Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Tomikin]

Tomkin do you know about the camp he missed for "personal reasons" (I seem to remember hearing it was a wedding)?

Narr nothing, other then what I read online, that he asked to leave a camp early for a wedding (not missed) and hasn't been invited back ever since.

Reading between the lines it seems that was an issue.

 

[cyclopath]

Water always finds its level mate.

Thanks, Buddha.

 

[Tomikin]

I reckon Petaia will lock down one wing spot bringing pace and second fullback ability.

Is he really quick ?

 

[Brumby Runner]

There is also a selection lag built into the system, the Tahs had been the most successful Super Rugby side for a number of years, that leads to more players being selected, rightly or wrongly as they had been in the semis while the rest were polishing their boots.

With the Ponies finally turning up they are now getting more selections, it is the circle of life

Is this true FP? Apart from 2014 and last year, did the Tahs actually finish better than the Brumbies in many other years from say, 2011 onwards, the year the competition was expanded to 15? In that period, how many times did each of the Tahs and Brumbies play in the finals?

 

[Adam84]

Is he really quick ?

Faster then Hodge, slower then Koroibete

 

[Brumby Runner]

And it was back then, easily. The Waratahs were so far ahead of the other Aussie franchises there was literally no comparison. It's probably worth pointing out to Brumby Runner that Simmo was a Red in 2014, and for three more years afterwards.

KOB, I really don't know if you were active on these threads back in 2014 and shortly afterwards, but if you were you would have seen that I have questioned Rob Simmons place in the Wallabies from the very beginning. It has nothing to do with him being a Tah. But that might not suit your narrative about me.

EDIT : Apart from 2011 when the Brumbies were absolute shit, and when I was even more critical of Matt Giteau than I've ever been about Rob Simmons, I think you'll find that overall since then the Brumbies have been the better placed Super Rugby team. The Tahs won in 2014, but the Brumbies have played more finals games in that period than the Tahs. There is no way in the world that you and FP can make a case that the Tahs were " so obviously far ahead of the other Aussie franchises".

 

[Tomikin]

Of course not. But he is losing, and has lost many more than he has won. That's precisely why many call him out as an incompetent coach. The fact that he appears to have little idea (information - call it what you like) about alternative players is why he calls out as an incompetent selector. Unfortunately, for all the love that goes his way from many Tahs posters here, it has been a very cruel past 4 - 5 years for the rest of us.

But his the coach we have for the World Cup, I'm hoping that he shoots the moon and we will back Bill. As much as I don't particularly like him, it is were we are. The squad is good except a couple of spots.

I'm onboard lets get some positive vibes, starting with smashing the Somoan's build into the cup.

 

[Tomikin]

Faster then Hodge, slower then Koroibete

That's a pretty big gap, explains most wingers in oz But good his a second fullback with a kick and decent pace

 

[cyclopath]

That's a pretty big gap, explains most wingers in oz But good his a second fullback with a kick and decent pace

Hodge's top end isn't too bad, he's not a slug, but maybe not as great in the first 10-20m; I think his awkward running style makes him look slower. Petaia much more explosive and dynamic from what I have seen. Can't recall him kicking a lot in what I've seen, but I reckon it would be better than Koroibete, for example! Exciting player.

 

[Bobby Sands]

The Brumbies are the beating heart of Australian rugby.

 

[Braveheart81]

Samu, To'omua, White, JOC (James O'Connor) and Jones were persuaded to return to Oz with the RWC coming up and squad spots on the line.
Samu and Jones missed the squad with little opportunity this year.
How was Samu going to make the squad with both Hooper and Pocock fit? You can’t carry too many shorter back rowers.
Then Cheika was trying to convince Skelton to comeback a week or so before the squad was announced. Who’s spot would be have taken? Simmons is one of our most proficient set piece locks. Coleman? No one can convince me that Skelton is anywhere near as well rounded and good as a test lock. We have a couple of locks playing in Oz not considered that I would choose ahead of Skelton.
It’s not a very good message to send.

