Wallabies 2023

[qwerty51]

The players in the present aquad who are most at risk of missing the cut for France are those who haven't yet played a game or who have had very little game time.

So, Schoupp, Philip (maybe), M Hooper (is he even in the squad?), Gleeson, R Lonergan, Pietsch, Donaldson, Vunivalu and Perese might be most likely to miss out. I think three have to go to make the cut at 33 anyway, but that might mean another 6 are in severe doubt and could be replaced.

On the basis that Philip will make the squad and three halfbacks probably saves Lonergan, I'd think the following replacements would be under consideration :

Gibbon for Schoupp;
No replacement for M Hooper as there are sufficient Backrowers already;
Samu for Gleeson;
Foketi (unsure about his current status in the squad) for Perese;
Wright for Vunivalu;
O'Connor for Donaldson; and
Hodge or Flook for Pietsch.

Quite a few left fielders there still for Eddie to throw around.

I don't understand this, if these players (in the squad) were going to miss out for someone outside the squad - wouldn't Eddie needed to have picked them firstly to rule them out???

Not saying I would pick all these guys, only a few but you're picking from the current squad and dropping a few. No one outside the current is making it.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Hooper's calf may rule him out and I don't necessarily think it's a catastrophe if it plays out that way. Wouldn't break my heart to see McReight with the starting 7 jersey on his back and have Gleeson or Samu as the back up.

 

[KOB1987]

I don't understand this, if these players (in the squad) were going to miss out for someone outside the squad - wouldn't Eddie needed to have picked them firstly to rule them out???

Not saying I would pick all these guys, only a few but you're picking from the current squad and dropping a few. No one outside the current is making it.

I would say the exception is probably Schoupp - it would be a huge risk to take an uncapped prop into a QF or SF. I don't think it will be Gibbon though, it will be Scott Sio.

 

[stillmissit]

Not fussed about Gleeson? Really? Agree Samu be selected.

I am yet to see Gleeson play a game for the Wallabies where what he does suits what a 7 does, comparisons to McRight as an example. He is just another big runner that we seem to idolise and I would prefer it if he ran around or even into shoulders. He also doesn't do enough work at the breakdown and tires fairly quickly at this level.
I did say YET and I am always hopeful youngsters make it to the top but not on the basis of a few big runs with the ball.

 

[TSR]

Will this site even need to exist when Hooper retires?

 

[RugbyReg]

I was curious to see who was in the 2015 squad that is still in contention:

Hooper
Cooper - I don't recall him being in the squad, but he's in the announcement
Slipper
Sio
Skelton
Foley at a stretch

and who is Toby Smith??

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2015-wallabies-world-cup-31man-squad-announced/news-story/fce50ec77cec1287034f7a306749fad0

A kiwi prop recruit. Born in Aust but played for the Chiefs before moving to play for the Rebels.

 

[rugbyAU]

What's everyone's thoughts on captaincy for the WC?

I don't like the co-captain model & think McDermott is up to it.

Ideally we then have two vice captains, one of which would logically be Slipper, any others who would do the job well?

 

[qwerty51]

I am yet to see Gleeson play a game for the Wallabies where what he does suits what a 7 does, comparisons to McRight as an example. He is just another big runner that we seem to idolise and I would prefer it if he ran around or even into shoulders. He also doesn't do enough work at the breakdown and tires fairly quickly at this level.
I did say YET and I am always hopeful youngsters make it to the top but not on the basis of a few big runs with the ball.

You are yet to see Gleeson play a match for the Wallabies like an openside flanker does when he has yet to be selected there. Incredible.

Can Eddie just select him already so we (I) can all shut up about him.

 

[Joe Blow]

[

It’s amazing how many picks are based on nostalgia when it comes to “veterans” and those veterans haven’t won shit.

Give me the young player with raw talent over the older head who might know a thing or two but specialises in losing.

All the teams who win the RWC have a solid core of very experienced players. You cannot win it with raw young talent alone.

