Wallabies 2023

[Mr Pilfer]

Hodge's best chance to make the RWC squad is if we only take two 10s and/or we want a 6:2 bench "specialist".

14 or 15 backs seems like the likely number.

White/Lonergan/McDermott
Cooper/Foley
Kerevi/Ikitau/Foketi/Hodge
Koroibete/Wright/Kellaway/Petaia/Nawaqanitawase

I agree with this but just hope we start Carter Gordon in TRC to give him the chance to take Foley's spot. Hopefully Perese and Toole get some game time as well

 

[Braveheart81]

I agree with this but just hope we start Carter Gordon in TRC to give him the chance to take Foley's spot. Hopefully Perese and Toole get some game time as well

I reckon we'll find out very early what Eddie Jones' plans are in relation to that. If he's in the 23 for the first test of the season he'll be in the RWC squad and if he's not, he's unlikely to play a test this season.

 

[Dctarget]

I agree with this but just hope we start Carter Gordon in TRC to give him the chance to take Foley's spot. Hopefully Perese and Toole get some game time as well

Unfortunately there's only 5(!) matches till the RWC. I'd argue Cooper needs all 5 to be brought up to speed. Gordon is still so green. If Cooper is starting all 5 matches, then only other flyhalf I trust is Foley. I'd have Carter train with the squad but not in the 33 for RWC and be ready to fly over if either of the old codgers go down.

 

[qwerty51]

Unfortunately there's only 5(!) matches till the RWC. I'd argue Cooper needs all 5 to be brought up to speed. Gordon is still so green. If Cooper is starting all 5 matches, then only other flyhalf I trust is Foley. I'd have Carter train with the squad but not in the 33 for RWC and be ready to fly over if either of the old codgers go down.

Technically only 4 as well since the 5th warm-up match will no doubt occur after the RWC squad has been announced. I can't see RA too interested in flying guys over just for that?

 

[Dctarget]

Technically only 4 as well since the 5th warm-up match will no doubt occur after the RWC squad has been announced. I can't see Rugby Australia too interested in flying guys over just for that?

Yeah, even more reason that this year is nigh on impossible for debutants, especially in a position like flyhalf.

 

[Members Section]

On the likes of Skelton et al - I’m assuming they’re available for TRC? Seems risky if it’s straight into the WC with no time to build combos

The RC is in the test window so short answer yes, with a but. La Rochelle look like they could make the top14 final that will finish mid-late june. So we might see him off the bench v arg & then a couple of weeks later at the mcg

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yeah, even more reason that this year is nigh on impossible for debutants, especially in a position like flyhalf.

07 on repeat.

Coach just arrived. World Cup in France and Carter Gordon might be asked to do what Berrick Barnes did

 

[Doritos Day]

Within the last fortnight we’ve gotten confirmation that Skelton and Koroibete are in the frame but nothing on Kerevi - pure speculation but I think his chances of a Wallaby return are drifting.

Eddie was in Japan recently were any comments made public?

Cooper set to return from injury as Rugby World Cup edges closer

Playmaker Quade Cooper is due to play in a couple of weeks, according to Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who is keeping an open mind about the final squad selection for September’s Rugby World Cup.

www.smh.com.au

He said that Samu Kerevi, who ruptured his ACL playing sevens at the Commonwealth Games last year, would return on May 5th.

Some more Rory Arnold trolling as well

Meanwhile, the chances of Rory Arnold joining the Wallabies are slim.
“If he’s not playing, it’s very hard to get selected. I can’t play him if he’s playing mahjong. You’re playing mahjong, well, it doesn’t get you on the team,” Jones said.
When asked whether he saw Arnold during his recent trip to Japan, Jones responded: “I didn’t go to any mahjong clubs.”

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

God he's a dickhead some times.

