RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
Luke Jones is very Fardy-esque, and will likely walk into a wider training squad, though the jump to the matchday 23 will be harder for him.
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
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Derpus
George Gregan (70)
They mostly seem to be coming back as they left. Taaf - starter, To'omua - bench, in theory Skelton & Jones - bench/squad.
neilc
Bob Loudon (25)
But why has it taken him so log to realise what's needed and why was he bale to become a Wallaby without realising it? It paints a poor picture of the expectations in Australia if he needed to go to the UK to realise eating better might be a good thing.
I don't think it was a case of not realising what was needed. His fitness and shape from when he first start playing professionally to when he left Australia was chalk and cheese. It's now progressed far further.
He had a big setback after the 2015 RWC when he got injured badly, missed preseason and then struggled to get his fitness back.
I think the clear reason he played for the Wallabies was we were lacking badly in the lock department for players who could provide any sort of impact around the park. This was before Coleman, Arnold, Rodda or Tui had really emerged.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I really hope he has learnt to put his head into the scrum.
I would hope so too. He needs to be the complete package to compete with the options we have available now.
B
Bobby Sands
Guest
I think Luke Jones is a great get. Think he will walk back into the squad. Athletic/dynamic tall men are rare.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
I thought the recent test series showed us that our locks still have some way to go (including Coleman).
Certainly a lock with test experience coming back into the Tahs would be good for them and, by extension good for Australian rugby.
Props aren’t the only ones who tend to get better with age.
Certainly a lock with test experience coming back into the Tahs would be good for them and, by extension good for Australian rugby.
Props aren’t the only ones who tend to get better with age.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Skelton sadly peaked in the Waratahs and Chiefs match just before he left. He completely dominated Brodie Retallick in that game as no one else had before nor probably ever will.
Given the way the Tahs turned around big Taqele and the way in which Thor has become an 80 minute player (although he's always been pretty fit given his size) I think there's evidence Australia does an ok job on improving the fitness of certain players.
I think we have a tendency to judge players very early, and rule out the possibility they will ever change or get better.
Skelton broke onto the scene when he was very young, and like all of us in our early 20s he probably didn't do everything right. Now he's lived away from home, obviously matured and learned a lot.
It would be foolish to cast him aside because he wasn't up to it a few years ago.
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Skelton broke onto the scene when he was very young, and like all of us in our early 20s he probably didn't do everything right. Now he's lived away from home, obviously matured and learned a lot.
It would be foolish to cast him aside because he wasn't up to it a few years ago.
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RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
Source: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sp...y-re-to-turn-around-form-20180904-p501rg.html
Good news everyone! The Wallabies will do better if they just try! They just have to ignore their inner desire "to give up"!
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
I dunno, at least he thinks they can improve and is willing to put the work in.
I don't think they can improve that much. I think we'll beat the Bokke and Argies at home fairly well. Getting angsty over AB floggings is pointless.
It is amazing how many players are deemed "useless" early, will never improve and should be cut.
Unless they then move to "x" team, then his faults was down to team "y"
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
So true FP. But in some cases at least, the fault must lie with the selectors/coaches for bringing under-developed players into the top squad too early. Examples : Skelton, Hanigan, Luke Jones. Hopefully it doesn't happen with the current crop of promising young players like Maddocks and Petaia.
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
Is it anyone's fault?
Skelton didn't leave because he wasn't wanted, he left because Saracens were willing to pay him more than the Tahs could (in the absence of a topup). Same goes for many other players.
Skelton may well have got his act together here in Australia this year.
Skelton didn't leave because he wasn't wanted, he left because Saracens were willing to pay him more than the Tahs could (in the absence of a topup). Same goes for many other players.
Skelton may well have got his act together here in Australia this year.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
If he’s 120kg now then he’s pretty well on his way to being ultra fit considering what he used to be. If the drop in weight does Taqele type improvements to his play then he’ll be in Gold again soon I reckon.