Wallabies 2020

[KOB1987]

Nic White as a smokey.

FWIW, I would be blown away if Rob Simmons is captain. Blown away!

I reckon Rennie will be bringing the likes of Arnold and maybe Skelton back from o/s for the tests, so RS is still unlikely to get a gig.

There is no clause currently that allows bringing those blokes back for the tests, so RS is still likely to get a gig.

 

[Up the Guts]

If Simmons keeps turning in performances like last Saturday he will probably be in the 23 even if OS players return.

 

[Tomikin]

I don't buy this 'impact' stuff. You need your best players spending the most time on the pitch.

Maybe but you think thirs better then AAA ? stats say different

 

[wamberal]

Time to ditch the cattle that have dragged us down to 7th in the world.

But Rennie knows who butters the sandwiches in the picnic basket so I expect very little change & he'll even drag a few more old journeymen and has beens and never weres from O/S under the guise of "experience".

What is the logic behind your post? Rennie is now coaching at the top level of the game. He knows, and I would guess just about every other serious follower of the game knows, that he will be judged by results on the field, and nothing else.

 

[Derpus]

Maybe but you think thirs better then AAA ? stats say different

Wasn't really my point but no yet. I don't think Tupou should be selected ahead of AAA until he's worked the silly penalties out of his game. Those things hurt a lot at test level.

 

[Brumbieman]

RE the backrow -

7. Hooper/Wright
6. Valetini/Swinton
8. Wilson/Naisirani/Samu

 

[Rebels3]

RE the backrow -

7. Hooper/Wright
6. Valetini/Swinton
8. Wilson/Naisirani/Samu

Samu could legit the no.3 man in every pos. Maybe a sign he should be the versatile bench player?

Also what is Swinton like at lock? not saying he should play there but when building a bench could be a very handy trait

 

[Finsbury Girl]

What is the logic behind your post? Rennie is now coaching at the top level of the game. He knows, and I would guess just about every other serious follower of the game knows, that he will be judged by results on the field, and nothing else.

If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell.

 

[Bobby Sands]

RE the backrow -

7. Hooper/Wright
6. Valetini/Swinton
8. Wilson/Naisirani/Samu

I think Liam will be well in the mix for the 6 spot, and it's always seemed clear to me that that's where he would end up.

I would pick him well before Swinton, and probably ahead of Valentini tbh - but that will most likely be a horses for courses approach.

McReight will be the Reds 7 from here on out.

 

[Up the Guts]

Valetini would improve our own ruck speed, Wright would slow down the opposition’s. The choice between the two may come down to what the team needs more.

That said, the lineout looks like it will be an important consideration this year. Wright has an edge there.

 

[drewprint]

Yeah, if we want a high work rate, line out jumping, ruck pest ala Fardy, it might end up being Wright. I rate them both very highly - great to have competition.

 

[Slim 293]

Time to ditch the cattle that have dragged us down to 7th in the world.

But Rennie knows who butters the sandwiches in the picnic basket so I expect very little change & he'll even drag a few more old journeymen and has beens and never weres from O/S under the guise of "experience".

But who are these players?

 

[Derpus]

What is buttering a sandwich in a picnic basket? a sexual euphemism?

Is this a very roundabout way of saying you'll assume there is some degree of impropriety when Hooper is inevitably selected at 7? Some deep RA conspiracy to hamper the national team to make sure the North Shore lad gets his 100th cap.

 

[Braveheart81]

Of the Wallabies who played in the quarter final against England, the following players are still playing in Australia:

Hodge
Petaia
Koroibete
Sio
Ala'alatoa
Hooper
Naisarani
To'omua
Tupou
White (almost)
Uelese
Slipper
Salakaia-Loto
O'Connor

Of that list there are a few injured but otherwise, Reece Hodge is probably the only one who might struggle to make the 23 currently. They're pretty obviously still among our best players.

 

[sendit]

Probably a tad controversial but id go

AAA
Fainga'a
Sio
Simmons
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Valentini
Hooper
Naisarani
McDermott
Lolesio/Harrison if Lolesio is gone for the year
Koro
O'Connor
TK
Daugunu
Banks

whatever hooker gets their set piece right
Thor
Slipper
Lee-Warner??
Samu/Wright
Powell
Simone/To'omua
Maddocks


Think it also worth identifying a bunch of development players similar to what League do with their "Emerging Blues/Maroons" and put them through their paces in a development camp seeing as game time has been minimal and all teams are located in NSW/QLD currently

 

[wamberal]

It would be less controversial if you picked Valetini. Who is this "Valentini" that we keep hearing about???

 

[Derpus]

Sio is well behind Slipper imo. Love Slips

 

[sendit]

Sio is well behind Slipper imo. Love Slips

Strategic move to have a good scrummager coming on fresh helping out a tiring pack, especially with our hookers not being particularly sound at the set piece at the moment. I also think his dynamic play suits a bench role too, but yes could very easily start

 

[sendit]

It would be less controversial if you picked Valetini. Who is this "Valentini" that we keep hearing about???

wait until you see him play, blows Valetini right out of the water

 

[Up the Guts]

Valetini would improve our own ruck speed, Wright would slow down the opposition’s. The choice between the two may come down to what the team needs more.

That said, the lineout looks like it will be an important consideration this year. Wright has an edge there.

Actually just saw Valetini jump and win a lineout in a clip from Saturday.