Wallabies 2024

[BDA]

We're building some nice depth in the side but we are still only an injury or two away from not being able to compete with the lions in certain areas of the game....id say we can least afford to lose tupou and bell...id really like to see there work load managed in the lead up. Id also put mcrieght and Valetini at the top of the list. Thereafter id say ikitau abd honestly i suspect by the time we get to next june JAS could be seen as a critical piece too. I really do think he offers us something that we cant get from anyone else. Not only does he have xfactor but he's a bit of a beast phyiscally - we just dont have a lot of phyiscally imposing backs.

 

[tig]

I still say JS at inside centre. Itikau has proved that he can play outside centre very well, and I like the idea of getting JAS closer to the ball, with the opportunity to back up as play moves along.

 

[TSR]

Go back and read my post. I said tell me someone who should have had his place for the Ireland game and I'll tell you that you are full of shit.
I'm not a family member. I am a fan of his, have known him for a long time and know the man that he is.
Len Ikitau was great at 12, JAS was good at 13. He doesn't start 3/4 tests without getting a pass mark, especially if you think that the tour has been successful.
Definitely has some work to do, as do the rest of the Wallabies. Again, I'll ask, if Ikitau & Su'ali'i wasn't our best 12/13 combination for Ireland, who was? Kerevi & Ikitau? Hamish Stewart & Ikitau? Ikitau & Josh Flook?

It is quite an interesting question.

I think Sua’ali’i at 13 went well and I would be comfortable with he and Ikitau as our best pairing. However there is also a lot to like about a midfield like of Kerevi & Ikitau with Sua’ali’i on the wing. I think it is very unlikely now given we never saw it in the games, but I thought Kerevi showed more than enough to confirm he would be a very good option if match fit.

I see it as a very similiar dilemma to Skelton. Clearly brings something to the table but potentially breaks up other combinations that are working.

I doubt Schmidt will be overlay worried by that though. Impact of the bench is such a big thing in modern rugby and it may well be that some of these guys get asked to do the job of bringing the team home.

 

[fatprop]

It is quite an interesting question.

I think Sua’ali’i at 13 went well and I would be comfortable with he and Ikitau as our best pairing. However there is also a lot to like about a midfield like of Kerevi & Ikitau with Sua’ali’i on the wing. I think it is very unlikely now given we never saw it in the games, but I thought Kerevi showed more than enough to confirm he would be a very good option if match fit.

I see it as a very similiar dilemma to Skelton. Clearly brings something to the table but potentially breaks up other combinations that are working.

I doubt Schmidt will be overlay worried by that though. Impact of the bench is such a big thing in modern rugby and it may well be that some of these guys get asked to do the job of bringing the team home.

I was watching the Jorgo try clip again, Sua’ali’i ran a good, unselfish line to lock the inside defenders and give more space to the outside runners

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It is quite an interesting question.

I think Sua’ali’i at 13 went well and I would be comfortable with he and Ikitau as our best pairing. However there is also a lot to like about a midfield like of Kerevi & Ikitau with Sua’ali’i on the wing. I think it is very unlikely now given we never saw it in the games, but I thought Kerevi showed more than enough to confirm he would be a very good option if match fit.

I see it as a very similiar dilemma to Skelton. Clearly brings something to the table but potentially breaks up other combinations that are working.

I doubt Schmidt will be overlay worried by that though. Impact of the bench is such a big thing in modern rugby and it may well be that some of these guys get asked to do the job of bringing the team home.

I like the idea of JAS on a Wing because of his aerial ability but I also think we want a guy with his all round skill set closer in. We also won't get to test that combo enough make the call you wouldn't think.

Skelton showed his worth. We need a guy who can destroy a maul. The lineout didn't go to shit like people seem to fear will just happen because guess what... Other pros know how to get it done.

 

[TSR]

I like the idea of JAS on a Wing because of his aerial ability but I also think we want a guy with his all round skill set closer in. We also won't get to test that combo enough make the call you wouldn't think.

Skelton showed his worth. We need a guy who can destroy a maul. The lineout didn't go to shit like people seem to fear will just happen because guess what... Other pros know how to get it done.

