Bledisloe III at Perth, 5/09/21 - 4pm AEST

[Derpus]

For a guy supposedly avoiding contact, he's seemingly had to make more tackles than any of his backline teammates in the past couple of matches...

I think he is solid in defence for a little bloke. Getting sold that half arsed dummy was amateur though.

 

[upthereds#!]

Again, who is Lolesio going to sit on the bench behind at Test level right now?

QC (Quade Cooper) - the most experience and has played Test rugby against all the best teams with wins as well. But hasn't played ANY top level rugby for what? 3yrs?
To'omua - is hardly Test experienced at 10 and hasn't shown any kind of form at 10 to really 'learn' from.
Hodge - even less experience than To'omua.
JOC (James O'Connor) - has never been considered a Test 10 and is only there now due to lack of options left.

When you figure in the facts that on one side of him is a guy with 7 Tests and on the other side is a guy who has 30-odd caps but is playing his first Test in 2yrs and another 4 Test guy outside of that, faaaark.

Comparing Mo'unga with Lolesio is just not fair

No it's not - but its his Brumbies HC and wallabies assistant who made the comparison.

 

[upthereds#!]

I’m not sure if that was the narrative………



I’m also certain that Lolesio’s introduction into test rugby would have also been more gradual had there been any other capable, experienced options available.

McKellar was also not in the Wallabies coaching setup when Lolesio ran out for his test debut last year against the All Blacks in his debut professional season.

"Get them their as fast as we can" - is Mckellars words so not a great stretch to suggest thats mckellars narrative

 

[Bullrush]

"Get them their as fast as we can" - is Mckellars words so not a great stretch to suggest thats mckellars narrative

But they have to. They basically don't have the time or the players to bring them on slowly. Particularly with the - what I would call 'unrealistic' - expectations the Australian rugby community has on them.

 

[PhilClinton]

Also the only reason why the NZ team is competitive with the Kangaroos is because they generally only have a week or so in camp together before games, making the occasional upset possible. If they had weeks of training to form combinations and (like the Wallabies do) - it would not be a contest

And because in league the hierarchy of what they care about is:

1. State of Origin
2. Winning a Premiership
3. Playing for the Kangaroos

 

[dru]

We don't need a 10 to do anything amazing right now. We just need them to be solid.

This is not entirely true. With limited options we currently have might well settle for solid, but I'd be highly surprised if Rennie and co aren't looking for a playmaker. It's the reason we've been playing 10: Lolesio 12: To'omua.

 

[KOB1987]

This is not entirely true. With limited options we currently have might well settle for solid, but I'd be highly surprised if Rennie and co aren't looking for a playmaker. It's the reason we've been playing 10: Lolesio 12: To'omua.

Harrison shits on Lolesio when it comes to playmaking. He’s even less ready when it comes to test rugby though, or we are to assume that at least.

 

[upthereds#!]

But they have to. They basically don't have the time or the players to bring them on slowly. Particularly with the - what I would call 'unrealistic' - expectations the Australian rugby community has on them.

I didnt say they shouldnt. Really have no choice if they continue to overlook the veterans.

What I'm saying is that Lolesios journey is nothing like Moungas and the comparison should not have been made.

 

[Kenny Powers]

"Get them their as fast as we can" - is Mckellars words so not a great stretch to suggest thats mckellars narrative

Yep and the direct quote from Wayne Smith in the Sydney Morning Herald

‘By accident or design, Rennie is employing the Ben Darwin theory of basing his side around one Super Rugby team but his obsession with all things Brumbies is misfiring.’

Left wanting: Why Wallabies need a new direction to cut out mistakes

On the face of it, the Wallabies keep making the same errors, but the link between four of the intercept tries they conceded this series may not be what you think.

www.smh.com.au

Brumbies crew I am just the messenger on this one it’s Wayne Smiths opinion.

 

[Braveheart81]

‘By accident or design, Rennie is employing the Ben Darwin theory of basing his side around one Super Rugby team but his obsession with all things Brumbies is misfiring.’

I feel like this is a little unfair.

BPA and, JOC (James O'Connor) are injured who would be in the starting XV. Paisami and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are missing due to the birth of their respective children and would be starting XV and at least on the bench.

