Wallabies 2021

[TSR]

I agree on Swain deserving his place. In any squad there are always a few lucky & unlucky selections, but I don’t see much in the way of controversy.

The only one I think is probably a bit questionable is Nasirani who seems to have improved his selection prospects by being injured.

Lee-Warner & Powell both amongst the unlucky - but while our level of experience at lock is a bit on the low side, we do actually have a decent collection of players at a similiar level. Powell is obviously just not quite what the selectors are looking for. He is a really good, solid super rugby option but it seems he mustn’t offer enough at the next level.

 

[rugboy]

Ive read on here that selections were based on form and potential with an eye to RWC. Does this suggest Harrison and Maddocks are long shots? Obviously the Tahs form makes it hard to select them and both have been inconsistent although both are young with plenty of upside and Maddocks represents a position we are light on in and has already represented the WB.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Ok times up no supporter of Swain?

I don’t rate him at all.

 

[Joe Blow]

So why is Swain there ahead of Blyth?

 

[TSR]

I would have liked to see Blyth selected. I feel he’s been good last year and this one - but I don’t think he’s been grossly short-changed.

 

[Adam84]

Interesting comments from Rennie:

“We are well aware of teams that are travelling well - the nine and 10 get an armchair ride - but I think (they need to work on) detail around their(Harrison) performances and their skill sets and decision making and so on.”

“The Reds used [Uru] as a lock initially and we see him as a genuine loose forward as well. As an eight or a six. He’s 110kg - a reasonable size - and a really good athlete. He has a really good physical presence as well. We’re rapt to see him start last night and keen to learn more about him.”

“Alex Mafi - forget about the two tries he scored behind the pack last night - he has a real point of difference out wide. He’s more like a Kiwi hooker. He has really good pace and he’s gone really well,” Rennie said.

“Scott Sio - we’re only taking two looseheads in, if you picked that up. Because we wanted four hookers. We’re limited to 40 players and I think there are a couple of things there that give Scotty an indication there are a couple guys ahead of him, in our opinion. It’s a message for him to really fire up over the next few weeks.”

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sp...labies-squad-of-the-year-20210328-p57eqd.html

 

[Rebels3]

So Sio not injury forced absentee. I wouldn’t call his form been red hot but equally hasn’t been poor so surprised there.

I like the comment on the 10s getting the arm chair ride, says to me he knows Harrison can do what the others are doing if given the platform but needs him to be able to play in a beaten pack as well, the others might just be lucky they haven’t been put in that position to show they equally can’t do it

 

[Viking]

Rennie playing mind games with the hookers I reckon, shot across the bow of the incumbent test hookers, they’ve all struggled with form this year. The actual squad will differ

All of the incumbent Hookers have not been consistent with their line-out throws. This is a big issue IMO. I'm glad Rennie is looking for more consistency.

 

[Dan54]

Is it just me , or do others think maybe this is not best way of explaing reasons:
- he has a real point of difference out wide. He’s more like a Kiwi hooker. He has really good pace and he’s gone really well,” Rennie said.
I fully understand what he saying etc, but I really he better to leave out te bit about being more like 'kiwi' hookers. It only a small thing, and I sure not what he means, but kind of sounds like he trying to build an AB like team. He should perhaps be saying things like we building teams in our style and want hooker that run out wide.

 

[Dctarget]

Is it just me , or do others think maybe this is not best way of explaing reasons:
- he has a real point of difference out wide. He’s more like a Kiwi hooker. He has really good pace and he’s gone really well,” Rennie said.
I fully understand what he saying etc, but I really he better to leave out te bit about being more like 'kiwi' hookers. It only a small thing, and I sure not what he means, but kind of sounds like he trying to build an AB like team. He should perhaps be saying things like we building teams in our style and want hooker that run out wide.

Nah it's absolutely fine, why beat around the bush. Also our hookers are slow as fuck compared to other world class hookers. Chat & Marchand do it for France, George has pace for England as does that round one for Wales.

 

[barbarian]

I do wonder whether they deliberately leave a guy or two out of these wider squads every year.

I'd be pretty surprised if we don't see Sio in a gold jersey at some point this year. And given this camp seems to be less about training and more about general organisation, media, photos, fittings etc. then it's low risk leaving a guy like Sio out who has no doubt done all that stuff a thousand times and probably doesn't need to do it again.

 

[The Phoenix]

If this squad was really picked on form, Angus Bell would be nowhere near it. He's either been injured or getting monstered by every prop he's gone up against. Shouldn't have been there last year, should never have won two Wallaby caps and shouldn't be there this year. He might get there one day, but what message does this send to all those props who have outplayed and out-scrummed him over the past two years - it helps if you are a Waratah and your dad was one too. Vunivalu is in the same position. I think his hamstring strain saves Thorn having to drop him because while he's an outstanding athlete, he looks lost on the rugby field.

