Wallabies 2023

[Joe Blow]

With the 48hr rule it will be cutting it very close for replacements at the pointy end of the tournament. Maybe that is EJs plan and we will see Cooper, Hooper and Ikitau in the knockout stages? This assuming we lose a backrower and two inside backs at some point.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

Does that sound at all reasonable for a RWC campaign?

Donaldson has the no 22 jersey sewn on.

 

[qwerty51]

Were any of those injuries considered fake or part of replacement plan strategy.

The onus is on you to show why there would be a need for WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) to have previously thought there was any ‘sneaky replacement stuff’ taking place.

This is crazy, you really think at least one time, any countries in any WC didn't pull a dodgy? Look how many replacements weren't for similar players, clearly they wanted to tinker with the squad and got rid of a player in a position no longer needed.

yet we've never heard WR (World Rugby) having an issue with it all because they don't have a leg to stand on disputing a player being injured and unfit to perform at 100%

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

With the 48hr rule it will be cutting it very close for replacements at the pointy end of the tournament. Maybe that is EJs plan and we will see Cooper, Hooper and Ikitau in the knockout stages? This assuming we lose a backrower and two inside backs at some point.

I think Ikitau comes in if any center, wing or fullback gets injured - not just inside back.

Petaia gives you redundancy across 13, 14 and 15. So it's a simple change.

 

[Bullrush]

I don't think Eddie is strategising for injuries as your suggesting. I believe Eddie is expecting injuries.

We had 7 injuries during the shortened RC (and that's with one rest week).

I seriously doubt any team in the RWC will get through the pool with their original squad in tact.

Yes - but I'm not the one who is saying that.

The suggestion previously re: EJ (Eddie Jones) and Jacques Nienaber’s "it looks like two astute coaches tactically leaving out injured guys who could potentially play a part. It’s better to put the “worse/backup” player in the squad first and then replace them when the better one once fit and ready."

 

[Braveheart81]

Does that sound at all reasonable for a RWC campaign?

I'm not saying it is.

This is my reading of the tea leaves. It seems too crazy to go from having Cooper in every matchday 23 to not having him in the squad but then expecting Donaldson to fill that role.

In my view if your plan is that 2 of these players are in every matchday 23 then you have to have a backup in your remaining 10 players. That logic carries through with LHP, hooker, THP, half back.

 

[Joe Blow]

Yes - but I'm not the one who is saying that.

The suggestion previously re: EJ (Eddie Jones) (Eddie Jones) and Jacques Nienaber’s "it looks like two astute coaches tactically leaving out injured guys who could potentially play a part. It’s better to put the “worse/backup” player in the squad first and then replace them when the better one once fit and ready."

We still have to get through Wales and Fiji, most likely with this group.

 

[Bullrush]

This is crazy, you really think at least one time, any countries in any WC didn't pull a dodgy? Look how many replacements weren't for similar players, clearly they wanted to tinker with the squad and got rid of a player in a position no longer needed.

yet we've never heard WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) having an issue with it all because they don't have a leg to stand on disputing a player being injured and unfit to perform at 100%

When you just google something and don't take the time to look at the circumstances of each case, it easy to think something is dodgy.

Like your very first example:

Coach Warren Gatland confirmed Navidi faced "at least a couple of weeks [out]", ruling him out of Sunday's semi-final against South Africa in Yokohama.
Wales have strong back-row options, starting with Ross Moriarty - who replaced Navidi against France - while flankers Aaron Shingler and James Davies are also in contention to be named in the match-day squad.

But with several backs carrying knocks, Gatland has opted to strengthen in that area instead.

"We've got six back rowers and we've got five fit at the moment, but we've been a little bit short in numbers in the backs," Gatland said on Monday.

Jonathan Davies was a late withdrawal before the quarter-final with a recurrence of a knee injury, although Wales are hopeful he will be fit to face the Springboks.

Fellow centre Hadleigh Parkes has been playing with a broken bone in his hand, plus a shoulder problem.

Wales' other centre options are Owen Watkin, who partnered Parkes against France, or moving wing George North into the midfield.

Nothing 'sneaky' about it at all.

 

[Tomthumb]

I don't know why we are talking about faking injuries. This is the Wallabies, the most injury prone rugby team in the history of the sport

 

[Rob42]

I think I've figured out the role of Suli Vunivalu in the squad.

If Eddie needs to bring someone in, it'll be "Suli, run the length of the field, 100% effort, 3 reps", and boom, new player 48 hr later.

 

[Derpus]

There is no point trying to rationalise these decisions. He's just taking the piss because he can.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Donaldson started the following week against Wales and we won.

Hardly due to Donaldson's presence though to be honest. Wallabies were well behind when he was replaced by Noah, and stormed home for the win.

 

[stillmissit]

This is a valid point.

Mostly I just think it's unlikely Donaldson is low on confidence. His confidence is probably higher than it deserves to be.

I don't know how many young men these days can cope with the kind of criticism he gets here and on the Roar and presumably other rugby sites. These young players are all social media warriors and a bit thin-skinned. IF Eddie and the rest of the team get his confidence up I think he will go OK, not a star but better than an ageing Hodge and a true utility player.
Overconfidence is as bad as low confidence, they are both a fair way away from reality.

 

[dillyboy]

Just curious, if donalson isnt in the 23, who plays 10 if gordan goes down injured?

