Wallabies v England November 1

[Tomikin]

Christie confirms England have paid the clubs to release their players, and Australia didn't. Good chance to build some more depth?


Not clear as to what Australia could actually do here though, I suspect they would have to negotiate with the league, not individual clubs

Didn't Ikitau's contract have him being avaliable for Australia in it, for all games, if I remember when it was signed, or might have just been reg 9 ones.

Nope based on Google

Len Ikitau
is not allowed to play for Australia in every game while on his sabbatical with the Exeter Chiefs. He is only available for matches that fall within World Rugby's Regulation 9 international release windows.

What this means for Ikitau's eligibility

• Availability for internationals: Ikitau was not available for the first two tests of the Wallabies' 2025 autumn tour because they were outside the Regulation 9 window. However, he was expected to join the squad for the final three tests against Italy, Ireland, and France, which were scheduled within the international window.
• Returning for 2026: Under the terms of his flexible contract, Ikitau is set to return to Australia ahead of the 2026 international season for Wallabies duty.
• Rugby Australia's selection policy: While Rugby Australia has relaxed its overseas selection rules, it still holds that domestic players who are of equal caliber to their overseas counterparts will be prioritized. For matches outside the Regulation 9 window, like the one against England in October 2025, Rugby Australia was unable to secure the release of its English-based players, including Ikitau.

 

[Homer]

Ieli got pretty comprehensively towelled up by De Lutiis in the Super AU game at Ballymore. He's a hugely promising young player, but the consistency and resilience aren't there yet, he needs more time.

He also scrummed well against the Lions, so everyone can have a bad day. Kailea struggled against the Japanese scrum and had no impact around the field. If we are short of players I know which one I would prefer. Both need time though.

 

[Uh huh]

He also scrummed well against the Lions, so everyone can have a bad day. Kailea struggled against the Japanese scrum and had no impact around the field. If we are short of players I know which one I would prefer. Both need time though.

Yeah I think we're broadly in agreement. Ieli definitely has a high ceiling. Just because Kailea has already performed for the Wallabies I'd be inclined to keep him there and give Ieli more time. Invest in the future and all that.

 

[Dctarget]

Any chance we trick Reece Walsh into an Aussie jersey with a 10 on it this weekend? Not sure he'd notice anything different. Stadium being full might be a give away.

 

[Red Runner]

Goddam - I just want an old school Bobby V to go nuts this weekend and bash these Poms. Really put the fear of God Bob into them. And then JAS just needs to remember how he played against them 12 months ago, with such freedom and brashness, and we are good to go.

 

[Ignoto]

He is only available for matches that fall within World Rugby's Regulation 9 international release windows.

I wonder what happens with the "nations cup" they're trying to shove down our throats. Using this EOYT as an example, would one of these games fall outside of this competition or will it expand the "release window"?

 

[Tazzmania]

Nation Cup Matches will fall inside the window:

"The summer phase will take place in July 2026, with European nations travelling south to face three opponents from the Rugby Championship and beyond.

In the autumn, reverse fixtures will be held in Europe. Each nation will play all six teams from the opposite pool, ensuring high-level matchups throughout the tournament."

 

[Strewthcobber]

Nation Cup Matches will fall inside the window:

"The summer phase will take place in July 2026, with European nations travelling south to face three opponents from the Rugby Championship and beyond.

In the autumn, reverse fixtures will be held in Europe. Each nation will play all six teams from the opposite pool, ensuring high-level matchups throughout the tournament."

Grand final the exception - outside of the window?

 

[Sword of Justice]

Ieli got pretty comprehensively towelled up by De Lutiis in the Super AU game at Ballymore. He's a hugely promising young player, but the consistency and resilience aren't there yet, he needs more time.

The Brumbies issue in that match was on the THP side with Aidan Ross just killing them there over and over. I think Ieli was a collateral victim of that and did relatively fine against De Lutiis. TBH I’m not sure if he’s up to it as we haven’t seen enough yet

 

[Rugby110]

Any chance we trick Reece Walsh into an Aussie jersey with a 10 on it this weekend? Not sure he'd notice anything different. Stadium being full might be a give away.

In all seriousness, Walsh wearing the 15 jersey would be the ultimate.
9 Gordon / McDermott
10 Gordon
11 Marky
12 Ikitau
13 JAS
14 Jorgo
15 Walsh

Check out that backline!

 

[John_X]

Interesting England side named by Borthwick

England team to face Australia: Steward; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso; Ford, Mitchell; Baxter, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Pepper, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Coles, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, F Smith.

Seems to have rewarded the men who got the series win over Argentina in July over those that featured for the Lions.
6 Lions on the bench though is a scary proposition. I wonder if Schmidt tinkers with what he was thinking to counter the likes of Curry and Pollock in the last 20 mins. Backline doesn’t strike me too much fear with Marcus Smith, Lawrence, Slade, Arundell all overlooked and Furbank still unavailable. Pretty clear off the one week prep they are looking at a set piece, kick heavy, win the game at all costs game plan.

 

[Wilson]

Grand final the exception - outside of the window?

Recent reporting has suggested they'll extend the window by a week to cover the final, but I'm not sure there's been anything official said.

 

[KOB1987]

Interesting England side named by Borthwick

England team to face Australia: Steward; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso; Ford, Mitchell; Baxter, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Pepper, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Coles, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, F Smith.

Seems to have rewarded the men who got the series win over Argentina in July over those that featured for the Lions.
6 Lions on the bench though is a scary proposition. I wonder if Schmidt tinkers with what he was thinking to counter the likes of Curry and Pollock in the last 20 mins. Backline doesn’t strike me too much fear with Marcus Smith, Lawrence, Slade, Arundell all overlooked and Furbank still unavailable. Pretty clear off the one week prep they are looking at a set piece, kick heavy, win the game at all costs game plan.

Looks a bit like they're transitioning back to their top team via the bench - it also serves the purpose of countering Schmidt's trademark late charge. It will be important for us to take advantage of this and get off to a good start, we will want to be in front by more than a score with 20 to go. I read that Borthwick is 'doing a Rassie' by regarding Pollock & Earl as 'hybrid' players who can cover in the backs, but not necessarily in this game.

 

[Red Runner]

They’re going to box a lot right??? We need to pick our back three appropriately. Kellaway our only option at 15 and Jorgo obviously on one wing. Toole shouldn’t be anywhere. Pietsch deserves a shot and is ok under the high ball. But is Daugunu our next best high ball catcher??

 

[Heavyd]

The Poms looking to focus on the Wallabies inexplicable inability to catch any high balls. This score line could be ugly if we don’t start catching bombs.

 

[Tomikin]

They’re going to box a lot right??? We need to pick our back three appropriately. Kellaway our only option at 15 and Jorgo obviously on one wing. Toole shouldn’t be anywhere. Pietsch deserves a shot and is ok under the high ball. But is Daugunu our next best high ball catcher??

It's a chance to play JAS on the wing and keep Pasiami and Flook.. be much happier if it were Pasiami and Ikitau.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Jeremy Williams probably lucky all the other locks are busted after a pretty horrific tackle attempt on the line for the Japan comeback try at 51mins.

The kind of effort that loses you a game, and loses your spot in the team

 

[Wilson]

Freeman over Slade at 13 is a surprise. I guess Borthwick is looking to move on from the 32 year old Slade in time for the world cup, but Freeman hasn't exactly spent a lot of time at 13. It helps a bit that he and Dingwall play club together, but there should hopefully be some opportunities for us to exploit with a new defensive setup.