Wallabies 2024

[Adam84]

Cant' watch the video, but if it's the incident where Nic White went off for a HIA, can't believe there wasn't a penalty or card there

 

[John S]

Cant' watch the video, but if it's the incident where Nic White went off for a HIA, can't believe there wasn't a penalty or card there

Yep, that's the one

 

[Bullrush]

Some of the current players will unfortunately be caught in the transition period where contact with the head has become almost completely unacceptable. I understand the frustration at the inconsistencies and sometimes randomness of what gets punished and what doesn't but in the big picture, I'm all for making the game safer.

I thought there were a couple of contacts that the Wallabies were very lucky not to get penalised for at a minimum but I only watched the mini game on Stan so maybe they weren't as bad as what I thought.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Cant' watch the video, but if it's the incident where Nic White went off for a HIA, can't believe there wasn't a penalty or card there

It was a penalty. Ref thought it was "very low danger". Yellow at least for mine

It was kicked too touch and then mauled for Faesler's second try.

 

[Dctarget]

Most debutants for a hundred years. Let's see how they did, in my very unbiased opinion:

Top shelf, should definitely be in our best 23 going forward:
Williams - taken his super form and replicated it. Gets metres every time, does not look out of place at all. Best debutant of the group.
Sua'ali'i - 'nuff said, kid is good.

Looked promising will probably be in our best 23:
Kailea - big large human, difficult to tackle. Scrum needs lots of work but in our 23 almost because we have no other options.
Peitsch and Jorgensen - very different wingers but both done well with their chances. I'd imagine one of them will partner Kellaway on the wing and the other on the bench. Don't know if it's just youth, and attraction of top line speed but Jorgensen looks to have the higher ceiling.

Expect them to be in our squad but not 23:
Uru - Played well against a weak side, happy to him fill the squad, versatility is useful. Probably competing with Cale for squad backrow. He's performed best of this category.
Cale - largely unremarkable debut, this is more off his super form. Hopefully another big pre-season and he'll be back better than ever.
Hodgman - similar to Cale, surprised not to see more of him but shown nothing internationally.
Lancaster and Potter - level below the other wingers, I expect them to be fighting each other for the final squad spot and we won't carry both.
Flook - Will be in squad more through lack of depth than proven ability. Hopefully gets a chance to tear in this weekend.
Tizzano - Done his role and nothing more. Scotland was disappointing, doubt he'll make the 23 with Fraser fit but will definitely be squad back up. (can see Reimer taking his spot).
Canham - played like his super version, can't teach big boyness but dicks for hands. Will be our 5th lock in the squad.

Jury is out, need to see more:
Nasser - promising player, probably a cycle too soon. Don't think he'll get in ahead of Faessler, Porecki, BPA or Longeran.
Reimer - suspect he'll take Tizzano's spot but needs more game time

Doubt we'll see them in the squad again
Stewart - Was okay. But will be stuck behind Kerevi, Paisami and Ikitau (maybe). Unless injuries no room for him in the squad.
Lyangh - I really don't see it with this kid. I think HMP will usurp him at the Reds and take his Wallabies' position of 4th? In line.
Blyth - Would rather Ryan Smith.

 

[Wilson]

Most debutants for a hundred years. Let's see how they did, in my very unbiased opinion:

Looked promising will probably be in our best 23:

Peitsch and Jorgensen - very different wingers but both done well with their chances. I'd imagine one of them will partner Kellaway on the wing and the other on the bench. Don't know if it's just youth, and attraction of top line speed but Jorgensen looks to have the higher ceiling.

Expect them to be in our squad but not 23:

Lancaster and Potter - level below the other wingers, I expect them to be fighting each other for the final squad spot and we won't carry both.

Jury is very much still out for me on Pietsch, and I actually think Potter in his one game has put in a better performance than any one of Pietsch's individually. Certainly I'd have him well above Lancaster on current evidence. That said I'm not sure either Pietsch or Potter end up in the best 23, with Schmidt likely to go back to Daugunu when he's available again

 

[WoodysRFC]

I'd be shocked if we don't see Lynagh in another squad going forward.

 

[Derpus]

I'd be shocked if we don't see Lynagh in another squad going forward.

Shocked is pretty strong language. Mildly surprising at best. Merely notable, even.

 

[Dctarget]

I'd be shocked if we don't see Lynagh in another squad going forward.

Maybe I'm being harsh but his competition are nearly as young, any growth he has they could too. I don't see him better than Donno, Lolesio, Edmed and then there's some young guys in HMP and Bowen that look promising.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think the people who are impressed with Lynagh, do in fact realize that he is the Diet Coke version of what they really want him to be.

Does he have a solid pass and kick game? Yes. Can he tackle well for his position? Yes. Is his goal kicking good? It's not shit. Can he run? Yes, but he isn't overly fast.

He's got the skillset of a very serviceable traditional flyhalf. But he isn't doing things at a consistent or high enough level to be excellent at them.

