Wallabies 2023

[Lindommer]

Hanigan....has certainly bulked up and is showing more effect on attacking and defensive contact, but he'll always be more workhorse than battering-ram.

Hanigan's a player I've watched closely these past seven years. The former Ned shone out in two areas: his lineout work was exemplary, and he stopped like a shot mullet in contact. The current Ned's lineout skills are still excellent (he stole a Brumbies throw right in front of me in the first half, can't recall him losing one of his own throws ever), but, his physicality in contact has most definitely improved. As lineouts are so important he's gotta be in the RWC squad as a backup 4/6.

 

[Wilson]

Eddie on Uelese:

Wallabies winners and losers: Eddie has gone away from Rennie's 'form' principle and backed his eye

Thirty-three players have been given an opportunity to pump up their tyres at this month’s Wallabies training camp. Now those players must ensure they…

www.theroar.com.au

I can't say I recall him getting into any trouble back then?

Yeah, I don't remember anything either and I couldn't find anything in the news from that period. Must have been something internal that never made it to the press. I guess he wasn't really pushing for selection so there was no need for an explanation around why he was dropped/not making squads.

 

[Joe Blow]

Eddie on Uelese:

Wallabies winners and losers: Eddie has gone away from Rennie's 'form' principle and backed his eye

Thirty-three players have been given an opportunity to pump up their tyres at this month’s Wallabies training camp. Now those players must ensure they…

www.theroar.com.au

I can't say I recall him getting into any trouble back then?

He disappeared after his last test in NZ. If I recall he was part of a scrum that won a last ditch penalty to win the dead rubber after scoring from a lineout maul with a lot of work to do to get over the line in the same game. It was one of his best performances.
Must have been put in the naughty chair?
The potential is there for him to be TPN like but he has to get his head around it and do the work. Hope Eddie can pull what is required out of him.

 

[fatprop]

I wouldn't get overly excited about this first squad, it is not unusual to see Jones sniff around a few fringe dwellers whilst giving the "incumbents" a kick up the arse

That said building a RWC squad requires requires a number of units for are that classic utility bench option The flexible back ie Hodge allows for that 6/2 bench and the 4/3 pigs ie a 5/6 & a 6/7/8 will be very useful with a limited squad

With the Super Rugby comp starting to ramp up now, and there are always units who look good early before fading under pressure

 

[Tomthumb]

I thought Lolosio was actually playing quite well, especially defensively. Carter Gordon was pretty woeful on the tackle against the Drua and Donaldson has always been a bit of a turnstile himself. Hopefully we dont have to return to the days of hiding the 10 at fullback on defence

 

[molman]

Hanigan's a player I've watched closely these past seven years. The former Ned shone out in two areas: his lineout work was exemplary, and he stopped like a shot mullet in contact. The current Ned's lineout skills are still excellent (he stole a Brumbies throw right in front of me in the first half, can't recall him losing one of his own throws ever), but, his physicality in contact has most definitely improved. As lineouts are so important he's gotta be in the RWC squad as a backup 4/6.

I agree. The negative talk about Hanigan gets rather tiresome and seems rooted well in the past when he was rather young. He's playing some solid rugby currently and his work in contact has definitely improved.

Also, one thing that I think a lot of people miss when they sit here saying this player or that is the whole picture. The whole player. Not just the snapshots we see on the field. Anyone who has worked in any team, participated in any sporting team etc. will know there is a lot that goes into a well-functioning team. A chemistry. Jones has spoken about those players who will be part of the RWC squad but wont be in the starting squad and might not even get a run, but that these players are critical in creating connections, bringing positivity, helping prepare the other players. I don't know Ned personally, but from what I've heard, and having heard him talk, I reckon he'd be a good bloke to have around.

Part of this squad will be Jones assessing this chemistry. The dynamics of this mix of players. Getting to know a bit more about them.

 

[Rebel man]

I thought Lolosio was actually playing quite well, especially defensively. Carter Gordon was pretty woeful on the tackle against the Drua and Donaldson has always been a bit of a turnstile himself. Hopefully we dont have to return to the days of hiding the 10 at fullback on defence

57 from 68 at 84% success rate for Gordon, 20 for 26 at 77% success rate Lolesio

 

[Tomthumb]

57 from 68 at 84% success rate for Gordon, 20 for 26 at 77% success rate Lolesio

The Drua seemed to enjoy running his way

Its not just about making tackles, it's about the type of tackles that get made

 

[fatprop]

I agree. The negative talk about Hanigan gets rather tiresome and seems rooted well in the past when he was rather young. He's playing some solid rugby currently and his work in contact has definitely improved.

Also, one thing that I think a lot of people miss when they sit here saying this player or that is the whole picture. The whole player. Not just the snapshots we see on the field. Anyone who has worked in any team, participated in any sporting team etc. will know there is a lot that goes into a well-functioning team. A chemistry. Jones has spoken about those players who will be part of the RWC squad but wont be in the starting squad and might not even get a run, but that these players are critical in creating connections, bringing positivity, helping prepare the other players. I don't know Ned personally, but from what I've heard, and having heard him talk, I reckon he'd be a good bloke to have around.

