Wallabies 2023

[Brumby Runner]

Wright didn't play the Moana game, he's out with a broken hand.

My point about Scott was more to the complete game - Scott has good defensive work but has not really shown anything over the ball yet. A little bit of link play at times maybe. The rest of the options have all have strong defensive work and more to their game right now - work over the ball, link play, lineout work, etc.

Actually, I recall Rory Scott getting one turnover or penalty awarded at the breakdown last night. Not a lot, but neither do the more traditional fetching No 7s these days. Reimer got two and I think McReight got two. The best pilferer in the country is Hardwick, but he's not now eligible for the Wallabies. I can actually see Gleeson being a success at 7 but Liam Wright if fit would give such a boost to the lineout that imo he would be favoured.

 

[Derpus]

Actually, I recall Rory Scott getting one turnover or penalty awarded at the breakdown last night. Not a lot, but neither do the more traditional fetching No 7s these days. Reimer got two and I think McReight got two. The best pilferer in the country is Hardwick, but he's not now eligible for the Wallabies. I can actually see Gleeson being a success at 7 but Liam Wright if fit would give such a boost to the lineout that imo he would be favoured.

A significant issue for the man.

 

[Brumby Runner]

McReight pretty clearly the next cab off the rank at 7 unless, as BH pointed out, Eddie goes with a bigger player. If he does that could be anyone.

"as BH pointed out". I find that quite humorous D as BH has defiantly and definitely defended Hoopers spot in the Wallabies for a couple of years now against those of us who have called for change at 7 in line with largely current world thinking on the role. But now the sage has deigned to even write about it as a possibility it takes on a sense of reality?

 

[Derpus]

"as BH pointed out". I find that quite humorous D as BH has defiantly and definitely defended Hoopers spot in the Wallabies for a couple of years now against those of us who have called for change at 7 in line with largely current world thinking on the role. But now the sage has deigned to even write about it as a possibility it takes on a sense of reality?

Come on BR - You've called for Hooper to be dropped when he's been the best player in Australia by a significant distance. Don't know you can throw shade at BH's credibility.

But no - I think it will almost certainly be Hooper or McReight and this idea that EJ (Eddie Jones) will go for two blindsides pretty unlikely. If he does it could be anyone though.

 

[TSR]

I think the point with Hooper is that he has the runs on the board and will be given more opportunity to find form. His experience will still be highly valued. And if he is playing well, I’d be very surprised if Jones doesn’t pick him which may impact other selections.

If Jones doesn’t pick him, all bets are off. I don’t agree McReight can’t play at that level. He definitely has one MOM at test level against Argentina and I thought he also got one prior to that. His all round game is excellent. I’m not even too worrried he gets blown off a few breakdowns as he will still win some - I’m more worried about him potentially getting bumped on a few tackles. Jones included him in the test squad - so he is obviously in his thinking.

But if he goes a different way then Samu, Gamble, Wright, Wilkin are all chances. If he starts Skelton then I would think a guy like Wright would be a great choice in terms of pack balance.

 

[KOB1987]

If you were going to go full retro back to the days of left and right flankers and a bustling 8 then our best back row would be Gleeson, Samu, Valetini. However we need a line out option in there, so that brings Ned or Jed into the calcs, and they would be balanced with Hooper. Thus I don’t see a lot of change for our 2023 configuration.

While I’m here, I think that Jorgensen, while an immense talent, showed last night that he is nowhere near ready for test rugby. The Force targeted him with competitive kicks and won that battle, imagine what the top test nations would do.

 

[wamberal]

But if he goes a different way then Samu, Gamble, Wright, Wilkin are all chances. If he starts Skelton then I would think a guy like Wright would be a great choice in terms of pack balance.

Not to forget Langi Gleeson??

 

[TSR]

Maybe. I don’t really see him as an option at 7. To me Gleeson is straight out competing with Valetini for the 8 spot and Samu for the bench spot.

 

[stillmissit]

Gleeson. Test rugby is no longer about small 7s. He's got the size, pace and ball carrying/link role someone like Josh vdF, Kolisi, Cros/Ollivon do.

Not sure qwerty, He starts games like Ardie Savea and finishes very soft. I would be more excited if he did more at the breakdown.
Agree we can't afford another small fast 7 and that just about rules out McRight. A pity as I like him a lot.

 

[stillmissit]

Wright didn't play the Moana game, he's out with a broken hand.

My point about Scott was more to the complete game - Scott has good defensive work but has not really shown anything over the ball yet. A little bit of link play at times maybe. The rest of the options have all have strong defensive work and more to their game right now - work over the ball, link play, lineout work, etc.

Looking at the Hurricanes V Chiefs game, the attacks at the breakdown and attempts at counter rucking should be shown to all our players after every training session.
Thanks re Wright I guess that's why I didn't see much of him.

 

[stillmissit]

A significant issue for the man.

Not just him. Jones will be lucky if he can put a decent 15 together for the man games.

 

[stillmissit]

I think the point with Hooper is that he has the runs on the board and will be given more opportunity to find form. His experience will still be highly valued. And if he is playing well, I’d be very surprised if Jones doesn’t pick him which may impact other selections.

If Jones doesn’t pick him, all bets are off. I don’t agree McReight can’t play at that level. He definitely has one MOM at test level against Argentina and I thought he also got one prior to that. His all round game is excellent. I’m not even too worrried he gets blown off a few breakdowns as he will still win some - I’m more worried about him potentially getting bumped on a few tackles. Jones included him in the test squad - so he is obviously in his thinking.

