wamberal99
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Jonah makes them look like midgets. 196 cm and anywhere between 118 and 125 kg. RIP.
Wallabies 2026
- Thread starter rugbyAU
- Start date
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Yeah he throws out the average. Did the Wallabies ever have Kerevi and Naiyaravoro in the same backline? It'd throw the weight out.
Collectively 1999 was probably the biggest backline with Herbert, Burke, Roff , Little, Latham, Horan, Grey, Tune, Staniforth all being mid 93 - 105kg. Larkham being the only guy below that and he's still a reasonably big dude.
Don't even have to mention the skill these guys had.
Game planning has to be hard when you know big back-lines are going to break you down and in 1v1 scenarios eventually get through. Then in defence they are going to monster you into playing sideways or kicking the ball away.
Did love watching de Allende & Am together through the 2019 WC.
John S
Ken Catchpole (46)
There goes the Bledisloe for another year
rugbyAU
Jim Lenehan (48)
we can't seem to beat them in Sydney either
Wobblies2027
Frank Row (1)
If we're being honest with ourselves there is absolutely no realistic hope of us going deep in this competition.
For mine, the dead rubber win vs BIL counts for very little. I suggest the first half of game 2 was easily the best we played all year. The win against RSA was impressive and an 8-point loss the following week wth injuries to Wright, Ikitau and another (forward?) was a solid outing.
The Argentinian win was encouraging and showed good fight in the contest, however the following week's loss in Sydney characterised by ill-discipline and a late-fought comeback (which ended up with us falling short) was a head-scratcher. I am happy to put that game down to scoreboard pressure and some ridiculous refereeing however ironically, we havent seemed to be able to buck the trend of the past 5-7 years of inconsistency.A solid outing followed by an underwhelming (& narrow) loss.
Bledisloe again was made much of and delivered little. I believed that this was our best chance of winning the bled in decades however we struggled to get into the game and whilst we were close with 10 to go, we dont have the depth and class coming on late to give us a chance to close games out. The depth issue is serious, especially in the halves. I cant emphasise this enough, we have serious issues in the halves and have had so for 5 years now.
Game 2 v Bledisloe was again, plagued by injuries to Will Skelton and Nic White - costly losses and we struggled to get into the contest due to ill-discipline. Whilst I completely and totally disagree with how World Rugby are clearly ordering the referees to officiate games, Australia simply showed this year that they have failed to adapt from Super Rugby officiating to international officiating. In fact, whilst I havent watched a lot of New Zealand this year, I would imagine this has been an issue as well. I'd like to see the stats of penalties conceded by nation this year if anyone can share.
Where i was most discouraged this year however was against Japan in Japan.
Schmidt is clearly the best option atm however the decision to captain CDC was a howler for all australian supporters. You may say that is an overreaction hwoever in the current context of Wallabies world rankings, proximity to the home World Cup and recent form it was blantantly the wrong decision which set the tone for the spring tour. a "calculated risk" resulted in a narrow, confusing win against the 11th ranked team in the world. The most discouraging of all, was the teams 30-phase persistance with the pick and drive, which ultimately lead to Carlo Tizzano being held up over the line. Say what you will about the Wallabies fielding a 3rd-tier side, I simply dont buy it. The team which ran out on that field were the Wallabies, captained by a 2-cap rookie. When asked about the decision to captain CDC, Schmidt referred to his leadership role at Sydney University, the local comp sydney-NSW competition. No further comment on this as the coaching conversation doesn't excite me nor do I want to see schmidt leave and reality is, had the wallabies won a few more games this year, I wouldnt have raised this as a point of concern anyway. but they didnt, instead they recorded wins against BIL, RSA, Fiji, Japan and Argentina. That game against Japan felt like a loss to me. COuldnt care less what one may say about a win being a win, if you expect to win the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship or dare I say the RWC, then the fashion in which you win matters a lot.,
I've gone on enough about this game but one final point I wish to reiterate is the lack of talent, depth and experience we have in the halves. Where was the voice calling for the ball when the wallabies we're in their 29th phase of P&D? Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell both seemed bemused by this moment and the alarm bells were ringing louder than ever 24 months out from the world cup - WE DONT HAVE A FLYHALF. The spring tour commenced with an expected loss against England. And just when everyone was asking "we cant lose to Italy again, can we?" the wallabies answered us with a big fat yep. Welcome back Carter Gordon. Sorry about throwing you to the wolves against the All Blacks at the MCG, or dropping you following 2 losses on the trot following our worst ever world cup in France.
