Wallabies 2023

[Misunderstood fan]

I can't see how you can justify a 3rd fly half and Hodge in the squad. If you select three out and out 10s, you're expecting to use two of them in every matchday squad, and Hodge becomes supernumerary, as someone like Perese or Petaia become far more valuable as bench options.

If you select Hodge, then it's with an eye to using his versatility to avoid having an out and out 10 in reserve and to provide matchday cover in case of injury & suspension. If both fly halves fall under injury louds you need to bite the bullet and have the more injured one be swapped out.

Eddie said he’s taking 3 10s apparently. Whether he meant 3 players who can play 10 is probably the correct interpretation.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Can Gordon play fullback? Yeah, Donaldson not showing he’s got the smarts.

Think he had some time with the U20s there but I haven't seen him there professionally but could be wrong. Probably good enough for a pool game v Portugal

 

[Braveheart81]

Gordon played at least one game at fullback for the Rebels last year.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I will be happy if Swain and Hanigan are left out. I am concerned with bringing too many overseas players in at the last minute and expecting them to perform and fit in to the systems etc. For example a Richie Arnold. I think that would be too big a risk. At least Skelton has had some involvement recently. Not to mention the fact we have a lot of our most important players coming back from injury. We already have Quade, Kerevi, Tupou and Bell coming back from serious injuries. I think it would be risky to consider Rodda and Phillip unless they can play rugby championship

 

[Dctarget]

For what it's worth, I've just finished watching Toulouse with Meafou and Richie Arnold v Bordeaux with Kane Douglas. I thought Douglas was much more effective than both the other aussies.

Not advocating for Kane to be selected obviously but I think Richie is good, not great.

 

[qwerty51]

than both the other aussies.

If only. I noticed some people in the NH saying he's better than Skelton now (Meafou).
He might be more athletic tbf.
--

Just randomly, it's cool we get to play Georgia, we should just roll out the biggest baddest mfing pack we have, who cares about mobility, Georgia aren't going to run us off our feet.

1. Bell
2. Uelese
3. Tupou
4. Phillip
5. Skelton
6. Leota
7. Gleeson
8. Valetini

 

[Dctarget]

If only. I noticed some people in the NH saying he's better than Skelton now (Meafou).
He might be more athletic tbf.

I don't know about better but he's definitely got more agility. He's got a pretty wicked step for man the size of a garbage truck.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

For what it's worth, I've just finished watching Toulouse with Meafou and Richie Arnold v Bordeaux with Kane Douglas. I thought Douglas was much more effective than both the other aussies.

Not advocating for Kane to be selected obviously but I think Richie is good, not great.

Kane was under appreciated IMO. How old is he know? Played a lot of footy by now.

 

[Dctarget]

Kane was under appreciated IMO. How old is he know? Played a lot of footy by now.

34 next month, a year older than the Arnolds and 2 years older than Skelton.

 

[Dctarget]

Amazing that we have 10 world class locks and none play Super because they can all get paid millions of euros overseas.

Probably our position with deepest depth at national level but weakest at Super, look at the locks playing for the Reds, Waratahs & Force.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

In my head he’s 6-7 years older than Skelton. Lane and his Brother Luke who played for the Titans are are hard dudes.

Could do worse

 

[KOB1987]

Kane was under appreciated IMO. How old is he know? Played a lot of footy by now.

Cheika didn't underappreciate him - I don't think he's been sighted in our realms since that unfortunate injury in the 2015 final.

 

[Braveheart81]

Cheika didn't underappreciate him - I don't think he's been sighted in our realms since that unfortunate injury in the 2015 final.

He played a lot of tests in 2016 too.

I can't remember whether it was form or injury that kept him out of the side in 2017 and 2018. I think it was form largely. Rodda, Salakaia-Loto, Coleman and Simmons were getting selected in most tests in those years.

 

[Members Section]

Amazing that we have 10 world class locks and none play Super because they can all get paid millions of euros overseas.

Probably our position with deepest depth at national level but weakest at Super, look at the locks playing for the Reds, Waratahs & Force.

I'd love to see a SRpac break down of players paid by position like they do in the top 14

 

[Brumby Runner]

They could still take Cooper & Foley whilst having Hodge as the desperation option for the RWC whilst having Noah and Gordon jelly wrestle to start on the November tour & onwards

Is there a November tour in a RWC year? I thought not.

 

[Derpus]

For what it's worth, I've just finished watching Toulouse with Meafou and Richie Arnold v Bordeaux with Kane Douglas. I thought Douglas was much more effective than both the other aussies.

Not advocating for Kane to be selected obviously but I think Richie is good, not great.

There is no way Richie Arnold is an overseas pick. Just no way, of all the test capped options, its him.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

There is no way Richie Arnold is an overseas pick. Just no way, of all the test capped options, its him.

Agree. I honestly believe Eddie just included him in the last squad as some stupid sort of mind games towards Rory

 

[qwerty51]

He named 7 overseas players in the squad, now obviously you have contingencies but if he really thinks he's limited to 3 what's the point of that?

 

[Namerican]

He named 7 overseas players in the squad, now obviously you have contingencies but if he really think he's limited to 3 what's the point of that?

a) the total number allowed might change.
b) there could be injuries to other overseas players selected ahead of him (Quade, Kerevi, Foley etc.).
c) there could be injuries to domestic players in key positions that necessitates picking an overseas guy (say Frost, Rhodda, and Holloway get hurt).

Personally I don't see the cap staying at 3 for this RWC. You need Quade, Kerevi, Koriobete if they are fit. To leave one of them behind is bordering on unthinkable and obviously hurts the squad. Then you have Skelton, Arnold's, and Foley, who aren't as critical, but could easily be differences makers as well. I think Jones wants to win and has enough leverage to get what he wants.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

5 is the number that stick out to me as being sensible. I'd keep it at that as well post WC.

The Wallabies in any year would have to use at least 35-40 players throughout the TRC and EOYT. Less than 15% international based players is nothing.