It is definitely between him and Harrison (both have real strengths), but I expect both to be in the squad
Wallabies 2020
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It is definitely between him and Harrison (both have real strengths), but I expect both to be in the squad
eastman
Arch Winning (36)
It's a fairly sad indictment on the state of Australian rugby, when we are considering these two players at this stage of their career for actual game time with the Wallabies (I suspect they would still be running around in club land over in NZ). I think with JOC (James O'Connor) and Touma in a squad, you can reward players like Simone or Meakes in the 23, who have performed in Super rugby over consecutive years. There's nothing wrong in making a Harrison/ Lolesio perform for another year in Super rugby before they get a cap.
Will Harrison was close to the best 10 at the under 20 World Champs last year. Lolesio close to the best 12.
Damian McKenzie debuted when he was 20, Aaron Cruden 21, Handre Pollard 20. All were star 10s of that competition in their time.
I don't think it stands up at all that an equivalent player in NZ would be playing club rugby. They would be starting in Super Rugby and making test squads as they do most years.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I don’t think so.
If the players are good enough, then bring them on, just don’t overhype them and expect to much based on their performances at lower levels, as we tend to in Australian rugby.
eastman
Arch Winning (36)
These guys aren't as good as their NZ equivalents (which was the point I was trying to make, not clearly enough)- Harrison is no McKenzie.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Lolesio did pull the pants down on a recent All Black flyhalf and have him a good spanking.........
He probably isn't, but we're also not as good as New Zealand. Comparatively the situations are very much the same in my opinion.
I'm unsure on your logic that our best young players shouldn't come on the international scene just as soon as any of our rivals. This assumption that we are bringing through players too early doesn't really stand up. The most talented players from the under 20s setups generally do go through to test rugby very quickly.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Probably won't get to see any tests at all this year. All the predictions about the spread of Covid-19 still have it near its peak in the June/July period. Maybe some chance of TRC and EOYT going ahead but won't be much in the way of preparation or recent games to judge form for the teams.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Yep.
From what I can see, three players who played in the final against Australia have played Six Nations this year. Vincent, Taofifenua and Gros.
Ntamack was also eligible for the tournament last year but didn't play and he is locked in as the French number 10 now.
Finsbury Girl
Trevor Allan (34)
Considering his entire forward pack have gone AWOL this season, Harrison has done extremely well.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Nonsense Ntamack started at 10 for France at the World Cup and is one of the best players in their golden crop. He was in the team that only just beat the young Wallabies in the final. Not too early for him? I dont think its unreasonable to suggest that Harrison and Lolesio are on a similar level to Ntamack.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
They will probably continue to play games without crowds. The financial hit is going to be huge thougb.
No he wasn't. He was eligible but didn't play. He was already France's starting 10 by the end of the 2019 Six Nations.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Ah my mistake.
Your point stands though. He was too good and too important to French rugby and his club side to be released for the under 20 tournament.
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
I think the original point was that it is a sad indictment that we are considering 20 year olds for test rugby because a bunch of 30 year olds left. Either there were no good 10s in that time period or if there were they got bored of waiting for an opportunity and explored other options. I’d prefer Harrison or lolesi to be given a go now as they are specialist 10s. But why hasn’t there been a succession plan in place?
It's a fair point, but it is also worth saying you can't just manufacture a Test quality 10. If we could just have pointed at Jack Debreczeni and said 'you will be our next Wallaby 10' and taught him to be Steve Larkham then we would have.
To an extent you can only play the hand you are dealt, and I don't think we had a great hand in the last 5-8 years.
We could have been better bringing our talent through, and the year we had guys like Garden-Bachop and Peter Grant starting at 10 for our Super sides was a pretty rough one for all concerned.
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