Wallabies v Italy, Florence, Sun 13th Nov 12am AEDT

[Pfitzy]

I would like to know if any DIDN'T come the private school scholarship environment where their game time (at least in QLD) is limited to about 10 school games and no club games. What a way to learn how to control a game.

In NSW, depending on which of the 4 high school competitions you play ten games looks to be the absolute limit.

Those walls need tearing down. Should be a state-wide competition and let the chips fall where they may

 

[Dctarget]

Did Volavola jump ship a bit early? He's had a long career in France and played nearly 50 test for Fiji. Picked by the Crusaders back in 2016 which isn't a bad resume.

I wonder if he'd stuck it out in Super Rugby whether he'd developed differently or did he declare for Fiji early on and that made him sticking around difficult?

Hmmm don't think we missed out on Ben. Fijian fans have been bemoaning his selection for a while.

 

[eastman]

Did Volavola jump ship a bit early? He's had a long career in France and played nearly 50 test for Fiji. Picked by the Crusaders back in 2016 which isn't a bad resume.

I wonder if he'd stuck it out in Super Rugby whether he'd developed differently or did he declare for Fiji early on and that made him sticking around difficult?

He‘s been subpar for Fiji for half a decade now- he’s definitely not the one who got away.

 

[PhilClinton]

Yes points taken, I still think it would have been interesting to see if he'd committed to Australia whether things were different.

Fiji rugby aren't renowned for developing play makers.

 

[LeCheese]

Yes points taken, I still think it would have bene interesting to see if he'd committed to Australia whether things were different.

Fiji rugby aren't renowned for developing play makers.

To be fair, neither are we

 

[eastman]

Sam Greene and Luke Burton were both there and there abouts around 2013 as well, Greene is probably the biggest "what if" from them, but I'm definitely not going to argue he would've been the saviour.

I reckon Greene and JJH have been the most talented of the bunch.

 

[RugbyReg]

Yes points taken, I still think it would have been interesting to see if he'd committed to Australia whether things were different.

Fiji rugby aren't renowned for developing play makers.

he played for the Crusaders too. They couldn't do much for him

 

[A mutterer]

what am i most positive about after the italian job?

um, the passion of the fans?

 

[Ignoto]

what am i most positive about after the italian job?

um, the passion of the fans?

Just take solace that Ferrari in the F1 are a bigger basket case than the Wallabies.

 

[drewprint]

I thought he was great. Although I would not use the word 'sharp' to describe his performance. He made a few errors, mainly around ball security, pushed offloads, dropped balls etc.

I would describe his performance as threatening. I thought he looked dangerous every time he had the ball, and was great into contact. I will take him over Wright any day.

Yeah that’s a better description. He looked to get involved as much as possible too. Nice to see.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Here's the decade of Aussie flyhalves for the u20s. Not like we've missed any gems.

2019: Will Harrison, Isaac Lucas, Lolesio (played centre)
2018: Lucas, Lawson Creighton
2017: Hamish Stewart, Jack McGregor
2016: Nick Jooste, Mack Mason, Jordan Jackson-Hope
2015: James Dalgleish, Paia'aua
2014: Jake McIntyre
2013: McIntyre
2012: whoever played flyhalf here I don't recognise. Maybe it was Godwin or Lucas.
2011: Ben Volavola
2010: To'omua - last time we had a proper test player

Don't disagree, but I recall Matty had a very checkered early start to his international career, started his first couple of tests against the ABs in full flight and dropped afterwards for a period where he made intermittent appearances among his times out of the test side. He was always questioned throughout his professional career as to whether he was truly a 10 or a 12. Not only at the Wallabies but also with the Brumbies where he swapped fairly consistently with Christian Leali'ifano.

In fact, Noah Lolesio's test career to date mirrors Matty's quite closely. Whether that means he will come to be regarded as a legitimate test player or continue to subjected to the vagaries of selectors, coaches and fans whims remains to be seen.

 

[Hawko]

I reckon Greene and JJH have been the most talented of the bunch.

Harrison has been so badly impacted by injury, but in my opinion he is absolutely the most talented 10 on that list and he kicks goals at about 90%. His biggest problem is his genetics - he's just really small and therefore pretty injury prone. Someone should have turned him into a 9 a couple of years back when it was apparent he wasn't going to grow much - he's got all the skills required for that position. He's got a good pass, he's a very deceptive runner, kicks well, place kicks better than anyone in Oz and has a footballers brain.

