Wallabies 2020

[Lorenzo]

This is superficial and I've given it absolutely no thought whatsoever (why change now) but I feel like this is the first time in a long time that we aren't looking a list with a good 5 to 10 80 plus test guys trading on their peak from 5 years ago (and not that high a peak either). Bring it on.

 

[Number 7]

Wallabies backline if Rennie goes on form would have to be:
9. McDermott
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Petaia
14. Koroibete Daugunu
15. Maddocks/DHP

Genuine attacking threats across the pitch but more importantly, when was the last time we didn't have to hide anyone in defence? No weak links there, quite impressive. Good field kickers between 10,12 & 15. Could a more backs orientated person tell me if it's a problem having two left wingers?

Yep. After watching the game tonight that’s my backline too. I think Daugunu is a lock in now and O’Connor is setting up his outside players really well and generally making good decisions. We will have 2 goal kickers, some pace out wide and good defenders from 9-15. As Gregan said in commentary McDermott needs to work on his passing but it seems to be good enough for a spot. Great thing is there are good backups so competition hopefully drives improvement.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Let’s be honest, Tate is just about as good at sniping as anyone in world rugby. In fact it’s quite ridiculous.

He will probably never been an elite passing halfback, but he’s keeps defences so accountable.

Good players have weapons, and we need to start getting games into Tate before next WC. He creates space by forcing the defence to guard in tight for fear of him getting away, that is hugely beneficial to men outside.

 

[Slim 293]

Simmons is the best lineout operator of the Aus lock playing in AUs at the moment.
I can’t remember ever seeing Rodda steal a lineout. So I’ll back Simmons and hope he can teach some of the untried youngsters.

Rodda was the Australian leader for lineout steals last season.........

Arnold dominated lineout wins for the last couple of seasons.........

Simmons' stock has gone up with those two gone.

 

[Adam84]

Simmons is the best lineout operator of the Aus lock playing in AUs at the moment.
I can’t remember ever seeing Rodda steal a lineout. So I’ll back Simmons and hope he can teach some of the untried youngsters.

Hmm..

Rodda had the 2nd highest number of lineout steals in Super Rugby 2019, and equal most line outs steals across all teams at the 2019 RWC...

 

[rugboy]

Easy to get caught up in one game. While the reds were good last night I think it was the worst game from the Force thus far. My concern is they continue on this slide as the season continues due to the step up in quality over a long period and the initial buzz of their involvement wearing off. It has been replaced by the grind at this level coupled with being away from home due to current circumstances. As a result announcing the majority of the reds backline off the back of that game for the Wallabies may be premature.
I am keen to see how White goes throughout the rest of the competition, McDermott was only a bench player quite recently and White is the incumbent. I still see limitations in a Daugunu Koroibete wing combination which I don’t see in a Koroibete Wright/Ramm combination. Both Koro and Daugunu are traditional left wingers whereas Ramm/Wright show more all round games that could lend to a transition to the right. Lets not forget the Reds got thrashed by the Tahs only a fortnight ago and the Brumbies have lead the competition from start til now.

 

[wamberal]

Lets not forget the Reds got thrashed by the Tahs only a fortnight ago

Was that the game that took place a couple of days after Jordan Petaia's Dad passed away suddenly?

Nobody with a rugby IQ in triple digits would give any weighting to performances that day.

 

[qwerty51]

What's the point of this PONI thing? Are they even doing anything with Rennie or the other coaches mid-week?

 

[rugboy]

Was that the game that took place a couple of days after Jordan Petaia's Dad passed away suddenly?

Nobody with a rugby IQ in triple digits would give any weighting to performances that day.

Let me know where I personally insulted anyone in my post. play the ball not the man. Obviously civil debate is beyond some people. Simple point one game does not a season make.

 

[wamberal]

. Simple point one game does not a season make.

Eh? That is precisely what you said - "let us not forget the Reds got thrashed etc etc". I will say it again - anybody who gives any weighting to that performance knows nothing about the game. Why did you mention it without mentioning the very unusual circumstances under which it took place?

Jordan's father was a fixture in the team set-up, the whole squad was hit for six. That game should be forgotten, which is the opposite of what you said. I am amazed at how well they have come back.

 

[rugboy]

Eh? That is precisely what you said - "let us not forget the Reds got thrashed etc etc". I will say it again - anybody who gives any weighting to that performance knows nothing about the game. Why did you mention it without mentioning the very unusual circumstances under which it took place?

Jordan's father was a fixture in the team set-up, the whole squad was hit for six. That game should be forgotten, which is the opposite of what you said. I am amazed at how well they have come back.

Firstly the reference was to a number of posters jumping on the single performance of the Reds towelling up the Force and after one big win suddenly all the Reds backs in the PONI squad are locks for the Wallabies. While I am not comparing the loss of Jordans father to the adversity the Force are facing, I suggested that the toll of a season long grind for a team not accustomed to this level away from families and loved ones should be taken into context. I just didn't insult peoples IQ by suggesting it. You did. I would suggest in regards the Reds players wallabies selections based on last nights victory "anybody who gives any weighting to that performance knows nothing about the game". Much like your amazement in how the Reds have bounced back I'm amazed at how competitive for so long the Force have been in this competition with the lack of preparation they had and conditions they have had to endure. Hats off to both.

