Wallabies 2023

[Marce]

Agree that Hodge is the logical choice at 15 now

Tom Wright

 

[Tah Man]

Tom Wright

Not sure Wright has the kicking game or tactical nous just yet. Hopefully this is rectified by some time in the saddle at the Brumbies next season.

Hodge should come in for his kicks for touch alone. How many times on Saturday did we see Noah/O'Connor kicks for touch fall a little short. Seemed like a few times we should have had a lineout 5 meters out but instead were between 10-15 meters due to safe kicks which took our rolling maul out of the equation. Not to mention JOC (James O'Connor)'s kick that failed to go out at a crucial stage of the game

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not sure Wright has the kicking game or tactical nous just yet. Hopefully this is rectified by some time in the saddle at the Brumbies next season.

Hodge should come in for his kicks for touch alone. How many times on Saturday did we see Noah/O'Connor kicks for touch fall a little short. Seemed like a few times we should have had a lineout 5 meters out but instead were between 10-15 meters due to safe kicks which took our rolling maul out of the equation. Not to mention JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s kick that failed to go out at a crucial stage of the game

Not sure if it's a "just yet" thing with Wright. He's an instinctive player that you hope his worth out weighs his cost. At Test level this is harder to do but I still see a lot of upside in him on the Wing. He reminds me a lot of Cory Jane.

Rae Rae

 

[Members Section]

Any update of injuries?

Andrew Kellaway has left the squad & returned to Melbourne & is confident will be fully fit by the RSA tests.

 

[rugboy]

I'd prefer Wright at fullback over Hodge, thought he played one of his best games there the other night. Was very safe under the high ball and his running threat in open play is the best we have. That said, a Vuni/Marika wing combo may expose us against the Poms and would require Noah to drop back for the tactical kicking battle that Eddie would more than likely employ. Because of that, it might end up seeing Hodge back there.

 

[PhilClinton]

I actually thought Marika did a good job sweeping back during general play when the Wallabies were scrambling. He put in a few decent kicks from memory to cap it off.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I actually thought Marika did a good job sweeping back during general play when the Wallabies were scrambling. He put in a few decent kicks from memory to cap it off.

Marika is awesome.

I don't think we want to see him have to do anymore of that than he absolutely has to.

Rae Rae

 

[LeCheese]

Marika is awesome.

I don't think we want to see him have to do anymore of that than he absolutely has to.

Rae Rae

This isn’t a sleight, but there’s regular commentary that players like Marika and Kerevi, whose main weapon is hard running, need to ‘expand their game’; when they try to, they’re criticised for it.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This isn’t a sleight, but there’s regular commentary that players like Marika and Kerevi, whose main weapon is hard running, need to ‘expand their game’; when they try to, they’re criticised for it.

Fair call.

I think both these players have a far more rounded game than we give them credit for because their main asset is so strong.

Rae Rae

 

[Marce]

I'd prefer Wright at fullback over Hodge, thought he played one of his best games there the other night. Was very safe under the high ball and his running threat in open play is the best we have. That said, a Vuni/Marika wing combo may expose us against the Poms and would require Noah to drop back for the tactical kicking battle that Eddie would more than likely employ. Because of that, it might end up seeing Hodge back there.

Yeah but also the phisicality battle will be BRUTAL again. So probably in first half you need a player like Vunivalu and at the second half the kicking game of Hodge. Vunivalu is not a kicker but he has a good air skills and runs hard.

My call would be 11 Koroi, 15 Wright, 14 Vunivalu and 23 Hodge to cover 10, 12, 14 and 15. Maybe a 6/2 bench and send JOC (James O'Connor) home

 

[RugbyReg]

Fair call.

I think both these players have a far more rounded game than we give them credit for because their main asset is so strong.

Rae Rae

yeah, I have a theory that the Japanese league actually enhances skills and decision making - I think we've seen that in each of Cooper, Kerevi and Marika who have each come back better in these areas. And that UK/Europe footy enhances physicality thus guys like Porecki, Philip, Arnold, Skelton did well over there.

Thus we pick backs playing in the Japan league and forwards playing oop norf.

 

[Purce]

Does anyone, who has been paying more attention than I, have a list of injured Wobs players and short/medium/long term diagnosis?

Was just thinking about Perese and how I haven't seen anything about the severity of it yet. Obviously looks like a serious one.

 

[Purce]

yeah, I have a theory that the Japanese league actually enhances skills and decision making - I think we've seen that in each of Cooper, Kerevi and Marika who have each come back better in these areas. And that UK/Europe footy enhances physicality thus guys like Porecki, Philip, Arnold, Skelton did well over there.

Thus we pick backs playing in the Japan league and forwards playing oop norf.

Agree with this Reg.

I've chatted with quite a few guys who have done a stint over there and one of the common things I hear is that it isn't as physical. What that does is free up a bit more mental space for players to focus on other aspects of their play during the games.

Obviously the individual needs to have the desire to improve as well, otherwise they just rest on their laurels.

 

[PhilClinton]

Agree with this Reg.

I've chatted with quite a few guys who have done a stint over there and one of the common things I hear is that it isn't as physical. What that does is free up a bit more mental space for players to focus on other aspects of their play during the games.

Sean McMahon has been very open about the fact he can play in Japan with less wear and tear on his body, and probably get paid more than he would in Super Rugby.

It seems pretty obvious why Japan is the preferred sabbatical destination!

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Sean McMahon has been very open about the fact he can play in Japan with less wear and tear on his body, and probably get paid more than he would in Super Rugby.

It seems pretty obvious why Japan is the preferred sabbatical destination!

McMahon also seems very content to have good offseason and time with his family etc...

If he is happy with his career who are we to suggest they play here, there or anywhere (not that anyone has) but I can see this becoming a more prevalent thing moving forward. I'd love to see him in Wallaby Gold but if you have other priorities that is your right and RA move onto other capable and keen players.

Rae Rae

 

[Dctarget]

Quade is looking pretty near fit again, doubt his return is far off

 

[Lightblue]

Quade is looking pretty near fit again, doubt his return is far off

It will be interesting to see if he is picked v All Blacks and how he goes there….there will be definitely more pressure on him.

 

[Joe Blow]

I would wager that despite Noah coming on in leaps and bounds, which he has been, Quade still offers a more complete game. We need both of them and a decent 3rd option at 10 moving forward.

 

[Joe Blow]

Donaldson has looked good for the As

 

[John S]

I would wager that despite Noah coming on in leaps and bounds, which he has been, Quade still offers a more complete game. We need both of them and a decent 3rd option at 10 moving forward.

Of course Quade offers a more complete game, he's been playing since Noah was in nappies