Wallabies 2024

[Derpus]

What non Super Rugby players are available for Wallaby selection?

I think the Giteau law should go and try keep the players here playing Super Rugby if you want to play for the Wallabies

Born and bred Australian supporting the ABs? Opinion irrelevant. Bet you support the Maroons having spent your whole life in NSW too.

Probably a Man U supporter as well.

 

[cyclopath]

and why does a bench option need to play 4,6 & 8?

Valetini & McReight are bolted on and both can be budgeted for 80 minutes- so whoever is selected to start and "finish" should be picked to complement them

Depends upon who the specialist reserve lock is, and if they are a good lineout organiser. Holloway is a good lineout organiser and technician, so I could see his utility as a reserve to cover a couple of positions being valuable, especially if his lineout work is needed, depending on injuries and subs. I think he could work well with Valetini and McReight. But thankfully we have a few options as 4/6 hybrid types. I agree we'd likely see Valetini and McReight playing long minutes.

 

[LeCheese]

All those rolling mauls.... Reds should score some more open field tries, try and be less boring.

 

[emuarse]

The urge to take the bait is almost insurmountable...

View attachment 18883

Was that McKenzie's (Chiefs) dad about to have a shot at goal

 

[Wallabies]

just watched latest episode of between two posts, and apparently Hodgman is now eligible for wallabies. Could be good as either utility or to replace Angus Bell early in the season

 

[RugbyReg]

Yeah. His eligibility was known when signed. There’s every chance he’s starting 1 given Slippers injuries. And he’d be an excellent option. His physicality is unmatched at LHP. Obviously doesn’t have the running game of Bell nor the ball playing of Slipper but I think he’s the strongest scrummager and his tackling is ferocious

 

[Homer]

Yeah. His eligibility was known when signed. There’s every chance he’s starting 1 given Slippers injuries. And he’d be an excellent option. His physicality is unmatched at LHP. Obviously doesn’t have the running game of Bell nor the ball playing of Slipper but I think he’s the strongest scrummager and his tackling is ferocious

We need some more guys who are just very good at their core duties, too often we look for a superstar in every position to create some great TV shots. But a workhorse front row is fine if you have Valetini, McReight, Frost, Uru etc who have speed, ball skills etc
The Reds front row have put in some huge clean outs this year at the ruck and created huge forward momentum through it.

 

[The Phoenix]

Yeah. His eligibility was known when signed. There’s every chance he’s starting 1 given Slippers injuries. And he’d be an excellent option. His physicality is unmatched at LHP. Obviously doesn’t have the running game of Bell nor the ball playing of Slipper but I think he’s the strongest scrummager and his tackling is ferocious

Reg, how did Hoopert go against the Reds? I missed the game and haven't been able to catch it. He was close to Wallabies before his injuries and I thought he looked good in his first two comeback games.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

If we use competition points as a guide for the initial squad, assuming a squad of 32 players and no O/S picks, we currently end up with:

11 Brumbies
8 Reds
6 Rebels
4 Force
3 Waratahs

I reckon any squad should be pretty close to that. However, I'd add Angus Bell in with an asterisk which would increase the Tahs quota to 4, and the overall squad to 33, probably justified by the fact that if not for the front row issues - of which he was the major part - they should have picked up at least one more win.

OK - I tried to build a squad off the allocations per franchise:

11 Brumbies (Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Schoupp, Swain, Frost, Valetini, Cale, Lolesio, Ikitau, Toole, Wright)
8 Reds (Hodgman, Feasslar, McReight, Wright, Uru, McDermott, Paisami, Flook)
6 Rebels (Tupou, Talakai, Uelese, Salakai-Loto, Gordon, Kellaway)
4 Force (White, Rodda, Donaldson, Paenga-Amosa)
3 Waratahs (Gordon, Foketi, Nawaqanitawase)

I took a liberty by selecting Paenga-Amosa as a Force selection.

I actually think the representation from the Brumbies, Rebels and Reds will be higher than the above allocation. (Yunk Yard Dog, Harry Wilson, Petaia, Pollard, Tom Hooper, Leota, Gibbon).

For what it's worth, I wouldn't select Nawaqanitawase.

 

[Wilson]

Reg, how did Hoopert go against the Reds? I missed the game and haven't been able to catch it. He was close to Wallabies before his injuries and I thought he looked good in his first two comeback games.

He was solid but unspectacular. I don't think any of the Force players played particularly well though, they were so thoroughly dominated after the first 5 minutes or so.

He could still come into the wallabies frame, but if the Force don't make the finals he might be a game or two short of what he needs to earn his place. Injuries probably keep him in the conversation.

 

[eastman]

OK - I tried to build a squad off the allocations per franchise:

11 Brumbies (Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Schoupp, Swain, Frost, Valetini, Cale, Lolesio, Ikitau, Toole, Wright)
8 Reds (Hodgman, Feasslar, McReight, Wright, Uru, McDermott, Paisami, Flook)
6 Rebels (Tupou, Talakai, Uelese, Salakai-Loto, Gordon, Kellaway)
4 Force (White, Rodda, Donaldson, Paenga-Amosa)
3 Waratahs (Gordon, Foketi, Nawaqanitawase)

I took a liberty by selecting Paenga-Amosa as a Force selection.

I actually think the representation from the Brumbies, Rebels and Reds will be higher than the above allocation. (Yunk Yard Dog, Harry Wilson, Petaia, Pollard, Tom Hooper, Leota, Gibbon).

For what it's worth, I wouldn't select Nawaqanitawase.

I don’t think Foketi or Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) deserve selection this year.

Apart from Paisami we are really lacking quality 12s.

 

[fatprop]

I don’t think Foketi or Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) deserve selection this year.

Apart from Paisami we are really lacking quality 12s.

Hamish Stewart has been playing well and offers a point of difference

 

[Strewthcobber]

Hamish Stewart has been playing well and offers a point of difference

Getting a yellow for abusing the ref was a pretty terrible look for him last game. He'd want to be very careful for a bit.

 

[eastman]

Hamish Stewart has been playing well and offers a point of difference

What’s his point of difference? A little bit of mongrel?

 

[fatprop]

What’s his point of difference? A little bit of mongrel?

I like the option of a 10/12 who can step in for the 10 or play right/left distributors

 

[emuarse]

I like the option of a 10/12 who can step in for the 10 or play right/left distributors

Stewart I rate in that he adds versatility for the backs around him.
As an opposing back, or as a spectator, you don't really know what he's going to do next - that's his point of difference.

 

[Slim 293]

Only three men have played for both the Wallabies and All Blacks. A fourth is set to join them

Kiwi-turned-Queenslander Alex Hodgman is on track to become one of the rarest things in trans-Tasman sport: a Wallablack.

www.smh.com.au

 

[fatprop]

Don't know if this is useful or not, but I thought it was interesting.

Now is it "good" that Gordon & Donaldson end up in contact so often - dunno (edited)

It it a plan or a failure of supports to provide better options?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It's not IMO. Does show a good brain though to not just pass it to someone in a worse position than yourself.

Donaldson surprises me with Stewart being a strong and steady 12.

Would be keen to see Donaldson in a second year at the Force and how it shifts as patterns are built.

 

[Dctarget]

Don't know if this is useful or not, but I thought it was interesting.

Now is it "good" that Gordon & Carter end up in contact so often - dunno

It it a plan or a failure of supports to provide better options?

View attachment 19120

Gordon & Carter? What about Ben & Donaldson?