]

Vunivalu must have something on eddie.

Keen to see Jorgo have a run

Honestly my best guess is that he wants other rugby league converts to see that if they make the jump to rugby theyll get to go to the world cup....would be harder to make that sell if suli was left at home