Wallabies 2025

[dru]

I'm not convinced that Tupou is top 3 #3. Fighting for that third spot but others seem a) more consistent, b) more to offer outside of the scrum, c) last longer than 30 min.

Tupou certainly has consistency, test experience and reputation working in his favour.

 

[griffins]

I'm not convinced that Tupou is top 3 #3. Fighting for that third spot but others seem a) more consistent, b) more to offer outside of the scrum, c) last longer than 30 min.

Tupou certainly has consistency, test experience and reputation working in his favour.

Who's he fighting with?

 

[Derpus]

Take out any memory you have of Tupou's younger self and objectively judge him on his core job - is he one of our best three scrumagging tighthead props? I think the answer is definitely yes. Need to accept that anything else is a bonus and hope that coaches/s&c staff are doing the work (physical and mental) to unlock some of his lost dynamism. With the injuries he's had though I can't see him being his 2021 self again...

I am. Hes good for multiple unnecessary turnovers a game which has always been true but is no longer being offset elsewhere. His scrumming is still strong but not enough to offset the negatives at the moment i think.

 

[griffins]

I am. Hes good for multiple unnecessary turnovers a game which has always been true but is no longer being offset elsewhere. His scrumming is still strong but not enough to offset the negatives at the moment i think.

Agree the errors are problematic but I think he's still one of our best three and I would hope he's getting pretty stern messaging behind closed doors to cut the crap. How was he on Friday (I haven't watched the game yet)?

 

[Adam84]

Who's he fighting with?

AAA, Nonggorr, de Luttis, Robertson

Out of that list there's some good scrummaging and decent workloads around the park, with low error rates. For the Lions, I think it'll probably be AAA, Nonggorr and Tupou, although de Luttis could slip in there somewhere and Schmidt seemed to rate Robertson so he could sneak in also, although I'm not convinced his scrummaging is as good as the others.

 

[Wilson]

AAA, Nonggorr, de Luttis, Robertson

Out of that list there's some good scrummaging and decent workloads around the park, with low error rates. For the Lions, I think it'll probably be AAA, Nonggorr and Tupou, although de Luttis could slip in there somewhere and Schmidt seemed to rate Robertson so he could sneak in also, although I'm not convinced his scrummaging is as good as the others.

I thought Robertson would've been in the frame, but given he wasn't included in the pre-season wallabies camp and has now played 7 games in a row (so apparently isn't on the list of players requiring wallaby rest) I think he may be a bit further down the pecking order. His recent scrummaging performance definitely won't help his chances.

 

[Adam84]

Robertson was injured for the pre-season camp wasn't he? I think Morgan Turniui said the list of players for Wallabies rest protocols isn't a clearly defined list or set of rules, more a discussion on alignment, so I'm not sure if we should read too much into what that means for selection.

 

[griffins]

AAA, Nonggorr, de Luttis, Robertson

Out of that list there's some good scrummaging and decent workloads around the park, with low error rates. For the Lions, I think it'll probably be AAA, Nonggorr and Tupou, although de Luttis could slip in there somewhere and Schmidt seemed to rate Robertson so he could sneak in also, although I'm not convinced his scrummaging is as good as the others.

While the rest of the pack have a bit to answer for (and Swain as tighthead lock was also part of some average Brumbies scums) Robertson getting absolutely pancaked with the Force this season rules him out in my books. Is Nongoor injured at the moment or third choice? I can see De Lutis being in the top three, despite his inexperience, but I can't see Tupou outside of it at the moment. As noted I would like to see improvements in his discipline at a minimum but he's going to have to do (thank goodness Alan A looks a lot more like his former self than last year post-achilles).

 

[Wilson]

Robertson was injured for the pre-season camp wasn't he? I think Morgan Turniui said the list of players for Wallabies rest protocols isn't a clearly defined list or set of rules, more a discussion on alignment, so I'm not sure if we should read too much into what that means for selection.

