Wallabies 2023

[Marce]

This is probably an unfair bar to hold a particular player to given the Wallabies are nowhere close to being a RWC contender as things currently stand and very few of our players are among the top couple in the world in their position.

The Wallabies don't have to face Ireland, France, South Africa or New Zealand until semifinal sooo you don't know.

Kerevi in a good day is a Top 3 inside centre in the world. He would be a starter number 12 in ANY top 5 team in the world

 

[Dctarget]

I get the upset about Wilson but he’s our 3rd best 8. We’ve got good depth there unfortunately and he doesn’t deserve to be in the 23.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Wallabies don't have to face Ireland, France, South Africa or New Zealand until semifinal sooo you don't know.

Kerevi in a good day is a Top 3 inside centre in the world. He would be a starter number 12 in ANY top 5 team in the world

Yes we have a favourable draw at the RWC. That doesn't change the fact that we aren't considered a contender. Clearly any team that makes the semi-finals is a chance. You just have to win two games in a row.

As I said, very few of our players.

 

[Adam84]

You just have to win two games in a row.

something the Wallabies didn't manage in 2022

 

[PhilClinton]

This is probably an unfair bar to hold a particular player to given the Wallabies are nowhere close to being a RWC contender as things currently stand and very few of our players are among the top couple in the world in their position.

Agreed, and regardless I'm also not a fan of the blanket 'with this player you can't win' mentality. Hardly any team across any era would have all 15 players on the field they'd consider fully fit and the number one choice.

 

[Braveheart81]

something the Wallabies didn't manage in 2022

Absolutely, which is partly why we'd still be big underdogs if we made it that far.

Obviously the Wallabies can win the RWC this year. It's not outside the realms of possibility because I think we can beat any side on our day. I just think it's incredibly unlikely.

 

[Drew]

In many ways Holloway and Hanigan are probably the biggest competitors with each other for that same role.

We need those guys if we go down the Skelton path

 

[Braveheart81]

We need those guys if we go down the Skelton path

I think Holloway is a good chance of being a matchday 23 player again regardless of whether Skelton is in the side.

Hanigan is far more on the outside of the squad but he does give you some versatility which could allow you to pick an extra specialist elsewhere.

For me a RWC squad is always about picking your best 23 and then a combination of specialist backups (generally players that would slot straight into the starting XV if there was an injury), another front row, halfback and fly half and then some utility players which give you as much coverage as possible. The increased squad sizes will make things a little easier but I'm expecting most sides will pick 3 entire front rows.

 

[Marce]

something the Wallabies didn't manage in 2022

Yeah. You have to beat Wales, Fiji, England or Argentina. In a good day you can smash any of them and in a bad day, they can beat you buuuit you don't face the big 4 in the current rugby world: Ireland, France, SA and NZ.

If you see the statistics, you HAVE to beat Wales, Fiji and Argentina. The recent history against the Pommies since 2015 is negative. Moreover, you can't face Scotland until semifinal, a stone in the shoe for WBs

 

[Lightblue]

Which at the moment is who? Who is performing better than Hanigan as a hybrid lock?

I also think your being a little dismissive of his positive attributes. You mention making his tackles. Yes, he has been leading the tackle stats for the Waratah's the last two games and on top of that has been sticking all his tackles. His work rate and off the ball work has been excellent. He isn't showy, but he does what he does with a consistency that some other players would do well to emulate.

Agree Molman. A lot of posters here are quite critical of particular players, yet someone like Hanigan is a Wallaby of some 20 odd Tests. You don’t get to play that many Tests if you can’t play. Is that now 3 Wallaby coaches who have selected him? I reckon they know a bit more than some posters on here some how! Just maybe. You have to laugh at some of the comments you flip through, fairdinkum. Keep up your quality posts.

 

[hawko07]

The Drua seemed to enjoy running his way

Its not just about making tackles, it's about the type of tackles that get made

have you seen C. Gordon much this year? He's the best defensive 10 in Aus currently then daylight.

 

[For the Love of the Game]

This is probably an unfair bar to hold a particular player to given the Wallabies are nowhere close to being a RWC contender as things currently stand and very few of our players are among the top couple in the world in their position.

Need to agree with Brave Heart here. Had a good look at Eddie's list and can honestly not see anyone on the list making the starting team in any of the current top 4 teams in the world.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

What do you guys think of the validity of the randwick conspiracy involving Ben Donaldson being invovled in the Wallabies squad?

I 100% think vunivalu has been picked in the squad so Eddie can get the mesage right too him.
I dont understanding the idea about eddie sending messages to players like JOC (James O'Connor) (I think he shoudlve been included). He seems like a pretty hard worker.

 

[fatprop]

I've got no dislike for Hanigan and he does his job just fine. But I think it's also fair to believe that it is highly improbable that you are winning a RWC with him as your starting six, so I hope that a player with more upside steps up. The main plus for Hanigan is that his strengths and Skeleton's are basically 100% opposite, so if Eddie likes Big Will, maybe a guy like Hanigan (or Holloway) has a role.

I don't think he is deserving of starting at test level but as a 4/6 bench option in a 4/3 split ......................... the list after Leota is slim

 

[fatprop]

Which at the moment is who? Who is performing better than Hanigan as a hybrid lock?

I also think your being a little dismissive of his positive attributes. You mention making his tackles. Yes, he has been leading the tackle stats for the Waratah's the last two games and on top of that has been sticking all his tackles. His work rate and off the ball work has been excellent. He isn't showy, but he does what he does with a consistency that some other players would do well to emulate.

I think Leota is the obvious choice in the squad for that role but he is wounded

 

[For the Love of the Game]

have you seen C. Gordon much this year? He's the best defensive 10 in Aus currently then daylight.

We can agree to disagree. Let me first say that being the best defensive 10 in Australia does not say much at the moment. Lynagh, Donaldson, Lolesio .... Stewart can defend but the jury is still out on wether or not he is a 10 or a 12. Gordon makes good strong tackles when players are running directly at him or when he has the chance to line them up. He can not deal with players that has good foot work and acceleration. Drua picked up on this and exploited it on multiple occasions. Believe all the top teams in the world will exploit this weakness in his game as well. Maybe he can fix this or maybe it is just his hight/lanky built that makes it difficult for him to change direction.

 

[Derpus]

Agree Molman. A lot of posters here are quite critical of particular players, yet someone like Hanigan is a Wallaby of some 20 odd Tests. You don’t get to play that many Tests if you can’t play. Is that now 3 Wallaby coaches who have selected him? I reckon they know a bit more than some posters on here some how! Just maybe. You have to laugh at some of the comments you flip through, fairdinkum. Keep up your quality posts.

If you don't want to read people's opinions on rugby players maybe you shouldn't be on a rugby forum?

 

[Marce]

Let me first say that being the best defensive 10 in Australia does not say much at the moment.

 

[Derpus]

Need to agree with Brave Heart here. Had a good look at Eddie's list and can honestly not see anyone on the list making the starting team in any of the current top 4 teams in the world.

Kerevi and Koroibete make every team IMO. I could also see a team like France run Skelton out.

 

[Lightblue]

If you don't want to read people's opinions on rugby players maybe you shouldn't be on a rugby forum?

I’m here to read people’s views and opinions sure. Some are very good and perceptive. Yours unfortunately not so most of the time. So negative and very rarely positive. To be an obsessive objector to some particular players is where you lose any credibility.