Wallabies 2024

[Braveheart81]

It does feel like if you don't pick Hamish Stewart now then you're never going to pick him.

 

[Wilson]

Have a feeling we might see Feliuai given first crack, with Stewart a chance on the bench, particularly if we want to try something different and go 6-2. Might come down to Lynagh's hamstring.

 

[wamberal99]

10. Lynagh
12. Lolesio
15. Donaldson

Give them all a whirl

10. Lynagh
12. Anybody but Lolesio
15. Wright

 

[Sully]

Reckon we should give that Robinson fella a go at loosehead... On form.

 

[KOB1987]

I'm not really keen on shifting in one of our few world class players from their preferred position...

It's time to give one of these other guys an opportunity.

I agree in principle with most of this but who determined that Len Ikitau is world class? Very good player and certainly one of the few auto picks in our squad, but doesn't world class imply that if you were picking a world xv he would be in it, at 13? Or put another way, he'd make the best xv, at 13, for every international side in the world? Someone else can go through the exercise but I think it is debatable that he has reached those heights.

 

[Khun Phil]

I'm with you - I like his articles. I met him at a Roar function in Lyon before the Australia-Wales game and he's a really good bloke. As were Geoff Parkes, Tony Harper and Morgs.

That's good to hear,as he has always come across as a decent bloke to me,too.I was a little surprised to see the criticism here about him.He always responds well to comments on his articles even when not complimentary to him.I am just envious of his rugby watching lifestyle and he seems to like a drink or two!

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think that is a reasonable definition of world class. Generally there's very little difference between the top few players at each position. I think it's more whether a player would hold their own against those guys on a consistent basis (i.e. they wouldn't look out of place if they played instead of that player).

I would say Angus Bell, sometimes (maybe occasionally) Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete are our only players who you could say fit that description.

 

[Braveheart81]

That's good to hear,as he has always come across as a decent bloke to me,too.I was a little surprised to see the criticism here about him.He always responds well to comments on his articles even when not complimentary to him.I am just envious of his rugby watching lifestyle and he seems to like a drink or two!

I don't think there's any connection between whether or not someone is a good bloke and whether or not they're a good writer etc.

 

[Dctarget]

I don't think we've seen world class form from Ikitau in 2 years.

 

[Slim 293]

I agree in principle with most of this but who determined that Len Ikitau is world class? Very good player and certainly one of the few auto picks in our squad, but doesn't world class imply that if you were picking a world xv he would be in it, at 13? Or put another way, he'd make the best xv, at 13, for every international side in the world? Someone else can go through the exercise but I think it is debatable that he has reached those heights.

I'd say he was widely regarded as one of the best outside centres in international rugby prior to injury and Eddie last year...

 

[Slim 293]

I don't think we've seen world class form from Ikitau in 2 years.

He put in an enormous effort against Argentina last year before having to come off...

There was this little nugget in the rugbypass player ratings from the weekend that highlights his value:

What often goes unnoticed, though, is Ikitau’s leadership. The midfielder was seen numerous times barking orders to his teammates and ordering them to fill gaps that the Springboks might’ve otherwise exploited.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think we've seen world class form from Ikitau in 2 years.

You could probably say the same about Koroibete for the most part.

I'd put it down to our backline being pretty disastrous. 9/10/12 have generally been bad and that has been reflected in our lack of stability in those positions.

 

[Sully]

I agree in principle with most of this but who determined that Len Ikitau is world class? Very good player and certainly one of the few auto picks in our squad, but doesn't world class imply that if you were picking a world xv he would be in it, at 13? Or put another way, he'd make the best xv, at 13, for every international side in the world? Someone else can go through the exercise but I think it is debatable that he has reached those heights.

I agree, while he is our best 13 he wouldn't make my world 15 or my second 15 and probably not the 3rd 15.

 

[Sully]

I don't think that is a reasonable definition of world class. Generally there's very little difference between the top few players at each position. I think it's more whether a player would hold their own against those guys on a consistent basis (i.e. they wouldn't look out of place if they played instead of that player).

I would say Angus Bell, sometimes (maybe occasionally) Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete are our only players who you could say fit that description.

We've had these discussions over the years. Out of the players you've named the only one I'd call world class is Tupou and not right now.

 

[cyclopath]

Do you understand how obnoxious and frequently incorrect you are?

I think he hasn't worked out insight v incite yet...

 

[Tomthumb]

That's good to hear,as he has always come across as a decent bloke to me,too.I was a little surprised to see the criticism here about him.He always responds well to comments on his articles even when not complimentary to him.I am just envious of his rugby watching lifestyle and he seems to like a drink or two!

C’mon now Harry, back to work

 

[Yoda]

C’mon now Harry, back to work

Harry seems to write for Harry. His ego shines through all his articles…mostly waffle ….occasionally interesting… not that good as a talent scout.

 

[cyclopath]

My god that was a painful read. The man is an absolute blowhard

Who incorrectly told this man he was some rugby sage?

Tough read indeed. Telling his audience approximately nothing that they don't know.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

My god that was a painful read. The man is an absolute blowhard

Who incorrectly told this man he was some rugby sage?

Comes with a South African passport, doesn't it?

 

[Khun Phil]

I don't think there's any connection between whether or not someone is a good bloke and whether or not they're a good writer etc.

True,but I happen to think he is a good writer too.He always has a different slant on things to the run of the mill rugby writers.Obviously doesn't appeal to everyone,but that's life.We all have our own preferences.