Wallabies 2025

[upthereds#!]

Don't reckon Schmidt will pick Hodgman even if he's fit.

Who would be the 3rd LHP? Kailea - has he outplayed Hodgman? Ross? How has he gone this season. Faagase? Is he better then Hodgman - is he eligible? Does Robertson get the LH option/versatility with Nonggoor as the 3rd THP specialist??

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Well Kailea has been lining up in the SS which has probably knocked him back a peg regardless of Schmidts opinion of him. I tend to think last year he was blooded over being backed in a genuine starting option. I'm interested to know his attitude atm given he's clearly not in favour although he is looking fitter.

Big body known quantities are required v the Lions depth in the Front Row.

 

[Wilson]

I get the feeling Kailea has slipped out of the top 3 loose heads and the squad as a result but can easily push his way back in with a good showing against the Lions for the tahs (or maybe in one of the invitational sides). Without that he just doesn't have the game time or runs on the board, but his experience with Schmidt's Wallabies means he doesn't need much to push his way back in.

 

[Wilson]

Donaldson locked in through to the world cup:

Ben Donaldson latest Wallaby to re-sign until home World Cup

www.rugby.com.au

 

[hawko07]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

Undoubtably he offers a hell of a lot in terms of a running threat and is also excellent under the high ball.
But to me, there are big question marks on his defence (particularly high-risk technique), general play kicking, ability to create for others.

We definitely have more well-rounded options. Kuenzle? Daugunu? Even Pakeho has been pretty impressive (but I'm not suggesting he's ready yet).

 

[Major Tom]

Who would be the 3rd LHP? Kailea - has he outplayed Hodgman? Ross? How has he gone this season. Faagase? Is he better then Hodgman - is he eligible? Does Robertson get the LH option/versatility with Nonggoor as the 3rd THP specialist??

THP - AAA, TT, ZN
With Shoup out I reckon we are a tad light on LHP. Works in Ross's favour.

 

[Wilson]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

Undoubtably he offers a hell of a lot in terms of a running threat and is also excellent under the high ball.
But to me, there are big question marks on his defence (particularly high-risk technique), general play kicking, ability to create for others.

We definitely have more well-rounded options. Kuenzle? Daugunu? Even Pakeho has been pretty impressive (but I'm not suggesting he's ready yet).

He's a shoe-in for the 23, and almost certainly the 15. Specific position is probably a bit more up in the air, but Ikitau and Wright are probably the only backs who would definitely be selected ahead of him in the positions he covers right now.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

If I was picking the team tomorrow, I'd have

Gordon
Noah
Jorg/HP/Kellaway (depending on health and what coverage you want)
Lenny
JAS
dangunu (FFS it's Daugunu!)/HP/Kellaway (depending on health and what coverage you want)
Wright

For me that is a backline that offers great defense, oozes attacking promise and can cover a few different positions, allowing you to pick 5 forwards on the bench, with Tate as the best finishing 9 in the world and JOC (James O'Connor) for position coverage.

 

[BDA]

Don't reckon Schmidt will pick Hodgman even if he's fit.

Who do you think the 3 LHPs will be then?

 

[Backintheolddays]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

Undoubtably he offers a hell of a lot in terms of a running threat and is also excellent under the high ball.
But to me, there are big question marks on his defence (particularly high-risk technique), general play kicking, ability to create for others.

We definitely have more well-rounded options. Kuenzle? Daugunu? Even Pakeho has been pretty impressive (but I'm not suggesting he's ready yet).

Ask the opposition coaches if they would like him there. Sure there are defensive patterns to improve and tackle height but he is one of the most threatening ball carriers in the world.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Gosh it's gonna be brutal if we lose a test because one of the Poms takes a dive on a questionable high shot from JAS

 

[fatprop]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

Undoubtably he offers a hell of a lot in terms of a running threat and is also excellent under the high ball.
But to me, there are big question marks on his defence (particularly high-risk technique), general play kicking, ability to create for others.

We definitely have more well-rounded options. Kuenzle? Daugunu? Even Pakeho has been pretty impressive (but I'm not suggesting he's ready yet).

None of the options are playing better rugby, no other options has that x" factor, to me, Daugunu is the plan B

What I really like from his play this season is his moments when he has just ripped in as the crash ball option to provide front football

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

JAS has the ability and we've seen it in games this year as he's figuring out the spacing in Rugby to create something from nothing. Len is all class and Wright has magic feet but JAS can go through the bloke in front of him for a line break. We haven't had that since Izzy.

As teams know that it will open up space for those around him as defenders will hold that extra second to watch someone other than their assignment because it's JAS. Defence needs to keep learning but I enjoy his aggression in it. It can shift momentum.

