Wallabies 2024

[Linerunner2023]

Honestly, I am just bothered by the narrative from the media and some posters that JS is a development player and should be treated as such.

He's played over 60 games of NRL, has scored nearly 30 tries, been selected for the highest honour in that sport and has a background playing rugby. That's even before you factor in the obscene wage he's getting. He isn't injured and was legitimately one of the best players for the Roosters at the back end of the year i.e. he's in form, plus his goal kicking is great.

Everything tells me he's ready to be picked for the Wallabies.

As an nrl and roosters supporter I was very underwhelmed by him as a player! Was a horrible centre until the last maybe 6 - 8 weeks of the competition before he showed anything! His attack or lack and of defence reads were very poor until the last couple of months of the year! He scored 5 tries for the team who had the best attacking record all year with the other outside backs scoring between 17 to 23 tries each
But I will agree his last 2 months he certainly showed improvement
Will be under massive pressure to perform though being on the highest pay packet in Aussie footy codes

 

[upthereds#!]

My squad:

Props - Bell, Kailea, Robertson, Ala'alatoa, Tupou, Nonngorr
Hookers - BPA, Lonergan, Faessler
Locks - Skelton, Frost, Williams, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Backrow - Wright, McReight, Wilson, Gleeson, Valetini, Tizzano
Halfbacks - Lonergan, McDermott, Gordon
Flyhalves - Edmed, Donaldson, Lolesio
Midfield - Ikitau, Flook, Kerevi, Foketi, Paisami
Outside Backs - Jorgensen, Wright, Kellaway, Pietsch, Daungunu, Sua'ali'i

I think its a 34 and 30 man squad, nott 36 and 28.

 

[rugbyAU]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/10/...hmidt-opts-for-two-os-players-but-not-marika/

Kerevi, Edmed, Sua'ali'i and Skelton in

 

[Yoda]

Honestly, I am just bothered by the narrative from the media and some posters that JS is a development player and should be treated as such.

He's played over 60 games of NRL, has scored nearly 30 tries, been selected for the highest honour in that sport and has a background playing rugby. That's even before you factor in the obscene wage he's getting. He isn't injured and was legitimately one of the best players for the Roosters at the back end of the year i.e. he's in form, plus his goal kicking is great.

Everything tells me he's ready to be picked for the Wallabies.

Well Phil. You are right. Joe obviously thinks he’s ready. I wish the young man luck and hope he goes well.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Kerevi, Edmed, Sua'ali'i and Skelton in

Edmed is probably the third 10, so meh, the other three guys are probably key to our best chance of beating the Lions. I hope all three of them dominate.

 

[Derpus]

Good to see Kerevi back.

 

[Tomikin]

Nah -

McCalman gone sure - but my bet is Fardy is coming off the bench, if picked at all (in case someone more explosive is chosen). Valetini is a also a lineout option and also gets through minutes.

They aren't the same player - because Valetini offers more

Do I dare to say it, Fardy, Poey, Valetini.. Hooper off the bench.

 

[barbarian]

I think it might be better for Lynagh to go with Australia A then play third fiddle to Noah/Donaldson in the 1s.

Same could be said for a few other players actually. Get some runs on the board at a lower level rather than riding the pine (at best) with the test team.

 

[Wilson]

I think it might be better for Lynagh to go with Australia A then play third fiddle to Noah/Donaldson in the 1s.

Same could be said for a few other players actually. Get some runs on the board at a lower level rather than riding the pine (at best) with the test team.

Yeah, there are a few players who'll get a lot more out of solid minutes with Aus A than they would being 3rd string, emergency cover with the wallabies, probably none more so than Lynagh who needs time on the field. It might see Schmidt hold a few more senior players in that wallabies squad in cover only to drop them out once the squads condense down - Nic White and James Slipper seem like likely candidates for that, possibly even Ala'alatoa if they think he'd be better better served by heading home early.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

Here's my pick for the Wallabies (34) and Australia XV (30)

Loosehead: (Wallabies) Bell, Slipper, Kailea | (XV) Hodgman, Schoupp

Hooker: (Wallabies) Feasslar, Paenga-Amosa, Nasser | (XV) Pollard, Longeran

Tighthead: (Wallabies) Tupou, Ala'alatoa, Nongorr | (XV) Robertson, De Lutils

Locks: (Wallabies) Frost, Williams, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Skelton | (XV) Swain, Smith, Blyth, Amatersero

Loose Forwards: (Wallabies) Gleeson, McReight, Tizzano, Wilson, Valetini, Wright | (XV) Leota, Uru, Reimer, Scott, Hooper, Harris

Half: (Wallabies) White, Gordon, McDermiott | (XV) Lonergan, Fines-Leleiwasa

Flyhalf: (Wallabies) Lolesio, Donaldson, Edmed | (XV) Lynagh, McLaughlin-Phillips

Centres: (Wallabies) Paisami, Ikitau, Kerevi, Flook | (XV) Foketi, Feliuai, Kuenzle, Walton

Outside Backs: (Wallabies) Wright, Kellaway, Sua'ali'i, Daugunu, Jorgensen | (XV) Pietsch, Potter, Campbell, Toole, Ryan, Lancaster

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

Also, Fraser McReight to be named captain for the tour.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I reckon this squad is starting to get there.

On their day, and fitness dependent, we have 6 players who could be world class (Skelton, Kerevi, Bell, TT, Ikitau, Valetini), a wild card who hopefully slots in there too (Sua'ali'i).

A couple more players who are clearly test class with upwards trends (LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), McReight, Wright)

And then a bunch of younger guys getting closer to that level.

The obvious issue is 9 & 10 aren't in that list.

 

[Rugby Head]

Also, Fraser McReight to be named captain for the tour.

This is a must. Plays the full 80 and wears his heart on his sleeve.

 

[stillmissit]

This is a must. Plays the full 80 and wears his heart on his sleeve.

And was an excellent U20s captain and seems to do a fair bit of a captain's job when he's on the pitch.

 

[Dctarget]

Fuck me the optimism in here after not playing for a few weeks. We're gonna get spanked.

 

[stillmissit]

Fuck me the optimism in here after not playing for a few weeks. We're gonna get spanked.

The misery in a few heads here has me wondering what the Fxxx goes on inside their heads.

 

[Dctarget]

The misery in a few heads here has me wondering what the Fxxx goes on inside their heads.

Mainly supporting the Wallabies

 

[John S]

Mainly supporting the Wallabies

On top of supporting the Tahs..... (well, in my case anyway)

 

[stillmissit]

On top of supporting the Tahs..... (well, in my case anyway)

Mainly supporting the Wallabies

So, I prefer a positive outlook and DC and John see little but failure and misery. I wonder if you misery makers ever played the game, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose it's a game that mirrors life ie show some fucking fortitude.

 

[John S]

So, I prefer a positive outlook and DC and John see little but failure and misery. I wonder if you misery makers ever played the game, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose it's a game that mirrors life ie show some fucking fortitude.

Well, I like to think I'm realistic - I try not to be as pessimistic as DC