 

[Rugbyman2023]

Yes I think in terms of wallabies backs
3 x 9s
White, Lonergan and McDermott
2 x 10s
Cooper, I think Gordon atm
3 specialist centres
Kerevi, ikitau, foketi
6 outside backs with 1 covering 10 (hodge) and covering centre
Koribete, Petaia, kellaway, Wright, hodge and marky N

9. White
10. Cooper
11. Koribete
12. Kerevi
13. Ikitau
14. Petaia ( would do him well to lock in a position and not be a specialist utility for his own game
15. Kellaway/ Wright
21. McDermott
22. Hodge
23. Wright / kellaway

bolters
Suli (not on form atm but Jones said he Wands to use our Pacific Islander size)
Flook
Perese
Toole
(I think no one beats Toole on pace which you can’t beat but the challenge for Toole is defence and also getting himself into games when the ball isn’t coming out to the wind! I watched him a couple of games live and he gets manhandled abit and does not have the size to come in midfield and take Carries and break tackles like Petaia and others
Although if they want a winger who won’t get caught in space he is your man

 

[Members Section]

Some more Rory Arnold trolling as well

Meanwhile, the chances of Rory Arnold joining the Wallabies are slim.
“If he’s not playing, it’s very hard to get selected. I can’t play him if he’s playing mahjong. You’re playing mahjong, well, it doesn’t get you on the team,” Jones said.
When asked whether he saw Arnold during his recent trip to Japan, Jones responded: “I didn’t go to any mahjong clubs.”

the reaction from Kellaway in the background was priceless

 

[fatprop]

Within the last fortnight we’ve gotten confirmation that Skelton and Koroibete are in the frame but nothing on Kerevi - pure speculation but I think his chances of a Wallaby return are drifting.

Eddie was in Japan recently were any comments made public?

He said that Samu Kerevi, who ruptured his ACL playing sevens at the Commonwealth Games would return on May 5th

 

[Sword of Justice]

God he's a dickhead some times.

Sure but he was asked directly about Arnold. And he's been asked the same question before with no change in the circumstances.

If it's a chance to motivate him or make him an example for the squad, or even to get a quote into a paper I'd say it's worth not just deadbatting that question.

It's not Arnold's fault he isn't playing but it is an absurd situation and I'm sure he won't be too offended over a Mahjong quip. The insinuation is that he could break his contract and play, he would know better than us as to if that is true.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

God he's a dickhead some times.

Yeah Arnold should get his head out of his arse.

 

[Derpus]

Can he even play rugby without forgoing millions of dollars in salary?

 

[qwerty51]

Also it’s a bit ridiculous to say he’s not playing so that rules him out given how many of our key players also aren’t playing (injured).

I’m convinced Richie is just as good although has no Test experience

 

[Sword of Justice]

Can he even play rugby without forgoing millions of dollars in salary?

That would be true if his current contract is millions of dollars more than what he could get right now, or when it was first realised he wouldn't be playing.*

To be fair the three overseas player rule is still in place (at least as of now) and he'd probably need to take a considerable haircut to play super rugby to not be competing with Cooper, Kerevi, Koroibete, Skelton.

I have no qualms with him choosing money, it'd be very hard not to. If Mahjong and Hino banter is the cost of that I'd say he's doing pretty well out of it.

*EDIT: of course there could be break fees for leaving the club also.

 

[Lightblue]

I reckon we'll find out very early what Eddie Jones' plans are in relation to that. If he's in the 23 for the first test of the season he'll be in the RWC squad and if he's not, he's unlikely to play a test this season.

He’ll be in the 23 for sure.

 

[Slim 293]

That would be true if his current contract is millions of dollars more than what he could get right now, or when it was first realised he wouldn't be playing.*

To be fair the three overseas player rule is still in place (at least as of now) and he'd probably need to take a considerable haircut to play super rugby to not be competing with Cooper, Kerevi, Koroibete, Skelton.

I have no qualms with him choosing money, it'd be very hard not to. If Mahjong and Hino banter is the cost of that I'd say he's doing pretty well out of it.

*EDIT: of course there could be break fees for leaving the club also.

His current contract apparently makes him the highest paid player in rugby…

It would be a significant pay cut.

 

[Braveheart81]

Rory Arnold would be insane to break a contract that still runs for two years post RWC at an incredible amount of money to try and make the RWC squad.

It's clearly unfortunate for everyone that there isn't an opportunity to both keep his contract and play rugby elsewhere this year but that's the reality of the situation.

The mahjong quip sucks because it isn't very funny and it mostly just comes across as being a bit racist.