Wallabies 2023

[Adam84]

Wait and see I guess. I think player retention in Australia is a ship that has sailed for the time being and instead the focus needs to be giving our national team the best possible chance of being in the spotlight.

Fans in Australia have already disengaged with the Super Rugby product as evidenced by viewership figures and attendance of games. Post-RWC there has traditionally been an exodus anyway, which I imagine will further dilute the playing stocks.

No use speculating now about what will happen in 12 months time but I reckon it could go either way, a lot probably rides on the outcome of this years performances.

Hence why it’s more important then ever to maintain a level of quality in the remaining playing stocks, I generally believe it could cause serious frictions in the playing group if RA suddenly flips on their policy, and overlooks players who reneged on lucrative overseas deals to remain and play in Australia. At the expense of player/s who may or may not be any better at test level.

I don’t think Australia should just give up on player retention, nor believe the ship has sailed. Stan/9 still pay $30millon a year for that ship, it can always get much much worse.

 

[PhilClinton]

Hence why it’s more important then ever to maintain a level of quality in the remaining playing stocks, I generally believe it could cause serious frictions in the playing group if Rugby Australia suddenly flips on their policy, and excludes players who reneged on lucrative overseas deals to remain and play in Australia. At the expense of player/s who may or may not be any better at test level.

I don’t think Australia should just give up on player retention, nor believe the ship has sailed. Stan/9 still pay $30millon a year for that ship, it can always get much much worse.

I think the level of quality and team engagement is more adversely affected by other aspects of our professional environment i.e. we don't have the depth to be supporting 5 teams in Super Rugby.

Anyway it is fine to have different opinions on this and we are getting off track for the thread. I am sure we will loop back to this next year at some stage when the RWC squad is released...

 

[Derpus]

Im not so sure they will change it in the next 12 months, the last change to the policy was intended to take them through to the RWC.

Guys like Swain, Phillip and Frost remained in Australian rugby under that policy because it meant a shot at a wallaby jersey. Rodda and Holloway returned under the same understanding. To change it late in the game to bring back additional players, (who arguably aren’t going to be any better) would all but guarantee those players are leaving as soon as their next contracts up, and make player retention even harder in the future.

Wallaby gold will rarely win out against increasingly divergent salary packs, regardless.

Its inevitable.

 

[Adam84]

I think the level of quality and team engagement is more adversely affected by other aspects of our professional environment i.e. we don't have the depth to be supporting 5 teams in Super Rugby.

Anyway it is fine to have different opinions on this and we are getting off track for the thread. I am sure we will loop back to this next year at some stage when the RWC squad is released...

Don’t have depth because we don’t have money. Don’t have money because quality of product. Quality of product is low because of players available. Fans lack engagement with product because the best players head overseas.

It’s a vicious circle, diluting the players further certainly doesn’t help the issue.

 

[Adam84]

Wallaby gold will rarely win out against increasingly divergent salary packs, regardless.

Its inevitable.

Inevitable maybe, but don’t need to help it along.

Current wallaby squad members like Frost, Leota and Phillip reneged on overseas contracts to stay and play for Wallabies.

 

[Rob42]

I find it hard to be so negative at the end of the 2022 Super Rugby season, versus the 2021 season. Perhaps because watching the Tahs became an event again, instead of the equivalent of a dentist's appointment. The Brumbies are good, the Reds really fizzled but have the talent to come back stronger next year, and the Force will be better with Cron at the helm. The trend in terms of results against NZ teams is positive, there will be plenty of competitive matches against them next year. The proper Super Rugby Pacific comp will mean more variation each week. I'd be happy for RA to just stick with the plan.

 

[fatprop]

Wallaby gold will rarely win out against increasingly divergent salary packs, regardless.

Its inevitable.

That depends on the ability of the Wobs to be actually competitive, the individual players likelihood of being apart of it vs the stupid money offered

ie the more competitive the wobs are, the more stupid the money needs to be

 

[PhilClinton]

I find it hard to be so negative at the end of the 2022 Super Rugby season, versus the 2021 season. Perhaps because watching the Tahs became an event again, instead of the equivalent of a dentist's appointment. The Brumbies are good, the Reds really fizzled but have the talent to come back stronger next year, and the Force will be better with Cron at the helm. The trend in terms of results against NZ teams is positive, there will be plenty of competitive matches against them next year. The proper Super Rugby Pacific comp will mean more variation each week. I'd be happy for Rugby Australia to just stick with the plan.

Whilst I agree the vibe is definitely better this year, I am not sure the Reds and Brumbies come back stronger in 2023. Both teams have considerable losses and key players who are ageing.

Whilst Cron’s appointment is good for the Force, anyone thinking he will turn them into the Tahs ala Coleman is going to be disappointed. More work to do there.

 

[Braveheart81]

I am reflecting on skeletons past performances when in oz for wallabies as well but as stated expect Rennie to still look at him for end of year tour, but yes with 3 overseas picks misses out.

