Wallabies 2024

[TSR]

Both of these are bordering on Ds for me. We have guys who can't execute fundamental skills in both. Noah is probably a C but outside the first two tests of the year I thought our scrumhalves have been very poor.

They are certainly issues. With all the scrutiny that Lolesio and fhe flyhalf position is getting The halves have gone under the radar a bit.

Gordon doesn’t do lots wrong. He just also doesn’t do anything particularly top level. His passing and box kicking is sound - but nothing more. He isn’t much of a threat himself other than he is pretty good at support play.

Nic White has sound fundamentals too but was always a bit hot and cold IMO. He’s kick happy and has the refs offside before he even starts.

Tate has done some really good things and has really injected some speed and energy from the bench. But he’s letting himself down with his core skills and his decision to cross field kick v Scotland was a shocker (but then his kick for Potter was a beauty).

It would be fantastic if, over the pre-season, Tate devoted his time to getting his pass and his box kick spot on - but while it is easy for a keyboard hack like me to write that it is clearly harder than it seems. How many times have we seen a half who started out a bit shonky get his pass perfect or a hooker with a dodgy throw become pin point accurate. I’ve no doubt they’re putting the work in.

 

[WoodysRFC]

The guy who got a few off the bench spots but then got dropped for Grant?

Washed up is he?

 

[Tomikin]

Washed up is he?

He is not washed up, but you are anointing him into the Wallabies when he can't make the bench for the Tahs, let alone start. He'll probably come into contention after the lions for 26 / 27 when Gordon moves on. But for now he best be fighting to be the reserve tah's halfback.

 

[WoodysRFC]

He is not washed up, but you are anointing him into the Wallabies when he can't make the bench for the Tahs, let alone start. He'll probably come into contention after the lions for 26 / 27 when Gordon moves on. But for now he best be fighting to be the reserve tah's halfback.

Same age as Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham with a similar ceiling, I'd much prefer his skill set to that of Lonergans, who's struggled with starts over an aging Nic White.

 

[TSR]

Same age as Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham with a similar ceiling, I'd much prefer his skill set to that of Lonergans, who's struggled with starts over an aging Nic White.

It’s great that he has a high ceiling. I just think he could be a bit closer to it before we start putting him into Wallaby squads. Or at least be better than the alternatives. Which he isn’t at the moment.

If he has a great super rugby than maybe he’ll be a shot. I’d be amazed if Schmidt brings anyone into the squad for the Lions on the basis of future potential.

 

[WoodysRFC]

It’s great that he has a high ceiling. I just think he could be a bit closer to it before we start putting him into Wallaby squads. Or at least better than the alternatives. Which he isn’t at the moment.

If he has a great super rugby than maybe he’ll be a shot. I’d be amazed if Schmidt brings anyone into the squad for the Lions on the basis of future potential.

I'd hope he does, he's already done it this year, multiple times, same as every other top international coach.

 

[Tomikin]

Same age as Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham with a similar ceiling, I'd much prefer his skill set to that of Lonergans, who's struggled with starts over an aging Nic White.

Lonergan also struggled verses England A, he needs a better season next year or he wont ever make it.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Lonergan also struggled verses England A, he needs a better season next year or he wont ever make it.

Yeah, do tend to agree, just feel Nic White has probably done his time and it'd be good to see some new blood come through as the third (apprentice) half back. To be fair, I've been impressed by the form of Louis Werchon, he's never looked out of place in the few starts he's had.

 

[TSR]

Yeah, do tend to agree, just feel Nic White has probably done his time and it'd be good to see some new blood come through as the third (apprentice) half back. To be fair, I've been impressed by the form of Louis Werchon, he's never looked out of place in the few starts he's had.

My biggest concern with him is his composure.

I know halves can suffer from angry man syndrome at the best of times but he seems to lose the plot a bit whenever he cops a bit of stick.

 

[WoodysRFC]

My biggest concern with him is his composure.

I know halves can suffer from angry man syndrome at the best of times but he seems to lose the plot a bit whenever he cops a bit of stick.

Yeah fair, just get the feeling he's the type, like Sititi, to rise to the occasion.