I hadn't heard that one from Morgs, all the other reporting I'd seen was that it was a strict no more than 6 games in a row for all wallabies players slated to be rested. It has been clear as mud though, so I wouldn't be amazed if there was variation and edge cases. Not sure about injury for Robertson for that camp, I don't think they published an unavailable due to injury list on that one

 

[Adam84]

While the rest of the pack have a bit to answer for (and Swain as tighthead lock was also part of some average Brumbies scums) Robertson getting absolutely pancaked with the Force this season rules him out in my books. Is Nongoor injured at the moment or third choice? I can see De Lutis being in the top three, despite his inexperience, but I can't see Tupou outside of it at the moment. As noted I would like to see improvements in his discipline at a minimum but he's going to have to do (thank goodness Alan A looks a lot more like his former self than last year post-achilles).

No Nonggor isn't injured, he has started half the matches and played off the bench in more.. Reds are rotating between Toomaga-Allen, Nonggorr and de Luttis for matchday. He will be back in 23 this week.

 

[Wilson]

While the rest of the pack have a bit to answer for (and Swain as tighthead lock was also part of some average Brumbies scums) Robertson getting absolutely pancaked with the Force this season rules him out in my books. Is Nongoor injured at the moment or third choice? I can see De Lutis being in the top three, despite his inexperience, but I can't see Tupou outside of it at the moment. As noted I would like to see improvements in his discipline at a minimum but he's going to have to do (thank goodness Alan A looks a lot more like his former self than last year post-achilles).

I think Nonggorr being in and out is just steady rotation amongst a solid group of tight heads, and maybe an effort to get De Lutiiss good exposure in the early part of the season so he's ready for the Lions. I expect we'll see him drop back to play club more often now that that season is under way.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I really like what Robertson does on the field but his lack of size just doesn't cut it against some of the real monsters at Test level. He performs remarkably well against bigger opponents but when it's a side like the Lions who have guys as skilled as you the size does come into play.

Good guy to have on the depth chart and it feels unfair but that sport.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'm not convinced that Tupou is top 3 #3. Fighting for that third spot but others seem a) more consistent, b) more to offer outside of the scrum, c) last longer than 30 min.

Tupou certainly has consistency, test experience and reputation working in his favour.

Who are your #2 and #3 tight heads? (assuming AAA is #1?)

 

[upthereds#!]

My way too early Predicted Wallabies Squad for Lions tour:
Prop
Alan Ala'alatoa
James Slipper
Angus Bell
Alex Hodgman
Taniela Tupou
Tom Robertson

Hooker
Matt Faessler
Dave Porecki
Nic Dolly/Brandon Paenga-Amosa

Lock
Lukhan Salakai-Loto
Josh Canham
Darcy Swain
Nick Frost
Jeremy Williams

Back Row
Harry Wilson
Fraser McReight
Carlo Tizzano
Rob Valetini
Rob Leota
Seru Uru


Halfback
Tate McDermott
Nic White
Jake Gordon

Flyhalf
Noah Lolesio
Tom Lynagh
Ben Donaldson

Centre
Len Ikitau
Hunter Paisami
Joseph Sua'alii

Wing/Fullback
Tom Wright
Andrew Kellaway
Max Jorgensen
Filipo Daugunu
Dylan Pietsch

Potential Bolters
Richie Asiata
Lawson Creighton
Kalani Thomas
Nick Champion de Crespigny
James O'Connor
Aidan Ross

I tend to go with 33 as per WC but I'l stick with your 34

Remove Canham and Leota or Uru and replace with Skelton & Kerevi. Nowwww Kerevi is a maybe but centre depth is a weak point. I'd rather have Kerevi there considering if there is an injury the next centres are average. Whereas in the backrow there is massive depth and if there is an injury, someone decent can be there in a heartbeat.

