Wallabies 2024

[Strewthcobber]

You would be dropping Rob Simmons and putting Fardy in the Row

Fardy came on off the bench at second row for a game somewhere in there, maybe a 2016 Bled?

Our scrum just disintegrated. He was nowhere near good enough to start at second row internationally, especially over a 100 gamer, set piece specialist like Simmons

 

[Derpus]

Yeah Simmons was excellent he just wasn't very physically dominant. Now all our locks are not physically dominant and can only dream of Simmons technical excellence.

 

[Tomthumb]

I disagree on everything other than over the ball (which in a team with pocock and hooper, why is this needed?). Probably even keel at the lineout but otherwise I'd say Valetini's size helps him as a defender while still being agile.

And while he's not really used as a link player - his size and strength as a ball carrier more than makes up for it.

On balance of strengths - I think he gets picked in that final team if both are fit, healthy and at their peaks

He was targeted on defense during the Rugby Championship. He was caught out quite a bit being too slow laterally

 

[Strewthcobber]

I disagree on everything other than over the ball (which in a team with pocock and hooper, why is this needed?). Probably even keel at the lineout but otherwise I'd say Valetini's size helps him as a defender while still being agile.

And while he's not really used as a link player - his size and strength as a ball carrier more than makes up for it.

On balance of strengths - I think he gets picked in that final team if both are fit, healthy and at their peaks

Fardy was always a genuine lineout option and even called the lineout at Wallaby level (regularly at Super Rugby level). He was a far better lineout operator than Valetini is.

 

[Derpus]

Yeah freezing out Fardy for a little ill-discipline looks to have been a really strange decision in retrospect from Cheika.

 

[Slim 293]

Yeah freezing out Fardy for a little ill-discipline looks to have been a really strange in retrospect from Cheika.

That, and sticking with the Pooper for too long...

 

[stillmissit]

That, and sticking with the Pooper for too long...

Too long with Pooper and unbalanced the back row. Two 7's was never going to stand up against a Kiwi BR with Reid, McCaw and Kaino

 

[Derpus]

Too long with Pooper and unbalanced the back row. Two 7's was never going to stand up against a Kiwi BR with Reid, McCaw and Kaino

No one was going to stand up to peak Reid, McCaw and Kaino. Probably the best backrow combination of all time.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Not sure the likes of Palu, Timani, Higgenbotham, Hanigan or Mumm would have stood up either

 

[Ignoto]

Not sure the likes of Palu, Timani, Higgenbotham, Hanigan or Mumm would have stood up either

In 2016 we had Fardy, Liam Gill, Hooper, Leroy Houston, McCalman, Sean McMahon, Mumm, Palu and Pocock in the squad.

For some reason, Chieka was never able to Houston to replicate his overseas form and both Gill and McMahon decided to leave to earn extra cash.

I agree that there was nothing stopping that golden generation of All Black players, but you would have hoped and we expected to be closer.

 

[Derpus]

In 2016 we had Fardy, Liam Gill, Hooper, Leroy Houston, McCalman, Sean McMahon, Mumm, Palu and Pocock in the squad.

For some reason, Chieka was never able to Houston to replicate his overseas form and both Gill and McMahon decided to leave to earn extra cash.

I agree that there was nothing stopping that golden generation of All Black players, but you would have hoped and we expected to be closer.

Yeah it all went to shit in 2016 and has never really gotten better.

 

[Strewthcobber]

In 2016 we had Fardy, Liam Gill, Hooper, Leroy Houston, McCalman, Sean McMahon, Mumm, Palu and Pocock in the squad.

In the context of the Pooper, McMahon and Gill barely change the equation, Paul was injured the whole time and Mumm, Houston and McCalman are good players, but a bit meh....would they have improved our chances more than just having our two best players on the field?

I think we probably just end up losing by more if we went with another combo

 

[rugbyAU]

Anyone know when the squad is announced?

 

[emuarse]

Yep....next Tuesday

 

[Wilson]

Bit of chaos in the English camp heading into the EOYT:

Rugby news 2024 | England squad named for Autumn Nations Series, Test vs Wallabies

They'll still be favourites to beat us but this does leave them a bit more vulnerable, particularly if they're struggling to get the defence changeover sorted.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Bit of chaos in the English camp heading into the EOYT:

Rugby news 2024 | England squad named for Autumn Nations Series, Test vs Wallabies

They'll still be favourites to beat us but this does leave them a bit more vulnerable, particularly if they're struggling to get the defence changeover sorted.

Two coaches (one of them a recent RWC winner) wanting to jump ship on the eve of a tour screams that Borthwick learned the wrong lessons from his tenure as Eddie's protege.

Forcing Felix Jones to stay and work remotely only reinforces my opinion.

Why would you keep someone in the set-up who vocally and furthermore publicly does not want to be there? Do you think you're getting his best work?

 

[Joe Blow]

That's why I said 1-1 vs Argentina.

Let’s call it 1-1.5 because of the scoreline in the 2nd