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Wallabies 2023

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John Thornett (49)
Coles is absolutely a knob, but he's also been the best hooker of the past 20 years. He is a long way from his peak these days though, so most of what's left to his game is being a knob.

He's been handy but I dont think he's ever been of the class of someone like Marx, Bongi or even Taylor
 

John S

Chilla Wilson (44)
I like how EJ (Eddie Jones) really dodged answering Kirwan's question about the Franchises (well, maybe obfuscated a little bit).

Also interesting how the Breakdown team really giving his influence some credence - at least saying the AB's need to be "wary"
 

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
I have to say, while watching Breakdown, I found the Eddie Jones interview real interesting. Love hearing this kind of rugby man speak!
 

wamberal

Phil Kearns (64)
Tatafu Polota-Nau played #8 for Australia in the IRB 2006 Under 19 Rugby World Championship, which we won. I think it is worth pointing this out because that was a real highlight for Australian rugby.
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Tatafu Polota-Nau played #8 for Australia in the IRB 2006 Under 19 Rugby World Championship, which we won. I think it is worth pointing this out because that was a real highlight for Australian rugby.

No, he didn't...

It was the U21 Championship where Australia was knocked out by New Zealand in the semi finals.
 

Wallaby Man

Trevor Allan (34)
He's been handy but I dont think he's ever been of the class of someone like Marx, Bongi or even Taylor
Bongi even in the same discussion as Coles deserves an account suspension haha. Bongi is a solid player but not even close to the heights of Coles career and I have described Coles as the David Warner of rugby before, basically because he’s undoubtedly a legend but also a twat
 

stillmissit

Chilla Wilson (44)
Who exactly? Is there really a substantial discount obtained from keeping a player here longer term? Players who stay locally and go from being up and coming players to key Wallabies also cost a huge amount more to retain.

Maddocks went overseas after a very poor season and a few injuries. The Tahs also reached their nadir in that season. I think he clearly needed a change of scenery.
WHO? The coaches, the media, possibly the ARU and every squealer on sites like this one. I thought that was obvious.

Maddocks OS, Yes that is true, but as a talented youngster who was injured was it a surprise he was not at the top of his game. We have no patience with players who look great and then have an average season. The Tahs (who I have supported for 30+ years) have been the death nell for many players. Your opinion was a common one att but I disagree, I think he was and is a huge loss particularly when you factor in what we have had since.
So many applauded his departure without a replacement - I see that as management stupidity.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
WHO? The coaches, the media, possibly the ARU and every squealer on sites like this one. I thought that was obvious.

Maddocks OS, Yes that is true, but as a talented youngster who was injured was it a surprise he was not at the top of his game. We have no patience with players who look great and then have an average season. The Tahs (who I have supported for 30+ years) have been the death nell for many players. Your opinion was a common one att but I disagree, I think he was and is a huge loss particularly when you factor in what we have had since.
So many applauded his departure without a replacement - I see that as management stupidity.

I meant which players. Which players did we not see the value in that went overseas and then were brought back for a lot more money?

That is the assertion I'm challenging. I don't think the cost to contract players coming back is substantially more than it would have been at the same stage if they'd just remained in Australia.

Maddocks was one of the highest profile Waratahs at the time he left and would have required a significant contract to re-sign him. It isn't a case of deciding that you're unwilling to let this guy remain at your team, it's the fact that the cost of re-signing them is significantly higher than their play on the field suggests they are worth. When he left he was absolutely nowhere near the form that saw him play for the Wallabies yet the cost to keep him is far more aligned with that pedigree than the form he was displaying.
 

stillmissit

Chilla Wilson (44)
BH, I'll have a look around but I think it will be hard to get info to refute yours or my assertions.

Maddocks by yours, and most people's opinion, was hardly in high demand and the offer he got from tahs/aru might have been quite low and his manager said 'We can do better than that.'
Assuming neither of us can prove the other wrong I would like to compare us to NZ. They seem to hold on to players that are developing. It may be that Kiwi's value being an AB compared to us being Wallabies, I think many AUS players value being Wallabies in terms of value it adds to an OS contract.
OS players who are not in the Kerevi, Cooper, Koro box will most probably stay with the bigger money rather than come back to Super Rugby and take a chance on a RWC shot.
The ARU/Super Rugby franchises spend very little on developing players but, they strike me as being happy to pay top dollar to get Leagues and OS players.
Then with Leagues players often have to pay a couple of seasons before seeing a union player of worth (Koro is an exception).
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
Maddocks by yours, and most people's opinion, was hardly in high demand and the offer he got from tahs/aru might have been quite low and his manager said 'We can do better than that.'

Isn't that the issue though? You seem to be suggesting that they should have offered him a lot more to keep him in Australia despite his play not warranting it.

Given the salary constraints in Australia relative to what a lot of players can earn elsewhere it's pretty critical to deploy your payroll effectively.

When Maddocks came to NSW in 2020 I believe he was still on contract involving a Rugby Australia contract (the Tahs paid something to the Rebels for him to be released early). He re-signed for a single year in 2021 and there's no mention of there being any Rugby Australia money there but the Tahs presumably paid him pretty well.
 

rugbyAU

Nev Cottrell (35)
So the Wallabies are still in Australia, I guess they're bound by SANZAAR travel booking and can't go earlier but disappointing they'll probably only get there next week. Think altitude might be a shock to some players who wouldn't have experienced playing there in 4 years, and some ever.
I think they're leaving today
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Andrew Slack (58)
And Robbie Leota! Outta nowhere, hasn't played a game all season. Eddie must love his chat.
I really like Leota. Eddie has seen him play before at Twickenham and who knows, might rate him. I think we sometimes forget he would have assessed a lot of the more senior Wallabies as an opposing coach before. It's the younger ones he'd know less about having been out of country for so long.
 

Members Section

John Thornett (49)
I really like Leota. Eddie has seen him play before at Twickenham and who knows, might rate him. I think we sometimes forget he would have assessed a lot of the more senior Wallabies as an opposing coach before. It's the younger ones he'd know less about having been out of country for so long.

i'm so nervous for Rob, Nela & Quade coming back off achilles, I spose at least Quade had a game & 1 min of another
 
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