BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
He seems to Seagull a bit for the tahs. Has several tries this season just by hanging out on the wing. I suspect its part of the game plan for him but not sure its helping his selection chances
Wallabies 2025
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He seems to Seagull a bit for the tahs. Has several tries this season just by hanging out on the wing. I suspect its part of the game plan for him but not sure its helping his selection chances
RebelYell
Colin Windon (37)
But he always lifts in gold, has done his whole career. And yep, meant Aidan Ross.
Robertson a miss from me, that's good then as prop depth was looking super thin
RebelYell
Colin Windon (37)
Same! Or a Reds & Force vs. Brums & Tahs match (Independents vs. Company Men)!
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
From debut, Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones had both went out of their way to select Leota whenever available even if he was coming off LTIs/very limited minutes/not amazing form.
I wouldn't necessarily rule him out this early, there's something he's bringing that coaches love.
I wouldn't necessarily rule him out this early, there's something he's bringing that coaches love.
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
It's the lineouts isn't it?
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Honestly no fucking idea mate, just suggesting that from both offhand chats with coaches at various rugby events in melbs over the past 8 or 9 years and his selection record at WOBs level since debut means there's something in his game that the average punter (very much including myself) is not able to pick up on easily, but is highly desired in the professional environment.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Sure but at the time they didn’t have the options they have now plus they didn’t have a core group who are already familiar with the plan and structures.
I’m sure Leota is in the mix and no one has put a line through his name or any other player. Schmidt will want to pick the best possible team. Cohesion will be a big part of that. Leota has to show he has a clear point of difference. With the way Wilson, Uru, Gleeson & Tizzano are playing I’m not sure he’s showing that and they are doing it week in week out. If even say I think Champion de Crespigny has been more consistent so far this year. Leota can’t rely on being great every other week.
I always questioned his selection early, but he started to put in some good shifts - for the Rebels he was doing the "Gleeson" role really well, he looks a good 5/6/8 bench option at best. But there is a queue for that slot
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
This feels a bit of a strange conversation when we saw exactly why the coaches have him on the wing on the weekend. Leota made profesional rugby winger Andy Muirhead look a bit ridiculous for his great try. I'd say the coaches are going to want him to keep doing it.
Spreading the field with a 1-3-3-1 is a decade old by now. It's not new tactics
Spreading the field with a 1-3-3-1 is a decade old by now. It's not new tactics
I agree.
Kellaway is a utility pick, if anything. That might be enough to be in the squad.
There are better wingers and fullbacks than him.
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
I query whether Daugunu is the man for the starting side even acknowledging his great form. He doesn't really have the out and out pace to play striker winger anymore and as long as Ikitau is around he won't be 13.
I dont, as an example, that he could have scored the try that Potter scored from midfield against the Drua.
I dont, as an example, that he could have scored the try that Potter scored from midfield against the Drua.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
It depends a bit on what they're looking for from that wing role, but Schmidt did get very good return from Daugunu in a strike role chasing contestables at the start of last season. They do bring different styles though, so it'll depend on how the rest of the back 3 shapes out.
That's assuming they're competing for a start though - there's plenty of teams you could pick with neither starting. For the 23 jersey Daugunu is probably a fair way ahead of Potter, given he offers that better backline coverage.
Who is competing with who?
I think we can all assume that Wright is an obvious selection at 15.
Jorgo looks like the obvious openside winger on the end of the backline.
Potter seems a bit in between and is probably reasonable cover on either side. Kellaway also fits in there and while I think if you were picking purely on form this season he'd struggle to get selected, his form is building and he's a got a lot of test experience where he consistently shows that he rises to that level.
Daugunu and Pietsch are both good options for that blind winger with good workrate that go looking for the ball.
In my view Toole is nowhere near it this season and his raw pace isn't enough of a game changer to make up for his shortcomings. Tim Ryan's form has been average and won't be selected and I think Darby Lancaster is well down the list now (and also not really sure why he was on it last year).
I think we can all assume that Wright is an obvious selection at 15.
Jorgo looks like the obvious openside winger on the end of the backline.
Potter seems a bit in between and is probably reasonable cover on either side. Kellaway also fits in there and while I think if you were picking purely on form this season he'd struggle to get selected, his form is building and he's a got a lot of test experience where he consistently shows that he rises to that level.
Daugunu and Pietsch are both good options for that blind winger with good workrate that go looking for the ball.
In my view Toole is nowhere near it this season and his raw pace isn't enough of a game changer to make up for his shortcomings. Tim Ryan's form has been average and won't be selected and I think Darby Lancaster is well down the list now (and also not really sure why he was on it last year).
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Yeah, that's about right. Reilly and Anderson are probably better chances then Toole, Lancaster and Ryan right now, though that would only be in the event of an injury crisis.
The other wild card is Sua'ali'i, depending on how the tahs use him once he gets back on the field, but Schmidt probably still sees him as a centre first at this stage.