 

[TSR]

I'd hope he does, he's already done it this year, multiple times, same as every other top international coach.

I don’t think he’s pulled anyone in who is third choice in their Super team though, has he.

I do agree though that White is looking past it. I know Wilson is highly rated. Who knows. He’s young enough that he can make big steps year round year.

 

[TSR]

Yeah fair, just get the feeling he's the type, like Sititi, to rise to the occasion.

From a Reds point of view I hope your right (and Wallabies I guess - but again seems very premature to be talking about Werchon in a Wallabies chat). Certainly has some talent.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Lonergan also struggled verses England A, he needs a better season next year or he wont ever make it.

That's the story doing the rounds Tom, but to me his passing was particularly crisp and accurate, he didn't fuck about at the back of the ruck as Gordon did yesterday against Ireland, and his defence in cover was top notch. I think a lot of bias against him has been the motivation for some of the comments and that he really did have a very effective game against England A.

 

[griffins]

That's the story doing the rounds Tom, but to me his passing was particularly crisp and accurate, he didn't fuck about at the back of the ruck as Gordon did yesterday against Ireland, and his defence in cover was top notch. I think a lot of bias against him has been the motivation for some of the comments and that he really did have a very effective game against England A.

Im not the biggest fan of Gordon but its pretty stiff to say he was fucking around at the back of the ruck - he was digging for the ball from tangles of bodies all game due to the way the game was officiated (potentially reflecting a directive from World Rugby, as Cully wrote last week). Ryan also did make a couple of howlers vs England A. While I suspect it's tough to play 9 in those A sides (owing to lack of combinations) he hasn't played his best footy in matches for them in the last 2 seasons.

There are legitimate criticisms to be made of Gordon (his box kicking was hot and cold, he doesn't threaten enough though this may be on instruction etc) but he performed well above expectations and has dobe enough to lock down the starting spot vs Lions barring a disasterous super season.

On T Wilson - I couldn't believe the tahs gave him so little time and he does look a prospect, but he will do well to unseat Gordon (especially with RA presumably having some say in tahs selections)

 

[SamoanNo8]

Overall, how does everyone think Joseph Sua'ali'i went on the Northern Hemisphere tour generally?

In my opinion, it was a superb reintegration into rugby union. With the benefit of a preseason and Super Rugby season, he will (unquestionably) be one of the premier backs in world rugby come June next year.

 

[NCT]

Overall, how does everyone think Joseph Sua'ali'i went on the Northern Hemisphere tour generally?

In my opinion, it was a superb reintegration into rugby union. With the benefit of a preseason and Super Rugby season, he will (unquestionably) be one of the premier backs in world rugby come June next year.

Great against England, missing against Ireland. Didn't notice him in attack v Ireland and very risky defensively in terms of no arms and height. Certainly has the attributes but needs a lot of game time and work on technique. Hopefully the Tahs will have a good season and he can develop there.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Overall, how does everyone think Joseph Sua'ali'i went on the Northern Hemisphere tour generally?

In my opinion, it was a superb reintegration into rugby union. With the benefit of a preseason and Super Rugby season, he will (unquestionably) be one of the premier backs in world rugby come June next year.

Exceeded expectations for me. The issues he had with tackle height and line discipline in defense are to be expected coming straight from league and are rectifiable with coaching.

His aerial ability is something special as well.

 

[Derpus]

For all the criticism of his tackle height did he actually get pinged for it? I thought against Ireland he was physical, accurate and legal (just) in defence.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

For all the criticism of his tackle height did he actually get pinged for it? I thought against Ireland he was physical, accurate and legal (just) in defence.

I don't recall him being penalized. But being 196 cm and tending to fly into contact is probably going to lead to scrutiny other players won't receive.

 

[LeCheese]

For all the criticism of his tackle height did he actually get pinged for it? I thought against Ireland he was physical, accurate and legal (just) in defence.

He was definitely pinged for it once under a penalty advantage in the second half and Ireland was given the option of two penalties to choose from (his was chosen). I believe there may have been one earlier he was done for as well - possibly again under advantage, but it didn't come back as the Irish scored?

I also think a couple of his late-ish shots could've easily been viewed differently by another referee, but thankfully weren't.