Wallabies 2020

[Up the Guts]

None of our locks will ever play like Itoje, but Roddá is still primed as one of the best lock prospects we’ve had in decades. Probably the only lock in recent times that was both excellent at the lineout and the grunt work was Vickerman and to be fair he wasn’t even developed in Australia.

I have trememdous respect for Rodda both as a man and a player after what he went through at the start of the year. One of the reasons our defensive lineout has been so strong in recent years is his presence. You could build a pretty good pack around he and the front row depth we have.

 

[Adam84]

I think Rodda will be captain of the Reds in 2020, and if his form continues to improve at test level he could be a future wallaby captain, his own form will be hurt a bit by the loss of Arnold as a locking partner though.

 

[TSR]

Rodda is the least of our problems.

 

[Derpus]

We can't go hunting for what doesn't exist, "we" (well the selection panel) justs picks the best team from who is available and we work it out

And I am sick and tired of hearing that the Wobs are developing players, that is the Super Rugby coaches job.

The Wobs coaches can ad a tiny bit of polish at best

I dunno, i tend to think other teams take a talented young player and make them even better - difference being that they were already good enough for national selection but continue to improve in the national setup.

Heaps of those English players had serious flaws that have been ironed out. Sinkler was hot headed idiot, Daly couldn't defend, May couldn't catch a high ball etc. All good enough for selection but all improved massively.

 

[Adam84]

I dunno, i tend to think other teams take a talented young player and make them even better - difference being that they were already good enough for national selection but continue to improve in the national setup.

Heaps of those English players had serious flaws that have been ironed out. Sinkler was hot headed idiot, Daly couldn't defend, May couldn't catch a high ball etc. All good enough for selection but all improved massively.

Absolutely, and Australian players spend more time in camp with the Wallaby coaches then the English do with their respective coaches

 

[Spruce Moose]

I dunno, i tend to think other teams take a talented young player and make them even better - difference being that they were already good enough for national selection but continue to improve in the national setup.

Heaps of those English players had serious flaws that have been ironed out. Sinkler was hot headed idiot, Daly couldn't defend, May couldn't catch a high ball etc. All good enough for selection but all improved massively.

Couldn't agree more. You will get the odd wonder kid like Petaia and Itoje come through the ranks but its making good domestic players into good test players. Thats what England have done very well over the past 4 years.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Is Will Skelton our Itoje?

I am only just beginning to understand how elite Saracens is. I think if he ever comes back he will add plenty to our pack.

I also think we should hire English forward coaches if Laurie doesn’t want the gig.

Stiles is middle of the road defined.

 

[Adam84]

Stiles is middle of the road opined*

Fixed

 

[Derpus]

Skelton will be 31 next WC. It'll be his last shot.

Skelton and Rodda would not be a shabby second row.

He seems to be thriving in England in a way he couldn't here - don't see why he would return.

 

[Viking]

Does Skelton jump in the line-out yet?

 

[Bobby Sands]

Fixed

Personified probably even better, but thankyou opined works well.

 

[cyclopath]

Does Skelton jump in the line-out yet?

If he's down to the 125kg reported, or less, can't see why he wouldn't. At 150kg would have been a slower target to get up there. He has good hands, and they're big enough so he might only need one to grab the ball!
I don't watch much club rugby from up there though.

 

[wamberal]

The Roar is claiming that there is a rumour that Jordan Petaia is going to join the Broncos.

 

[RugbyReg]

He’s signed a multi year deal with the reds and ra.

 

[Ignoto]

The Roar is claiming that there is a rumour that Jordan Petaia is going to join the Broncos.

He signed a 4 year deal literally a year ago......

 

[Brumby Runner]

To be clear, I am not suggesting the Wallabies coaching staff should take one of our present locks and make him into another Itoje. I am saying that an Itoje style of player is probably what's required to partner with Rodda in the Wallabies second row. That comes down to talent spotting and team selections. If enough effort is put into looking for and developing tall young athletic players to play like a hybrid lock/backrower then maybe one or two will make the grade in time.

There are a few locks already who go some way to being that sort of player, Philip, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Lee-Warner and (Hell) even Hanigan, but they would all need to modify (expand) their games. Philip probably would need to concentrate more on looking for turnover opportunities at the breakdown. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) probably isn't as quick as he would need to be and that might not be fixable. L-W seems to be able to do it all but probably would need more experience playing at a higher level, while Hanigan would need to up his physicality. Some of these changes are probably physically not possible, but others surely could improve with specific coaching and skills development at both Super and test level if they make it that far.

 

[Viking]

How's Hanigan tracking these days anyway?

I know he gets a lot of criticism - and rightly so. But I think he was always a good future prospect, he was just way too fresh for test rugby. He should be starting to be more effective into contact now.

 

[Derpus]

To be clear, I am not suggesting the Wallabies coaching staff should take one of our present locks and make him into another Itoje. I am saying that an Itoje style of player is probably what's required to partner with Rodda in the Wallabies second row. That comes down to talent spotting and team selections. If enough effort is put into looking for and developing tall young athletic players to play like a hybrid lock/backrower then maybe one or two will make the grade in time.

There are a few locks already who go some way to being that sort of player, Philip, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Lee-Warner and (Hell) even Hanigan, but they would all need to modify (expand) their games. Philip probably would need to concentrate more on looking for turnover opportunities at the breakdown. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) probably isn't as quick as he would need to be and that might not be fixable. L-W seems to be able to do it all but probably would need more experience playing at a higher level, while Hanigan would need to up his physicality. Some of these changes are probably physically not possible, but others surely could improve with specific coaching and skills development at both Super and test level if they make it that far.

None of those plays (excluding Lee Warner, I know nothing about him) have the potential play like Itoje. Which is fine. Itoje is a once in a generation talent. But his talents are wide ranging and all of those players are limited in different ways.

 

[wamberal]

He’s signed a multi year deal with the reds and ra.

I wonder why they didn't tell The Roar?

 

[fatprop]

How's Hanigan tracking these days anyway?

I know he gets a lot of criticism - and rightly so. But I think he was always a good future prospect, he was just way too fresh for test rugby. He should be starting to be more effective into contact now.

He was more effective this season, he will never be the real dominant ball runner - he was much improved in contact and he is our best backrow lineout option. Like Ben Mowen I see him growing into an absolute beast in defensive lineouts @2, he gets up fast