I think Skelton showed his worth in the past and v Wales. In the Scottish game our maul didn’t function well at all and we didn’t do anything particularly well with our defensive maul either - although the Scots didn’t try to drive that often from memory. Our lineout misfired. How much of that is on Skelton and how much relates to other players, poor prep and late withdrawals I can’t say but I don’t think it was any sort of endorsement for shoe horning Skelton in.

 

[Brumby Runner]

He got MotM in his first game in which we beat England in England.

Even if he got a 0/10 against Ireland he's still well beyond a fucking 3.

Hey D, there were 33 votes on the GAGR POTM thread after the England game. JS was voted by 9 of those, 7 x 1 and 1 x 2. Clearly, the GAGR rugby community did not agree with the MOTM assessment. Looked like a PR exercise to me and perhaps to a lot of others.

Now, after a full Super Rugby season he just might turn out to be our best No 13 since Snork. OTOH, if he doesn't improve his tackling technique, he just might surpass Michael Hooper as the most carded player in the game. But let's just see how he goes next year.

 

[JRugby2]

Hey D, there were 33 votes on the GAGR POTM thread after the England game. JS was voted by 9 of those, 7 x 1 and 1 x 2. Clearly, the GAGR rugby community did not agree with the MOTM assessment. Looked like a PR exercise to me and perhaps to a lot of others.

Now, after a full Super Rugby season he just might turn out to be our best No 13 since Snork. OTOH, if he doesn't improve his tackling technique, he just might surpass Michael Hooper as the most carded player in the game. But let's just see how he goes next year.

What PR would an English Broadcaster get from choosing him?

 

[barbarian]

It can be hard to assess JAS. As others have pointed out there's a lot of noise and hype, which is great, but makes it hard to see the real picture.

It's very difficult to stand out when you're playing 13. I remember having to do player ratings back in the day, and seemingly always giving AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) a 6/10. You don't get the ball much, and when you do it's normally a crash ball or a link. We only notice 13 in defense when they get caught out of position.

It's a position where you've got to execute basic skills ruthlessly. It's why Conrad Smith was so good. No flash, just consistently great execution. So JAS was dealt a pretty tough hand to begin his international career IMO, especially in a team without a top class 9/10/12.

With that in mind I thought JAS was pretty good. One standout game and two quiet ones, albeit without many errors. He rarely got caught out of position, and both Scotland and Ireland ran plenty through those channels. His basic skills in attack were also good - one forced pass late vs Ireland stands out but I can't remember any other bad mistakes.

As a league convert I think his willingness to take team first options was what pleased me the most. Cleanouts, draw and pass, great support running. That generally comes much later to leaguies and is the hardest part to instill. We never quite got there with Folau.

And then you add to that the x-factor of kick-offs, aerial skills and an offloading ability we're yet to tap into and I think there is every reason to be really happy with how his tour went.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It can be hard to assess JAS. As others have pointed out there's a lot of noise and hype, which is great, but makes it hard to see the real picture.

It's very difficult to stand out when you're playing 13. I remember having to do player ratings back in the day, and seemingly always giving AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (Adam Ashley-Cooper) a 6/10. You don't get the ball much, and when you do it's normally a crash ball or a link. We only notice 13 in defense when they get caught out of position.

It's a position where you've got to execute basic skills ruthlessly. It's why Conrad Smith was so good. No flash, just consistently great execution. So JAS was dealt a pretty tough hand to begin his international career IMO, especially in a team without a top class 9/10/12.

With that in mind I thought JAS was pretty good. One standout game and two quiet ones, albeit without many errors. He rarely got caught out of position, and both Scotland and Ireland ran plenty through those channels. His basic skills in attack were also good - one forced pass late vs Ireland stands out but I can't remember any other bad mistakes.

As a league convert I think his willingness to take team first options was what pleased me the most. Cleanouts, draw and pass, great support running. That generally comes much later to leaguies and is the hardest part to instill. We never quite got there with Folau.

And then you add to that the x-factor of kick-offs, aerial skills and an offloading ability we're yet to tap into and I think there is every reason to be really happy with how his tour went.

This is the benefit of recruiting someone who has a strong background in Rugby before his name became associated as a RL player. Should be noted for any future targets... Pennisini, Simmonsen et al

If any other 21 year old performed how he did we would be happy with it and love to know what he'll develop into. Makes me real excited about a guy like Jorgo at only 20.

