Wallabies 2024

[Tomikin]

It’s not clear at all, you’re just making assumptions. He’s not John Eales, there are obviously improvements that they believe he needs to make

He missed the first squad of the year, he isn’t banished for life. We should be encouraging these guys to stick in Aussie Rugby and keep putting their best foot forward

Thanks champ, I didn't say I wanted him to go, I said he might regret it, and if rumoured below. Then that's worse.... better off not making the finals.

Schmidt singled out R.Lonergan and Swain as being tough/close calls

Also mentioned a lot of weight placed on finals performances which makes me think it might have been the reason Swain wasnt picked

Better off finishing last and not making the finals

 

[capalaba]

Is there a video showing the formal squad announcement? I can't find anything anywhere. All I see is the names but what about the actual naming?

 

[rugbyAU]

Is there a video showing the formal squad announcement? I can't find anything anywhere. All I see is the names but what about the actual naming?

no actual naming in that way, just a follow up press conference

 

[KOB1987]

Is there a video showing the formal squad announcement? I can't find anything anywhere. All I see is the names but what about the actual naming?

Wouldn’t their names being announced be the actual naming? Edit - ok, I see what you are saying. I don’t think they wanted a ticker tape parade for this squad, it’s all out there and he has covered the controversial picks subsequently.

 

[capalaba]

In New Zealand the chairman of the Rugby Union gets out there, calls a press conference and informs the whole of NZ who the All Blacks Squad is. Not a. Bloody text with a bunch of names that gets displayed on T. V

 

[KOB1987]

In New Zealand the chairman of the Rugby Union gets out there, calls a press conference and informs the whole of NZ who the All Blacks Squad is. Not a. Bloody text with a bunch of names that gets displayed on T. V

Has he done that?

 

[rugbyAU]

Has he done that?

No, just a follow up presser explaining the selections

 

[KOB1987]

No, just a follow up presser explaining the selections

No I meant the chairman of the NZRU. I actually really didn’t expect much this time TBH, the last one was farcical (Eddie’s one).

 

[capalaba]

No I meant the chairman of the NZRU. I actually really didn’t expect much this time TBH, the last one was farcical (Eddie’s one).

Ah yes the Chairman of the NZRU does, the whole of NZ is at a standstill.

 

[Derpus]

I thought he was excellent considering his age, his time away from rugby and coming straight into a new environment. I was expecting him to be totally washed but that was not the case. Makes total sense in a team crying out for experience that he has been included in a 38 man squad.

Yeah it was immediately obvious how much better he was at seeing space than any other Force player on the field.

You'd think his old shortcomings like defence would only be more obvious at test level now though. Think he's just there as a squadie. Not sure his spot is 'wasted' if he's not there to play and he has no intention of using someone like Campbell anyway.

 

[rugbyAU]

This is a pretty weak squad tbh we'd be beaten by the ABs by 40-50 with this squad

 

[LeCheese]

This is a pretty weak squad tbh we'd be beaten by the ABs by 40-50 with this squad

Nope. Purely luring ABs into a false sense of security before trojan horsing their arses. Wobs to win the Bled, Schmidt to be anointed with the tears of his countrymen, all the while KB (Kurtley Beale) celebrates his 100th test.

 

[KOB1987]

This is a pretty weak squad tbh we'd be beaten by the ABs by 40-50 with this squad

That old chestnut. Gets wheeled out prior to the first test every year. I don't think this is the same squad we will be playing the ABs with.

 

[whitefalcon]

I think its easy to get caught up looking at the cattle vs last year where the real test will be the game plan.

I have more faith that we will play smarter rugby under Schmidt than we did under He Who Shall Not Be Named

 

[wamberal99]

Gee we're giving up already apparently. We'll beat Wales 2 zip.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Surely we remember the hype from the lead up to the RWC. Wallabies were going to win all tests in 23 leading into France and then take Bill in a smash and grab. And we all fell for at least part of the drivel, some fell for the lot. How did we finish? Wins against Georgia and Portugal and kicked out of France earlier than expected.

We won't have as much drivel this year, but we will have a new squad, new 23, a new coach and assistants, new game plan and just two weeks to forge a team to be competitive with Wales who beat us handsomely last year and Georgia who were no easy beats. I don't see it happening. Probably two losses to Wales, and if Schmidt and Co can actually put and keep a team together without too much chop and changing and allowing the players some time to find their feet in this new environment, maybe a win against Georgia. We need it or we'll find ourselves out of the top ten ranked sides internationally.

The team to play in the RC will be strengthened by including some overseas players, Skelton, Koroibete, BPA, and hopefully by some returning injured players, Bell especially. If the basis for a competitive team can be put together now, then there is hope for further success later in the year.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

One of the big problems last year was the non-existent game plan and lack of expertise and experience in the coaching group. I’m quietly confident that we’ll be better this year

 

[Yoda]

Surely we remember the hype from the lead up to the RWC. Wallabies were going to win all tests in 23 leading into France and then take Bill in a smash and grab. And we all fell for at least part of the drivel, some fell for the lot. How did we finish? Wins against Georgia and Portugal and kicked out of France earlier than expected.

We won't have as much drivel this year, but we will have a new squad, new 23, a new coach and assistants, new game plan and just two weeks to forge a team to be competitive with Wales who beat us handsomely last year and Georgia who were no easy beats. I don't see it happening. Probably two losses to Wales, and if Schmidt and Co can actually put and keep a team together without too much chop and changing and allowing the players some time to find their feet in this new environment, maybe a win against Georgia. We need it or we'll find ourselves out of the top ten ranked sides internationally.

The team to play in the RC will be strengthened by including some overseas players, Skelton, Koroibete, BPA, and hopefully by some returning injured players, Bell especially. If the basis for a competitive team can be put together now, then there is hope for further success later in the year.

With a game plan we will beat Wales. Georgia too, I would suggest comfortably. We didn’t have a game plan last time we played Wales! Why are you so pessimistic? Schmidt is a back coach and Cron a reputable forward coach. So far, miles ahead of EJ (Eddie Jones) and his band of NRL coaches with no real idea of rugby. I’m very confident with this coaching team and our new faces in the Wallabies. Go boys!

 

[KOB1987]

With a game plan we will beat Wales. Georgia too, I would suggest comfortably. We didn’t have a game plan last time we played Wales! Why are you so pessimistic? Schmidt is a back coach and Cron a reputable forward coach. So far, miles ahead of EJ (Eddie Jones) (Eddie Jones) and his band of NRL coaches with no real idea of rugby. I’m very confident with this coaching team and our new faces in the Wallabies. Go boys!

Not enough Brumbies, 3 Tahs and Kurtley.

 

[KOB1987]

^^^ I should point out I don't necessarily disagree with that stance. Swain should be there ahead of Blyth (WTF?), 3 Tahs is fair but they are the wrong ones (+ Bell & Porecki), Kurtley is OK as a squaddie.

I don't think any of those selections will make 2/10 difference in the test series v Wales.