Wallabies 2025

[Major Tom]

It doesn’t. Some of the Wallabies most clutch kickers of the pro era have been guys like Burke at 15, Flatley at 12 and nobody will forget Eales. Hooker doesn’t have to throw into the lineout either but as you come through now it’s an expectation of the position so a lot of guys who may be able to do it but play 13 shelve the skill.

It is important though and I can only imagine the diatribe on here if we said fuck it give a part timer a go then they miss a kick to win a Test.

There is also the aspect of having an elite kicker puts pressure on the opposition to not push it within 50 at ruck time because you may be punished. That opens up the attack for your side. No different in Cricket to knowing someone has a strong or weak arm and taking an extra single or saying no not worth the risk.

Well JOC (James O'Connor) missed those kicks against the spring boks soooo it’s not like we’re acing it atm.
Ultimately, if he doesn’t miss the kicks in front of goal (I think he missed a couple of them in the past) then I’m fine with him goal kicking.
Goal kicking is 1 aspect so I’m happy not to get carried away. What he lacks in goalkicking, he makes up with his defence and ball running.
I would have him on the bench for the spring tour which would allow us to go 6-2 if we wanted.

 

[stillmissit]

It doesn’t. Some of the Wallabies most clutch kickers of the pro era have been guys like Burke at 15, Flatley at 12 and nobody will forget Eales. Hooker doesn’t have to throw into the lineout either but as you come through now it’s an expectation of the position so a lot of guys who may be able to do it but play 13 shelve the skill.

It is important though and I can only imagine the diatribe on here if we said fuck it give a part timer a go then they miss a kick to win a Test.

There is also the aspect of having an elite kicker puts pressure on the opposition to not push it within 50 at ruck time because you may be punished. That opens up the attack for your side. No different in Cricket to knowing someone has a strong or weak arm and taking an extra single or saying no not worth the risk.

Agree, but it is a part of the expected skill set at 10 and I wonder if the coaches have others with a skill set to be practising it?
We have missed a few clutch kicks over the last few years, and most of us shrug and say it happens. Who can forget the long range kicks by Reece Hodge to win games, just missing the goal posts.

 

[MarkJ]

I reckon Schmidt values goal kicking, think it was a major reason why Noah appeared to be his preferred 10, and why Edmed is in favour now

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Think they’re all pretty similar in kicking. Lynagh was a dead eye for Super Rugby. If it was a main point for him Lonergan would have been picked ages ago.

 

[TSR]

I reckon Schmidt values goal kicking, think it was a major reason why Noah appeared to be his preferred 10, and why Edmed is in favour now

I’m pretty sure he came out and said exactly that. Pretty sure Lynagh is also on record as saying that after the 2024 Super Season one of Schmidt’s bits of feedback to him was his goal kicking needed to improve.

 

[stillmissit]

I hope we get smarter about when to take a kick at goal and when to go for touch. This is International rugby and small margins mean a lot.
The Spring Tour will be interesting to see if Schmidt makes some fine adjustments to the boys.

 

[Red Runner]

Our RWC stocks are rising with Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) and now Carter Gordon. As an oddity, a mate of mine was watching Edmed play and reckoned he'd make a better centre than 10.

mark and Carter were both there last RWC…

 

[rugbyAU]

mark and Carter were both there last RWC…

So we’re McReight, Valetini, McDermott, Kellaway etc.