Obsession does that for you.
Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
No I didn’t, I just responded to someone else saying they heard that. Hence the word if
Ok, so just quoting complete hearsay like it's a fact to impugn 2 players. You did it for a reason, don't pretend it's innocent.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
For me, success at this RWC will be to get out of the pool stages, hopefully undefeated, and be in with a shot to win a QF. Winning a SF or more would be like waking from a 20 year old nightmare.
The issues that I see could come to bite us, are :
i) the captaincy'
ii) the lack of a specialist, in form backup No 10,
iii) the absence of a reliable backup goal kicker in any likely XXIII.
The captaincy : To me this means Will Skelton has to start in all the important games and play until he drops (figuratively). That would be around 50 minutes I think. This has consequences in terms of playing time for Tate as vice captain, and also for the makeup and tactics of the forward pack. I am assuming Tate won't be playing 80 minutes so it seems likely he is slotted to come on during the second half only to take the lead when Will leaves. That could well have a deleterious impact on the attack in particular if Nic starts and continues to kick away possession on every second touch or thereabouts. The other aspect which doesn't thrill me comes about if Fraser McReight starts at 7 as he is likely to do. We would then only have two primary lineout targets in Frost and Hooper (or Leota). Some posters here argue that Will can also jump in the lineout, but I think I'm correct in saying his rare lineout wins in TRC/Bledisloe didn't involve a lot of jumping but merely used his extra height near the front and as a surprise tactic. Not really providing a legitimate lineout option in a RWC match.
Backup No 10 : Crazy to think a rookie No 10 in only his second Super season can carry the whole responsibility for the backline operations in every important game for the full 80 minutes. Donaldson must surely be on the bench in every game Carter starts and truthfully he is probably about 6th or 7th in form among the options available in this country. His form with the Tahs was so patchy he was unable to command a consistent starting berth there in the 10 spot. It would demand a pair of very large sky blue eyes to suggest he is a legitimate option in a RWC right now. The way this could end up, Carter could very well finish with severe confidence and perhaps psychological issues or physically injured due to overwork in thew hottest cauldron of all.
Backup goal kicker : Points at a RWC are at a premium, as in nearly all test matches. Having one goal kicker only in a game is courting danger. Sure, Nic White has a big boot and could take some long shots, but he hasn't been the primary or even secondary goal kicker at the Brumbies since his return from overseas. Just not a sustainable position to be in.
That's my take on what could go wrong. I don't know how Eddie rationalises or justifies these particular issues, or even if he might see the need to address them at all. But he is the man with his head on the chopping block. If it goes tits up, he won't last long after the Cup. If he gets to a semi, then he can put on his smirky grin and tell us all to go play tiddlywinks.
Go Wallabies.
The issues that I see could come to bite us, are :
i) the captaincy'
ii) the lack of a specialist, in form backup No 10,
iii) the absence of a reliable backup goal kicker in any likely XXIII.
The captaincy : To me this means Will Skelton has to start in all the important games and play until he drops (figuratively). That would be around 50 minutes I think. This has consequences in terms of playing time for Tate as vice captain, and also for the makeup and tactics of the forward pack. I am assuming Tate won't be playing 80 minutes so it seems likely he is slotted to come on during the second half only to take the lead when Will leaves. That could well have a deleterious impact on the attack in particular if Nic starts and continues to kick away possession on every second touch or thereabouts. The other aspect which doesn't thrill me comes about if Fraser McReight starts at 7 as he is likely to do. We would then only have two primary lineout targets in Frost and Hooper (or Leota). Some posters here argue that Will can also jump in the lineout, but I think I'm correct in saying his rare lineout wins in TRC/Bledisloe didn't involve a lot of jumping but merely used his extra height near the front and as a surprise tactic. Not really providing a legitimate lineout option in a RWC match.