We're talking 2016 and earlier though in terms of past performance. No one in their right mind is looking at that in terms of whether he's a viable selection for the Wallabies heading into a RWC in 2023 versus what he has done in the last five years in Europe.

Current wallaby squad members like Frost, Leota and Phillip reneged on overseas contracts to stay and play for Wallabies.

It's not a level playing field. A lot of those players need to be playing locally to be considered. Players located overseas will always need to provide a compelling reason to be brought into the squad when compared against a local player. Realistically we have five players in that space in my view (Koro, Kerevi, Cooper, Arnold and Skelton). Depending on how other options perform, Tom Banks might also be in that category next year.

My view is that more than three overseas players will be brought into the initial larger squad next year and they will be given an opportunity to play for a spot in the final 31 to go to France.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm with BH...

My take is that being in Australia gives you a stronger chance of selection come RWC time by being readily available and playing more tests throughout the various series to stake your case...

In a RWC year RA will do whatever they can to increase their chance of winning by opening up the selection pool to everyone... but, as BH says it will be still be limited to those who are playing at such a level that they demand to be considered, but they will still need to audition during the EOYT or RC.

 

[Members Section]

yeah, I had written him there at No 8 but he must have dropped off. Don't know howView attachment 13839

looking at that there is a real opportunity for a LHP to come out of the wood work to really get a crack. Bell will be there for the next rwc cycle but Sio 31 & Slips 33 there is potential for someone to grab it with both hand because out Bell there is no real stand out.

 

[Drew]

To me the OS money might not be as good if there’s a possibility the player isn’t the clubs exclusively. I doubt the Japanese club Kerevi plays at would offer the same contract had they known he would be available for national duties. This might mean less players could be tempted OS. I could be wrong.

 

[qwerty51]

To me the OS money might not be as good if there’s a possibility the player isn’t the clubs exclusively. I doubt the Japanese club Kerevi plays at would offer the same contract had they known he would be available for national duties. This might mean less players could be tempted OS. I could be wrong.

When you look at what some Australians are on compared to others overseas this is undoubtedly a factor.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

We're talking 2016 and earlier though in terms of past performance. No one in their right mind is looking at that in terms of whether he's a viable selection for the Wallabies heading into a RWC in 2023 versus what he has done in the last five years in Europe.


It's not a level playing field. A lot of those players need to be playing locally to be considered. Players located overseas will always need to provide a compelling reason to be brought into the squad when compared against a local player. Realistically we have five players in that space in my view (Koro, Kerevi, Cooper, Arnold and Skelton). Depending on how other options perform, Tom Banks might also be in that category next year.

My view is that more than three overseas players will be brought into the initial larger squad next year and they will be given an opportunity to play for a spot in the final 31 to go to France.

Obviously judging Skelton on most recent performance in wallabies but my point was never actually seen him ever perform at wallaby level to say he has proven in the part he can be. You can interpret my comments a different way to what was intended or claim they paint a different picture and that is fine but let’s leave it now.

 

[fatprop]

Obviously judging Skelton on most recent performance in wallabies but my point was never actually seen him ever perform at wallaby level to say he has proven in the part he can be. You can interpret my comments a different way to what was intended or claim they paint a different picture and that is fine but let’s leave it now.

You can be one of the best locks in the world, playing and winning in some of the best teams in the world & still look look average turning up and trying to fit in to an average wobs side

 

[Lightblue]

Interesting …

‘I’ll put my hand up’: O’Connor open to shock fullback switch

Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor admits he'd be willing to entertain a shock move to fullback as they prepare for the first Test against England on July 3.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[RugbyReg]

Interesting …

‘I’ll put my hand up’: O’Connor open to shock fullback switch

Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor admits he'd be willing to entertain a shock move to fullback as they prepare for the first Test against England on July 3.

www.rugby.com.au

not really. I suspect he's well down the list.

Banks
Petaia
and then probably the likes of Campbell, Hodge, Kellaway.

He just doesn't have the speed or aerial game for an international 15.

 

[Lightblue]

not really. I suspect he's well down the list.

Banks
Petaia
and then probably the likes of Campbell, Hodge, Kellaway.

He just doesn't have the speed or aerial game for an international 15.

No I agree… I meant interesting in the fact that why is it a story when I suspect he is well down the list as you say… unless he isn’t?

 

[LeCheese]

not really. I suspect he's well down the list.

Banks
Petaia
and then probably the likes of Campbell, Hodge, Kellaway.

He just doesn't have the speed or aerial game for an international 15.

His willingness to play 15 adds to his stock as a utility off the bench in my mind. It's almost a guarantee that Quade will be the first-choice 10, and I don't think JOC (James O'Connor) pushes out any of the remaining starters.

 

[D-Box]

Anyone will say they are happy to have a go at another position if they think it will get them a cap.

Releasing the story - click bait using a high profile player.