Wallabies 2025

[rugbyAU]

1 - Bell
2 - Faessler
3 - AA
4 - Williams
5 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6 - Valetini
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson
9 - Gordon
10 - Lolesio
11 - Daungunu
12 - Ikitau
13 - Sua'ali'i'i
14 - Potter
15 - Wright
16 - BPA
17 - Slipper
18 - Tupou
19 - Skelton
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Donaldson
23 - Kellaway

 

[drewprint]

1 - Bell
2 - Faessler
3 - AA
4 - Williams
5 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6 - Valetini
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson
9 - Gordon
10 - Lolesio
11 - Daungunu
12 - Ikitau
13 - Sua'ali'i'i
14 - Potter
15 - Wright
16 - BPA
17 - Slipper
18 - Tupou
19 - Skelton
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Donaldson
23 - Kellaway

I like it. Almost what I’d have. I’d have Jorgensen over Potter ( but happy either way really, Potter has been fantastic), and Skelton to start. But that constant conundrum appears with Skelton either way - do we need a strong jumping back row to pair with him? Does this mean Hooper or Uru shoot into the mix ahead of Gleeson? Or we go 6-2 and Kellaway drops out?

 

[Derpus]

I'm not sure I would pick two 7s even if we did go 6/2.

With a 6/2 split I'd be looking at picking two locks and a replacement for 6/8 as my three non front rowers.

The benefit of a seven is they are typically the most athletic player on the field and can compensate for less athletic, though perhaps bigger players around them. If you carry a replacement for your 7 you kind of waste that advantage.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I think it is a good sign that most people aren’t talking much about Skelton, Kerevi and Koribete as it shows we are pretty happy with the options available here, which was not the case 2-3 years ago.

I still feel they are worth including in a wider squad. If Ikitau was injured I think Kerevi would be the next best option. People quickly forget koribete was our best player for a long time and just had a bad year last year, so shouldn’t be written off.

Then, a lions series we know will be very physical and probably suits a Skelton but I just worry his selection has too much of a flow on impact with other areas of the team

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

So Parling is gone for the start of the Prem next season.

Leicester HC

 

[JRugby2]

Leicester sticking with the Australian connection and have signed Geoff Parling to take over from Cheika:

Geoff Parling appointed Head Coach

Geoff Parling has been appointed Leicester Tigers Head Coach on a long-term deal starting next season.

www.leicestertigers.com

Takes over after the Lions tour.

Good on him. Our forward pack has improved with his tenure and deserves the opportunity. Hopefully his success continues and he has fond memories of Australia in the future.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I know he's young in his Coaching career but I'd be in favour of a guy like Mowen being in the running as a replacement.

Don't need HC experience for these roles and it seems you get the international assistant jobs before your provincial HC applications. There's been real growth in players like Hooper, Pollard, Reimer under him and a spring in the step of AAA and Slipper at the Brums.

 

[fatprop]

I think it is a good sign that most people aren’t talking much about Skelton, Kerevi and Koribete as it shows we are pretty happy with the options available here, which was not the case 2-3 years ago.

I still feel they are worth including in a wider squad. If Ikitau was injured I think Kerevi would be the next best option. People quickly forget koribete was our best player for a long time and just had a bad year last year, so shouldn’t be written off.

Then, a lions series we know will be very physical and probably suits a Skelton but I just worry his selection has too much of a flow on impact with other areas of the team

It depends on his physical and mental doesn't it? The elderly can fall off a cliff quite quickly

 

[The Bulldozer]

Depends if Schmidt is going entirely of form or players who have been consistently good in the past. Kellaway has definetly proven himselft and is a very good rugby player who deserves Wallabies selection. I do think potter will find himself in the 23 as he has been red hot during super rugby and deserves his wallabies shot.

Potter proved himself as well suited in the green and gold against the Scotsmen last year. Kellaway's questionable tackling would also come into question I believe against a Lions team

 

[JRugby2]

Potter proved himself as well suited in the green and gold against the Scotsmen last year. Kellaway's questionable tackling would also come into question I believe against a Lions team

just can't realistically see them going for Potter over Kellaway in a straight shoot out. 1 test vs heaps in a Lions series will count against Potter.