Wallabies 2020

[KOB1987]

Taking another born and bred Reds lock?

I wish you guys could develop your own talent.

he's properly from NSW.

Izack Rodda was born in Lismore in Northern New South Wales,[1] around forty kilometres north of his home town of Evans Head.[2] He started playing junior rugby union on the Far North Coast for the Ballina Seahorses RUFC. Rodda was selected for NSW Country junior teams,[3] and also played some rugby league in his early years as a lock forward or prop.[4]
The young Rodda switched his focus to playing rugby union at the age of thirteen, initially as a number eight but later at lock as he grew in stature.[4] He attended Ipswich Grammar in Queensland for his final two years of high school and was selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby team in 2014.[3]

 

[TSR]

Yeah, I know. Was just stirring.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I did not really get the selection of Len Ikitau as not really showed enough even as selection as a Development player

 

[KOB1987]

If Rodda is picked, and he commits to say the Tahs after his France gig, then he's eligible under the old rules isn't he, he wouldn't take up one of the two 'new rule' spots?

 

[TSR]

Correct. I think Fat Prop was just speculating, or maybe fishing a bit himself, in the initial post.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I also think Orr was unlucky not to get a bolster spot

 

[Derpus]

I did not really get the selection of Len Ikitau as not really showed enough even as selection as a Development player

Ive never even seen him play.

 

[Zero_Cool]

I would tend to agree that on form (at fullback only) Campbell has been better than both Maddocks and Banks, and I'd say DHP has basically no form. Having said that on overall form it's probably too close to call even if you account for Campbell not really being a winger. But ultimately Campbell isn't ready to play test rugby. Not sure what the DHP injury will bring -- I can't imagine he will be okay, I genuinely worry that might end his career I'd hate to depend on the re-injured leg of a 31 year old fullback -- who is deep in a battle for his position. IMO Banks should start with Maddocks & Campbell being pretty close given how bad Maddocks can be.

I think we have no choice but to start Dugunu & Koro. Filippo probably has enough of a boot to act as that second fullback, his positioning & tactical awareness has been more than adequate & he's absolutely killing it in defense (good to see after having been found out at Super Rugby few years ago).

Len Ikitau is a shock, I'd have expected someone like Stewart in that spot.

IMO To'omua can not start at 10.

I'm not entirely sure Wilson will be up for test rugby -- he's looked flat the last few weeks. On form he's probably till 1/2 at 8 with Samu, but I have questions about his fitness. I'm pretty sure he'll find a way to step up to test level, and maybe his slowdown hasn't entirely been from him but instead the Reds depending on him less as there attack begins to come online more.

I think Rennie is looking for speed in his forwards, hence no Dempsey and Isi. Although I think both were probably a little behind Samu and Wilson at 8.

On form Wright & McReight have to both be in the 23 -- I think McReight particularity is extremely close to Hooper on form, could a match winning performance in the Grand Final edge him selection in the 15. Not sure how you can play 3 open-sides in the same 23...

Quite shocked to see Blyth left out of the squad he has been quietly industrious for the Reds -- apparently not industrious enough.

Not sure how long Uelelse will be out for but I've never really bought into all the hype, I'd have BPA and Fainga'a as my hookers, depending on who fits the scrums better. BPA has been throwing much better and I think we can put his poor throwing down to losing Rodda and Hockings.

 

[Dctarget]

I would tend to agree that on form (at fullback only) Campbell has been better than both Maddocks and Banks, and I'd say DHP has basically no form. Having said that on overall form it's probably too close to call even if you account for Campbell not really being a winger. But ultimately Campbell isn't ready to play test rugby. Not sure what the DHP injury will bring -- I can't imagine he will be okay, I genuinely worry that might end his career I'd hate to depend on the re-injured leg of a 31 year old fullback -- who is deep in a battle for his position. IMO Banks should start with Maddocks & Campbell being pretty close given how bad Maddocks can be.

I think we have no choice but to start Dugunu & Koro. Filippo probably has enough of a boot to act as that second fullback, his positioning & tactical awareness has been more than adequate & he's absolutely killing it in defense (good to see after having been found out at Super Rugby few years ago).

Len Ikitau is a shock, I'd have expected someone like Stewart in that spot.

