Sword of Justice
Bill McLean (32)
Breakdowns directly lead to every single facet of Rugby. It's the foundation of the sport.
Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Running_rugby_1954
Alex Ross (28)
We really need to reimagine what a Wallabies pack could be with just brute force. Some combination of the biggest meanest guys we have - Skelton, Tupou, Holloway, Valentini, Arnold, Frost, Gleeson, Bell, Leota, Phillip, Rodda and the hooker with the best throw. *I will add to this Sio and Slipper. I added way more than one pack, so it’s bench guys too.
I’m not saying this is perfect, but rugby is all about winning the collisions and this will certainly get us on the road to that.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I think there is another reason why Michael Hooper might miss out on at least some tests. If the Wallabies start both Skelton and Valetini, and the coaches would probably be out of their collective minds not to do so in the important games, then it would be beneficial to have a genuine lineout jumper in 7 to complement the jumping lock (Frost imo) and No 6 (Holloway imo).
I would go with a pack consisting of,
Slipper, Lonergan/Porecki, Ala'alatoa
Frost, Skelton
Holloway, Wright
Valetini
Bench : Porecki/Lonergan, Bell, Tupou, Neville/Philip, Gleeson/Samu.
Bell probably to start if fit. I don't think Richie Arnold will play the important games due inexperience at this level.
7137
Alex Ross (28)
That may be true for most Aussie teams who have no idea what to do with sudden possession. But many Kiwi counter attacking examples disagree with you.
I would argue also that Hoopers steal and 50/22 was a direct lead up to Foketi’s try v Highlanders.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Ah yes the heft and might of the enormous Brad Wilkin (104kg 1.87cm) and Siya Kolisi (105kg and 1.88cm) against those puny undersized weaklings McReight (102kg 1.84cm) and Hooper (101kg 1.82cm).
Do you really think 3 to 5cm makes a significant difference in the lineout? Or the 2-3kg makes a significant difference at the ruck?
If it was a 10kg difference then sure. But this is between 1-2%.
For reference Kwagga Smith is listed as 91kg.
Lightblue
Arch Winning (36)
Well based on those statistics it shows that they aren’t always what gets someone in a side. Wilson is a good player no doubt and I’m not sure what else he has to do to get back in the RWC mix?
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
And not better at lineout jumping - a good article I read yesterday by Nick Bishops can't remember the site but it wasn't The Roar.
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
True, if you're big and average then you ain't gonna make it the difference is what they do with it. Wilson is a good 8 but it is the impact he has at that level that counts. If the game gets loose then he can do some damage, so apart from a bench spot there really is no place for him ATM in test rugby.
That could all change of course but it won't be this year.
hammertimethere
Trevor Allan (34)
Wilson is a workhorse who runs good lines and tackles everything but he suffers from the issue of (at Test level) being decent at a few things but not a standout at any particular area relevant to his position (in 2023, he's still young and could develop any or all of these in the future).
- Doesn't carry or hit as violently at the gainline or in post contact metres as Valentini or Gleeson,
- Doesn't clean out or pilfer as well as Hooper, McReight, Samu
- Not as good a lineout operator or have the same awesome short passing skills at Holloway
His best strengths are his offloading and the lines he runs but he handicaps himself with poor ball security and option taking at times.
I think his best chance to sneak in the Cup squad is as a back up for Holloway if Leota is too short of a gallop but to do that he'd have to show that he can be good as a lineout jumper (where the Reds have historically gone a lot of 5 man lineouts and used him in the midfield). I don't think he fits in as a 1st string starting backrower or a bench backrower (you'd take Samu, Gleeson or Wilkin etc. as your 20 if Skelton is on the bench).
- Doesn't carry or hit as violently at the gainline or in post contact metres as Valentini or Gleeson,
- Doesn't clean out or pilfer as well as Hooper, McReight, Samu
- Not as good a lineout operator or have the same awesome short passing skills at Holloway
His best strengths are his offloading and the lines he runs but he handicaps himself with poor ball security and option taking at times.
I think his best chance to sneak in the Cup squad is as a back up for Holloway if Leota is too short of a gallop but to do that he'd have to show that he can be good as a lineout jumper (where the Reds have historically gone a lot of 5 man lineouts and used him in the midfield). I don't think he fits in as a 1st string starting backrower or a bench backrower (you'd take Samu, Gleeson or Wilkin etc. as your 20 if Skelton is on the bench).
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Went and found it. It makes a pretty compelling case for Jed.
Is Jed Holloway the man to fix Australia's lineout woes?
One of Eddie Jones' first tasks will be righting the Wallabies lineout.
www.rugbypass.com
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
The costly reason Rory Arnold may miss shot at World Cup selection
The Wallabies veteran hasn’t played this season after his Japanese club shut down due to a bar scandal, and the pricetag for a loan stint in Australia is eye-watering.
Am I reading this wrong or has RA effectively ruled out having Rory Arnold come home because they refused to cover the insurance required? If he played a full season of Super Rugby and the test season it would probably come out at between $200,000-$300,000.
Isn't that basically a bargain?
If someone is on loan you would also pay their salary for that period wouldn't you?
So the insurance cost might have only been $100k but the salary required for someone on $1.5m a season was probably $600k or more.
So the insurance cost might have only been $100k but the salary required for someone on $1.5m a season was probably $600k or more.
Tazzmania
Charlie Fox (21)
I would assume it would depend on the terms and conditions in the loan agreement.
There could be two possible scenarios:
1) The club loaning the player pays the full salary or
2) They decide on an amicable split as the team loaning out the player may see it as an option to at least reduce their said wage bill to the player rather than paying him to sit around.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Not really a shot Tazzy, but can you clarify the "loaning" and "loaning out" meanings please.
Perhaps one should be "lending" and the other "borrowing"?
There's Kwagga, who you mentioned. Justin Tipuric is smaller and has been good until recently, but that's mainly due to his age (35) rather than his size. Hamish Watson is also a starting 7 in form and made the Lions. None of them are much bigger than Hooper. So that's 4 starting smaller 7s i the top 12-ish teams.
As you said though, most teams are going with the bigger is better approach. Same as a small backline player - you can get selected, but you are going to have to be exceptional in multiple areas (speed, kicking, high ball, defense etc.).