Daugunu and Vunivalu are also injured who at least one would be in the 23.

So we're probably at 5 Reds players who are out for reasons outside of Rennie's control.

 

[KOB1987]

I feel like this is a little unfair.

BPA and, JOC (James O'Connor) are injured who would be in the starting XV. Paisami and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are missing due to the birth of their respective children and would be starting XV and at least on the bench.

Daugunu and Vunivalu are also injured who at least one would be in the 23.

So we're probably at 5 Reds players who are out for reasons outside of Rennie's control.

I largely agree with you and I posted something similar before the game. However the release of Uelese, to the benefit of FF (Folau Fainga'a) and Lonergan was somewhat odd. And to a lesser extent the selection of Pete Samu over Wilson and Naisarani - just to clarify, I don’t mind Samu being picked, but it was a bit of a wildcard selection given the disposed had been ok.

 

[Braveheart81]

I largely agree with you and I posted something similar before the game. However the release of Uelese, to the benefit of FF (Folau Fainga'a) and Lonergan was somewhat odd. And to a lesser extent the selection of Pete Samu over Wilson and Naisarani - just to clarify, I don’t mind Samu being picked, but it was a bit of a wildcard selection given the disposed had been ok.

I agree with that completely. I particularly don't get why Wilson isn't being selected.

Those are issues worth highlighting. The overarching narrative of ignoring the champion Reds team is substantially false though. Wilson is pretty much the only Reds player who could anyone could consider as being overlooked for this test.

 

[Joe Blow]

Holmes on brink of becoming oldest Wallaby since Second World War

Greg Holmes was hoping to attend Wallabies training sessions to assist with his transition in scrum coaching. Dave Rennie had other plans for the 38-year-old prop.

www.smh.com.au

Greg Holmes added to the squad? As he says, SA is a big strong pack and you need to counter that. Where can we find the updated squad for the upcoming matches?

 

[Slim 293]

Harrison shits on Lolesio when it comes to playmaking. He’s even less ready when it comes to test rugby though, or we are to assume that at least.

Harrison?
Is he even guaranteed a starting position……… at the Tahs?

 

[dru]

Harrison shits on Lolesio when it comes to playmaking. He’s even less ready when it comes to test rugby though, or we are to assume that at least.

That is an impossible claim. Lolo has actually played at this level. Harrison has a long way to go to be in that picture.

We should NOT dis on Lolo. Even though I want someone else in the primary 10 role going forward.

 

[Derpus]

Harrison?
Is he even guaranteed a starting position……… at the Tahs?

Should be, the Donaldson thing is weird.

 

[KOB1987]

Harrison?
Is he even guaranteed a starting position……… at the Tahs?

Yes. Well, you know what they say about death and taxes, but the next level after that anyway.

 

[KOB1987]

That is an impossible claim. Lolo has actually played at this level. Harrison has a long way to go to be in that picture.

We should NOT dis on Lolo. Even though I want someone else in the primary 10 role going forward.

Harrison?
Is he even guaranteed a starting position……… at the Tahs?

I’m not sure you blokes read my post properly. I wasn’t saying that Harrison should be the Wallabies 10, only that he is a much more creative playmaker than LoLo, with the caveat that he’s even less ready for test rugby than Lolesio. Nor was I dissing on Lolesio, like others have suggested he needs time, and support.....but the national 10 jersey isn’t the place to be getting that.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

JBar's Red has been deemed sufficient penalty:

'Accidental': Jordie Barrett escapes ban after red card

All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett has escaped further punishment.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[dru]

I’m not sure you blokes read my post properly. I wasn’t saying that Harrison should be the Wallabies 10, only that he is a much more creative playmaker than LoLo, with the caveat that he’s even less ready for test rugby than Lolesio. Nor was I dissing on Lolesio, like others have suggested he needs time, and support...but the national 10 jersey isn’t the place to be getting that.

Second time I’m apologising today.

Agree with your assessment. Lolo will be fine. In time. Right now we need something else.

I remain unconvinced that the pack is not the start of our troubles. Set piece and ruck. But the common theme in rugby reviews is the halves and reading play. When it is on (or not) and when the kick is a better option.

it’s time to rest Lolesio if we have an option, and Hodge counts.