But if he goes a different way then Samu, Gamble, Wright, Wilkin are all chances. If he starts Skelton then I would think a guy like Wright would be a great choice in terms of pack balance.

McRight will be overlooked by Jones assuming he has a bigger option for 7 if not he may get a go. Hooper played far better last night against the Force. Even my odd thinking can't come up with a name to be our bigger 7 atm, keep hoping and looking for Jesus in the mob.

 

[TSR]

McReight must be in the planning. Otherwise why include him in the current sqaud?

I think the issue for him is that he probably misses out if Hooper gets in. I don’t think we can carry two smaller 7s in the squad. But if Hooper is out of form or injured the current evidence is that he is very much in Jones’ plans.

Edit: in fact, the inclusion of Wilkin says to me that Jones thinking pretty clearly isn’t that he needs three big backrowers.

 

[stillmissit]

McReight must be in the planning. Otherwise why include him in the current sqaud?

I think the issue for him is that he probably misses out if Hooper gets in. I don’t think we can carry two smaller 7s in the squad. But if Hooper is out of form or injured the current evidence is that he is very much in Jones’ plans.

Edit: in fact, the inclusion of Wilkin says to me that Jones thinking pretty clearly isn’t that he needs three big backrowers.

Maybe and all will be revealed soonish. I think Jones would prefer a larger 7 but that option is really only Wright and he will be out for a few weeks. The big question is will Hooper lift to be incumbent.
Jones's big issue is that very few Super Rugby players have lifted to prove they should be inc in the RWC squad. Including Gleeson, who many here think will be a 7 option for the final squad.
TSR: don't assume that what Eddie does is based on logic or planning.

 

[TSR]

Harsh Stillmissit. Jones has a lot of faults. But lack of planning isn’t one of them. He doesn’t always get it right - and he doesn’t mind playing the long game - but he is renowned as a detailed planner.

 

[Rugbyman2023]

depends how Jones views he covers the back row in the squad
6 positions
You need at least 2 per position or who can cover so you Neally need a specialist in each position and cover who can play multiple spots - like a 6.5
6. Currently Holloway and leota providing leota can get fitness back
Here Samu and valetini who will be locks for spots can cover 6!
Along with Wilson, Wright who is like a 6.5, swinton
7. Hooper will de definite so do they pick another specialist 7 like mcreight or use Samu or gamble who can cover the whole back row
Wilken is in the same boat here
8. Valetini and Samu are locks in back row 6 positions so they may take the 8 unless there is one less 6 or 6 in which Wilson or Gamble take the spot?
What you need in a World Cup is specialist, guys that can cover the back row and good depth with guys fighting for spots which we do which is a great thing
Potential backrow
Holloway - who could he used as a 4th lock to get another in the squad?
Leota
Hooper
Mcreight
Valetini
Samu - lock (covers all positions)

this leaves reserves - who are in contention and could
Wright
Wilson
Uru
Swinton
Gamble
Gleeson
Wilken

look at NZ
Not many specialists but plenty who cover multiple positions
They have plenty of backrowers who can cover all positions but still trying to find the right combo
6 - Blackadder (lock), Ioane, frizell, Jacobson
7. Cane, Savea, papali’i, jacobson
8. Savea (lock) sotutu, jacobson, grace

potential back row
6. Blackadder
7. Cane / papaali
8. Savea
20. Papaali
+ frizell and sotutu which leaves
Ioane, Jacobson, grace and res

what’s the perfect mix, specialist players or like we see alot today guys that cover multiple positions?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

 

[Misunderstood fan]

UPDATED WALLABIES SQUAD
Allan Ala'alatoa
Ben Donaldson
Pone Fa'amausili
Matt Faessler
Josh Flook
Lalakai Foketi
Nick Frost
Carter Gordon
Reece Hodge
Michael Hooper
Jed Holloway
Max Jorgensen
Andrew Kellaway
Lachlan Lonergan
Ryan Lonergan
Fraser McReight
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Cadeyrn Neville
Jordan Petaia
Izaia Perese
Tom Robertson
Rory Scott
James Slipper
Ryan Smith
Lachlan Swinton
Jordan Uelese
Rob Valetini
Rhys Van Nek
Suliasi Vunivalu
Nic White
Brad Wilkin
Harry Wilson
Tom Wright

Rehab group​

Angus Bell
Rob Leota
Taniela Tupou

Overseas based players to join via Zoom​

Richie Arnold
Tom Banks (TBC)
Quade Cooper
Bernard Foley
Marika Koroibete
Samu Kerevi (TBC)
Will Skelton

Not considered for selection/late withdrawals due to injury​

Folau Fainga'a
Langi Gleeson
Ned Hanigan
Len Ikitau
Tom Lynagh
Alex Mafi
Hunter Paisami
Matt Philip
Dave Porecki
Izack Rodda
Pete Samu
Blake Schoupp
Darcy Swain

 

[TSR]

What do reckon on Rory Scott?

Hold on. Are you actually Eddie???? You old fox!!!!

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

What do reckon on Rory Scott?

Doesn’t do enough for me yet. In comparison to other options.

He’s got a great motor and is only 20 so he has some physical development still ahead of him which by 2025 will put him right in the mix.

Hope we keep the Australia A teams going. Guys like Rory Scott can get heaps from it.