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Wallabies 2024

Derpus

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Joe Blow said:
Cale could easily play 6 and is taller and heavier than Liam Wright. Lachie Swinton has been looking OK. Not sure who else could play there or would be selected right now. Seru Uru is a good call.
The dynamics of the pack will change dramatically if Skelton is eventually included for the RC. It opens the door for a looser, wide playing lineout specialist like Cale at 6(or 8 with Valetini moving to 6). If the plan is to bring Skelton in then Schmidt may want to play towards that style from day 1 and play someone like Rodda in his place for the first few tests?
I think we will be surprised by some of Schmidts selections as suggested.
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Eh im not finding myself feeling too parochial these days but Swinton has been excellent, not just okay. The only player from the Tahs worth selecting IMO.
 
Joe Blow

Joe Blow

John Hipwell (52)
Yes, Swinton has been very strong the last couple of games. I would not mind seeing him at 6 to give us a little starch.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
griffins said:
Agree re Kuenzle for the squad.

Not sure about Uru's physicality at test level. In superb form but so is Wright and he has the benefit of having been thrown in the fire a couple of years ago, he very much knows what's required and looks ready.

Also love Lonergan but he hasn't had his best year, with his kicking out of hand being uncharacteristically inconsistent. Whether the leadership was a distraction early on I'm not sure but his form is trending in the right direction. His pass is the best we have I reckon.
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Uru was consistently one of the best in the Baa Baas games during the RWC last year. I reckon he would cope with little trouble.
 
rugbyAU

rugbyAU

Bob Davidson (42)
scrans21 said:
Based on comments from Schmidt, player availability and no one from overseas leagues then I'd expect the starting team for Wales to look something like this:

1. Alex Hodgman*
2. Matt Faesslar
3. Allan Ala'alatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Izack Rodda
6. Liam Wright
7. Fraser McReight
8. Rob Valetini
9. Ryan Lonergan*
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Corey Toole*
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Len Ikitau
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Wright

16. Billy Pollard/Jordan Uelese
17. Matt Gibbon/James Slipper (if fit)
18. Taniela Tupou/Zane Nonggorr
19. Ryan Smith*/Darcy Swain
20. Seru Uru*/Rob Leota
21. Tate McDermott
22. Carter Gordon
23. Filipo Daugunu/Josh Flook*/Dylan Pietsch*

Even as a one-eyed Reds supporter, I think it's too early for Ryan. Give him another full season at the Reds before throwing him in, or maybe a cap against Georgia. I also like the idea of starting Lonergan for his ability with Lolesio to build up a scoreline before McDermott and Gordon come on to unleash some mayhem. You could also start White, but Lonergan is the future and deserves a crack. I don't think there's a chance of blokes who haven't played in a while being picked considering the quick turnaround, so that rules out Cale and Salakai-Loto, with Wilson, Petaia, Bell and Skelton probably coming in for the RC. It is worth considering whether or not Schmidt does draft in guys from overseas leagues that have finished their seasons (although all indication is that this won't happen for Wales/Georgia) which could bring Sio, Koroibete and potentially Kerevi into the frame. Either way, I'm very happy with a starting side like that even though non Brumbies and Reds supporters might be unhappy with what will most likely be a very Brumbies/Reds heavy team.
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Yep I think pending injuries that's bang on
 
fatprop

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Joe Blow said:
Yes, Swinton has been very strong the last couple of games. I would not mind seeing him at 6 to give us a little starch.
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I am not sure that the back row balance of Valetini, McCreight & Swinton would work.

Swinton will do essentially the same stuff as Valetini and not fill in the gaps, we need someone more suited to getting shit done around the ruck area whilst being a 3rd lineout option ie a workrate demon who will win his jumps and be a pest on their's

I can't see us winning the bashem approach the Cheika/Jones/Coleman attempts (which is where I would see doubling up on bash merchants even with Gleeson on the bench to increase the dumb trying to physically get over the gain line and quick ball) and I can't see our new coach being dumb enough to think we can just run big units around the corner
 
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stillmissit

stillmissit

Peter Johnson (47)
fatprop said:
I am not sure that the back row balance of Valetini, McCreight & Swinton would work.