The management of our flyhalves is concerning and while "load management" is a justified consideration, consistency should prevail. Losses to Ireland and France closed out a winless spring tour for the wallabies. So here, we are having invested a long season into Tane Edmed, the player who former Wallaby assistant Coach Dan Mckellar dropped and subsequently did not re-sign for 2026 with 5/15 wins for the season. I'd be fine with this if James O'Connor hadnt been avaliable to start and steer us through every one of those games, but he was. Reality is that Tane Edmed is not world-class nor is he the genuine option to lead us into the World Cup in 2027, I dont think he has shown that he has the potenial to be able to do so either but Im comofrted by the fact that he wouldnt have been there had injuries not permitted either. Some other talking points, I'm beginning to listen to those questioning whether JAS at 13 is the right move. I do believe if he had a world-class 10 inside him, its the right call, but he doesnt and nor does he have one on the way.
If we want to play a running style of attack, then we have the building blocks in the forwards to do so, I like Bell & Tupou in the front, Im concerned by Pollards throwing but its the best we have. Frost and Skelton are world-class. skelton for his size, Frost for his technical skill at the line-out. McReight is my 7 and captain. Whilst I thoroughly enjoy and am inspired by Wilson, I think we have seen enough of him to know that his selection at 8 is not in the best interests of the team. He is skilful with ball in hand but ultimately, you're not looking for a ball-handler at 8. This team needs punch in the forward pack, particularly with the clouds over Skelton's fitness. Rob Valetini is my starting 8 and has proved over multiple years that when played there, he is in the top eschalon world-wide. Whilst Tom Hooper had a strong year he again folds with ball in hand and struggles to get over the A-line and if we had this in spades elsewhere he would be my long-term, no brain choice at 6. but the wallabies dont have this which is why I think a Langi Gleeson provides what Tom Hooper doesnt in ball running and metres gained. I wouldnt die over a ditch on this point and also dont mind or care who wears the 6/8 jersey's between RV & LG.
To my original point, attack starts with the forwards and the forward pack I have just laid out can lay the bedrock for a worldclass attack. Jake Gordon has the best pass and box kick of all the halfbacks playing in Aus he also poses an attacking threat so he keeps his spot at starting 9. Tate is clearly the most explosive option at 9 which is why he comes on with 25 to go as Gordon slows down. We've spoken enough about fly-half but my final point will be that if RA dont do something about this position pre-world cup I give our chances zero-nothing of making it past an expected QF against england in '27.Before we get into the centres I'd like to go back to the option of playing JAS at 15. With a strong forward-pack yet no flare in the halves, we have to explore oter areas to find this spark. JAS to 15 gives him more time with ball in hand and opportunity to break the game open. This is common practice and history shows through the likes of Folau, Halfpenny, that it is possible to build your attack with a gamebreaker at the back.
This move leaves you Tom Wright out of a home (potential fly-half?) which I dont like but it does give Len Ikitau the opportunity to return to his favoured position of outside centre and yet leaves another hole at 12 (which is why I think Schmidt has persisted with JAS at 13). Im not totally sold on this strategy as I dont think there is a viable 12 opton playing in Australian Rugby Union. I will be contraversial in saying that had Angus Crichton jumped over in 2024, this could've been an option to explore.