Pretty impressive for a bloke who's 21

 

[Major Tom]

Who do you think the 3 LHPs will be then?

Yeah I'm actually struggling to come up with the 3 with Schoup injured and Kaliea playing SS.

 

[Derpus]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

Undoubtably he offers a hell of a lot in terms of a running threat and is also excellent under the high ball.
But to me, there are big question marks on his defence (particularly high-risk technique), general play kicking, ability to create for others.

We definitely have more well-rounded options. Kuenzle? Daugunu? Even Pakeho has been pretty impressive (but I'm not suggesting he's ready yet).

I think Suaallii is good enough in defence in terms of reading the play and making the tackle. His tackle technique is terrible though.

The main reason he’ll still be 13 is we have no one to cover 12 except Len. Maybe Daugunu gets the not at 13 but i doubt it.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Agree with that. He was named in the original lot of Force players who are likely lock ins for the squad. Potter is surely in the 23. When talking about Flook I think he's still a chance of those 30-32 spot in the squad although he probably held a spot as a bit of a utility that a guy like Daugunu has now taken with his showings in the 13 and not just being an elite Winger

Len, JAS, Daugunu on a string of passes with the likes of Wright and Jorgo/Potter in support could be a hell of a sight.

With Flook, good player as he is, I'd really like to see him play a string of games before being in the discussion for the Wallabies squad. Sure, named in the original lot of Force players, but so was Feliuai named in theat original squad and a later one too iirc, and he at least is playing the game. Bayley Kuenzle is another who is currently playing and making a mark. Perhaps sadly, but Josh must be behind at least these two in the pecking order for Wallaby selection.

I similarly think any discussion about Carter Gordon being in the squad, or even brought back in at Super level, is insanely premature, Let's wait and see what fate has in store for him before even contemplating a Super Rugby team that might benefit from his services.

The No 10 pecking order seems to be changing each Super round. I have no idea who will finally get the nods at 10, but Tom Lynagh's case is weakening by the match now that the season has hit the hard part and teams are desperate for results. Noah's out with injury and some of his form has been disappointing. Right now, Meredith is opening eyes in the rugby fraternity and many are talking him up as having better skills than Noah. He is most certainly a big step up from Taine and is likely a dark horse for selection based on form.

 

[Derpus]

12 is going to be a real problem for us.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is Sua'ali'i really a shoe-in for 13 (or 11/14/15)?
I'm not so sure, I've been trying to think about him objectively.

Undoubtably he offers a hell of a lot in terms of a running threat and is also excellent under the high ball.
But to me, there are big question marks on his defence (particularly high-risk technique), general play kicking, ability to create for others.

We definitely have more well-rounded options. Kuenzle? Daugunu? Even Pakeho has been pretty impressive (but I'm not suggesting he's ready yet).

Those three would probably mean starting Ikitau at 12, as would having Sua'ali'i at 13. A combination that keeps Icky at 13 could be, 12 Feliuai, 13, Ikitau, 14, Sua'ali'i. I do believe JAS has to be there somewhere for the skillset he has and my preference would be at 14, so 12 then becomes critical to the equation. Feliuai is probably the most robust of the 12s currently, tackles strongly and carries hard. He has issues in that he lacks a lot of experience at Super level but is contributing to the performances of the best team, best backline attack in Australian rugby atm. Remembertoo, that he has been named in Schmidt's earlier squads before withdrawing for personal reasons.

My backline on current form would be Tate/Lonergan, JOC (James O'Connor), Daugunu, Feluiai, Ikitau, JAS, Wright. Just about as big as we can put out right now and all players in form to warrant selection.

 

[Derpus]

Those three would probably mean starting Ikitau at 12, as would having Sua'ali'i at 13. A combination that keeps Icky at 13 could be, 12 Feliuai, 13, Ikitau, 14, Sua'ali'i. I do believe JAS has to be there somewhere for the skillset he has and my preference would be at 14, so 12 then becomes critical to the equation. Feliuai is probably the most robust of the 12s currently, tackles strongly and carries hard. He has issues in that he lacks a lot of experience at Super level but is contributing to the performances of the best team, best backline attack in Australian rugby atm. Remembertoo, that he has been named in Schmidt's earlier squads before withdrawing for personal reasons.

My backline on current form would be Tate/Lonergan, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor), Daugunu, Feluiai, Ikitau, JAS, Wright. Just about as big as we can put out right now and all players in form to warrant selection.

I'm sorry but Feliuai kinda sucks. So does Paisami at the moment.

Len is starting at 12.

 

[griffins]

Good to have you back @Brumby Runner