 

[BDA]

I honestly cant fathom how donaldson could be being considered for the squad. At this stage of his career, he's an average super rugby 10 at best and frankly a shit back playing in any other position. How could he be considered a utility? Im not a big connor fan, but's a much better ulility back up and honestly probably a better 10 too

 

[Linerunner2023]

I honestly cant fathom how donaldson could be being considered for the squad. At this stage of his career, he's an average super rugby 10 at best and frankly a shit back playing in any other position. How could he be considered a utility? Im not a big connor fan, but's a much better ulility back up and honestly probably a better 10 too

Yea I don’t think many rate him highly at all
I would have on top of Cooper and gorden
JOC (James O'Connor), lynagh, Edmend, Noah, jack deb, pasitoa and foley all in front of him for 10
He is not big enough for centre
And way to slow for 15

hodge should be the utility to cover 10, centre and outside backs
And I’d still have Wright there over pietsch and Suli

 

[stillmissit]

You are yet to see Gleeson play a match for the Wallabies like an openside flanker does when he has yet to be selected there. Incredible.

Can Eddie just select him already so we (I) can all shut up about him.

I am not discussing what eddie has done or will do. Where else can he play? too small for test 8, too light for a good 6 and most people here seem to assume he is a 7. At this time I don't think he is test ready and my post reflects why I think that. Can you state why you think I am wrong?
I am over all this Gleeson love affair and waiting for a game from him where he proves me wrong. Incredible!

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

What's everyone's thoughts on captaincy for the WC?

I don't like the co-captain model & think McDermott is up to it.

Ideally we then have two vice captains, one of which would logically be Slipper, any others who would do the job well?

If Tate is the starting half back then I'd be happy for him to be skipper as well. He does it for QLD after all.

 

[qwerty51]

I honestly cant fathom how donaldson could be being considered for the squad. At this stage of his career, he's an average super rugby 10 at best and frankly a shit back playing in any other position. How could he be considered a utility? Im not a big connor fan, but's a much better ulility back up and honestly probably a better 10 too

Edide loves a pet, and his stubbornness means he can never be wrong about them. He talked up Donaldson the day he arrived in Aus.

It's the same as Vunivalu, Schoupp and a lesser extent Uelese.

 

[Silverado]

Edide loves a pet, and his stubbornness means he can never be wrong about them. He talked up Donaldson the day he arrived in Aus.

It's the same as Vunivalu, Schoupp and a lesser extent Uelese.

And Nonggorr

 

[Tomthumb]

Edide loves a pet, and his stubbornness means he can never be wrong about them. He talked up Donaldson the day he arrived in Aus.

It's the same as Vunivalu, Schoupp and a lesser extent Uelese.

Schoupp had a really good super season. Uelese & Vunivalu didnt

 

[RugbyReg]

Every coach loves a pet. Because they see something in someone that matches what the coach wants out of their team.

They also see a HEAP more of the player than the average punter. Some of that will be what they do on the field but so much will be around their attitude at training, meetings or just around the place.

And the coach needs to factor in team harmony. Sometimes one player just ‘fits’ better than others. The Anthony Herbert rule if you will.

 

[RugbyReg]

Schoupp had a really good super season. Uelese & Vunivalu didnt

And that’s the rub - personally I think Vunivalu had a much better season than both those players - which is a ludicrous objective statement considering the positions each played.

 

[Adam84]

I think theres a difference between investing in young talent and a ‘pet’ player.. Calling a player a ‘pet’ is a bit insulting as it infer they are selected in the squad for reasons other than their talent. In the front row Schoup had a pretty good debut season, and Nonggor is one of 5 starting THP‘s in Super Rugby, given the shallow depth in these positions it’s hardly surprising they’ve been included up until now, but IMO despite their experience they’ve both earned it given the competition.

 

[Adam84]

And that’s the rub - personally I think Vunivalu had a much better season than both those players - which is a ludicrous objective statement considering the positions each played.

I think he Vunivalu had a pretty good season in Super Rugby, people now have a stigma about him now they’ll just say he didn‘t.. but theres no denying he butchered his 2 opportunities in Gold this year