Kind of. They are looking for a headline - 'why did you retain Blake Schoup instead of Matt Gibbon on the bench' doesn't really cut it. I dont think we see all the questions that are asked either, only the ones that the MSM want us to see.
Tate and Bell long term captains as captain/vice in any order suits me.
And that tells you all you need to know about the attitude of the team.
Exactly, I thought when Eddie names the TRC squad in late June this was one of the worst ever Wallabies squads selected
Most of the guys who aren’t in the squad did go back to club rugby, but hard for the ones outside the 23 to go to play club rugby in QLD and NSW when they’re in Melbourne and Dunedin
he played 5/8, centres, flanker & #8 at school, and some halfback in 7s. I'm not sure if he played any of those positions at club level but I'm guessing eddie sees him as someone who provides a lot of injury cover for the Portugal game when he will want to rest the top line players ahead of the QF
I'm confused. Where is the logic in that?
Yeah he might have played them in school but he hasn't in Super Rugby and that docent mean he'd be able to step up and perform in those positions internationally
yeah but Lonergan's played eight testsI'm confused. Where is the logic in that?
I mean, Longeran hasn't had a run with the Wallabies either.
If Eddie has mentioned him as a utility player why are you assuming he hasn't been training in both the backrow and the backline? + He is definitely capable of playing against lower-tier nations.
Yeah but it's the fact that he hasn't played outside wing a lot professionally
He might not even get picked in the RWC squad but people are saying they can see the logic in having him there. All things being equal yeah you'd play him on the wing. But say Rob Leota comes off the bench v Wales and cops a stinger that is going to keep him out of the Portugal game which he is penned in to play. We still have to name a bench, and with 15 to go and we are 50 up rather than risk Rob Valetini we can send Pietsch out there in the back row. It's for situations like that.
So? Faessler was the form hooker in Super Rugby and Eddie obviously sees something in him, otherwise why have him in camp for so long? However, I am bewildered why he hasn't been given a run, even off the bench. Just as I am bewildered by the others in the squad who haven't had game time, particularly the other Lonergan.
Who knows, Eddie seems to be flying by the seat of his pants with selection atm. Hence our 4th different captain in 4 games
A full strenght among available players. NZ lost Angus Ta’avao, Ethan Blackadder, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sevu Reece, TJ Perenara, etc etc
This game may well be Ulese's last chance to perform. If he doesn't, then Faessler & Lonergan might both be on the plane to RWC.