This is such a catch 22.

Should RA and the Wallabies coach try and lure good players who are going to be right around the selection frame back to Australia so they are a chance of playing for the Wallabies or going to a RWC or should they not because it's guaranteed some of those players won't ultimately get picked?

To be a competitive international team we have to have good players missing out and hard luck stories. If no one deserving misses out then our squad isn't going to be strong enough. How much test game time are returning players entitled to in a 4 match stretch to push their case? We can't compromise our preparation for the RWC just so fans can't think that someone didn't get enough minutes to prove they shouldn't have been selected.

It's a two way street. Players come back because they want a shot at going to the RWC. It's the pinnacle of the sport and players will make financial sacrifices to try and achieve that. I don't think any of them come back with the expectation that all they have to do is sign a contract and they are in.

Skelton would have been a pretty wild selection if he was picked at the 11th hour after signing a contract right on the deadline. I don't think anyone saying he's nowhere near good enough to be in our top 4 locks has been watching him play in the last season. He is a different player to the one that left in 2016.

 

[fatprop]

Is this true FP? Apart from 2014 and last year, did the Tahs actually finish better than the Brumbies in many other years from say, 2011 onwards, the year the competition was expanded to 15? In that period, how many times did each of the Tahs and Brumbies play in the finals?

Tahs 14,15 & 18, so the ponies win 16,17 & 19

so the premise stands, there is a lag and the success in 14 & 15 led to a load of Tahs as Wobs being selected and winning meant a Tahs coach getting promoted as well.

And that is now changing as the ponies are now in ascendancy and they will get more first looks.

The big challenge is the cattle turnover and the likelihood that most of our sides could be quite shit next season as we are losing 3 starting 10s with a shitload of experience, and the gamebreakers of four sides will be gone as well (Kerevi, Genua, Folau & Pocock)

The only relatively stable side is the Reds IMHO

 

[Slim 293]

Tahs 14,15 & 18, so the ponies win 16,17 & 19

Just to be pedantic........

The Brumbies were also runners up in 13, and semi finalists in 14 and 15 - they've only failed to make the finals twice (12, 18) over the last two World Cup cycles and finished above the Tahs 5/8 of those years (2012 - 2019).

 

[Braveheart81]

Jordan Petaia heading home early from Wallabies' Noumea camp with a hamstring injury. He won't play against Samoa but is still expected to be fit for World Cup. Koroibete has linked up with the squad after staying in Melbourne for family reasons.

Massive urghhh!

Out of interest are people seeing the embedded tweets? They aren't appearing on my screen.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yikes! That's a reasonably big risk going into a RWC.

 

[emuarse]

The Brumbies fans are the beating bleeding heart of Australian rugby.

 

[Tomikin]

Jordan Petaia heading home early from Wallabies' Noumea camp with a hamstring injury. He won't play against Samoa but is still expected to be fit for World Cup. Koroibete has linked up with the squad after staying in Melbourne for family reasons.

Massive urghhh!

Out of interest are people seeing the embedded tweets? They aren't appearing on my screen.

BH I see it as words not as a tweet..hope that makes sense..

Petaia shouldn't be in the team, his young, hasn't played all year and is injury prone. Pick Banks

 

[Tomikin]

There's somthing magically about this small little place, that's cold as hell, who gets guys who ain't first choice else were and make them perform.

Its the special sauce ..

 

[Braveheart81]

BH I see it as words not as a tweet..hope that makes sense..

Petaia shouldn't be in the team, his young, hasn't played all year and is injury prone. Pick Banks

Yeah, so the tweets aren't embedding for anyone. I copied the text from the tweet too so it could be seen. If it was working properly you'd see both.

 

[Uh huh]

Cheika has missed an opportunity to blood an express winger in the Rugby Championship. With Petaia only ever a long shot, and Banks dropped, we're now an injury to Koroibete away from having no pace at all in the back three. Pulu would've been a bold choice but it's too late now. If Petaia is out, Banks comes in and we hope for the best.