And he never will if he's never given another chance.
Wallabies v Georgia 20 July - Allianz Stadium 3.45PM
- Thread starter rugbyAU
- Start date
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
I like Leota. He is big and strong but in the past he has been a bit loose in the carry. He is a good lineout target and can make do in the second row if need be. It really depends on what Schmidt is looking for. Since he picked Wright at 6 initially ahead of some more robust options it may not be what he is looking for? We will see.
Is he available?
Is he available?
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
I may be misremembering, but I feel that both Rennie and Jones have selected Leota in pretty much every test he's been available for from debut. He must be doing something right.
Agreed, but he has shown more "test match" stuff at Super Rugby level than most of the other options.
I would put him the only impact back rower we have on the Tier directly below Valetini, the other options are either less effective or offer different skill sets
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Not until the RC I think
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
From Debut (inclusive of debut):
2/4 in 2021 Rugby Championship (Misses Home to RSA and away to Argentina)
4/4 in 2021 EOYT
3/3 in 2022 July Internationals
4/5 in 2022 Rugby Championship (Misses away to Argentina)
Ruptured Achilles in MCG Bledisloe- Misses Last Game of RC, 2022 EOYT and 2023 Super Rugby Season
4/5 in 2023 Rugby Championship/Bledisloe/France Warm Up (Misses Away to RSA)
4/4 in 2023 RWC
Prior to this series that's 21/25 possible Tests played, presuming there weren't other injuries keeping him out of any other matchday sides.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
That applies to almost every backrower who isn't Valetini or McReight...
Tomthumb
Chilla Wilson (44)
He's already had 21 chances to be fair
Tomthumb
Chilla Wilson (44)
The other options haven't really had same opportunity yet to be fair. Leota is a decent player, but he's not just going to turn into Owen Finnegan
rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
Pete samu?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Samu isn't around anymore...
rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
We could pick him if we allowed overseas players and Im saying in the past he's proven himself
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Outside of the current picks in the backrow - Wright, McReight, Valetini and Cale... I'm not sure who these other available, potentially better options are that haven't had the same opportunities?
Tomthumb
Chilla Wilson (44)
The discussion was around dropping Cale for Leota
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
They are different players, so as much as I'm a big fan of Cale I wouldn't be upset if Schmidt opted for Leota on the bench, who I would personally prefer to the other options in the squad... but I don't think he's fit anyways.
In saying that, I would like to see Cale come off the bench to see how he fronts up against the Georgian forwards.
Rugby Head
Ted Thorn (20)
These are the players not considered for the tests, doubt anything has changed.
Unavailable for selection
Recovering from injury
Angus Bell
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Max Jorgensen
Rob Leota
Lachlan Lonergan
David Porecki
Blake Schoupp
Unavailable for selection
Recovering from injury
Angus Bell
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Max Jorgensen
Rob Leota
Lachlan Lonergan
David Porecki
Blake Schoupp