Wallabies 2023

[rugbyAU]

3 weeks??? Gees this RWC thing is coming around quick. I better pack.

So squad named soon???

Thursday night

 

[rugbyAU]

Faesslar ahead of Porecki after 1 match is wild. Unless you want your best hooker on to finish which isn’t the worst idea. I’d start Pone just so we break up Bell and Tupou imo.

I reckon after Tom Hooper, McReight and Valetini it’s anyone’s guess who the other 3 backrowers will be in the squad.

Gleeson should be in the #20 jersey for me

 

[eastman]

Ikitau has been great at 13 and I would have considered, until injury, 13 was locked in.

But then he got injured and Petaia got his shot and he has been excellent.

I’ personally leave Petaia at 13.

In fact I would be leave yesterdays starting XV as is, including Arnold. I’m not convinced he is better than Neville - but that is the way Jones has gone and it’s too late for further changes.

Ikitau & Tupou on to the bench. Maybe Holloway for Leota. Otherwise leave it unchanged.

Ikitau is world-class- gee people have a short memory.

I think we are pretty close to locking in our best 23. The changes being Tupou, M Hooper (potentially) and Ikitau coming back in. Nonggorr, McReight and Ikitau come back in. Also think that Holloway might add more than Leota as well.

 

[TSR]

Ikitau is world-class- gee people have a short memory.

I think we are pretty close to locking in our best 23. The changes being Tupou, M Hooper (potentially) and Ikitau coming back in. Nonggorr, McReight and Ikitau come back in. Also think that Holloway might add more than Leota as well.

I don’t have a short memory at all.

There is a reason every coach rushes to get Petaia into their starting lineup whenever they can.

That isn’t a slight on Ikitau - it is a reflection of how good Petaia is even if he has had some issues with injury and decision making in the past.

 

[eastman]

I don’t have a short memory at all.

There is a reason every coach rushes to get Petaia into their starting lineup whenever they can.

That isn’t a slight on Ikitau - it is a reflection of how good Petaia is even if he has had some issues with injury and decision making in the past.

Fair enough but don’t get surprised when Ikitau walks back into the 13 jersey (and most people agree with my post).

 

[eastman]

Nonggorr isn't up to test match standard he drops out when Tupou's fit

Read the post.

 

[TSR]

Gleeson should be in the #20 jersey for me

I’m genuinely interested what you are basing that on.

He has clear potential but what is he bringing that gets him on the bench ahead of the guys who are there (both of whom are genuine line out options which is something I think we need).

 

[TSR]

Fair enough but don’t get surprised when Ikitau walks back into the 13 jersey (and most people agree with my post).

Yes - I’m sure most people do. I’ll trust the coaching staff to make the right call. Ikitau has been very consistently high level and I won’t have any concerns if he does.

 

[qwerty51]

Gleeson should be in the #20 jersey for me

I'd start him but given he wasn't selected who knows where he stands.

 

[Tomthumb]

I don’t have a short memory at all.

There is a reason every coach rushes to get Petaia into their starting lineup whenever they can.

That isn’t a slight on Ikitau - it is a reflection of how good Petaia is even if he has had some issues with injury and decision making in the past.

Problems with decision making and playing centre don’t normally work out

Ikitau is one of our few genuine world class players. If fit we need him in that 13 jersey

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Ikitau is world-class- gee people have a short memory.

I think we are pretty close to locking in our best 23. The changes being Tupou, M Hooper (potentially) and Ikitau coming back in. Nonggorr, McReight and Ikitau come back in. Also think that Holloway might add more than Leota as well.

Out of interest, what does world-class mean? IMO world class means you are in the best 15 or 23 in the world. Is that your definition? If yes, you rate Ikitau that highly? (Noting I think Ikitau is a great player)

 

[TSR]

Petaia has had problems with decision making
historically (which I acknowledged as I know that is the focus point for many) but not in the last two games with the exception of one dud kick and not in Super rugby this year where he was exceptional.

Petaia’s decision making errors have generally been in attack. Both players are excellent defenders.

I believe Petaia is better in attack though as he has the strength and power to bust through test level defences. Ikiatau is no slouch but I believe Petaia is better.

If Ikitau hadn’t got injured then there would be no question. Also, if Nawaqanitwase wasn’t playing so well you’d just move Petaia to 14 - and that may still happen. But I believe if Kerevi and Petaia are likely to be retained in their starting jerseys - especially if Ikitau isn’t fit for the next France game (which I understand is unlikely).

I’ll leave it there. I don’t expect people to agree and I acknowledge that Ikitau has earned that level of support. But I also think my opinion is easily defendable/explainable.

 

[Tomthumb]

Out of interest, what does world-class mean? IMO world class means you are in the best 15 or 23 in the world. Is that your definition? If yes, you rate Ikitau that highly? (Noting I think Ikitau is a great player)

Ikitau would be in the conversation of the best 13’s in the world. That’s world class

 

[Eyes and Ears]

So at

Ikitau would be in the conversation of the best 13’s in the world. That’s world class

So at least in the top half of the Tier 1 teams?

 

[KOB1987]

Righto so here's my guess on the RWC 33:

LHP: Bell, Slipper, Gibbon
HKR: Porecki, Faessler, Uelese
THP: Tupou, Faumasili, Nonggorr
LCK: Skelton, Frost, Arnold, Philip
BSF: Hooper, Holloway
OSF: McReight, Hooper
N8: Valetini, Gleeson
HBK: McDermott, White, Lonergan
10: Gordon, Cooper
IC: Kerevi, Foketi
OC: Ikitau, Petaia
WNG: Koroibete, Nawaqanitawase, Perese
FB: Kellaway, Donaldson

 

[Joe Blow]

Get rid of Donaldson and include Hodge and I reckon thats it. Maybe Perese or Wright in as a utility.

 

[Derpus]

I'm not convinced you want Perese covering wing and you definitely do not want Donaldson covering fullback. I'd probably still have Wright in there somewhere. Although, realistically Petaia is first call for all three positions.

 

[KOB1987]

Get rid of Donaldson and include Hodge and I reckon thats it. Maybe Perese or Wright in as a utility.

I have Perese in there, I don't think there is any point persisting with Hodge any more, may as well get some minutes into Donaldson against Georgia and Portugal. Perese, Petaia & Donaldson will effectively all be utility players. I suspect we will run the 1sts out against France in the warm up game and the 2nds to hopefully open the account v Georgia.

 

[Tomthumb]

So at

So at least in the top half of the Tier 1 teams?

Clearly

 

[rugbyAU]

Righto so here's my guess on the RWC 33:

LHP: Bell, Slipper, Gibbon
HKR: Porecki, Faessler, Uelese
THP: Tupou, Faumasili, Nonggorr
LCK: Skelton, Frost, Arnold, Philip
BSF: Hooper, Holloway
OSF: McReight, Hooper
N8: Valetini, Gleeson
HBK: McDermott, White, Lonergan
10: Gordon, Cooper
IC: Kerevi, Foketi
OC: Ikitau, Petaia
WNG: Koroibete, Nawaqanitawase, Perese
FB: Kellaway, Donaldson

Wright for Donaldson & Leota might sneak in, otherwise I think that’s the go