Sword of Justice
Dick Tooth (41)
We came pretty close to winning it in his first ever tests as a 10. Lilo was concussed playing at IC less than a minute into the first test and we only lost by 2 points.
Wallabies 2025
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Slim 293
George Smith (75)
Sooooooo... no player can be assessed until they've played behind the almighty Brumbies pack?
Even after almost 100 professional rugby matches?
I hope Joe Schmidt can find a way around that...
Sword of Justice
Dick Tooth (41)
Not any and all 10s. There is still one in the country right now who’s played there more for Australia and won some big matches.
But I wouldn’t advocate for either Foley or Cooper to be honest. They both looked to lose a handle on test match intensity in their respective last few starts in gold.
Tomthumb
Peter Johnson (47)
That's not what I said now is it. But watching Declan Meredith look like a star playing for the Brumbies maybe it isn't the hardest job in the world
I would be interested in a parallel universe in which Donaldson was given the amount of chances and unwavering support despite limited returns that Noah has been. Would be interesting to see
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
I'd like to think our test coaches are smarter than that...
Tomthumb
Peter Johnson (47)
So would I but then I watch Laurie Fisher's defensive system and then I'm not so sure
Not every decision a coach makes is going to be automatically right
michaelhoops
Frank Nicholson (4)
Would you rather have JOC (James O'Connor)/Foley or Ben donaldson on the Bench
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Different question to who would be the best starting 10 though.
Donaldson offers the most effective cover of multiple positions now. JOC (James O'Connor) would have been the guy but he doesn't have the legs for anything but 10/15 now and even 15 would be a hit for the Wallabies if Wright and his speed left the field for current JOC (James O'Connor).
Donaldson offers the most effective cover of multiple positions now. JOC (James O'Connor) would have been the guy but he doesn't have the legs for anything but 10/15 now and even 15 would be a hit for the Wallabies if Wright and his speed left the field for current JOC (James O'Connor).
Where are we after essentially four lead up matches and the only Wallabies game before the first test?
We're sweating on the health of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini. Both will go straight into the starting side for the first test if healthy in my view. We struggled to match it with Fiji physically as the game went on and these two are critically important to setting that tone.
Hooker is wide open. I don't think any the three squad hookers really did that well in their opportunity. Faessler was quiet, Porecki looked ok until he got concussed 27 minutes (I think) into the game and I don't think Pollard had a strong game off the bench. Both Porecki and Pollard had some issues with the lineout.
Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper played very well. I think they are fighting for one bench spot when it is all said and done though.
I expect Jake Gordon will slot straight back in if he's fit. McDermott didn't improve his stock and while Nic White played quite well I think McDermott is clearly the best bench option.
I guess Donaldson starts now. Hopefully Noah bounces back quickly.
Aside from that I think 11-15 will stay as is. Maybe Pietsch is a chance to start ahead of Potter but I thought both Jorgensen and Potter looked really threatening and I can't see why you'd be swayed to think that they aren't still your first choice.
We're sweating on the health of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini. Both will go straight into the starting side for the first test if healthy in my view. We struggled to match it with Fiji physically as the game went on and these two are critically important to setting that tone.
Hooker is wide open. I don't think any the three squad hookers really did that well in their opportunity. Faessler was quiet, Porecki looked ok until he got concussed 27 minutes (I think) into the game and I don't think Pollard had a strong game off the bench. Both Porecki and Pollard had some issues with the lineout.
Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper played very well. I think they are fighting for one bench spot when it is all said and done though.
I expect Jake Gordon will slot straight back in if he's fit. McDermott didn't improve his stock and while Nic White played quite well I think McDermott is clearly the best bench option.
I guess Donaldson starts now. Hopefully Noah bounces back quickly.
Aside from that I think 11-15 will stay as is. Maybe Pietsch is a chance to start ahead of Potter but I thought both Jorgensen and Potter looked really threatening and I can't see why you'd be swayed to think that they aren't still your first choice.
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
It sounds like Lolesio is a good chance to play in the first test after returning to the squad today...
Hooper had a good cameo off the bench but Gleeson would have to be the favourite choice for that bench spot, particularly with Hooper released to the Brumbies this week.
I think we'll see a team closely resembling one from the spring tour with the possible exception of hooker and bench tight head prop.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Wings probably depend on how concrete those two were to begin with, but both were threatening but uneven with errors and rust in their games that leave an opening for someone else to come in. I'm not sure that the Potter/Jorgenson pairing is the most balanced either, I'd probably be looking at one of Pietsch or Daugunu to come in.
In the props I suspect Bell will start, though that will just be a straight swap for Slipper. Not sure about tight head, Nonggorr didn't do anything much wrong but didn't stake a claim. Tupou didn't really impress on Saturday night, but the fact that he was not called into the AU/NZ side suggests they might want him back into the 23.
In the props I suspect Bell will start, though that will just be a straight swap for Slipper. Not sure about tight head, Nonggorr didn't do anything much wrong but didn't stake a claim. Tupou didn't really impress on Saturday night, but the fact that he was not called into the AU/NZ side suggests they might want him back into the 23.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
TT is going to be helped by the fact the pack needs some raw power and maybe the Test v the Lions is enough to fire the unit up.
I won't be shocked if we see Hooper and Gleeson on the bench. It will piss off the Force fans but it will be at the expense of Tizzano if it happens. We don't need two 7s on the field. It doesn't work unless one is an physical outlier for the position. Wallabies need to be able to maintain the rage and get over the ad line. A guy like Gleeson in the last 20 minutes could be huge. I know Tizz will tackle anything that moves but he's not a breakdown threat so why carry two 7s.
I won't be shocked if we see Hooper and Gleeson on the bench. It will piss off the Force fans but it will be at the expense of Tizzano if it happens. We don't need two 7s on the field. It doesn't work unless one is an physical outlier for the position. Wallabies need to be able to maintain the rage and get over the ad line. A guy like Gleeson in the last 20 minutes could be huge. I know Tizz will tackle anything that moves but he's not a breakdown threat so why carry two 7s.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I wondered if Tupou was sent to the Tahs game to get some ‘practice’ against the lions, and also some scrummaging intel. The Tahs were stuffed in front row stocks as it was so I think that also may have had something to do with it. I think we will see that Tupou is ahead of Zane.
If Lolesio is healthy I expect he'll play. It's all much of a muchness in my view and Schmidt certainly values that continuity.
I agree on Hooper vs Gleeson.
I didn't think Daugunu really helped his chances. Greater versatility is probably what will keep him ahead of Pietsch for the 23 jersey though.
I'm making the assumption that Jorgensen and Potter were initially thought of as the first choice. If I was Joe I'd look at the Fiji game and think that both will be sharp and ready to go for the first test.
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
I think Tizzano will likely get bumped for Gleeson, but Hooper will probably miss out too if Skelton is fit...
I don't think Tizzano is in the 23 either.
Frost in the 19 jersey and Gleeson in 20.
Nice the see to wingers working hard
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I’m not going to argue with you considering your moniker, but I suspect he was kind of forced to do illegal shit in an effort to keep the scrum bearing some resemblance of a scrum.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
I will add that if something happened to McReight I'd expect Tizzano to get the next start though.
Gleeson doesn't get that spot. We just don't need another 7 on the bench.
Gleeson doesn't get that spot. We just don't need another 7 on the bench.