Maybe but I don't think not having RA contracts excludes them as local players. ie. when players sign to Aus clubs for the following year they're eligible for the current year despite not having RA contracts.Hasn't Simone been released already though and Sio hasn't. It's somewhat arbitrary as this is just a Rugby Australia rule but Simone would need to be pulled from his club under Reg 9 whereas Sio can just be selected normally.
Surely Foketi tours if he is healthy (which I have seen reported).
More of a rough guide than a regulation.Reg 9 isn't very well respected is it.
Sio isn't OS yet, he played 2022 Super season. Same goes for Simone I believe. So you've only used 2 OS players there.
Why is he forgotten? He's been in the Aussie picture for a while. Rennie clearly sees him and doesn't rate him. Don't know what went down between him and Thorn that caused his banishment.LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) seems to be the forgotten man? Played ok in the UK the other day. I would rather see him brought in than Skelton or Arnold. Can cover 6 as well and potentially play a Leota type role
No. But if he does then very good luck to him.Does anyone think Hamish Stewart is a chance of making trip? If he plays well in next game?
I agree with Foketi but Rennie suggested he wouldn't tour because of his injury. I thought Phillips was injured aswell but maybe that was a short term one.UTR, I think you're close to the mark with your touring side. My own preferences would be to include Scott Sio who is probably our strongest LHP atm, include Philip in place of Skelton on the basis of better test match form over the last couple of years, include Foketi in place of Simone as reward for good performances against the ABs, and remove Beale as he is yesterday's man, a disruptive influence on just about every national team he's been in, and not currently in form to warrant selection.
Simone and Skelton are nearby as is LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and others and can be called upon if needed.
I would also like to see Gleeson included but not sure at whose expense.
That's what the Sydney Morning Herald thinks, too.In all reality, given the 'ranking slide' of the Wallabies and the lack of wins, we'll be picking anyone and everyone very soon
The Saffers seem to manage the challenge pretty well.Will that be the panacea? I think not. We've seen how difficult and disruptive it can be with just two or three overseas players coming into the squad. A majority team of overseas picks would be uncoachable.
They get access to them much earlier and there's no will they won't they with the players. For example, Rory Arnold went to Croatia, now if he knew straight after his season he'd be selected for the Wallabies would he have done that? Maybe but he might've cut it short or at least kept in better shape.The Saffers seem to manage the challenge pretty well.
They get access to them much earlier and there's no will they won't they with the players. For example, Rory Arnold went to Croatia, now if he knew straight after his season he'd be selected for the Wallabies would he have done that? Maybe but he might've cut it short or at least kept in better shape.
The Saffers are mostly recalling players who spent plenty of time playing together at home before they went overseas. It'll be interesting to see if that performance is sustained as those players drop out, and they start to select ex-pats who've never played together.The Saffers seem to manage the challenge pretty well.
And I've mentioned this before but players' clubs wouldn't be too happy with their Aus players getting released to play Test rugby. I'm sure they were paid overs on the basis they wouldn't be playing Test rugby. So there's the extra issue of keeping clubs onside.
Seems much more logical given some could still get injured.I assume we now won't get a squad announcement until after the game tonight?