A lot of noise around HMP surpassing Lynagh as the Reds preferable flyhalf for 2025. HMP is definitely more elusive, faster and seems to be more creative than Lynagh. I don't necessarily see the two of them being a better and lesser version of the same player type though.

Maybe there is room for both to grow and showcase their skillsets.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I’ve watched Lynagh play live quite a bit over the last two years and I accept the commentary on his limitations but would bring forth two of his virtues for consideration by the forum members.

Firstly, he is bloody tough and not at all afraid of defending wherever required. Whilst the other 10s are adequate defenders they don’t have the same aggression in D.

Secondly, he has real vision. I don’t think Australia and Australian teams have gotten many metres over the gain line out of first receiver play since Foley really but the Reds do make hay out of his running and distribution. He’s also a savvy kicker in open field.

 

[Dctarget]

Hope you're right SoJ, we sure need it. I'm still keeping a flame alive for our C. Gordon to return.

 

[Derpus]

Lynagh's out of hand kicking is easily his best asset. He is a very small bloke, though, even for a flyhalf.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Hope you're right SoJ, we sure need it. I'm still keeping a flame alive for our C. Gordon to return.

I think by far C Gordon has the highest ceiling. His field kicking will hopefully improve in the NRL with all their chipping and 40-20s or whatever the fuck. Not sure who place kicks for the Titans but hopefully they are shit and he can practice that too.

 

[dillyboy]

What's worse, is that it could well spell the end of his test career. His chances to impress JS are pretty limited.

This is the bit that gets me - in this modern world of litigation is there an avenue to sue for "future lost earnings" baes on a potential rough call from a ref???

 

[Dctarget]

I think by far C Gordon has the highest ceiling. His field kicking will hopefully improve in the NRL with all their chipping and 40-20s or whatever the fuck. Not sure who place kicks for the Titans but hopefully they are shit and he can practice that too.

Yeah I'm trying to work out the right level of talent I want to see from him in NRL. Enough that he's good enough for us to poach back but not good enough that he's too expensive. A fine line I fear is all in my imagination. Let's hope Mason has got the same skills.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Shocked is pretty strong language. Mildly surprising at best. Merely notable, even.

Sure he might not be up to it, but he'll be selected again.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Yeah I'm trying to work out the right level of talent I want to see from him in NRL. Enough that he's good enough for us to poach back but not good enough that he's too expensive. A fine line I fear is all in my imagination. Let's hope Mason has got the same skills.

I reckon he’ll do well enough in the NRL but then seek out a payday from France or Japan which is when we just pick them all.

 

[Joe Blow]

Lynagh's out of hand kicking is easily his best asset. He is a very small bloke, though, even for a flyhalf.

Yes, I think he is Lolesio with a longer more cultured boot and the ability to read play. I reckon he is going to be good.
Put Sua'ali'i and another star next to him and he just has to pull the strings and kick.
Maybe one for the RWC?

 

[Namerican]

In a position to make a shoulder on shoulder tackle?

I get I am being a bit obtuse but yours is not a very nuanced position and it can be used to justify any change to the laws because concussive and sub-concussive impact is inherent in rugby and will always cause some degree of head trauma (based on my smooth-brained understanding of CTE).

Aren't most of the brain related injuries caused by repeated, smaller traumas? How do we deal with that? The current suite of high contact protocols do fuck all for player safety IMO and are generally more concerned with heading off litigation. Sitting a match out for a week after copping a shoulder to the head from a 110kg beast is like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. You play professional rugby you are inherently putting your brain health in significant danger - just as you would be if you were boxing.

In fact, in the broad scheme, this implication that we are somehow making the game safer may do more harm than good. Because it seems to me a distinct possibility that we are not doing anything of the kind.

I couldn't agree more, with a few caveats, and I'm someone who has enormous problems from brain trauma incurred playing rugby. The worst problems are from repeated sub concussion blows. These still happen all the time in a rugby match. The law changes might remove 5-10% of these? Barely better than nothing, but if you then conclude that rugby is now "safe" for brains due to your law changes it is now probably more risky to potential players, mainly kids whose parents allow them to play.

I think the only positives surround post concussion syndrome (basically feeling mangled for 1+months at a time) and 2nd impact syndrome. A guy like Tom Curry is still playing, but everyone knows the risk given his concussion history. He's at high risk for PCS IMO given he's had 5+ documented concussions. He's still playing, but at least people know this is risky behavior.

It's still a farce though when a Wales player can be visibly knocked out and then allowed to carry on playing. There's no foolproof "test" the physio can do when they come on either. He may feel completely fine and be 100% responsive, but that doesn't change that he was unconscious two minutes ago.

All and all it's mostly a farce and issuing huge penalties to players who accidentally hit someone's head will make no material impact on head trauma. It is trying to lay blame on "bad actors" for what is actually a systemic problem. It's completely unfair to the players who get banned, fined etc., as well as the fans.

It'd be like designing a road that is completely dangerous, with random giant potholes, lanes that suddenly end, poor signage, but then throwing the book at drivers who crash. Then declaring, because of your harsh penalties, that the road is now "safe."