Wing is where things get excitign with potential Jorgensen, Nawanqanitewase, Wright, Pietsch and Potter as options to fill your back 3. that is a world class back 3 and these players were all avaliable to the gold-jersey before the disaster of the pool-stage exit so Les Kiss should be cautious not to repeat the past errors of Jones in putting hope in a team which lacks genuine 10 option.
What I have hinted at and refrained from expanded on is looking at alternative competitions for talent i.e. the NRL. It doesnt have to be Nathan Cleary but even a Katoa, Mitchell Moses, etc would create opportunities for the star-studded backline to score tries and make games easier for our forward pack. Someone who can kick 90% of conversions, exit our 22 cleanly, kick the occasional 50-22 is what every world-class, world cup winnning team has. Might I also add that most of the world top nations do not have the same level of competition for Rugby talent that Australia does and so I think the Rugby public needs to get over its forced allergy to poaching league talent. There is a world where cultivating our own development pathways and diligently scouting league talent can live in unity together to promote the Wallabies into a world powerhouse once again.
A much needed reality check is that no kid who watches the wallabies lose to Italy will be begging their parents to sign up for their local club. The generation which grew up on Larkham-Gregan is nearly gone and we cannot expect any child to WANT to play rugby if they have to go into the archives to find evidence of any past silverware. Buy a play-maker, structure it how you like - clauses to play overseas, i dont care so long as come October 1 when the Wallabies are lining up for the anthems of Australia and New Zealand, there is a world-class flyhalf, playmaker wearing gold.
My final comment, is that Aus. does not have an enticing competition for any genuine playmaker i.e. super rugby doesn't cut it. this is a seperate discussion but worthy or raising given I have pressed for cross-code poaching and would like to acknowledge this as a major set-back in recruiting young and developed talent.
For mine, the dead rubber win vs BIL counts for very little. I suggest the first half of game 2 was easily the best we played all year. The win against RSA was impressive and an 8-point loss the following week wth injuries to Wright, Ikitau and another (forward?) was a solid outing.
The Argentinian win was encouraging and showed good fight in the contest, however the following week's loss in Sydney characterised by ill-discipline and a late-fought comeback (which ended up with us falling short) was a head-scratcher. I am happy to put that game down to scoreboard pressure and some ridiculous refereeing however ironically, we havent seemed to be able to buck the trend of the past 5-7 years of inconsistency.A solid outing followed by an underwhelming (& narrow) loss.
Bledisloe again was made much of and delivered little. I believed that this was our best chance of winning the bled in decades however we struggled to get into the game and whilst we were close with 10 to go, we dont have the depth and class coming on late to give us a chance to close games out. The depth issue is serious, especially in the halves. I cant emphasise this enough, we have serious issues in the halves and have had so for 5 years now.
Game 2 v Bledisloe was again, plagued by injuries to Will Skelton and Nic White - costly losses and we struggled to get into the contest due to ill-discipline. Whilst I completely and totally disagree with how World Rugby are clearly ordering the referees to officiate games, Australia simply showed this year that they have failed to adapt from Super Rugby officiating to international officiating. In fact, whilst I havent watched a lot of New Zealand this year, I would imagine this has been an issue as well. I'd like to see the stats of penalties conceded by nation this year if anyone can share.
Where i was most discouraged this year however was against Japan in Japan.