Then the Tahs could have developed Donaldson and Edmed at 10 and we'd have covered the 9/10 Wallaby halves for 2026+. Probably ain't gonna happen now.

Green had talent but was in the wrong state, JJH never impressed me at all.

 

[Pfitzy]

the Tahs could have ... covered the 9/10 Wallaby halves for 2026+

The forum would catch fire.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Can we Geo block this post from anyone inside the ACT

 

[Bullrush]

Has there been anyone playing a lot better than Lolesio in Super Rugby? I don't watch a lot of the Aussie derbies but the only other name that comes up on the forums with any consistency is James O'Connor - and he is pretty much done.

I would have liked to have seen the QC (Quade Cooper)/Lolesio relationship be managed better at Test level. If I remember this correctly, when Dan Carter was breaking into the ABs, he played a handful of Tests at 12 outside Merhtens. I think he also did so at the Crusaders. I think BB also played at 15 with Carter at 10 on a number of occasions.

Right now....who is mentoring Lolesio at Test level - fuck, even at Super Rugby level? There are probably guys who can just slot into Test level rugby without much needed from anyone else but some guys need that experience etc alongside them for a while.

I dunno....I just think that as bad as some may think Lolesio is (and I don't think he is has been THAT bad) - who else is there?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Spot on. He's been the best of the Australian sides quite comfortably in my opinion so he kind of has to be picked.

Might be a bit of competition now if the Tahs keep heading in the right direction and can be injury free.

 

[fatprop]

In NSW, depending on which of the 4 high school competitions you play ten games looks to be the absolute limit.

Those walls need tearing down. Should be a state-wide competition and let the chips fall where they may

The challenge is that our "best" kids then get stuck in Super Rugby programs where they train a lot, but don't play much, where the grade teams have no idea usually if they will be available often until Friday or how many minutes they will be allowed to play that week

 

[Tomikin]

Ok I'm going to put my thoughts on the team here and see what I thought across the board for this game.

Props
Sio should have been selected in the squad as Gibbon is at best a reserve loosehead, play him like you have across the other games as a reserve but with Bell out we should have had Sio here to start.
AAA didn't have his best day, probably start Thor next game but they are our two best so doesn't really Cabramatta..

Hookers,
FF (Folau Fainga'a) what to do with this guy, he can be a star or a dud, not sure we can move on this tour but hopefully someone better next year. Lonergan is for the future but isn't there yet, not ready to toss him yet.

Locks
I actually think the 3 of them where our best players on the field Skelton / Swain and then Neville all put in good shifts pity about the rest of the team.

Backrow
Samu didn't do his starting role any favors and should slip back to the bench
Hanigan is pretty much a Holloway light probably just a backup six at the moment, and helps if Skeltons on the field
McReight played ok but is behind Hooper and it's pretty easy to see that after this game.

9 - Gordon and Tate both had pretty bad games. I've said it else where I think we win this if White is starting or finish this game. Neither showed much here to change my mind.

10 - What to do with Lolesio I think he probably hasn't done enough to earn a start, so its back to Foley this week, I'm not sure if I would pick him or Donldson against the Welsh. He hasn't kicked on yet.

Wingers - Wright copes it from this forum even if he has a good game, I don't think he was bad or good here same as Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) both too many mistakes to go with all their good things... not much of an issue, going into the world cup it is Koroibete and Kellaway so once again doesn't matter they are just reserves. Petaia

Centres - Pasimai had one of his better games I think but he'd be 3rd for me behind Samu and Foketai for 12, Obviously Ikitau is our 13 for the moment, not sure who is his backup hopefully someone stands up this year.

Fullback - Not Jocks best game, one good one bad, deserves another go.

Dont think the reserves stood up enough to change the 1st team too much .. most players did more harm then good here.

 

[Derpus]

In NSW, depending on which of the 4 high school competitions you play ten games looks to be the absolute limit.

Those walls need tearing down. Should be a state-wide competition and let the chips fall where they may

You keep telling us the answers Pfitzy - wheres the action! Who better to lead the revolution than you?

 

[Pfitzy]

You keep telling us the answers Pfitzy - wheres the action! Who better to lead the revolution than you?