Marce
John Thornett (49)
Breakdowns are the most repetitive action in rugby after tackles. Who dominates the breakdown, dominates the game
Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
It will be interesting. Wright is the form 15 atm, Kellaway has moved there for the run home and in Eddies camp leadership group, and Petaia has moved there and fits Eddies comments about a power game.
Eddie had Banks in on the action - so the others will all need to play well and at least 1 to prove a GREAT 15 and not just 3 wingers who COULD play 15 to ensure they keep Banks out of the 33 man squad.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Kellaway is my fullback, with Petaia and Koroibete on the wings, a marginal call over Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) and Wright.
Contentiously, the versatility of Kellaway/Wright/Petaia being able to shift between wing and fullback likely means Eddie won't need to carry one of them on the bench, so whoever isn't the starting 11/14/15 may not feature in the 23 at all.
He's good in the air but not sure about his kicking game
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
I like him but if Skelton is available I just don't see how he jumps any of the others being an overseas player while that number is still capped.
Skelton, Frost, Swain, Neville, Holloway, Leota, Hanigan, Phillip
Being overseas doesn't help his case either as those ring ins are capped at this point still.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I reckon one of Kellaway or Petaia will be the 23 due to their greater versatility. Therefore Wright at 15, which I think he's earnt on his form all year. My selection would be 11 Koroibete, 14 Petaia, 15 Wright. Petaia I think is the better winger than Andrew K.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
He wouldn't jump other overseas players in Staniforth & Arnold either.
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
Don't think Petaia will get a go at 15 QWERTY. He is too valuable on the wing for the big games.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
He's playing some of his best footy right now at 15.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
He's definitely played well at fullback, but I'd say all of his best games this year have been on the wing...
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Good Fullback but a better Winger. Has the potential to be an elite Winger.
You need guys that can finish the half chance opportunities. Petaia can do the aerial finishes or go through someone. We need to be able to take these chances at a WC
You need guys that can finish the half chance opportunities. Petaia can do the aerial finishes or go through someone. We need to be able to take these chances at a WC
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
With 4 tests only available before the squad is selected/announced, is there a real opportunity for Eddie to run a proper trial there for the three players? Does he give them a full test each and only then has the fourth test to see his team on the field? Is that fair on the player up against the ABs compared to the one against the Argies? Does he give them half a game each? Is that fair on the one(s) playing the first half and would the one playing the second half have an advantage?
I reckon Eddie hasn't got the time to be doing trials like that. IMO he will have to at least reduce the options to 2 where he might run one against the Argies and ABs, and the other against the Saffas and ABs. But in all likelihood, he will need to have made his mind up before the first test as to what his best XV and XXIII are and be using the few tests available to be bedding those players into their roles. In the long run, I reckon his XV and XXIII will look essentially the same as they would have been had Dave Rennie been retained until the Cup.
When have we really seen "trials" being offered to players even in a normal year? Rotation for the sake of it is pretty rare.
I think Jones will pick what he thinks is his best team straight away and try and tweak it from there if he sees something not working. There won't be changes for the sake of trying different things if the first option seemed promising.
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
I think the only exception to this may be the halves - Gordon with QC (Quade Cooper) and White with Tate/Gordon
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
We're talking about a winger playing 15 and vice-versa. They swap position often in a game, it's not really a big deal to rotate them.
I mean just last year Rennie was rotating his bench halves almost every single game.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
It probably is depending on how you play your fullback...
One of Tom Wright's strengths, both on the spring tour and with the Brumbies, is acting as an extra playmaker and setting up his wingers.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Can't do it.
Wallabies will lose.
Wallabies will lose.