Wallabies 2024

[John S]

How was Sua'ali'i found out positionally? I don't recall a single break made by the Irish down the 13 channel. He also only missed one tackle (apparently, I didn't check).

I recall at least one occasion when he perfectly anticipated the play and cut down the receiving player behind the gainline. We defended almost perfectly across the board if you ask me.

And I, for one, don't mind a fractionally late hit on a playmaker as long as it's not with the intent to injure. Particularly when they get away with it.

I think there were a couple that were more than fractionally late - but they were still an attempt to tackle (not an attempt to take a player out), really a timing thing. But, having said that, if the ref wanted to ping them, he could have.

 

[Agent]

All his comments have an air of finality and wise old man nodding, whilst walking off into the sunset vibes.

Surely there is a fair attraction for Joe to stay. We have a team that seems to be in the improve (hopefully this continues in 2025), we have a Lions tour here next year, and a home RWC not long after that. Surely RA can make it attractive enough to convince him to stay for a few more years.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think this sort of comment is unnecessary, and ironic, given your tone about people who disagree with you needing to grow up.

But it's not unknown Cyclo. After posting some unflattering comment about a Brumby player this year I came in for a blast from another poster who identified as a family member. It could be so.

 

[cyclopath]

But it's not unknown Cyclo. After posting some unflattering comment about a Brumby player this year I came in for a blast from another poster who identified as a family member. It could be so.

I don't buy that - it came across as a lazy way to dismiss someone's counterpoint to yours as being that of an irrational family member.

 

[dru]

Sua’ali’i had a professional rugby debut, the like of which I doubt I will see again in my lifetime. Now that said, the bloke lacks rugby experience let alone test experience and guys like Ikitau, Kellaw and Wright took huge advantage of what he offered. At the same time as plugging the holes.

For mine, BR is the closest critique to reality that I am seeing g on GAGR.

I’m baffled how that is being dismissive of JAS. (Though I might have for something above 3/10.) Let’s see how things develop with some actual rugby under his belt.

 

[Derpus]

Sua’ali’i had a professional rugby debut, the like of which I doubt I will see again in my lifetime. Now that said, the bloke lacks rugby experience let alone test experience and guys like Ikitau, Kellaw and Wright took huge advantage of what he offered. At the same time as plugging the holes.

For mine, BR is the closest critique to reality that I am seeing g on GAGR.

I’m baffled how that is being dismissive of JAS. (Though I might have for something above 3/10.) Let’s see how things develop with some actual rugby under his belt.

He got MotM in his first game in which we beat England in England.

Even if he got a 0/10 against Ireland he's still well beyond a fucking 3.

 

[cyclopath]

Sua’ali’i had a professional rugby debut, the like of which I doubt I will see again in my lifetime. Now that said, the bloke lacks rugby experience let alone test experience and guys like Ikitau, Kellaw and Wright took huge advantage of what he offered. At the same time as plugging the holes.

For mine, BR is the closest critique to reality that I am seeing g on GAGR.

I’m baffled how that is being dismissive of JAS. (Though I might have for something above 3/10.) Let’s see how things develop with some actual rugby under his belt.

I think the 3/10 is really the main bone of contention for many. I don't think anyone thinks he's anywhere near the finished product.

 

[SamoanNo8]

He got MotM in his first game in which we beat England in England.

Even if he got a 0/10 against Ireland he's still well beyond a fucking 3.

Agree.

The 3/10 is an absurd, if not a hallucinatory, opinion.

 

[cyclopath]

Agree.

The 3/10 is an absurd, if not a hallucinatory, opinion.

Can we reign inn the hyperbole a bit, please? It's getting a bit silly.

 

[SamoanNo8]

Can we reign inn the hyperbole a bit, please? It's getting a bit silly.

Roger that

 

[Brumby Runner]

I don't buy that - it came across as a lazy way to dismiss someone's counterpoint to yours as being that of an irrational family member.

My last word on the subject Cyclo but is it ok to suggest I and others who have a differing opinion is/are "full of shit"? But I am being lazy?

 

[cyclopath]

My last word on the subject Cyclo but is it ok to suggest I and others who have a differing opinion is/are "full of shit"? But I am being lazy?

Who said you were full of shit? I don't read every post, if you report it, it gets looked at.

 

[SamoanNo8]

Anyway moving right along.

Another topic which warrants further exploration is that of Harry's Wilson's time as captain thus far, and his appointment going forward.

