Wallabies 2023

[The_Brown_Hornet]

It seems HMAC and the Board didn't consult the players about the coaching situation:

Rugby Australia on the players' influence over Rennie's axing: 'We didn't consult them at all'

RA chairman Hamish McLennan has confirmed that the Wallabies players were not consulted on the decision to fire head coach Dave Rennie.

www.rugbypass.com

In a weird way I admire them for being so up front on the reasons and the decisiveness. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing yet, but it certainly leaves no doubt as to who is in charge of the game and that's actually fair enough.

 

[RugbyReg]

Yep. Let’s keep Wallaby team talk to this thread.

Perhaps RA handling of the situation on the RA thread.

And no speculation nor broader ‘how to handle sexual assault allegations’ discussions.

 

[Lorenzo]

In the circumstances, I've no idea why you'd consult the players. We know Rennie is a good bloke and probably liked by most or all of the players. He's also keeping them in 500k (or whatever) per year jobs. No shit they would have wanted him to be retained.

Problem is, they aren't getting results, and it's a lot easier to get a new coach than 30 new players.

 

[Thalium]

I think Jackson Pugh at the Force could make a big push for selection this year.

 

[Dan54]

In the circumstances, I've no idea why you'd consult the players. We know Rennie is a good bloke and probably liked by most or all of the players. He's also keeping them in 500k (or whatever) per year jobs. No shit they would have wanted him to be retained.

Problem is, they aren't getting results, and it's a lot easier to get a new coach than 30 new players.

Yep, but generally you only consult the senior players anyway, and generally they the ones who are pretty safe. But regardless I not saying they should or shouldn't consult them.

 

[stillmissit]

So who are the players (ignoring new OS players) Eddie will keep and who do you think he will push off to the side?
The obvious keepers are: Koro. Kerevi, White, Ikitau, Kellaway, Hooper, Bell, Bobbie V, Tupou, Skelton, Arnold.
Not sure about Cooper unless he is very fit. I assume he would want Foketi but not sure about him either. I think he will want Swinton as he loves a bit of mongrel.
Who else?

 

[TSR]

Rodda & Frost.

I don’t see him using Arnold unless several of the other locks are unavailable.

 

[rodha]

So who are the players (ignoring new OS players) Eddie will keep and who do you think he will push off to the side?
The obvious keepers are: Koro. Kerevi, White, Ikitau, Kellaway, Hooper, Bell, Bobbie V, Tupou, Skelton, Arnold.
Not sure about Cooper unless he is very fit. I assume he would want Foketi but not sure about him either. I think he will want Swinton as he loves a bit of mongrel.
Who else?

Lolesio. Eddie won't tolerate 10's who can't manage a game. Eddie he has a history of wanting proper game managers, players with a lot of game understanding and intelligence at 10. Edmed ticks all the boxes that Lolesio doesn't.

 

[Members Section]

Rodda & Frost.

I don’t see him using Arnold unless several of the other locks are unavailable.

Skelton is half a sniff

 

[TSR]

Also not sure Kellaway is a shoe in anymore.

Slipper & Ala'alatoa will be in the squad at least.

 

[TSR]

Skelton is half a sniff

Agree - but Skelton was on the list.

 

[Members Section]

Agree - but Skelton was on the list.

sorry i just ment interms off locks not overall overseas player

 

[Thalium]

Also not sure Kellaway is a shoe in anymore.

Slipper & Ala'alatoa will be in the squad at least.

I think kellaway is in but at 15 or 23

 

[Rebel man]

What would be everyone’s starting XV?
Think the forwards are a bit of a chook raffle at the moment. The backs pretty solid outside of a fullback
9 White
10 Cooper
11 Koroibete
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitau
14 Nawaqanitawase

 

[TSR]

I think kellaway is in but at 15 or 23

Quite likely - but not sure he’s a definite anymore. Koroibete is a definite. Any of Nawaqanitwase, Wright, Petaia, Campbell, Kellaway, Banks & Hodge could push him out.

But I’d class Kellaway as a probable at present.

 

[TSR]

What would be everyone’s starting XV?
Think the forwards are a bit of a chook raffle at the moment. The backs pretty solid outside of a fullback
9 White
10 Cooper
11 Koroibete
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitau
14 Nawaqanitawase

I think 14 & 15 are pretty open. Agree with the rest.

Possible pack Bell/Slipper ??? Ala'alatoa Rodda Skelton Frost Hooper Valetini

 

[Members Section]

I think kellaway is in but at 15 or 23

I have said this for a couple of years now (not having a go at you) we have a bloke that is the most perfect 23 in the world & can slide in from 10 - 15 without disrupting the backline at all plus makes tired defenders worry from 50+ metres out if the game is on the line with 10 min to just bloody pick him every week!

 

[rodha]

What would be everyone’s starting XV?

1. Bell
2. Porecki
3. Aalaatoa
4. Rodda
5. Skelton
6. Frost
7. Hooper
8. Valetini
9. White
10. Cooper
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. Ikitau
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Kellaway

16. Slipper
17. BPA
18. Tupou
19. Philipp
20. Samu
21. McDermott
22. Edmed
23. Petaia

 

[Ignoto]

Lolesio. Eddie won't tolerate 10's who can't manage a game. Eddie he has a history of wanting proper game managers, players with a lot of game understanding and intelligence at 10. Edmed ticks all the boxes that Lolesio doesn't.

He kept picking Marcus Smith at 10 who struggled to control the game and needed Farrell to do it for him.

I don't think he's against picking a flyhalf he can see value in to be fair.

 

[rodha]

He kept picking Marcus Smith at 10 who struggled to control the game and needed Farrell to do it for him.

I don't think he's against picking a flyhalf he can see value in to be fair.

Smith is an out-&-out 10 though, Lolesio is more of a centre playing at 10. White and Simone did most of the playmaking for the Brumbies.

I can't see Eddie picking him, in the recent podcast Edmed & Donaldson were mentioned but not Lolesio, I guess we'll find out later whether that was an indication of anything.