 

[Wilson]

Eh? That is precisely what you said - "let us not forget the Reds got thrashed etc etc". I will say it again - anybody who gives any weighting to that performance knows nothing about the game. Why did you mention it without mentioning the very unusual circumstances under which it took place?

Jordan's father was a fixture in the team set-up, the whole squad was hit for six. That game should be forgotten, which is the opposite of what you said. I am amazed at how well they have come back.

100%, If any game the reds have played this year should be ignored as an aberration it's the tahs one. Last nights game looks very much on trend for the side.

 

[dru]

100%, If any game the reds have played this year should be ignored as an aberration it's the tahs one. Last nights game looks very much on trend for the side.

Yep. String of fine games with an anomaly midstream. I haven't enjoyed my rugby so much since 2011.

 

[TSR]

Surely the obvious thing is not to get carried away with any single performance - be that the Tahs game or last night.

The thing is that the guys who stood up last night and are being talked about as being Wallabies have been consistent good. Tupou, Salakaia-Loto, Wilson, Wright, McReight, McDermott, JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia, Daugunu have been good across most games. And there isn’t a single eligible player I am aware of that hasn’t been part of at least 1 bad team performance. I don’t think anyone seriously believes every single one of them is going to be a Wallaby starter in their next test, but you can make a case for all of them with the exception of McReight (unless you really dislike Hooper) and that’s all people are doing.

 

[rodha]

Thoughts on this Wallabies backline?

9. Tate McDermott
10. James O'Conner
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Matt To'omua
13. Jordan Petaia
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Jack Maddocks

21. Jake Gordon
22. Irae Simone
23. Tom Wright

 

[Dctarget]

Surely the obvious thing is not to get carried away with any single performance - be that the Tahs game or last night.

The thing is that the guys who stood up last night and are being talked about as being Wallabies have been consistent good. Tupou, Salakaia-Loto, Wilson, Wright, McReight, McDermott, JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia, Daugunu have been good across most games. And there isn’t a single eligible player I am aware of that hasn’t been part of at least 1 bad team performance. I don’t think anyone seriously believes every single one of them is going to be a Wallaby starter in their next test, but you can make a case for all of them with the exception of McReight (unless you really dislike Hooper) and that’s all people are doing.

I've been watching a few of the English premiership games and McReight is magic but he's a couple years off yet. Would love to see him put on some kilos in the offseason. I would only feel comfortable with Hooper going up against PSDT, T. Curry, Underhill etc. These guys are genuinely so explosive and just huge lumps of meat.

Same goes for our locks, I'm glad in a way we don't get to play the NH this year and potentially SA. Watching how quick De Jager and Itoje get up is insane. They would eat up whatever locks we have left. Still got some development to go.

 

[Dctarget]

Thoughts on this Wallabies backline?

9. Tate McDermott
10. James O'Conner
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Matt To'omua
13. Jordan Petaia
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Jack Maddocks

21. Jake Gordon
22. Irae Simone
23. Tom Wright

Why put DHP out of position on the wing when we have a glut of wings at the moment? DHP is fantastic when he has space at the back to gain momentum, he ain't the explosive winger we need. Swap in Daugunu or Wright. Apart from that good starting backline.

Don't think Simone will get near the 23, I respect Gordon and think he deserves a bench spot for a game or two but it's hard to deny Tate and White as our two 9s.

 

[dru]

Why put DHP out of position on the wing when we have a glut of wings at the moment? DHP is fantastic when he has space at the back to gain momentum, he ain't the explosive winger we need. Swap in Daugunu or Wright. Apart from that good starting backline.

Don't think Simone will get near the 23, I respect Gordon and think he deserves a bench spot for a game or two but it's hard to deny Tate and White as our two 9s.

Not convinced that MK will definitely beat Daugunu for 11.
DHP at 14 seems obtuse when there are some serious young wingers coming through. Prefer Wright at 14 though there are others.

Hard to go past Hodge at 23.

As much as I like both Tate and Gordon, you would imagine White will feature somewhere.

Petaia may well be best at 13, but he isn't being played there at the Reds. He might be a bench option at 22, especially when you have both JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua on the field.

It is going to be interesting to see what the selectors do, but it is tricky to nominate a backline that will meet broad agreement across the fans.

 

[Up the Guts]

Don’t be deceived by how easy Daugunu made his first try look. Changing direction like that at full speed, there are maybe a handful of test players who can do that worldwide. I would find it hard not to have him in the XV.

 

[rodha]

Not convinced that MK will definitely beat Daugunu for 11.
DHP at 14 seems obtuse when there are some serious young wingers coming through. Prefer Wright at 14 though there are others.

Hard to go past Hodge at 23.

As much as I like both Tate and Gordon, you would imagine White will feature somewhere.

Petaia may well be best at 13, but he isn't being played there at the Reds. He might be a bench option at 22, especially when you have both JOC (James O'Connor) and To'omua on the field.

It is going to be interesting to see what the selectors do, but it is tricky to nominate a backline that will meet broad agreement across the fans.

This?

9. White
10. O'Conner
11. Daugunu
12. To'omua
13. Petaia
14. Wright
15. Maddocks

21. McDermott
22. Koroibete
23. Hodge