Wallabies 2023

[Slim 293]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1505359720374161408

Squad summary​

Total Test caps: 783

Average Test caps: 20

Average age: 26

Uncapped players: 8

Most capped: Michael Hooper (118 Tests)

Youngest member: Angus Bell, 21

Oldest members: Cadeyrn Neville, Toni Pulu, 33

Breakdown: Brumbies 15, NSW Waratahs 10, Queensland Reds 8, Melbourne Rebels 4, Western Force 3

Wallabies camp squad (age, team, Tests played)​

Allan Ala'alatoa (28, Brumbies, 53 Tests)

Tom Banks (27, Brumbies, 19 Tests)

Angus Bell (21, NSW Waratahs, 16 Tests)

Jock Campbell (26, Queensland Reds, uncapped)

Ben Donaldson (22, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Folau Fainga'a (26, Brumbies, 25 Tests)

Lalakai Foketi (27, NSW Waratahs, 1 Test)

Nick Frost (22, Brumbies, uncapped)

Jake Gordon (28, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Reece Hodge (27, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests)

Michael Hooper (30, NSW Waratahs, 118 Tests)

Jed Holloway (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Len Ikitau (23, Brumbies, 13 Tests)

Harry Johnson-Holmes (25, NSW Waratahs, 1 Test)

Feleti Kaitu’u (27, Western Force, 3 Tests)

Andrew Kellaway (26, Melbourne Rebels, 13 Tests)

Rob Leota (25, Melbourne Rebels, 6 Tests)

Noah Lolesio (22, Brumbies, 9 Tests)

Lachlan Lonergan (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests)

Ryan Lonergan (23, Brumbies, uncapped)

Tate McDermott (23, Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)

Fraser McReight (23, Queensland Reds, 2 Tests)

Cadeyrn Neville (33, Brumbies, uncapped)

James O’Connor (31, Queensland Reds, 61 Tests)

Hunter Paisami (23, Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)

Izaia Perese (24, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (22, Queensland Reds, 16 Tests)

Matt Philip (28, Melbourne Rebels, 20 Tests)

David Porecki (29, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Toni Pulu (33, Western Force, uncapped)

Izack Rodda (25, Western Force, 34 Tests)

Pete Samu (30, Brumbies, 19 Tests)

James Slipper (32, Brumbies, 114 Tests)

Darcy Swain (24, Brumbies, 10 Tests)

Lachlan Swinton (25, NSW Waratahs, 7 Tests)

Taniela Tupou (25, Queensland Reds, 38 Tests)

Rob Valetini (23, Brumbies, 18 Tests)

Nic White (31, Brumbies, 47 Tests)

Harry Wilson (22, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)

Tom Wright (24, Brumbies, 10 Tests)

 

[wamberal]

At a quick glance, the only player I would not pick is Neville. Sad not to see Pone in the list.

 

[Up the Guts]

Pulu the only name I didn’t expect, don’t mind it though.

 

[Adam84]

 

[Silverado]

At a quick glance, the only player I would not pick is Neville. Sad not to see Pone in the list.

What's happened to Pone? He hasn't played in nearly a year

 

[Cancelled Account]

Pleased to see Ben Donaldson and Jock Campbell on this camp’s list. Others as would expect. Congratulations lads.

 

[Marce]

My thoughts:

1- Pulu? Are u kidding me??? Pick Josh Flook, my goooooood

2- Too many Rebels players, drop Hodge

3- Where is Seru?

4- Is Vunivalu the most expensive player in RA's history so far?

 

[Sword of Justice]

No Uru surprises me given some of the names on this list but 6 is a position of strength.

I'd have him in a squad for the learning opportunity given his talent and ticker but at the same time i don't think he's close to being selected in a test match due to a need for polishing his game.

It seems like most of these names, especially back rowers are a real chance to start in the first game against England.

 

[Marce]

By all accounts Uru is both committed to Australia and has been written off by Fiji because a couple of board members don't like him.

Source?

 

[Rugbynutter39]

What's happened to Pone? He hasn't played in nearly a year

More so Neville was a surprise given from memory not played for brumbies this season

 

[Wilson]

Source?

Regarding Fiji rugby:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1222361565497716737

For his commitment to Australia it has come up repeatedly even from before he made the move. Here's one instance of him expressing his desire to be a wallaby:

He’d applied to travel to Australia on the off chance of a professional rugby career, but his parents told him he’d be better staying in Lautoka and making money.

“I told myself, ‘nah, I’m not going to go. I want to play for Australia’,” Uru, who played three years of Fijian under-20s, told the Herald. “I ended up not going. A few days later my visa got approved and I came to Australia.”

...

“Seeing a few Fijians running around in a Wallabies jersey, I wanted to be one too, representing this lovely country,” Uru said.

“When I got the message [I had made a Wallabies squad] I sent it to my family. They were really happy for what I achieved. They couldn’t believe it.”