IMO To'omua can not start at 10.

I'm not entirely sure Wilson will be up for test rugby -- he's looked flat the last few weeks. On form he's probably till 1/2 at 8 with Samu, but I have questions about his fitness. I'm pretty sure he'll find a way to step up to test level, and maybe his slowdown hasn't entirely been from him but instead the Reds depending on him less as there attack begins to come online more.

I think Rennie is looking for speed in his forwards, hence no Dempsey and Isi. Although I think both were probably a little behind Samu and Wilson at 8.

On form Wright & McReight have to both be in the 23 -- I think McReight particularity is extremely close to Hooper on form, could a match winning performance in the Grand Final edge him selection in the 15. Not sure how you can play 3 open-sides in the same 23.

Quite shocked to see Blyth left out of the squad he has been quietly industrious for the Reds -- apparently not industrious enough.

Not sure how long Uelelse will be out for but I've never really bought into all the hype, I'd have BPA and Fainga'a as my hookers, depending on who fits the scrums better. BPA has been throwing much better and I think we can put his poor throwing down to losing Rodda and Hockings.

Thoughts on Straker, Nasser & ASY (Angus Scott-Young) missing out?

 

[KOB1987]

Correct. I think Fat Prop was just speculating, or maybe fishing a bit himself, in the initial post.

I think it's a distinct possibility, I actually had the thought long before I read FP's post. Doesn't necessarily have to be the Tahs, but that has been mooted in the past. It's one way to justify selecting him.

 

[Kenny Powers]

just doesn’t tally with the reasons for not picking Dempsey and Naisarani.

I think Dave Rennie is bringing a bit of New Zealand selection philosophy to Australia.

In New Zealand they regard the work you do off the ball, without the ball in hand and measuring up in defence as carrying more weight than what you do with ball. Both have good highlights with ball in hand but their work off the ball is average.

In Australia we get mesmerised by the ball in hand razzle dazzle and forget and forgive deficiencies in other area.

Go look at all these highlight tapes young players or the agents put up on the internet. You would be lucky to see them execute a single tackle in their highlights tape.

Kurtley Beales schoolboy highlights reel certainly doesn’t have one and Quade Coopers probably doesn’t have one either. If work done without ball in hand had been given more gravitas back in their day, they would have been even better players.

 

[qwerty51]

Please show me a highlights tape of McKenzie, Barrett, Mounga where they are tackling.

 

[TSR]

I think it's a distinct possibility, I actually had the thought long before I read FP's post. Doesn't necessarily have to be the Tahs, but that has been mooted in the past. It's one way to justify selecting him.

From what I read, Rodda never wanted to go OS. He wanted to go to another team but stay in Australia. But RA wouldn’t agree on principal, which I think was the right call.

 

[Up the Guts]

I would tend to agree that on form (at fullback only) Campbell has been better than both Maddocks and Banks, and I'd say DHP has basically no form. Having said that on overall form it's probably too close to call even if you account for Campbell not really being a winger. But ultimately Campbell isn't ready to play test rugby. Not sure what the DHP injury will bring -- I can't imagine he will be okay, I genuinely worry that might end his career I'd hate to depend on the re-injured leg of a 31 year old fullback -- who is deep in a battle for his position. IMO Banks should start with Maddocks & Campbell being pretty close given how bad Maddocks can be.

I think we have no choice but to start Dugunu & Koro. Filippo probably has enough of a boot to act as that second fullback, his positioning & tactical awareness has been more than adequate & he's absolutely killing it in defense (good to see after having been found out at Super Rugby few years ago).

Len Ikitau is a shock, I'd have expected someone like Stewart in that spot.

IMO To'omua can not start at 10.

I'm not entirely sure Wilson will be up for test rugby -- he's looked flat the last few weeks. On form he's probably till 1/2 at 8 with Samu, but I have questions about his fitness. I'm pretty sure he'll find a way to step up to test level, and maybe his slowdown hasn't entirely been from him but instead the Reds depending on him less as there attack begins to come online more.

I think Rennie is looking for speed in his forwards, hence no Dempsey and Isi. Although I think both were probably a little behind Samu and Wilson at 8.

On form Wright & McReight have to both be in the 23 -- I think McReight particularity is extremely close to Hooper on form, could a match winning performance in the Grand Final edge him selection in the 15. Not sure how you can play 3 open-sides in the same 23.

