Wallabies 2025

[Super Hooper]

Just not included. Beyond the aggrandising who could potentially feature - based on what Schmidt has said there's no surprises here. I imagine that players like Kerevi will get a chance to impress in both tour games, potentially JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) as well.

Andy Farrell has picked Bundee Aki and Tuipulotu to play against Los Pumas this weekend, a monstrous centre couple. So you need a BIG body in the centre and Kerevi is the only +105 Wallaby centre... Maybe Joe knows something we don't...

 

[whitefalcon]

Has White been up to it this year?

I was hoping we'd go with Lonergan over White in the squad as we seem to play far too much off 9 when White is on the field

 

[Derpus]

White is better than Lonergan.

 

[Super Hooper]

White is better than Lonergan.

5 years ago

 

[Slim 293]

Lonergan has been in great form, but I doubt he'll get a look in until after the Lions unless there's injuries...

 

[fatprop]

How the hell does Dylan Pietsch make that squad ?

Because he is a back with a proper workrate

 

[Heavyd]

Dissappointed Carlo not released to play for the Force considering he has not played for well over a month.

 

[Derpus]

Pretty unsurprising squad. I would have included LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Kerevi for Frost and Paisami.

 

[Braveheart81]

Dissappointed Carlo not released to play for the Force considering he has not played for well over a month.

I am guessing that based on Tizzano, Donaldson, Williams and Potter not being released for the Force vs Lions game suggests they are closest to being in the matchday 23 for the Wallabies.

 

[Dctarget]

I hope Kerevi (and even Koribete) get chosen for the AUNZ or Pasifika game.

Centres are awfully light on if we get an injury to any of them.

 

[KiwiM]

Last year… hasn’t done nothing this year!!

It can be dangerous to read too much into Super Rugby form if someone has shown their class at test level.

 

[whitefalcon]

Andy Farrell has picked Bundee Aki and Tuipulotu to play against Los Pumas this weekend, a monstrous centre couple. So you need a BIG body in the centre and Kerevi is the only +105 Wallaby centre... Maybe Joe knows something we don't...

It feels like most of our backline is dependent on where we see JAS

I think the 12. Ikitau 13. JAS worked well at the end of last year, both are bigger bodies and can defend (as long as JAS keeps it low and uses his arms)

 

[Slim 293]

I assume 12. Ikitau 13. JAS is now locked in as there's a distinct lack of capable inside centres in that squad...

 

[Sword of Justice]

If one removes those Force players with an asterisk one is left with a very, very stable squad from last year’s international season. That probably explains Kerevi to be honest. We have one warm up game and his employer’s standard of competition probably doesn’t give Schmidt enough confidence to give him a run in the only tune up.

 

[Braveheart81]

Taking the end of year tour teams selected and referencing it back to this squad, how close would the team be if continuity was valued highest?
If you look at our last team for the year vs Ireland I think there's a very strong likelihood we see minimal changes from that. Here's the team:

1. Slipper
2. Paenga-Amoa
3. Tupou
4. Frost
5. Williams
6. Valetini
7. McReight
8. Wilson
9. Gordon
10. Lolesio
11. Jorgensen
12. Ikitau
13. Sua'ali'i
14. Kellaway
15. Wright

16. Pollard 17. Kailea 18. Ala'alatoa 19. Salakai'Loto 20. Gleeson 21. McDermott 22. Edmed 23. Potter

Bell and Faessler obviously come into this team, Kellaway and Frost are most at risk of losing their spots but I think 10 of this 15 is likely to start, Slipper and Tupou to the bench and Donaldson replaces Edmed in 22.

There's a spot for a lock (Skelton) and probably another outside back if Kellaway drops out of the 23 but I think there's a really strong chance we see something very close to that for the first Lions test.

 

[TSR]

No real surprises there really, although I thought they may have wanted to see how Kerevi went against Fiji...

I also didn't think Porecki would make it, but since BPA is out.

Those are the two I am surprised by. Really don’t see much in Porecki - but others do so congrats to the guy and look forward to being wrong.

I would’ve loved to see Kerevi in there but obviously hasn’t impressed enough.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Ollie Hoskins signed a 1 game contract to play for Force against the Lions, I wonder if they could do the same for Kerevi to play in the reds game on the 2nd July. Probably unlikely I guess as Hoskins was retiring so easier to get a release.

I think JOC (James O'Connor) would still be a chance for the Lions squad, this was probably too short notice to include him for Fiji given he is playing this weekend.

 

[fatprop]

I assume 12. Ikitau 13. JAS is now locked in as there's a distinct lack of capable inside centres in that squad...

I don't think that was ever in doubt

 

[JRugby2]

Ollie Hoskins signed a 1 game contract to play for Force against the Lions, I wonder if they could do the same for Kerevi to play in the reds game on the 2nd July. Probably unlikely I guess as Hoskins was retiring so easier to get a release.

I think JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) would still be a chance for the Lions squad, this was probably too short notice to include him for Fiji given he is playing this weekend.

2 weeks? Probably enough time - I think Joe has played his hand here with JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[Brumby Runner]

Taking the end of year tour teams selected and referencing it back to this squad, how close would the team be if continuity was valued highest?
If you look at our last team for the year vs Ireland I think there's a very strong likelihood we see minimal changes from that. Here's the team:

1. Slipper
2. Paenga-Amoa
3. Tupou
4. Frost
5. Williams
6. Valetini
7. McReight
8. Wilson
9. Gordon
10. Lolesio
11. Jorgensen
12. Ikitau
13. Sua'ali'i
14. Kellaway
15. Wright

16. Pollard 17. Kailea 18. Ala'alatoa 19. Salakai'Loto 20. Gleeson 21. McDermott 22. Edmed 23. Potter

Bell and Faessler obviously come into this team, Kellaway and Frost are most at risk of losing their spots but I think 10 of this 15 is likely to start, Slipper and Tupou to the bench and Donaldson replaces Edmed in 22.

There's a spot for a lock (Skelton) and probably another outside back if Kellaway drops out of the 23 but I think there's a really strong chance we see something very close to that for the first Lions test.

Completely new front row then BH, and possibility of Skelton replacing Frost in the second row, with some doubts over Kellaway and Jorgensen (will he really start after long term injury?) while LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Edmed aren't even in the squad?

That seems like more than small change to the Irish team.

EDIT : will the test against Fiji attract world ranknig points? If so, I'm sure the team will be looking for a win as much as playing a game plan for readiness against the Lions. In that case, I would be surprised to see Skelton in this side, and maybe Tupou misses out too.