 

[Braveheart81]

If this squad was really picked on form, Angus Bell would be nowhere near it. He's either been injured or getting monstered by every prop he's gone up against. Shouldn't have been there last year, should never have won two Wallaby caps and shouldn't be there this year. He might get there one day, but what message does this send to all those props who have outplayed and out-scrummed him over the past two years - it helps if you are a Waratah and your dad was one too. Vunivalu is in the same position. I think his hamstring strain saves Thorn having to drop him because while he's an outstanding athlete, he looks lost on the rugby field.

Yet Bell was fine when playing for the Wallabies. It's the Waratahs scrum that is the major issue.

Jake Gordon has played half a game, Tom Wright zero games and Isi Naisarani zero games.

Dave Rennie can pick who he wants. This is a squad for a three day camp. It isn't a test squad and would have a different mix of players if it was (notably at least one more prop).

 

[Dan54]

.

I do wonder whether they deliberately leave a guy or two out of these wider squads every year.

I'd be pretty surprised if we don't see Sio in a gold jersey at some point this year. And given this camp seems to be less about training and more about general organisation, media, photos, fittings etc. then it's low risk leaving a guy like Sio out who has no doubt done all that stuff a thousand times and probably doesn't need to do it again.

I wondered what Sio would make of it, he made noises of being interested in joining PI super team when his Wallaby days were finished.

 

[barbarian]

If this squad was really picked on form, Angus Bell would be nowhere near it. He's either been injured or getting monstered by every prop he's gone up against. Shouldn't have been there last year, should never have won two Wallaby caps and shouldn't be there this year. He might get there one day, but what message does this send to all those props who have outplayed and out-scrummed him over the past two years - it helps if you are a Waratah and your dad was one too. Vunivalu is in the same position. I think his hamstring strain saves Thorn having to drop him because while he's an outstanding athlete, he looks lost on the rugby field.

Wow that's an odd take on both fronts. I think this year the 'it helps if you are a Waratah' theory may have been put to bed, but that aside the guy was clearly picked on potential and showed enough in his runs off the bench that his selection was entirely justified.

And we'll also have to disagree on Vunivalu. He's looked lost at times but he's also a superb athlete who is getting better every week. He's shown flashes that he could be really special once he gets some time on the field.

 

[Derpus]

If this squad was really picked on form, Angus Bell would be nowhere near it. He's either been injured or getting monstered by every prop he's gone up against. Shouldn't have been there last year, should never have won two Wallaby caps and shouldn't be there this year. He might get there one day, but what message does this send to all those props who have outplayed and out-scrummed him over the past two years - it helps if you are a Waratah and your dad was one too. Vunivalu is in the same position. I think his hamstring strain saves Thorn having to drop him because while he's an outstanding athlete, he looks lost on the rugby field.

Whether he should or should not have been there last year based on Super Rugby form, he was good for the Wallabies. Maybe Rennie knows what he's about?

It's kind of amazing that you are still playing the 'too many Tahs' card, frankly (or maybe the Tahs are so bad it isn't?).

 

[The Phoenix]

Whether he should or should not have been there last year based on Super Rugby form, he was good for the Wallabies. Maybe Rennie knows what he's about?

It's kind of amazing that you are still playing the 'too many Tahs' card, frankly (or maybe the Tahs are so bad it isn't?).

It's nothing to do with the too many Tahs card, it's to do with one particular Tah. And regarding your argument that he was good for the Wallabies, so was BPA, who has missed out on the PONI squad, but who has been really solid for the Reds since his return from injury.

 

[Slim 293]

It's nothing to do with the too many Tahs card, it's to do with one particular Tah. And regarding your argument that he was good for the Wallabies, so was BPA, who has missed out on the PONI squad, but who has been really solid for the Reds since his return from injury.

BPA is also departing this year.........

......... and isn't a loosehead prop.

 

[The Phoenix]

BPA is also departing this year...

... and isn't a loosehead prop.

So what if he's departing. I would have thought the priority is for the Wallabies to actually start winning matches again. If BPA helps with that, then pick him while he is here. If we concentrate too much on developing players for next World Cup instead of prioritising winning internationals, it will only be the diehard rugby supporters who are left.
BTW, I would have both Reds' LHPs - Zander and Hoopert - above Bell at this stage of their careers.

 

[Slim 293]

BTW, I would have both Reds' LHPs - Zander and Hoopert - above Bell at this stage of their careers.

Really? Seriously?