Schmidt is clearly the best option atm however the decision to captain CDC was a howler for all australian supporters. You may say that is an overreaction hwoever in the current context of Wallabies world rankings, proximity to the home World Cup and recent form it was blantantly the wrong decision which set the tone for the spring tour. a "calculated risk" resulted in a narrow, confusing win against the 11th ranked team in the world. The most discouraging of all, was the teams 30-phase persistance with the pick and drive, which ultimately lead to Carlo Tizzano being held up over the line. Say what you will about the Wallabies fielding a 3rd-tier side, I simply dont buy it. The team which ran out on that field were the Wallabies, captained by a 2-cap rookie. When asked about the decision to captain CDC, Schmidt referred to his leadership role at Sydney University, the local comp sydney-NSW competition. No further comment on this as the coaching conversation doesn't excite me nor do I want to see schmidt leave and reality is, had the wallabies won a few more games this year, I wouldnt have raised this as a point of concern anyway. but they didnt, instead they recorded wins against BIL, RSA, Fiji, Japan and Argentina. That game against Japan felt like a loss to me. COuldnt care less what one may say about a win being a win, if you expect to win the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship or dare I say the RWC, then the fashion in which you win matters a lot.,
I've gone on enough about this game but one final point I wish to reiterate is the lack of talent, depth and experience we have in the halves. Where was the voice calling for the ball when the wallabies we're in their 29th phase of P&D? Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell both seemed bemused by this moment and the alarm bells were ringing louder than ever 24 months out from the world cup - WE DONT HAVE A FLYHALF. The spring tour commenced with an expected loss against England. And just when everyone was asking "we cant lose to Italy again, can we?" the wallabies answered us with a big fat yep. Welcome back Carter Gordon. Sorry about throwing you to the wolves against the All Blacks at the MCG, or dropping you following 2 losses on the trot following our worst ever world cup in France.
The management of our flyhalves is concerning and while "load management" is a justified consideration, consistency should prevail. Losses to Ireland and France closed out a winless spring tour for the wallabies. So here, we are having invested a long season into Tane Edmed, the player who former Wallaby assistant Coach Dan Mckellar dropped and subsequently did not re-sign for 2026 with 5/15 wins for the season. I'd be fine with this if James O'Connor hadnt been avaliable to start and steer us through every one of those games, but he was. Reality is that Tane Edmed is not world-class nor is he the genuine option to lead us into the World Cup in 2027, I dont think he has shown that he has the potenial to be able to do so either but Im comofrted by the fact that he wouldnt have been there had injuries not permitted either. Some other talking points, I'm beginning to listen to those questioning whether JAS at 13 is the right move. I do believe if he had a world-class 10 inside him, its the right call, but he doesnt and nor does he have one on the way.
If we want to play a running style of attack, then we have the building blocks in the forwards to do so, I like Bell & Tupou in the front, Im concerned by Pollards throwing but its the best we have. Frost and Skelton are world-class. skelton for his size, Frost for his technical skill at the line-out. McReight is my 7 and captain. Whilst I thoroughly enjoy and am inspired by Wilson, I think we have seen enough of him to know that his selection at 8 is not in the best interests of the team. He is skilful with ball in hand but ultimately, you're not looking for a ball-handler at 8. This team needs punch in the forward pack, particularly with the clouds over Skelton's fitness. Rob Valetini is my starting 8 and has proved over multiple years that when played there, he is in the top eschalon world-wide. Whilst Tom Hooper had a strong year he again folds with ball in hand and struggles to get over the A-line and if we had this in spades elsewhere he would be my long-term, no brain choice at 6. but the wallabies dont have this which is why I think a Langi Gleeson provides what Tom Hooper doesnt in ball running and metres gained. I wouldnt die over a ditch on this point and also dont mind or care who wears the 6/8 jersey's between RV & LG.
To my original point, attack starts with the forwards and the forward pack I have just laid out can lay the bedrock for a worldclass attack. Jake Gordon has the best pass and box kick of all the halfbacks playing in Aus he also poses an attacking threat so he keeps his spot at starting 9. Tate is clearly the most explosive option at 9 which is why he comes on with 25 to go as Gordon slows down. We've spoken enough about fly-half but my final point will be that if RA dont do something about this position pre-world cup I give our chances zero-nothing of making it past an expected QF against england in '27.Before we get into the centres I'd like to go back to the option of playing JAS at 15. With a strong forward-pack yet no flare in the halves, we have to explore oter areas to find this spark. JAS to 15 gives him more time with ball in hand and opportunity to break the game open. This is common practice and history shows through the likes of Folau, Halfpenny, that it is possible to build your attack with a gamebreaker at the back.
