Wallabies 2024

[Tomthumb]

TT, so you have never seen him play? I think he is a solid prop who does all the work necessary and AAA gets worked over regularly. Pone = huge error, Zane is too light, not strong enough and young. At least Talakai can hold tighthead and I have not seen him worked over. I don't care who steps up but behind Tupoa is a hole.

I've watched him play plenty, from back when he was struggling for the Reds. He's decent around the field, but very poor technically at scrum time, goes in on an angle far too much and exposes his ribs far too easily. I've seen him worked over plenty of times, he would have ended up struggling just as badly as Zane and Pone did

AAA isn't perfect, but he's in a different stratosphere from Sam Talakai

 

[Derpus]

Please stop making obvious assumptions it pisses me off. Everyone knows they didn't play. I was making an observation on the competition they would meet v France, Ireland, NZ, SA and England.

But it doesn't really make any sense. They won't be playing for those other countries? To be test level you just have to be the best player for your country.

 

[rugbyAU]

I've watched him play plenty, from back when he was struggling for the Reds. He's decent around the field, but very poor technically at scrum time, goes in on an angle far too much and exposes his ribs far too easily. I've seen him worked over plenty of times, he would have ended up struggling just as badly as Zane and Pone did

AAA isn't perfect, but he's in a different stratosphere from Sam Talakai

Or any other TH other than Tupou in Australia

 

[Brumby Runner]

AAA, Frost, BPA, Rodda

Let's all allow Rodda to have a full Super season without major injury before we start talking about him as a Wallaby again.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I want to see if Sam Talakai can step up as he looks good enough to me. Also he could backup Tupoa who is injury plagued atm.

Injury is a real downer, isn't it. But at THP we are lucky to have Taniela Tupou back from injury to take Tupoa's place if needed.

When someone expresses an opinion that Sam Talakai is a better prop or prospect than Allan Ala'alatoa, then it's close to time to ignore that poster.

 

[upthereds#!]

TT, so you have never seen him play? I think he is a solid prop who does all the work necessary and AAA gets worked over regularly. Pone = huge error, Zane is too light, not strong enough and young. At least Talakai can hold tighthead and I have not seen him worked over. I don't care who steps up but behind Tupoa is a hole.

Agree that Talakai has been under utilised recently as a standard solid THP. Definitely more useful then Nonggoor at least.
Disagree that AAA has 'had his day'.

I see Bell and Tupou starting with Slipper and AAA on the bench for 2024 and 2025.

 

[stillmissit]

Injury is a real downer, isn't it. But at THP we are lucky to have Taniela Tupou back from injury to take Tupoa's place if needed.

When someone expresses an opinion that Sam Talakai is a better prop or prospect than Allan Ala'alatoa, then it's close to time to ignore that poster.

I thought you did that months ago!!!!!

BTW I never expressed that opinion re AAA being poorer than him but I am of the opinion that Talaki could step up.

 

[stillmissit]

But it doesn't really make any sense. They won't be playing for those other countries? To be test level you just have to be the best player for your country.

Jesus Derpus you must have taken more head kicks than I did.....

 

[Derpus]

Jesus Derpus you must have taken more head kicks than I did.....

Yeah I uh... really doubt that.

 

[rodha]

We only have a short list of players ready for this level.
Bell
BobbyV
Tupoa (if fit)
Skelton
McDermott
Ikitau
Kellaway
Markymark

Possibles in 24 Gordon. Petaia, Liam Wright

You forget Rodda who when fit is probably Australia's most effective lock at test level - see the SA wins back in 2021.

Remember he was out injured for 2020, 2022, 2023 seasons, and a massive chunk of 2021 as well.

 

[LeCheese]

You forget Rodda who when fit is probably Australia's most effective lock at test level - see the SA wins back in 2021.

Remember he was out injured for 2020, 2022, 2023 seasons, and a massive chunk of 2021 as well.

Super effective

 

[LeCheese]

 

[Adam84]

Super effective

can't do wrong if you aren't playing

 

[Tomikin]

can't do wrong if you aren't playing

AAA was Australia's best prop during the world cup, never made a mistake

 

[Bullrush]

Before his injury, I thought AAA was playing some really good rugby - perhaps career best form at Test level. That injury really hurt the Wallabies this year.

 

[Braveheart81]

We only have a short list of players ready for this level.

McDermott

I'd argue there are still big question marks over McDermott's ability at test level. He has some pretty substantial holes in his game and it is still a problematic position for the Wallabies.

He's got the inside track now with White fading but I don't think it's an obvious long term selection. If he is our long term starter then he needs to be consistently a fair bit better than he has been so far for it not to remain a position of concern going forward.

 

[stillmissit]

I'd argue there are still big question marks over McDermott's ability at test level. He has some pretty substantial holes in his game and it is still a problematic position for the Wallabies.

He's got the inside track now with White fading but I don't think it's an obvious long term selection. If he is our long term starter then he needs to be consistently a fair bit better than he has been so far for it not to remain a position of concern going forward.

Agree, although he could also lift his passing game, as others have done, and become the 9 we need. At this time he is the best and plays well enough at the international level. I thought the young Force 9 showed a lot of promise and will be interesting to watch this coming season.

 

[LeCheese]

Agree, although he could also lift his passing game, as others have done, and become the 9 we need. At this time he is the best and plays well enough at the international level. I thought the young Force 9 showed a lot of promise and will be interesting to watch this coming season.

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa? He's 28 - three years older than Tate.

Agreed he was solid though - a shame that he'll no doubt end up benched for White

 

[rugbyAU]

Ryan Lonergan shouldn’t be left out of discussion or selection

 

[Derpus]

I'd argue there are still big question marks over McDermott's ability at test level. He has some pretty substantial holes in his game and it is still a problematic position for the Wallabies.

He's got the inside track now with White fading but I don't think it's an obvious long term selection. If he is our long term starter then he needs to be consistently a fair bit better than he has been so far for it not to remain a position of concern going forward.

More or less applies to everyone