 

[LeCheese]

It's confirmed - we are so back

Edit for clarity: this is about rugby in the media, not Jordy's move being confirmed

 

[Major Tom]

It's confirmed - we are so back
View attachment 20864

Edit for clarity: this is about rugby in the media, not Jordy's move being confirmed

It was actually a good read. Had a bit of the MJ to baseball feel. Should free up some salary space in both Reds and Wallabies. I think he'll be playing for the force next year.

 

[JRugby2]

Can see a future where Jock Campbell isn't at the Reds, opening up the Fullback spot in the likely event he returns to rugby inside 2 years. Jock probably reaching that cross roads where he may find himself with a handy OS offer and a no road forward in Australian Rugby. Wright has the mortgage on the 15 jersey and after him I can see a Jorgo transitioning back there.

(This isn't hate - based on the limited number of success stories of the IPP, and the well noted difficulty of learning the sport from scratch inside a few months - him not making it is the odds on outcome).

 

[Major Tom]

Can see a future where Jock Campbell isn't at the Reds, opening up the Fullback spot in the likely event he returns to rugby inside 2 years. Jock probably reaching that cross roads where he may find himself with a handy OS offer and a no road forward in Australian Rugby. Wright has the mortgage on the 15 jersey and after him I can see a Jorgo transitioning back there.

(This isn't hate btw - based on the limited number of success stories of the IPP, and the well noted difficulty of learning the sport from scratch inside a few months - him not making it is the odds on outcome).

Will be interesting to see how Mason Gordon goes at fullback.

 

[Derpus]

It's confirmed - we are so back
View attachment 20864

Edit for clarity: this is about rugby in the media, not Jordy's move being confirmed

I expect to see him back from the Wallabies by 2027. No established rugby star to date has made it work over there (including players and athletes better than young Jordie).

But if he does make it over there then props to him because that will be genuinely amazing.

 

[Dctarget]

Surely he'll be off to Europe/Japan post this not home.

 

[JRugby2]

Surely he'll be off to Europe/Japan post this not home.

Nice little RWC carrot at home though

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

I don't really get the attraction of the NFL for these blokes. Are they that deluded to think they can cross over into the pinnacle of a sport in their mid-twenties? Whilst a great athlete, JP isn't exactly pure speed or freakish size.

 

[eastman]

It can be hard to assess JAS. As others have pointed out there's a lot of noise and hype, which is great, but makes it hard to see the real picture.

It's very difficult to stand out when you're playing 13. I remember having to do player ratings back in the day, and seemingly always giving AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (Adam Ashley-Cooper) a 6/10. You don't get the ball much, and when you do it's normally a crash ball or a link. We only notice 13 in defense when they get caught out of position.

It's a position where you've got to execute basic skills ruthlessly. It's why Conrad Smith was so good. No flash, just consistently great execution. So JAS was dealt a pretty tough hand to begin his international career IMO, especially in a team without a top class 9/10/12.

With that in mind I thought JAS was pretty good. One standout game and two quiet ones, albeit without many errors. He rarely got caught out of position, and both Scotland and Ireland ran plenty through those channels. His basic skills in attack were also good - one forced pass late vs Ireland stands out but I can't remember any other bad mistakes.

As a league convert I think his willingness to take team first options was what pleased me the most. Cleanouts, draw and pass, great support running. That generally comes much later to leaguies and is the hardest part to instill. We never quite got there with Folau.

And then you add to that the x-factor of kick-offs, aerial skills and an offloading ability we're yet to tap into and I think there is every reason to be really happy with how his tour went.

I’m not sure that’s completely correct about it being difficult to stand out at 13, and I think it really comes down to game plan and the quality of the player (e.g. theres probably a good reason why AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was getting 6s most matches..).

You look at Huw Jones, who I think is the most talented (and classical) current outside centre; Garry Ringrose or even Dylan Riley from Japan; these guys have fantastic highlight reels and are threatening in multiple ways.

Regardless I don’t think JAS will ever be the running threat that many expect him to be. You need to remember this guy was never Greg Inglis or Lattrell Mitchell in the NRL. But he’s tough, well-rounded and good in the air.

 

[eastman]

I think a fit Jordan Petaia is a better ball runner then JAS- his debut test match was just as good.