This move leaves you Tom Wright out of a home (potential fly-half?) which I dont like but it does give Len Ikitau the opportunity to return to his favoured position of outside centre and yet leaves another hole at 12 (which is why I think Schmidt has persisted with JAS at 13). Im not totally sold on this strategy as I dont think there is a viable 12 opton playing in Australian Rugby Union. I will be contraversial in saying that had Angus Crichton jumped over in 2024, this could've been an option to explore.
Wing is where things get excitign with potential Jorgensen, Nawanqanitewase, Wright, Pietsch and Potter as options to fill your back 3. that is a world class back 3 and these players were all avaliable to the gold-jersey before the disaster of the pool-stage exit so Les Kiss should be cautious not to repeat the past errors of Jones in putting hope in a team which lacks genuine 10 option.
What I have hinted at and refrained from expanded on is looking at alternative competitions for talent i.e. the NRL. It doesnt have to be Nathan Cleary but even a Katoa, Mitchell Moses, etc would create opportunities for the star-studded backline to score tries and make games easier for our forward pack. Someone who can kick 90% of conversions, exit our 22 cleanly, kick the occasional 50-22 is what every world-class, world cup winnning team has. Might I also add that most of the world top nations do not have the same level of competition for Rugby talent that Australia does and so I think the Rugby public needs to get over its forced allergy to poaching league talent. There is a world where cultivating our own development pathways and diligently scouting league talent can live in unity together to promote the Wallabies into a world powerhouse once again.
A much needed reality check is that no kid who watches the wallabies lose to Italy will be begging their parents to sign up for their local club. The generation which grew up on Larkham-Gregan is nearly gone and we cannot expect any child to WANT to play rugby if they have to go into the archives to find evidence of any past silverware. Buy a play-maker, structure it how you like - clauses to play overseas, i dont care so long as come October 1 when the Wallabies are lining up for the anthems of Australia and New Zealand, there is a world-class flyhalf, playmaker wearing gold.
My final comment, is that Aus. does not have an enticing competition for any genuine playmaker i.e. super rugby doesn't cut it. this is a seperate discussion but worthy or raising given I have pressed for cross-code poaching and would like to acknowledge this as a major set-back in recruiting young and developed talent.
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Wobblies2027
Frank Row (1)
Sorry I have amended and re-saved
Dctarget
Jason Little (69)
Helluva first post, welcome! I may or may not read it but appreciate the effort.
Ignoto
Geoff Shaw (53)
Boy, if you had concerns with Pollards throwing now, a back row of Bobby, Langi and McReight isn't going to help. We would get eaten alive even more so come lineout time.
Yoda
Dick Tooth (41)
Welcome to the brethren of rugby tragics here on Green and Gold who throw their heart and views out to be read, disagreed with and rejoiced occasionally even.
Massive post with some great points. Agree with your view on Fraser taking over the captaincy. Bobby V is our best 8, and Wilson off the bench.
Moving Sua'ali'i to 15 is something that I would look at too. He played there at the Tahs. As you say, Ikitau is better at 13. Jake Gordon has his many critics here but people don't realise Schmidt is telling him to play that way. He does have the best pass but he is fast too and needs to look to run more. Tate is the king off the bench.
Flyhalf. Very much debated. We obviously have not had anyone claim the jersey as their own. Definitely don't think we need to go to league. Too late for that anyway. Unless they were playing all next year at least. We are stuck with Lolesio, Lynagh, Gordon, Donaldson, Edmed or possibly JOC (James O'Connor). I'd like to see a backline with Donaldson at 10 and Gordon at 12. Obviously depends on next year's form and where Kiss chooses to play Gordon at the Red's, being the most versatile between him and Lynagh? Noah has had the most opportunity but not a must pick. Lynagh is too small and his HIAs too prevalent for Test footy. Edmed showed nothing on the tour. Gordon and Donaldson are the most potent in attack and both have good speed too. We would likely see the ball get out to our strike backs far more.