Quite shocked to see Blyth left out of the squad he has been quietly industrious for the Reds -- apparently not industrious enough.

Not sure how long Uelelse will be out for but I've never really bought into all the hype, I'd have BPA and Fainga'a as my hookers, depending on who fits the scrums better. BPA has been throwing much better and I think we can put his poor throwing down to losing Rodda and Hockings.

How is Dempsey not fast enough? And how do you criticise Wilson for a lack of fitness and in the next paragraph claim that Dempsey and Isi don't have the speed for Rennie's side?

 

[Up the Guts]

I think Dave Rennie is bringing a bit of New Zealand selection philosophy to Australia.

In New Zealand they regard the work you do off the ball, without the ball in hand and measuring up in defence as carrying more weight than what you do with ball. Both have good highlights with ball in hand but their work off the ball is average.

In Australia we get mesmerised by the ball in hand razzle dazzle and forget and forgive deficiencies in other area.

Go look at all these highlight tapes young players or the agents put up on the internet. You would be lucky to see them execute a single tackle in their highlights tape.

Kurtley Beales schoolboy highlights reel certainly doesn’t have one and Quade Coopers probably doesn’t have one either. If work done without ball in hand had been given more gravitas back in their day, they would have been even better players.

What does Pone do off the ball?

I agree in general that we haven't prioritised the tight stuff enough in Aus but I just don't think there's any squad wide consistency in that argument.

 

[fatprop]

Taking another born and bred Reds lock?

I wish you guys could develop your own talent.

You sacked him ........ we rehabilitate them

 

[qwerty51]

Australia to face France:

1. Angus Bell, Sydney University

2. Lachlan Lonergan, Tuggeranong Vikings

3. Josh Nasser, University of Queensland

4. Michael Wood, Brothers

5. Trevor Hosea, Harlequins Rugby Club

6. Harry Wilson, Brothers

7. Fraser McReight (C), Brothers

8. Will Harris, Eastern Suburbs

9. Michael McDonald, Palmyra

10. Will Harrison, Randwick

11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, Eastwood

12. Noah Lolesio, Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Semisi Tupou, Box Hill

14. Triston Reilly, AU7s/Randwick

15. Isaac Lucas, Sunnybank

Reserves:

16. Joe Cotton, West Bulldogs

17. Bo Abra, Eastern Suburbs

18. Darcy Breen, Sydney University

19. Rhys Van Nek, Easts

20. Esei Ha’angana, Melbourne Unicorns

21. Nick Frost, Queanbeyan Whites

22. Carlo Tizzano, University of Western Australia

23. Patrick Tafa, Northern Suburbs

24. Henry Robertson, Sydney University

25. Ben Donaldson, Randwick

26. Kye Oates, University of Queensland

27. Joey Walton, Gordon

28. Sione Tui, Melbourne Unicorns

Interesting to look back on this team. A little over 12 months later and 6 of them have made the Wallabies squad. Such a shame they couldn’t win it, special team that will age well.

 

[Tomikin]

Len surprised ...TK not surprised I was calling for him to ride the pine at the Brumbies for a kick in the pants.. Wont talk about Isi Dempsey as dont follow them.

I guess if we are picking a lock from oversea Id go Skelton but lest be honest he aint coming back next year, so smart choice is Rodda keeps him involved and then his still in the squad next year.

As for the second, McMahon would be awesome but I think it could be Kervi with the eye of bringing him home.. any aussies with no caps killing it overseas ?

 

[cyclopath]

Swinton very lucky to be ahead of Dempsey and Naisarani.

They're 8s, he plays 6. Not sure why he's there, however, but he isn't really competing with them.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Dempsy is more on inconsistency.

Regarding Wilson, I wasn't trying to say Wilson isn't fit enough, that he's dropping off after that epic pace he started with -- not fitness but fatigue, and for a kid who's come from schoolboys & U20's etc that's pretty normal. They'll likely get a few weeks off before the RC so he should be right, and I'd expect we'd likely see him in more of a bench role, or rotation rather than playing 80 every game. Samu, & Valetini can both play 8 and I'd imagine Wright could fill in at 8 if needed to close out a game.