Swinton will do essentially the same stuff as Valetini and not fill in the gaps, we need someone more suited to getting shit down around the ruck area whilst being a 3rd lineout option ie a workrate demon who will win his jumps and be a pest on their's

I can't see us winning the bashem approach the Cheika/Jones/Coleman attempts (which is where I would see doubling up on bash merchants even with Gleeson on the bench to increase the dumb trying to physically get over the gain line and quick ball) and I can't see our new coach being dumb enough to think we can just run big units around the corner
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Agree, with a lot of this Fattie. We ran the bigger is better plot until SA and AB's showed us up with speed and agility. Schmidt will want a mobile, hard working pack who does the basic set piece stuff well but competes strongly at the breakdown. The end result will be to get LQB to our backs where he'll use strong centres and very fast wingers. I wouldn't write off Ryan or Toole. Swinton is going to be close but I am still hoping to see BobbyV at 6 where I think he does his best work. Cale if fit will be the 8, if not then bobbyv to 8 and a battle amongst Swinton, Holloway, Hooper, Wright, Uru. I agree with your balance argument but I guess it is going to be hard to pick a balance out of what we have on offer.
 
LevitatingSocks

LevitatingSocks

Alfred Walker (16)
stillmissit said:
I will be interested if he can step up to the International level.. Not sure if he has had a Wallaby start or not but if so I don't remember it.
Any suggestions about the captain? I think McRight but AAA is the expected leader by most punters here. L. Wright has good leadership qualities too.
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Like the idea of a loose forward or scrum half as captain regardless of personal qualities. Always near the ref for the full 80 and able to stay in his ear.
 
S

scrans21

Ted Fahey (11)
Anyone got any word on this chat about Edmed being in the Wallabies squad? I've just seen a Herald Sun article about it but I refuse to pay for a subscription.
 
Slim 293

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
scrans21 said:
Anyone got any word on this chat about Edmed being in the Wallabies squad? I've just seen a Herald Sun article about it but I refuse to pay for a subscription.
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He's apparently been picked in a wider training squad that doesn't include players currently in the playoffs, so I wouldn't read too much into it...

Tane Edmed’s addition to a wider Wallabies training squad has added further intrigue to the all-important five-eighth battle for the opening Test against Wales next month.

The NSW playmaker, who was relegated to the bench for NSW’s final game of the season last week against Queensland in favour of Jack Bowen, has been picked by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in an extended squad along with Western Force five-eighth Ben Donaldson.

No players from Australia’s playoff teams have been picked in the squad, which means Melbourne’s Carter Gordon, Queensland’s Tom Lynagh and the Brumbies’ Noah Lolesio will be considered once their teams exit the finals.
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PhilClinton

PhilClinton

Mark Loane (55)
Forgive my ignorance, but is this an official Wallabies training squad that will be having sessions over the next few weeks? Do RA pay these guys to be involved?
 
KOB1987

KOB1987

John Eales (66)
I was thinking about the 'wider' training squad yesterday, I guess who is in it would depend on what they are doing while they wait for the rest of the players to join them. E.g. I doubt the set piece is high on the agenda, there wouldn't be a front rower across both squads that is likely to be in the final Wallabies squad (except maybe Horton as the 3rd hooker). However, there a lot of locks, a few back rowers, a couple of halfbacks, a fly half, a couple of centers, a couple of wingers and maybe a fullback. So I'm guessing they are working on the backline and breakdown for this week, probably mostly skills based, and select some other players to run opposed and to fill in the gaps and get some experience.
 
Strewthcobber

Strewthcobber

Simon Poidevin (60)
PhilClinton said:
Forgive my ignorance, but is this an official Wallabies training squad that will be having sessions over the next few weeks? Do RA pay these guys to be involved?
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The players don't get any additional salary of making training squads, they get a relatively small allowance, higher if they have to travel/live away from home.
 
LeCheese

LeCheese

Greg Davis (50)
Strewthcobber said:
Why? They are all training with someone at this time of year. Wallaby rewards come through the match payments, which are a fair bit larger than Super Rugby
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Wasn't necessarily talking about the camps during finals, but wider training squads more broadly - but understand your point, just a bit surprising imo.

Wobs match payments aren't what they used to be either - they were more-than-halved during covid and are yet to fully recover (no doubt still more than Super though)
 
C

capalaba

Jimmy Flynn (14)
Strewthcobber said:
Why? They are all training with someone at this time of year. Wallaby rewards come through the match payments, which are a fair bit larger than Super Rugby
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This needs to change, in New Zealand anyone player who makes that All Black Wider Training Group gets paid to be in the training group. RA needs a policy change and provide incentives.
 
PhilClinton

PhilClinton

Mark Loane (55)
capalaba said:
This needs to change, in New Zealand anyone player who makes that All Black Wider Training Group gets paid to be in the training group. RA needs a policy change and provide incentives.
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Is that practical though? In this scenario there are at least more than a handful of blokes who are definitely not going to be playing for the Wallabies this year or maybe ever.

Can we afford to pay them?
 
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