I also agree that Angus Creighton could have been a solution at 12. Great junior rugby player and obviously outstanding at the Roosters.
Rugby not being on free to air tv is not great. Not everyone wants to pay for Stan so no young kids see rugby. The public schools and junior clubs are where Rugby Australia needs to support more.
So not sure about Wobblies 2027. I do think we have a great group of young men who are talented. It's up to Les Kiss to build and grow this group. Hope he moves away from Schmidt's attack strategy though as that's what killed us. The game you mentioned with the ridiculous number of pick and drives only to be held up over the line was poor. The wallabies need to play off 10 and create space out wide along with keeping it in tight. We were far too predictable.
As all rugby tragics, looking forward to 2026 with hope and optimism.
rugbyAU
Jim Lenehan (48)
If we were picking a 33 man WC squad at this stage, I'd go;
Props - Tupou, AA, Nonggorr, Bell, Ross, Robertson
Hookers - Pollard, Faessler, BPA
Locks - Skelton, Frost, Williams, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Backrow - Valetini, McReight, Hooper, Wilson, Gleeson, Tizzano
Halfback - Gordon, McDermott, Lonergan
Flyhalfs - Gordon, Lynagh, Donaldson
Centres - Ikitau, JAS, Paisami
Outside Backs - Wright, Jorgensen, Pietsch, Petaia, Nawaqanitawase
Props - Tupou, AA, Nonggorr, Bell, Ross, Robertson
Hookers - Pollard, Faessler, BPA
Locks - Skelton, Frost, Williams, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Backrow - Valetini, McReight, Hooper, Wilson, Gleeson, Tizzano
Halfback - Gordon, McDermott, Lonergan
Flyhalfs - Gordon, Lynagh, Donaldson
Centres - Ikitau, JAS, Paisami
Outside Backs - Wright, Jorgensen, Pietsch, Petaia, Nawaqanitawase
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The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
I know you've done it as of right now but there are flaws in the group we've all seen. The Prop group can be very strong at the top but falls away quickly. Nonggorr hasn't quite kicked on like a lot thought he might. Still young so plenty of scope to grow. Robertson is undersized and whilst all effort he is a liability come games v the big sides. Don't know if there are many prospects to push into the group? Schoupp?
In the backs I don't see Kellaway making it. I think with the availability of Nawaqanitawase and Petaia he can be pushed out. I also think there's a strong chance a guy like Pakeho pushes Paisami out. He's a more rounded player and will have another couple of years of physical growth on him.
Upthemaroon!
Larry Dwyer (12)
Big let down for me to be honest. Always liked him at the Rebels, hopefully he kicks on this season
Upthemaroon!
Larry Dwyer (12)
If he stays fit, he can do a serviceable job at everything from 11 to 15, which is very handy to have in a team. Just don't see him staying fit, especially being in France. He did bulk up a bit for the NFL so might be an added layer of protection, but might just as well add extra stress on tendons and muscles.
Wilson
David Wilson (68)
De Lutiis is the one who I think could rocket into contention on the tight head side over the next two years. It depends a bit on him getting good game time this next year to stake his claim, but he has the time (and importantly the scrummaging strength) if he can stay on the field. Behind him guys like Van Nek and Botha look solid but limited at this level. Possibly Johnson-Holmes could be a bolter, but he has to get back on the park first.
Loose head is trickier to find one guy that really looks up to it, Schoupp looks solid but with a low ceiling and a troubling injury record, Ross is good but unspectacular, and I'm very unconvinced by Robertson at this level, especially when he's playing tight head in super. Kailea and Lambert should get a real opportunity to press their case this year with Bell gone. Ieli and Pearce both have a bit to like about them, but I'm not sure either will be ready until after the world cup.
There is a good crop coming through after the world cup though - Ieli, Pearce, Amone and Alatini are the main ones who'll start coming through then, but there is a good younger group coming through headlined by Uys.