Wallabies 2025

[Adam84]

Daugunu at 13 makes more sense given its his current position and he's lost that extra bit of pace.

11 for JAS makes more sense given it most leverages his strengths and would afford him a roaming role (and doesn't expose him as much as he would be at fullback).

12 is the issue for me. I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of weakening 13 to cover a deficiency at 12.

Edit: Although I can see the appeal of 12. Ikitau and 13. Daugunu given Ikitau's slightly better distribution game and Daugunu's ability over the ball.

I can certainly see the logic/appeal based on where players are currently playing, lead-in time, etc,

 

[upthereds#!]

Ikitau, Daugunu, JAS and potentially Kerevi (doubt it) in the Centres for me. Paisami had a strong game on the weekend just gone but other than that nothing spectacular this season.

I don't have any defence concerns now around JAS in Defence that people did when he was picked for the Spring Tour. He's shown his ability to handle it.

My issue that past Paisami and Ikitau as 12s, I don't rate the others at test level (Foketi, Stewart, Feliuali). Kerevi wouldn't be my starting 12, but I think he is the best option to fill out the 4th centre spot in the squad.

 

[Sword of Justice]

So some 8 months after a Test v Ireland you would be shocked to see a much different side? So Super rugby form doesn’t count for anything? I suspect you are right to a certain extent, however form will effect the 23 v Lions in the first Test. Still think JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) will be selected in squad. Donaldson definitely not probably and is Tupou good enough? A passenger at present. Swain should be there. Not sure Noah gets to start. Should be in squad though definitely.

In addition to what BH said, I think Schmidt does not seem like a coach to select players he does not know or trust for such a massive series.

Honestly though I’m not sure that form is budging too many players out of that 23, they’ve all been either performing or just have a ceiling that is demonstrably high enough to warrant some slack with the exception of some of the guys to come back in who were injured for that match.

 

[Derpus]

My backline is currently something like (in order of my preference):

9. Gordon/McDermott/White
10. Donaldson/Lynagh/Lolesio
11. JAS/Daugunu
12. ?/Ikitau Edit: /Kerevi... might as well.
13. Ikitau/Daugunu/JAS
14. Jorgensen/Kellaway/Potter
15. Wright/Kellaway/JAS

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

My issue that past Paisami and Ikitau as 12s, I don't rate the others at test level (Foketi, Stewart, Feliuali). Kerevi wouldn't be my starting 12, but I think he is the best option to fill out the 4th centre spot in the squad.

I agree. Probably the thinnest spot right now but I tend to think JAS is more likely to be slot in there before Hunter. It's not a knock on him but he's just slightly above the blokes like Stewart, Feliuali who aren't going to be considered as steady as they are.

Can't help but think we missed one in Irae Simone when he left in his mid 20s and not spoken of since. Not really sure how hes playing but was coming into his own at the time of leaving.

 

[Slim 293]

Can't help but think we missed one in Irae Simone when he left in his mid 20s and not spoken of since. Not really sure how hes playing but was coming into his own at the time of leaving.

Shit timing, as Rennie had seemingly moved on from him with Kerevi and Foketi preferred... but in his last season after signing overseas he was easily the best performing 12 in Australia and had the best all round game of the group.

But, haven't been following how he's going overseas.

 

[Stanley Hudson]

If the reports are correct and Kiss is the front runner to take over from Schmidt, I wonder if the idea of using the coaches of each of our Super Rugby sides as the Wallabies coaching staff has ever been floated? Admittedly, a lot would need to go down for this to happen but leaving your Super Rugby side set up after the season is finished to focus on the national team (and letting the rest of their coaching staff to keep tabs of things for the rest of the year and next season), is that too far stretched of an idea to put out there? I know no one else does this (that I am aware of) but very few rugby playing nations around the world have a landscape like ours. Especially as Kiss is likely to hold both roles for the short term. Why couldn't we make that work as a long term solution for all head coaches to be involved with the national set up? Just thinking out loud folks.

 

[LeCheese]

What's that saying about too many cooks?

 

[Stanley Hudson]

Something about spoiling the broth... but imagine if it were to work and we managed to get Bill back home? It would be endless sips of broth out of Bill.
One can dream..... Quit with your logic

 

[KOB1987]

It's actually what Eddie should have done instead of picking up discarded league coaches.

 

[Tomthumb]

Maybe we should ask Leon MacDonald how well that works

 

[KOB1987]

Don't need to, Eddie has shown us. I'm not suggesting it now BTW, although as old mate above points out our domestic landscape is unique, our super coaches have no direct coaching involvement for half the year. Perhaps they should be included in the national setup in some way, not necessarily as assistant coaches but as some kind of development program.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I reckon they are more than we think. It would really disappoint me if the Wallaby coaches weren't in contact with the Super Rugby Coaches on specifics about players and oppositions since they build game plans all the time. We often see them around the group when preparing in that home town.

The coaches also don't have 6 months off. They have a heap to do with squad make ups, academy signings and managing their own coaching team. Could only imagine our whinging when your side is losing and we suddenly say "well our coach got sewn up helping the Wallabies"

 

[Tomthumb]

I'm talking about taking head coaches with their own mindsets, egos and control becoming assistants. This just simply doesn't work in the real world