He has also previously featured in previous PONI camps, as mentioned in the above article.

 

[PhilClinton]

I would have thought Uru provided a point of difference in playing style over the likes of either Neville or Holloway.

Rennie must be looking at other metrics though for those roles.

 

[Cancelled Account]

I would have thought Uru provided a point of difference in playing style over the likes of either Neville or Holloway.

Rennie must be looking at other metrics though for those roles.

It’s only the first camp. There are a couple who have shown glimpses of brilliance but haven’t been consistent, or been regular starters, and will most likely be included once they prove themselves. A few out injured too.

 

[The Nomad]

Having watched France v England this morning, our back three are going to peppered with plenty of high balls. Ability under the high ball could have final say in who gets selected come match day.

England have reverted back to playing field position it seems even though they possess plenty of midfield threats. Regularly kicked away possession with contestable kicks during the Six Nations. Only managed eight tries in the whole comp and five of those were in the game against Italy, three tries in the other four games isn’t exactly scintillating rugby, but you still have to be able to diffuse the contestable kicks. You can almost guarantee there will be plenty coming our back three’s way.

 

[Ignoto]

Wild.

I can live with Samu getting picked based on reputation. But how does Neville get picked over Smith.

More importantly, with Banks, Campbell and Jordan in the squad, how is Hodge there who's been woeful all year.

If they need an extra back, get Harrison in there.

 

[RugbyReg]

This is a mid-season love in.

Has a comparison, here’s last years.

2021 Wallabies camp squad (age, team, Tests played)

Allan Ala'alatoa (27, Brumbies, 43 Tests)
Tim Anstee (23, Western Force, uncapped)
Tom Banks (26, Brumbies, 11 Tests)
Angus Bell (20, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)
Filipo Daugunu (26, Queensland Reds, 5 Tests)
Pone Fa'amausili (24, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Jake Gordon (27, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)
Reece Hodge (26, Melbourne Rebels, 45 Tests)
Trevor Hosea (21, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Len Ikitau (22, Brumbies, uncapped)
Feleti Kaitu’u (26, Western Force, uncapped)
Josh Kemeny (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)
Marika Koroibete (28, Melbourne Rebels, 34 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (21, Brumbies, 2 Tests)
Lachlan Lonergan (21, Brumbies, uncapped)
Alex Mafi (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Tate McDermott (22, Queensland Reds, 2 Tests)
Fraser McReight (22, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)
Andy Muirhead (27, Brumbies, uncapped)
Isi Naisarani (26, Melbourne Rebels, 8 Tests)
Cadeyrn Neville (32, Brumbies, uncapped)
James O’Connor (30, Queensland Reds, 55 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (22, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests)
Jordan Petaia (21, Queensland Reds, 8 Tests)
David Porecki (28, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (24, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)
Pete Samu (29, Brumbies, 10 Tests)
Irae Simone (25, Brumbies, 2 Tests)
James Slipper (31, Brumbies, 100 Tests)
Darcy Swain (23, Brumbies, uncapped)
Lachlan Swinton (24, NSW Waratahs, 1 Test)
Sitaleki Timani (34, Western Force, 18 Tests)
Matt To’omua (31, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (24, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)
Seru Uru (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Rob Valetini (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests)
Suliasi Vunivalu (25, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
Nic White (30, Brumbies, 37 Tests)
Harry Wilson (24, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests)
Tom Wright (23, Brumbies, 3 Tests)

 

[Marce]

If they need an extra back, get Harrison in there.

To sum up this thread:

 

[Cancelled Account]

All I can see is that the longer Dan is around the Brumbies’ numbers keep increasing.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Being very critical, I think Fainga'a, Hodge and Pulu are fortunate. FF (Folau Fainga'a) because of attitude and some fairly ordinary defensive efforts; Hodge because he is simply out of form and Pulu because he is not up to the standard.

Not sure who would be next hooker as any mention of a third Brumby would be met with howls of rage. IMO Uelese just doesn't cut the mustard and Horton has reached his pinnacle at Super Rugby level. With an eye to the future, Pollard would be a good pick, and just one Brumby replacing another.

Hodge is probably there for his versatility, but his form is down. I just can't see a replacement so he probably survives. Simone would perhaps be better value atm but only at 10/12. Same with Hamish Stewart who is having a breakout year but again limited to 10/12. Actually, both would be better options imo than Hodge atm.

Tony Pulu has pace and can score tries, but seems to let in as many as he scores through poor defensive efforts. I would like to see Perese tried at wing where he won't be so likely to butcher his line breaks through poor passing or dying with the ball. Leaves another hole in the backline with no obvious replacement but Andrew Muirhead certainly wouldn't let anybody down.

 

[Marce]

Tony Pulu has pace and can score tries, but seems to let in as many as he scores through poor defensive efforts.

I got it! Pulu was coached by Rennie in Chiefs. Pulu means for Rennie the same as Rob Simmons or Nick Phipps for Cheika? lol