Wilson had an admirable Northern Hemisphere tour as an individual player, partaking in three fixtures. Noting this was one of the Wallabies' more successful Northern Hemisphere tours in recent times, one can also ostensibly say that it was a successful tour for Wilson as captain. His men responded positively to his call and example.

Do the Green & Gold forum participants see Wilson as the Wallabies' long-term captain? Or is the Wallabies captaincy still a moving piece?

The answer to that question is predicated on whether Wilson has indeed cemented himself as the Wallabies' number 8 moving forward. The collective performance of the backrow against England and Ireland would suggest that the answer to that question is perhaps 'yes'.

 

[cyclopath]

Anyway moving right along.

Another topic which warrants further exploration is that of Harry's Wilson's time as captain thus far, and his appointment going forward.

Wilson had an admirable Northern Hemisphere tour as an individual player, partaking in three fixtures. Noting this was one of the Wallabies' more successful Northern Hemisphere tours in recent times, one can also ostensibly say that it was a successful tour for Wilson as captain. His men responded positively to his call and example.

Do the Green & Gold forum participants see Wilson as the Wallabies' long-term captain? Or is the Wallabies captaincy still a moving piece?

The answer to that question is predicated on whether Wilson has indeed cemented himself as the Wallabies' number 8 moving forward. The collective performance of the backrow against England and Ireland would suggest that the answer to that question is perhaps 'yes'.

I see Wilson as "gonna be selected if fit", based on his play on this tour. The 6/7/8 combo has been terrific. I cannot see why he would not be captain as well. I think he has done a very good job in the role. His interactions with refs are good, and he is considered and honest in his post match stuff. Plus, the team looks pretty cohesive, which always tells us something.

 

[Wilson]

Yeah, hard to see them going past Harry right now both as a starter and a captain, as long as his fitness holds.

As far as a long term captain goes? I don't think they'll name one until after the Lions tour, though Schmidt might name a captain for the whole tour, instead of on a match by match basis. Anything longer than that will have to wait until we're working to those longer term horizons like 2027, and probably more importantly, the post Lions coaching is settled.

 

[Tomikin]

You could see a world where Bobby V goes to 8, Wright to 6 and Skelton in the row. That would probably mean Wilson ends up on the bench instead of Gleeson.

Other then that, I can't really see how much else it would change before the Lions

 

[SamoanNo8]

You could see a world where Bobby V goes to 8, Wright to 6 and Skelton in the row. That would probably mean Wilson ends up on the bench instead of Gleeson.

Other then that, I can't really see how much else it would change before the Lions

I don't think Liam Wright is anywhere near the standard of Valetini, McReight and Wilson as seen on this recent tour.

Are you thinking of a situation where Will Skelton is a 'must have'?

 

[Tomikin]

I don't think Liam Wright is anywhere near the standard of Valetini, McReight and Wilson as seen on this recent tour.

Are you thinking of a situation where Will Skelton is a 'must have'?

Just a different look, but yeah if we are thinking Skelton is a starter, I think Scotland showed we needed a jumping 6.

Remember start of the season he was captain and 6.

Alternative you run what we run against Ireland with Skelton on the bench with Liam.

I personally think we have played better without Skelton but it's tough to say really, I'm guessing the coaching staff will have the data

 

[cyclopath]

Just a different look, but yeah if we are thinking Skelton is a starter, I think Scotland showed we needed a jumping 6.

Remember start of the season he was captain and 6.

Alternative you run what we run against Ireland with Skelton on the bench with Liam.

I personally think we have played better without Skelton but it's tough to say really, I'm guessing the coaching staff will have the data

Yeah, I think they have to look at their data on lineout success and maul success and work out how they balance best. It may be that the ideal team will vary from opponent to opponent. In any event, we are talking about some quality players and combos to be making decisions over. Nicer to have this issue than some of the options in the past.

 

[Prodigy]

My last word on the subject Cyclo but is it ok to suggest I and others who have a differing opinion is/are "full of shit"? But I am being lazy?

Go back and read my post. I said tell me someone who should have had his place for the Ireland game and I'll tell you that you are full of shit.
I'm not a family member. I am a fan of his, have known him for a long time and know the man that he is.
Len Ikitau was great at 12, JAS was good at 13. He doesn't start 3/4 tests without getting a pass mark, especially if you think that the tour has been successful.
Definitely has some work to do, as do the rest of the Wallabies. Again, I'll ask, if Ikitau & Su'ali'i wasn't our best 12/13 combination for Ireland, who was? Kerevi & Ikitau? Hamish Stewart & Ikitau? Ikitau & Josh Flook?