Wallabies 2023

[eastman]

He hasn’t had the opportunity to play behind a dominant forward pack this year. Who knows how we would have looked against the ABs.

 

[Wilson]

So, last world cup we took our most capped squad ever. Didn't really work. Presumably now turfing out 400 caps in Hooper, Ikitau, Ala'alatoa, Cooper we'll be with our least capped squad. It's great that Carter Gordon has experienced flyhalves around him to mentor him, like Donaldson.

We're definitely without them, but I wouldn't call the omission of Ala'alatoa and Ikitau a turfing out, they're both injured and would almost certainly be there otherwise.

 

[KevinO]

The best the Wallabies have played in the last 5 years was when we had the 10/12/13 axis of Quade, Kerevi and Ikitau in 2021 where we were thumping SA. I still firmly believe that is our strongest combination.

And all 3 of those guys have had pretty major injuries in the last 12 months, so looking at the past doesn't help.

 

[Slim 293]

He hasn’t had the opportunity to play behind a dominant forward pack this year. Who knows how we would have looked against the ABs.

He did play against the AB's...

 

[qwerty51]

Who’s the last player who came back the same or better from an Achilles? Kepu?

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Leota, Tupou, Quade all been pretty underwhelming. Then there’s ACL stuff with Perese and Kerevi been below their best.

Compare that to Bell who had a foot bone issue, had it removed and looks good as new.

You’d be concerned about Ala'alatoa ever being the same player again.

 

[eastman]

He did play against the AB's...

For 15 minutes when we were already fucked. He hasn’t had any game time with a dominant forward pack this year and front foot ball.

 

[eastman]

And all 3 of those guys have had pretty major injuries in the last 12 months, so looking at the past doesn't help.

Ok so let’s bring in Ben Donaldson instead.

 

[Tomthumb]

For 15 minutes when we were already fucked. He hasn’t had any game time with a dominant forward pack this year and front foot ball.

It was a 3 point game, how is that "already fucked"

And the whole point of having a 35 year old with 80 caps in your team is that he shouldnt need everything to be perfect around him. If he does, whats the point?

 

[Slim 293]

For 15 minutes when we were already fucked. He hasn’t had any game time with a dominant forward pack this year and front foot ball.

And half a game the week prior...

But the Wallabies haven't had much front foot ball, and Gordon has looked to be the better player.

I don't think Quade should be dropped for Donaldson, but I also don't think Quade has looked to be the player he was a few years ago prior to several injuries, at his age, not playing any high level rugby.

 

[Derpus]

Even if you don't take Quade how do you conclude it's Donaldson who's next cab off the rank. Certainly not via any visible metric like form, talent, potential, athleticism or nepotism.

I reckon EJ (Eddie Jones) is trolling.

 

[KiwiM]

The fascination with Donaldson is weird but the idea of moving on from a player physically well past his prime combined with enormous mental scars/baggage in Quade is a smart one I think as you build for Lions 25/RWC 27.

 

[dusk]

Even if you don't take Quade how do you conclude it's Donaldson who's next cab off the rank. Certainly not via any visible metric like form, talent, potential, athleticism or nepotism.

I reckon EJ (Eddie Jones) (Eddie Jones) is trolling.

More than happy for Donaldson to prove me wrong but as far as i'm aware, he was behind, debresczini and lynagh in super rugby this year.

 

[Slim 293]

I still live in hope, as Doran has yet to report that Ikitau isn't going...

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Seriously? After all of his comments since his arrival - this is what people think now?

Like, I know it presents as such but let's just wait for his press conference.

Yeah seriously. Deep down I reckon Eddie knows we are nowhere near close to winning this thing. He has to say otherwise publicly, I get it, but does anyone actually believe it?

 

[rugbyAU]

Surely debrecini would have been a better fit for a 10/15 utility role

 

[Dctarget]

I still live in hope, as Doran has yet to report that Ikitau isn't going...

He definitely did but seems to have walked it back. Promising, probably saw Ikitau digging into a croc burger in Darwin.

 

[Wilson]

Hearing O'Connor is on the plane to Darwin. Not clear if it is as part of the squad or as one of the 5ish extras.

 

[hawko07]

How good is all of the excitement and speculation!

 

[Highlander35]

The chaos is fun

 

[Wilson]

How good is all of the excitement and speculation!

I'm enjoying it, but my productivity at work isn't exactly stellar...