Tate played Flyhalf & fullback before he switched to number 9.

In a pinch with mid game injuries I'm sure he'd manage fine....

(Would just mean White playing 80 mins at scrum half though....)

 

[emuarse]

I think Ikitau comes in if any center, wing or fullback player gets injured - not just inside back.

Petaia gives you redundancy across 13, 14 and 15. So it's a simple change.

Fixed

 

[Linerunner2023]

All this BS about Donaldson not in the 23
He will be if gorden gets injured and or may be as there is no other 10 cover so may get the 22 jersey

if I was a super rugby player and saw Donaldson and it Suli getting in I would be like wtf do I have to do to get in
They would be the least deserving players ever to make this squad
Jones is just keeping Suli there for the 1% chance he came good and could say see I made him into that
Wright although not a test 15 has done very well as a winger for the wallabies and is proven there
Samu and hooper as flankers while the new guys are not
Why has Gleeson not played?
what did Lonergan do wrong?
what has Donaldson and Suli done right? They can’t even start in super rugby

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

So I'm expecting a starting 23 against Georgia / Fiji / Wales of:

1. Bell 2. Porecki 3. Tupou
4. Frost 5. Skelton (c)
6. Hooper 7. McReight 8. Valetini
9. McDermott 10. Gordon
12. Kerevi 13. Petaia
11. Koroibete 15. Kellaway 14. Nawaqanitwase

17. Slipper 16. Uelese 18. Fa'amusili
19. Arnold 20. Leota
21. White 22. Donaldson 23. Perese

Starting 23 against Portugal

1. Slipper (c) 2. Faessler 3. Nongorr
4. Arnold 5. Phillip
6. Leota 7. Kemeny 8. Gleeson
9. White 10. Donaldson
12. Foketi 13. Perese
11. Jorgensen 15. Kellaway 14. Vunivalu

17. Schoupp 16. Uelese 18. Fa'amusili
19. Frost 20. Hooper
21. Fines Leliwasa 22. Gordon 23. Nawaqanitwase

 

[Linerunner2023]

First, the good things about the squad.

Six props is a great start. I think one or two of the squads already announced only have 5, and certainly there have been calls here to only take 5, but 6 is a necessity to get through the rigours of a RWC.

Three hookers again is a necessity.

Three halfbacks is a necessity.

Tall timber in the second row is good.

A backup squad to be conveniently located and match fit is a great idea.




Now the head scratchers.

Will Skelton as captain and Tate McDermott as Vice captain is odd. Both are likely starters in the big matches but unlikely to see out the whole game. Who takes over when both are off the ground?

Jordan Uelese's continued selection. He is currently injured, and has a history of injuries. In my eyes he is also a suspect pea heart. Twice this Super Rugby season he, along with Mafi, left the Rebels without a hooker on the field yet was fit enough to play the next week. Something fishy there imo.

Dropping Ryan Lonergan from the squad when he was there all year but didn't get a game. I have no beef about IFL being included as I think he is most like Tate in the way he plays and is probably even more of a threat than Tate with his running game. But that change should have been made much earlier in the RC campaign.

Only one specialist No 10 who is an out and out rookie and right now suspect at this level and kicking goals. No 10 resources are scarce but probably Quade should have been retained after again being in the squad and playing this year.

A lack of specialist cover in the back three. Vunivalu is not playing at this level and covers only one spot, so not even a suitable bench option. Jorgenson has potential written all over him, but hasn't played for about three quarters of the year and is not yet over his injury. Shades of Rory Arnold? If he hasn't been playing, why would Eddie pick him?

The two utility players raise a number of issues. Donaldson had a very ordinary Super season where he couldn't even cement a spot at 15 or 10 for a poorly performing Tahs side. He has little to no claims to be in a RWC squad imo. A better performing No 10 who can also cover 12 and 15 would be Jack Debreczini, but he never got a look in with Eddie. Kemeny again looks to have potential, but as a backrower. It makes little sense to me to claim he is versatile enough to play in the backline. As a backrower, he would probably miss out to Pete Samu.


Anyway, it is what it is. I hope they go well, and my expectation is that they should top their pool and make the Quarters. If they go on to the semis or higher, that would be a sensational result. If they miss the Quarters, Eddie's appointment will have been a massive failure and he won't be around in 2025/27.

Exactly more questions then answers

when you look and only 6 brumbies players despite being the best performing team for a while
Although AAA and ikatau would have if not injured

15 players under 5 test caps
Only 3 over 50
8 squad members only played RWC before
There must be 1500 test caps left in Aus?

 

[emuarse]

I don't know how many young men these days can cope with the kind of criticism he gets here and on the Roar and presumably other rugby sites. These young players are all social media warriors and a bit thin-skinned. IF Eddie and the rest of the team get his confidence up I think he will go OK, not a star but better than an ageing Hodge and a true utility player.
Overconfidence is as bad as low confidence, they are both a fair way away from reality.

If I was Eddy, I'd make sure they don't use rugby social media until they are no longer in the RWC.

 

[qwerty51]

When you just google something and don't take the time to look at the circumstances of each case, it easy to think something is dodgy.

Like your very first example:



Nothing 'sneaky' about it at all.

I didn't say all those were dodgy fake injuries, just that there were replacements for entirely different positions which says it all about squad make-up and the potential for getting rid of players for others.