Wallabies 2023

[Marce]

He's more Argentina than NSW, to be fair...

That's highly accurate. But at the same time, it doesn't matter. Australia has one of the highest amounts of foreign-born residents in the world (both in total numbers, and per capita), as well as one of the highest immigration rates in the world. Immigrants account for 30% of the population, the highest proportion among major Western nations.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Is a word the problem? I said ALMOST. What's the percent for ALMOST? I could say USUALLY, OFTEN or whatever.

The thing is, they aren't Namibia who face the ABs every 10 years. They have faced every coach who led the ABs in the professional Era. And with the current status of Irish rugby, they are gonna face the ABs more often. They and France are the pretty boys in World Rugby ATM

Somewhere in the vicinity of 90% would be almost. 59% is a little over half. Clearly

 

[Froggy]

Southern X, not saying he's better than Wilson, but defence is one of Hanigan's strengths. I wouldn't say he's a powerful defender, but consistently is top or thereabouts of the Tahs tackle stats. That and the lineout are where he excels. It's as a ball runner that I believe Wilson is well ahead of him.
Having said that, I agree with an earlier poster that they aren't really competing for the same spot. Hanigan is competing with Leota and Holloway for that hybrid 6/lock job, where Wilson is competing with Valetini and Gleeson for 8.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah but then you have people leaving for overseas because they are stuck behind a player because there’s only 5 provinces.

The argument could be made the talent pool is diluted cause too many players / not enough teams… so player X pisses off to play in france because his stuck behind player Y who is the starter at their franchise.

Being "stuck" behind units in our standard of teams is not demonstration of the "stuck's" great worth, we aren't very good, our teams aren't very good

They are stuck behind someone else because (in no particular order)

1/ The coach doesn't think they are ready
2/ Their form isn't good enough
3/ The player in front is just playing better

Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) is a good example, he was amazed to find how lowly rated he was by the coaches. He could have taken his bat and ball & headed to Europe - but instead he worked hard and got better

And others just need to move on, to find an environment where they can thrive

 

[Lightblue]

Southern X, not saying he's better than Wilson, but defence is one of Hanigan's strengths. I wouldn't say he's a powerful defender, but consistently is top or thereabouts of the Tahs tackle stats. That and the lineout are where he excels. It's as a ball runner that I believe Wilson is well ahead of him.
Having said that, I agree with an earlier poster that they aren't really competing for the same spot. Hanigan is competing with Leota and Holloway for that hybrid 6/lock job, where Wilson is competing with Valetini and Gleeson for 8.

Well 3 coaches have picked Hanigan in the Wallabies. Just saying.

 

[Doritos Day]

I've seen enough. Koroibete and Petaia on the wings.

 

[A mutterer]

I've seen enough. Koroibete and Petaia on the wings.

why not 15? wright is just too risky a proposition. jp is just so bloody assured atm.

 

[Doritos Day]

why not 15? wright is just too risky a proposition. jp is just so bloody assured atm.

It's definitely an option but depending on how the Wallabies play I'm skeptical of trying to jam in players outside of their natural position. Same goes for Kelleway.

Wright is actually playing FB which counts for a lot imo - even though I'm not his biggest fan he has had a good season.

 

[A mutterer]

It's definitely an option but depending on how the Wallabies play I'm skeptical of trying to jam in players outside of their natural position. Same goes for Kelleway.

Wright is actually playing FB which counts for a lot imo - even though I'm not his biggest fan he has had a good season.

rocks and diamonds. its almost like i need to add -ish to reviewing his performances.

 

[Members Section]

Is anyone else watching tonight & thinking at times TW should be our 15 then within the next 5 seconds demanding he go back to the John I Dent cup?

 

[Sword of Justice]

Wright has been a super rugby star for several years running and simultaneously been disappointing at test level on many occasions. He has enough tests that super form cannot absolve him of demonstrably poor decision making for Australia. For that reason he'd be third or fourth in line to start at wing or fullback for me.

 

[cyclopath]

Is anyone else watching tonight & thinking at times TW should be our 15 then within the next 5 seconds demanding he go back to the John I Dent cup?

Not really on board with the latter, but I get what you're saying. Mercurial is the word.

 

[Members Section]

Not really on board with the latter, but I get what you're saying. Mercurial is the word.

lol he does 3 awesome things then 1 utter brain explosion lol he was fantastic tonight but still had a couple of TW moments

 

[cyclopath]

lol he does 3 awesome things then 1 utter brain explosion lol he was fantastic tonight but still had a couple of TW moments

He just needs to cut out the egregious brain-fart or two each match. His upside is considerable.

 

[Doritos Day]

Frost has been incredible. Keeping him here might be one of the most important moments in recent times for R.A.

On the other hand, do heads need to roll for it getting to that point? Unbelievable. Was it Rennie not rating him in the beginning (I remember reading he was told WC23 selection was not on the cards)?

 

[Members Section]

Frost has been incredible. Keeping him here might be one of the most important moments in recent times for R.A.

On the other hand, do heads need to roll for it getting to that point? Unbelievable. Was it Rennie not rating him in the beginning (I remember reading he was told WC23 selection was not on the cards)?

He was young & raw, has slowly got better over the past 3 years. No one thought he would be better than Swain 2 years ago. 2025-2027 he could seriously be world class

 

[qwerty51]

Frost has world class potential, very exciting. I’m not sure we’ve had a lock like him before, he plays like a slightly sub-par young Retallick with his athleticism.

Marika on one wing, Petaia and Wright at wing/fullback I don’t think it matters too much where they actually play. 13 is sorted, 12 too if Kerevi comes good.

 

[Doritos Day]

Eddie all but confirmed he consulted with Ewen McKenzie on his squad selection (latest podcast)

 

[fatprop]

Wright has been a super rugby star for several years running and simultaneously been disappointing at test level on many occasions. He has enough tests that super form cannot absolve him of demonstrably poor decision making for Australia. For that reason he'd be third or fourth in line to start at wing or fullback for me.

I expect he will be the 15 for the first test of the year (and he deserves it) and that may be a poison chalice unless Eddie has them performing amazingly from test one

 

[dillyboy]

Eddie all but confirmed he consulted with Ewen McKenzie on his squad selection (latest podcast)

Would be awesome if Eddie could get him back as an assistant!

Then back as 2024 Reds coach!