I'd rather have Leota or Uru or Gleeson or Hooper or Decrispy on speed dial over Foketi or Feliuali

Not sure about the props - thinking Deluttis over Robertson, but his both sides is useful

 

[stillmissit]

Watching our Super Rugby teams a common theme appears to be the commentators stating 'guys are gassed' talk starting around 65mins.
We are not aerobically fit enough to play the game for 80 mins at this level. Our Super Rugby teams have lifted, but when the Brumbies let in a simple try with 1.5 mins to go at 12points ahead, they were lucky the Highlanders lost the ball in the last play. This lack of fitness for professional players when the replacements play ~20mins or less is unforgivable. We will do OK, but winning the Super Rugby comp with this level of fitness v NZ makes it very hard. Against the BIL, it will be punished.
Bottom line - Too much gym work, not enough running.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Watching our Super Rugby teams a common theme appears to be the commentators stating 'guys are gassed' talk starting around 65mins.
We are not aerobically fit enough to play the game for 80 mins at this level. Our Super Rugby teams have lifted, but when the Brumbies let in a simple try with 1.5 mins to go at 12points ahead, they were lucky the Highlanders lost the ball in the last play. This lack of fitness for professional players when the replacements play ~20mins or less is unforgivable. We will do OK, but winning the Super Rugby comp with this level of fitness v NZ makes it very hard. Against the BIL, it will be punished.
Bottom line - Too much gym work, not enough running.

The Brumbies try was because the defender who was supposed to be there, Debreczeni, couldn't walk/run and was just out of position.

Not a fitness thing, an injury issue

 

[HogansHeros]

Watching our Super Rugby teams a common theme appears to be the commentators stating 'guys are gassed' talk starting around 65mins.
We are not aerobically fit enough to play the game for 80 mins at this level. Our Super Rugby teams have lifted, but when the Brumbies let in a simple try with 1.5 mins to go at 12points ahead, they were lucky the Highlanders lost the ball in the last play. This lack of fitness for professional players when the replacements play ~20mins or less is unforgivable. We will do OK, but winning the Super Rugby comp with this level of fitness v NZ makes it very hard. Against the BIL, it will be punished.
Bottom line - Too much gym work, not enough running.

A lot of rugby between now and BIL. If players are a bit underdone at the start of the season, and come into peak fitness for the internationals im all for it.

 

[PhilClinton]

I haven't really noticed the fitness issue this season, aside from the players you'd expect to be struggling.

In general, players are fitter across the board it seems. The game has gotten faster over the past few years with more emphasis on speeding up set piece or faster restarts in general.

The commentators actually made a point in the Reds v Force game of how much the ball was in play, which I imagine was a tactic from both teams early on to try and squeeze an error in the rain from the opposition.

 

[stillmissit]

The Brumbies try was because the defender who was supposed to be there, Debreczeni, couldn't walk/run and was just out of position.

Not a fitness thing, an injury issue

SC, that doesn't excuse the woeful lack of fitness to cover the break,, 21 Thorn pulled a hammie (fitness) and no tackle and the cover inc Wrght was nowhere to be seen. The Highlanders were straight back into the Brumbies 22 and a knock on saved them. Larkham looked annoyed at the mess. They were lucky not to pull a loss from the jaws of a win.
We have seen 2 approaches to this lack of fitness, we used to play soft and then play like demons in the last 15 mins after the game is lost, and now we play well enough for 65-70 mins and are not fit enough to close the game out.
I do not accept your not a fitness issue.

 

[Strewthcobber]

SC, that doesn't excuse the woeful lack of fitness to cover the break,, 21 Thorn pulled a hammie (fitness) and no tackle and the cover inc Wrght was nowhere to be seen. The Highlanders were straight back into the Brumbies 22 and a knock on saved them. Larkham looked annoyed at the mess. They were lucky not to pull a loss from the jaws of a win.
We have seen 2 approaches to this lack of fitness, we used to play soft and then play like demons in the last 15 mins after the game is lost, and now we play well enough for 65-70 mins and are not fit enough to close the game out.
I do not accept your not a fitness issue.

Tom Wright is covering the open side wing. Deb's role there is drop and cover the blind wing when Toole is drawn forward by the blindside play.

You can see him trying to get into position here. He's the Brumby closest to the ball

From here though, he basically stops running because he's injured after a kick around 70min and gets nowhere near where he should be.

2:18:56 on the Stan coverage.