Backup No 10 : Crazy to think a rookie No 10 in only his second Super season can carry the whole responsibility for the backline operations in every important game for the full 80 minutes. Donaldson must surely be on the bench in every game Carter starts and truthfully he is probably about 6th or 7th in form among the options available in this country. His form with the Tahs was so patchy he was unable to command a consistent starting berth there in the 10 spot. It would demand a pair of very large sky blue eyes to suggest he is a legitimate option in a RWC right now. The way this could end up, Carter could very well finish with severe confidence and perhaps psychological issues or physically injured due to overwork in thew hottest cauldron of all.
Backup goal kicker : Points at a RWC are at a premium, as in nearly all test matches. Having one goal kicker only in a game is courting danger. Sure, Nic White has a big boot and could take some long shots, but he hasn't been the primary or even secondary goal kicker at the Brumbies since his return from overseas. Just not a sustainable position to be in.
That's my take on what could go wrong. I don't know how Eddie rationalises or justifies these particular issues, or even if he might see the need to address them at all. But he is the man with his head on the chopping block. If it goes tits up, he won't last long after the Cup. If he gets to a semi, then he can put on his smirky grin and tell us all to go play tiddlywinks.
Go Wallabies.
griffins
Ted Thorn (20)
Stillmissit is coming off the back fence to challenge him. I didn't think this forum was big enough for a bot but the recent combo of 'I'm mates with Bob Dwyer'/wingers can't catch/'left wing posters said I was wrong' was absolutely all-time.
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Yes he’s better than Quade Cooper right now. He had a great Super season and has been the better 10 for the Wallabies this year
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
He has been been behind the better Wallaby pack with the better 9.
QC (Quade Cooper) was never given the same chance.
Gordon certainly didn’t change any Wallaby results this year - even given the advantages he’s had…
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Quade is struggling coming back from his injury, it's a serious one and he doesn't have age on his side. It's that simple. He's lost explosiveness, speed, agility etc.
It's the same for Kerevi but he's more secure and can rely more on his physicality.
I would've still picked him or Foley just for goal kicking alone but it is what it is.
It's the same for Kerevi but he's more secure and can rely more on his physicality.
I would've still picked him or Foley just for goal kicking alone but it is what it is.
Yes. Gordon is the best flyhalf in Australia this year.
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Have you watched any Carter Gordon this year?
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
I think there’s a case to be made he was the Aus super rugby MVP in 2023…
Would entertain hearing other alternatives? McReight??? He had a pretty good year.
I would definitely say best back. McReight, Gleeson and Brad Wilkin right up there.
BR there is risk with a young and inexperienced test team. The advantage I see is that they haven’t been cultured to lose. I like the selection a lot.
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I get your point, but none of the players who make it to professional level are "cultured to lose". They're exceptional players, and have most likely won far more than they lose over their careers overall.
Lack of fear at the top level may well be a thing, to a degree, though.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
FWIW, Sua'ali'i has kicking duties for the Roosters right now.. if Carter Gordon can't improve his kicking, we might have a starter that can kick instead for next year..
edit: assuming he gets released early which I think happens
edit: he's gone 5/5
edit: assuming he gets released early which I think happens
edit: he's gone 5/5
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Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
I’ve watched the Test matches. Which is why I don’t think he’s done anything QC (Quade Cooper) couldn’t/wouldn’t do with a better 9 and a pack that is winning the collision.
Linerunner2023
Watty Friend (18)
For the Waratahs or wallabies? If Sua'ali'i is somehow near the wallabies next year that’s a huge concern around how far the game is behind rugby league
He has about 10 centres in front of him in the nsw blues side
He is being pushed out as he won’t make the roosters backline next year
Won’t be anything but a winger
Has no footwork or ball skills, slow and no agility in defence
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
So you were all upset about Eddie saying players earned their selections, yet want to disregard Carter Gordon being the best Aussie 10 in Super Rugby by a country mile while playing with a pretty average Rebels team
If he’s already “as good as Quade Cooper” as you say after only 4 tests, why wouldn’t you start him?