Wallabies 2025

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I don't believe he was selected in any of Schmidt's squads last year, but maybe this is Ryan Lonergan's year...

Larkham calls for Lonergan, Toole Wallabies debut as scrumhalf rested for Highlanders match

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is hoping the fact he's been instructed to rest Ryan Lonergan is a sign he is nearing a breakthrough Test appearance.

www.rugby.com.au

Feel like this is a yearly thing with Lonergan. I thought he'd kick on and grab a jersey in 2023 but it wasn't to be and honestly he's a good Super Rugby player but not as good as the guys in front of him IMO. Just happens unfortunately. He's definitely really close to getting picked.

Iv'e gone down on my opinion of Toole. I know he's the fastest man alive and can use that to do things others can't but in other facets of the game the guys like Daugunu, Jorgo, Pietsch, Potter have him covered. You then have Kellaway and JAS able to cover it as well as Lancaster who Schmidt must see something and he matched Tooles speed measurements when together in the 7s which is wild to think of.

 

[Braveheart81]

Lonergan is the spiritual successor to Joe Powell.

 

[LeCheese]

Iv'e gone down on my opinion of Toole. I know he's the fastest man alive and can use that to do things others can't but in other facets of the game the guys like Daugunu, Jorgo, Pietsch, Potter have him covered.

Pure conjecture until he's anointed by Gus Gould and usurps Josh Addo-Carr

 

[Adam84]

I know we had Cheslin Kolbe hopes for Corey Toole, but teams are shutting him down pretty well in 2025, not finding the space he was last year and certainly not the same amount he was finding in 7's.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Pure conjecture until he's anointed by Gus Gould and usurps Josh Addo-Carr

Iv'e anointed a new one.

Scrotum eyes can take it up with the complaints department.

 

[BDA]

Hopefully sleepy Joe wakes up and stops picking lolesio (who is club rugby standard at best) for the wallabies

Sorry but this is nonsense. I'd agree that after six round Donaldson and Lynagh have shown better form that Lolesio. That's not really that hard given that Lolesio has only played 3 games this season (only one of which the Brumbies lost btw). If you want to make the argument that Donaldson should get the first crack cause of clearly superior form, then I'd suggest you make that argument towards the end of the season.

 

[Derpus]

Lonergan is the spiritual successor to Joe Powell.

At least Lonergan can kick sticks

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Lonergan is the spiritual successor to Joe Powell.

Irrelevant but I met Joe Powell on a night out in Melbourne once when he was with the Rebels still, such a stand up bloke who gave a very intoxicated me a lot of his time for a chat. Hope he's doing well.

 

[Braveheart81]

At least Lonergan can kick sticks

I was referring to the fact that they have been very close to the Wallabies for a considerable period of time without ever really cracking it (Powell ended up playing four tests but was close for a long time).

 

[PhilClinton]

Not sure best thread for this but Quade looks to be leaving Japan (at least Osaka) after his stint there.

Anyone know what the plan is? His socials didn't seem to suggest it was full blown retirement.

I am sure he's looking at JOC (James O'Connor) playing second fiddle for the Crusaders and wouldn't mind something similar on a winning team.

 

[Quicktapsonly]

Is Patrick Pellegrini eligible for the Wallabies #10

 

[LeCheese]

Is Patrick Pellegrini eligible for the Wallabies #10

Captured by Tonga I'm pretty sure.

JOC (James O'Connor) looked slick though...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

MLR for sure.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Is Patrick Pellegrini eligible for the Wallabies #10

Eligible through birth, but only after a standown period.

He plays tests for Tonga

 

[Overtime]

Tizzano is not all that far behind McReight.

Tizzano is a good player, but on the evidence of the rugby championship and spring tour there is still a pretty big gap between the two at international level.

That was last year. I am on record of saying I was not a fan of Tizzano playing test rugby last year, however he looks as though he has bulked up and is playing some of the best super rugby I have seen him play. I am a huge fan now and think he has closed the gap significantly between him and McReight and would argue that in tight play he is ahead of McReight. McReight is obviously ahead in loose play and he has an exceptional partnership with Wilson in open play. If Wilson is not injured I would play McReight. Without Wilson Tizzano on this years' form should be top pick 7.

 

[dru]

Without Wilson Tizzano on this years' form should be top pick 7.

You've just opined on different elements of the game where each excels. So form is not the only issue as the way the HC wants to play has an impact. Outside of this, encumbency also comes with a certain momentum. Experience at international level also.

This said Tizzano is a fabulous option.

 

[TSR]

Apparently Schmidt told Tizzano that he had to put on 10 kilos and he went away and did it in 3-4 weeks or something ridiculous.

Any chance he can grow 15 cms in a similiar time frame???

 

[wamberal99]

I imagine the Loins will have two #7s in their matchday 23.

 

[TSR]

Yeah - but don’t all their 7s jump? From memory Van Der Flier and the Curry brothers are all used as back up jumpers. Though I note Van der Flier is only 186 cms so maybe I have that wrong.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Apparently Schmidt told Tizzano that he had to put on 10 kilos and he went away and did it in 3-4 weeks or something ridiculous.

Any chance he can grow 15 cms in a similiar time frame???

10kg in 3-4 weeks is impossible to remain fit. 4-5 is pushing the limit and should also raise eye brows.

Sure it wasn’t months? If weeks and he did it he can expect a knock at his door holding a cup. They’re too cheap to do blood tests.