Wallabies 2025

[Slim 293]

Ulugia officially takes over from Cron, who is going to stick around in a mentoring role...

Scrum coach Cron to mentor next generation as Wallabies announce Ulugia as replacement

Renowned scrum coach Mike Cron will remain with Rugby Australia, as the former Wallabies assistant looks to mentor the front-rowers of the future.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[dru]

I still say JAS at inside centre. Itikau is the best OUTSIDE centre we have. You shouldn't weaken a strength to strengthen a weakness.

I'm resigned to it. JAS is one of the first picked simply on his athleticism. Ikitau is both a better 13 and a better 12 (though he is much better at 13 imo). You could look to shift JAS wide but we are now pretty strong there and may have Nawaqanitwase returning at some point. Petaia as well.

Overall the coach needs to put the strongest overall team on the field. That can well involve someone shifted out of their best position if the team is stronger for it.

 

[Joe Blow]

What are we thinking about Carter Gordon straight back in?

 

[TSR]

I reckon Ikitau is playing better at 12 than he was at 13, simply because he is far more involved. He has still thrown plenty of passes to set up tries and line breaks so it’s not like his skills with setting up his outside player are being wasted.

I assume he’s favourite for JEM and he’s been at 12 all year. Quite possible he would have been favourite playing 13 too but apart from the last game he’s been great all year.

I’d think the only threats to JEM would be McReight & Hooper. Jorgo, Wilson & Frost will probably pick up decent votes too but I don’t think and of those 3 will top the voting.

 

[rugbyAU]

What are we thinking about Carter Gordon straight back in?

I think it’s good to at least bring him back to speed with the WC approaching and given he has the biggest upside/potential

 

[Rugby110]

What are we thinking about Carter Gordon straight back in?

If Phil Waugh can get Carter back to rugby, then why waste time. Have him around the squad learning the dynamics and plays. That would be a master move.

 

[Tomthumb]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

 

[Rugby110]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

I don’t know if you have noticed, we don’t have the luxury of Finn Smith, George Ford and Marcus Smith as selection options. The old saying, if nothing changes then nothing changes. No one has said superstar in these discussions. Phil Waugh is making smart moves and backed by Schmidt and Kiss.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

Happens with every player that is suddenly distant. Oh the memories.

Same goes for all those stories of your Dads run away try it was 10m, 30, length of the field these days.

With the group of Flyhalves I have no issue with him being in the squad. Nobody better is missing out if he's included.

 

[Major Tom]

I think we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting Gordon up to fail the way we are talking about him. He had one good super season for one of the worst teams in the comp, and was very up and down for the Wallabies. Not to mention his goal kicking was absolutely woeful

I hope he comes back and hope he does well, but he hasn’t shown anything to be viewed as this superstar

If we think single-handedly he’s going to fix the team, then yes we’re setting ourselves up for failure. If we recognise that he’s a very good option at flyhalf, who would be there if he didn’t go to league then I think we’re in a good space. I don’t know what else you expect RA to do? Clearly, 10 is a concern for us. He fits the age profile and physical profile that we want from a playmaker. It makes complete sense.

 

[Homer]

There is no one else so give Carter a crack. Can tackle and kick, seems to have a calm head, was messed around by Eddie so who knows what he is capable of. Also with him, JAS and Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) we finally have some size in the backs again like the good old days.
Mcdermott, Carter, MM, Len, JAS, Jorgo and Wright looks like a fairly awesome backline.
There is speed to burn, height to contest kicks, tonnes of counter attack ability etc

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Throw in Petaia who's no small fish... Guys like Pietsch also play with a big guys power which is probably why he was a Schools rep no.8

Big boys smashing it up with the likes of McDermott, Wright and Jorgo lurking off the hip is a nice prospect.

 

[Tomthumb]

If we think single-handedly he’s going to fix the team, then yes we’re setting ourselves up for failure. If we recognise that he’s a very good option at flyhalf, who would be there if he didn’t go to league then I think we’re in a good space. I don’t know what else you expect RA to do? Clearly, 10 is a concern for us. He fits the age profile and physical profile that we want from a playmaker. It makes complete sense.

Yes but how patient are we going to be with him? We haven't been particularly patient with any of our young 10's, and Gordon has barely had any physical contact let alone game time in the last 18 months

If he comes in and looks worse than Tane Edmed (which isn't unrealistic considering the circumstances), how long a leash will he be given until we give up on him like all the others?

I'd prefer him be brought in slowly and given time to be ready. He wasn't experienced when he was playing Rugby, let alone now

 

[Adam84]

So RA paying $100k release fee for Carter’s contract.

Given he didn’t play in 2025, and ‘assuming’ he would have had the same issue had he stayed in rugby, it’s worked out a pretty good little financial exchange this one. RA have effectively paid $100k for the 2025 season he was out injured with Titans covering the rest

 

[Red Runner]

at least he's been immersed training in a elite high performance program.....oh...hang on...

 

[Dctarget]

The revisionism on Carter is interesting. Lots of us commented that when he left that he was a huge loss, we aren't remembering fondly years later. Remember Lolesio shouting out his name? Carter is genuine. His flaws are very obvious but he has skills his competitors don't. It's not like they're paying Sua'ali'i's salary for him. Also.. our flyhalves are terrible.

 

[Slim 293]

Carter Gordon could be the Wallabies’ best flyhalf in the future, but he was far from it when he left…

Lolesio certainly had the last laugh there…

But it’s definitely worth having him back.

 

[Red Runner]

The revisionism on Carter is interesting. Lots of us commented that when he left that he was a huge loss, we aren't remembering fondly years later. Remember Lolesio shouting out his name? Carter is genuine. His flaws are very obvious but he has skills his competitors don't. It's not like they're paying Sua'ali'i's salary for him. Also.. our flyhalves are terrible.

Fuck that was a sad indictment on him I reckon. Shows a complete lack of temperament that you need for a top level 10. Not that I think Carter has it. Its one of his known 'flaws' among the rugby community.

 

[Dctarget]

Speaking of Lolesio, what's the latest on him?

Still injured? Will he play his season in Japan? Is it confirmed he's coming back for RWC27? If so, when available?

 

[rugbyAU]

Speaking of Lolesio, what's the latest on him?

Still injured? Will he play his season in Japan? Is it confirmed he's coming back for RWC27? If so, when available?

Definitely not confirmed for RWC, probably a good chance the Japanese club terminates his contract