Wallabies v Scotland, Murrayfield, Sun 30th Oct, 3.30am AEDT
- Thread starter KOB1987
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stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Looks like Rennie has settled on those 2 anyway and Tate is the 3rd option.
My money is on Valetini winning the John Eales Medal.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Yeah, I think he'll edge out Koroibete who didn't play on the Spring tour....
whitefalcon
Alex Ross (28)
Agree. He has usually been in the top three of each game.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Slim, without the captaincy I suspect his game will improve. It did when he came back from Japan for the tahs. I would suggest he should not be captain again, don't think it's good for him in more than one way.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
It's interesting because I don't think the Wallabies have any long term captain candidates currently in their midst, well at least not on this tour. I imagine Hooper will have some opportunity as captain when/if Slipper comes off the field at times.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
It's not like Dempsey ran out for the Wallabies against Scotland in 2021 and has now jumped ship.
He wasn't good enough to crack the side for over 2 years, he likely wouldn't be in consideration for this current squad with the depth we have at backrow (I'm talking pre-injuries).
The simple fact is Australia don't have the resources to keep all our players onshore and on our radars. He's taken the opportunity presented to him and it's unfortunate for Australian rugby, but great for Dempsey.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Yeah great - but hes Australian. Is this a club game or test rugby?
Concocting some eligibility fuckery before representing a national side is one thing - but after 14 tests?
Diminishes the whole thing. Actively makes it less interesting.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
I fully understand your point of view. Rugby is quite unique where the flagship product is the international game.
If you look at all of our competitors e.g. NRL and AFL and all the other 'big market' team sports, NBA, NFL, Football. Their flagship products are usually the club competitions. A lot of NRL players for example would be more excited to win SOO or the NRL Premiership than a RLWC. In those competitions, player movement happens a lot because players want to be paid the most money they can.
Unfortunately for rugby, part of that financial opportunity is getting yourself into a national team in a Tier 1 nation to get those match payments.
World Rugby have put guidelines in place for which countries players are eligible to play for and Dempsey has followed those guidelines. There are a lot of 'naturalised' Aussie's who've gone to play for Japan for example who don't have any ancestral history. But we don't get upset with them.
The Red Baron
Chilla Wilson (44)
I thought his grandfather was Scottish and doesn't he have family in Scotland?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I would've gone with AAA over Slipper...
He's going to play 70+ mins most games, and leads by example... and is in pretty good form recently.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Post Hooper, McRight will be captain assuming he can hold his position. The other option assuming he can make it into the team regularly is Liam Wright. Interested if others can see captaincy potential in other players?
Two assumptions there and as I have said before "Assumptions are the standpoints of Fools" not making a standpoint is my only excuse.
Two assumptions there and as I have said before "Assumptions are the standpoints of Fools" not making a standpoint is my only excuse.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Slim captain Grumpy was not our best option before and prefer Slipper over him. I suspect I am like you and prefer someone from 1-9 as captain?
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
I thought it was his grandmother. Your point is valid.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Derpus: I understand your attitude and sympathise with it. I bet he goes well against us. He is eligible under the current rules due to family.
Question, If you were not wanted by your country and had the opportunity would you turn it down?
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Whilst I sympathise with the angst felt towards losing players to other tier 1 nations, I'm not sure how it makes the game less interesting.
This is the natural evolution of the sport, rugby is struggling for market share, the best players need to be playing the game at the highest level. If anything, these types of matchups could turn into a promotors dream. Imagine if Dempsey was ever made captain of Scotland.
"Past Wallaby not wanted by his country to captain Scotland against the Aussie's in RWC Semi-Final"
That shit sells tickets.
This is the natural evolution of the sport, rugby is struggling for market share, the best players need to be playing the game at the highest level. If anything, these types of matchups could turn into a promotors dream. Imagine if Dempsey was ever made captain of Scotland.
"Past Wallaby not wanted by his country to captain Scotland against the Aussie's in RWC Semi-Final"
That shit sells tickets.
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