Wallabies 2025

[Braveheart81]

If you picked James O'Connor you're doing it because you want him to play that 15 minute role to close out a game and be able to take pressure shots at goal.

Not picking him is fine though. It's really about what you're looking for in that position.

 

[Wilson]

This is why Donno is probably going to be on the bench though isn't it? He can cover 10 or 15 which are the main issues. edit +goal kicking

I think the backup 10 will be there as a 10 alone, fullback coverage won't really matter much - Sua'ali'i, Kellaway and Jorgensen all cover fullback and I'd be amazed if we named a 15 without one of them (likely 2).

Paisami is pretty likely the other bench back if we are going 5-3 - he covers 12 and 13 if either centre goes down and Sua'ali'i slides out to anywhere in the whole back 3 if something goes wrong there. It's the only way we can get full coverage of the backline as it stands.

If we go 6-2 than Donaldson does make more sense in terms of broader coverage from the bench.

5-3 or 6-2, the only way we have completed coverage is if Ikitau and Paisami are in the 23, at least from the squad as it stands. Given the modern realities of HIAs and the lions strength in the centres it would be a huge gamble to not have that channel properly covered.

 

[Wilson]

If you picked James O'Connor you're doing it because you want him to play that 15 minute role to close out a game and be able to take pressure shots at goal.

Not picking him is fine though. It's really about what you're looking for in that position.

Yeah, the value he offers in the 23 is as a closer and experienced coverage of every position 10 through to 15, something non of our other 10s come close to. Probably only a concern if Joe was really keen on 6-2 though, and he hasn't picked that for the wallabies yet.

The other reason to pick him would be the seniority and guidance in the squad, but that's a luxury more than a necessity.