Part of this squad will be Jones assessing this chemestry. The dynamics of this mix of players.

I think Hanigan is a limited player who is prepared play a role, he will hit rucks, catch clean, make his tackles and now do OK ball in hand as per his coaches instructions - all adequately in a couple of positions

But I am quite happy to see him overshadowed for some who does that role better

 

[swingpass]

The Drua seemed to enjoy running his way

Its not just about making tackles, it's about the type of tackles that get made

last week he sat Wilson on his arse twice. Gordon is generally a very good defender, never needs to be hidden. i didnt see Staurday so cant comment

 

[Marce]

He was HUGE in that first Waratahs game

And that's all. First and last training camp for him

 

[Rebel man]

The Drua seemed to enjoy running his way

Its not just about making tackles, it's about the type of tackles that get made

So a 10 who misses a higher percentage of tackles is better defensively. Makes perfect sense. Especially since Gordon has made more than double the tackles

 

[molman]

I think Hanigan is a limited player who is prepared play a role, he will hit rucks, catch clean, make his tackles and now do OK ball in hand as per his coaches instructions - all adequately in a couple of positions

But I am quite happy to see him overshadowed for some who does that role better

Which at the moment is who? Who is performing better than Hanigan as a hybrid lock?

I also think your being a little dismissive of his positive attributes. You mention making his tackles. Yes, he has been leading the tackle stats for the Waratah's the last two games and on top of that has been sticking all his tackles. His work rate and off the ball work has been excellent. He isn't showy, but he does what he does with a consistency that some other players would do well to emulate.

 

[Braveheart81]

In many ways Holloway and Hanigan are probably the biggest competitors with each other for that same role.

 

[Marce]

In many ways Holloway and Hanigan are probably the biggest competitors with each other for that same role.

And Holloway is the best option

 

[molman]

In many ways Holloway and Hanigan are probably the biggest competitors with each other for that same role.

Probably true. Jeds a little off the pace at the moment, so it will be interesting to see if he gets himself back to where he was last year with some of his performances.

 

[Namerican]

I think Hanigan is a limited player who is prepared play a role, he will hit rucks, catch clean, make his tackles and now do OK ball in hand as per his coaches instructions - all adequately in a couple of positions

But I am quite happy to see him overshadowed for some who does that role better

I've got no dislike for Hanigan and he does his job just fine. But I think it's also fair to believe that it is highly improbable that you are winning a RWC with him as your starting six, so I hope that a player with more upside steps up. The main plus for Hanigan is that his strengths and Skeleton's are basically 100% opposite, so if Eddie likes Big Will, maybe a guy like Hanigan (or Holloway) has a role.

 

[Namerican]

Probably true. Jeds a little off the pace at the moment, so it will be interesting to see if he gets himself back to where he was last year with some of his performances.

Agreed, but we've seen him play at a higher level internationally than Hanigan has ever shown and that has to count for something. As much as club rugby and form is important, some players just have the physical ability to take that next step up more than others. Look at Damien McKenzie, who is basically a Super Rugby God, but I'd be shocked to see him starting at 10, barring injury, in the RWC. His style of play and diminutive size doesn't translate fully to test rugby. There's almost zero way he could play himself into the jersey.

 

[Braveheart81]

I've got no dislike for Hanigan and he does his job just fine. But I think it's also fair to believe that it is highly improbable that you are winning a RWC with him as your starting six, so I hope that a player with more upside steps up. The main plus for Hanigan is that his strengths and Skeleton's are basically 100% opposite, so if Eddie likes Big Will, maybe a guy like Hanigan (or Holloway) has a role.

This is probably an unfair bar to hold a particular player to given the Wallabies are nowhere close to being a RWC contender as things currently stand and very few of our players are among the top couple in the world in their position.

 

[molman]

I've got no dislike for Hanigan and he does his job just fine. But I think it's also fair to believe that it is highly improbable that you are winning a RWC with him as your starting six, so I hope that a player with more upside steps up. The main plus for Hanigan is that his strengths and Skeleton's are basically 100% opposite, so if Eddie likes Big Will, maybe a guy like Hanigan (or Holloway) has a role.

Agreed, but we've seen him play at a higher level internationally than Hanigan has ever shown and that has to count for something. As much as club rugby and form is important, some players just have the physical ability to take that next step up more than others. Look at Damien McKenzie, who is basically a Super Rugby God, but I'd be shocked to see him starting at 10, barring injury, in the RWC. His style of play and diminutive size doesn't translate fully to test rugby. There's almost zero way he could play himself into the jersey.

If Ned goes to France it's as a utility player. He's more a flanker than a lock. Even he will say his preference is to be in the backrow, but at a pinch he is serviceable as a lock, though he's always been a little on the short side. His build puts him in the frame of someone like a Perter O'Mahony who last time I looked seemed to go alright.

Also, I thought Ned performed pretty well for the Australia A's last year.