On the subject of the Wallabies in 2024, I hope that the use of overseas based players is tightened up. Of all of those brought in and tried this year, probably only Skelton has played at the level required, and the others could have been replaced by someone else just as good or better.
The crowd favourite, the exocet missile, did little in attack and was often out of position in defence. He is top class eye candy the way he throws himself around the ground but mostly quite ineffectual. Tom Wright and Dylan Pietsch are better rugby players and imo would have performed better over the course of the tournament.
Samu Kerevi was merely a shadow of his former self. The 12 spot is about the weakest in the team at the moment, but we could have done just as good with Foketi imo.
Richie Arnold was a mistake, as I suspect Rory would have been too had he been considered. Lock was an area where we proved to be competitive with the NZers over the Super Rugby season, and we should have stuck with our local players,
The others, who didn't make the squad are beyond their best days and only managed to reduce the game time available for others who might have made the grade, eg Lolesio.
We have a problem at 15. Andrew Kellaway did not perform as we'd have liked against Wales. Hopefully, Max Jorgenson can recover and prove to be the answer here. Otherwise, a different style of player in the mould of Ben Donaldson, but better, would be Jack Debreczini.
We have a good selection of wingers in Nawaqanitawase, Pietsch, Wright, Petaia and up and comers in Anderson and Toole.
Len Ikitau is currently irreplaceable at 13 but Josh Flook is looking good as a backup. The 12 spot is another weakness. Foketi is probably the best of the present lot, but hopefully Tuipoluto can continue his rise as he's a very promising young player.
Carter Gordon remains the outstanding candidate for 10. 2024 will be Noah's last chance to establish himself, and if he fails to do so, then it could be a long wait for one of the U20s stars to come through.
No 9 is well served for the future with Fines-Leleiwasa, McDermott and Lonergan.
In the forwards we should see further development in Nonngorr, Schoupp, Lambert, and Gibbon, but we're well served in the front row with Ala'alatoa, Bell, Tupou while Slipper probably has another year or so in him.
Hooker is a problem spot, Hopefully, Brandon Paenga-Amosa returns and brings some good form with him. Otherwise, I think Faessler, Pollard and Lonergan have the most potential of the locals. Porecki imo has reached his limit while Uelese and Mafi are both over-hyped and not test level players. Again some good U20s coming through in Marley Pearce at the Force and Bowron at the Brumbies, but still a way off.
Canham in the second row is looking good and adds to the strength of Frost, Philip, Neville, Swain and Holloway.
Back row should be relatively stable. Valetini and McReight best in their spots at Super Rugby level, with Hooper, Gleeson, Leota and Wilson all capable. Wouldn't mind seeing Wilkin getting a run from time to time and someone like Charlie Cale for the future.