• Welcome to the Green and Gold Rugby forums. As you can see we've upgraded the forums to new software. Your old logon details should work, just click the 'Login' button in the top right.

Wallabies 2023

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
Yep, but trying to get the most cohesive set of backs we have standing

Yeh I agree, but then you would want to balance that thinking with planning for the future, especially the RWC next year, in which case Foketi and Paisami would both more likely be there. Building cohesiveness in the backs will need these guys playing together more often.
 

Drew

Bob Davidson (42)
Lolesio is suited to the simpler/more direct game plan.
Won’t lose sleep if either starts. Lolesio is more brilliant, Hodge more straightforward. If Wright, who has some ball playing and creativity about him wasn’t at fb I would start Lolesio. Just my opinion.
 

Ignoto

John Thornett (49)
I'd imagine Frost would move out of the 23 and either Rory goes to start with Philip on the bench or vice versa.

Did anyone catch who was Captain when James went off? I can only think it went to Hodge?
 

Wilson

David Codey (61)
I'd imagine Frost would move out of the 23 and either Rory goes to start with Philip on the bench or vice versa.

Did anyone catch who was Captain when James went off? I can only think it went to Hodge?
Commentary thought it was White at first but he went off a minute or two before Slipper. Final call to play on and go for the BP looked like a discussion between Wright and Hodge, bit it wasn't clear who was making decisions.
 

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
If we are going a 6-2 bench again then Hodge is on the bench.

The other question is - do you give Arnold a run? Philip was fine but not excellent. A chance for Rory?

Yeh I think you bring him straight in, gotta see what he's got. Like you said, Phillip was okay, and he's experienced enough that it's not a huge risk.
It would be nice to see Frost kept on the bench to keep developing.
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Yep, but trying to get the most cohesive set of backs we have standing
Debatable, guys like Lolesio-Paisami-Ikitau have have been in wallabies camp and playing together for 8 weeks now, if they cant develop cohesion during that period they never will
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Debatable, guys like Lolesio-Paisami-Ikitau have have been in wallabies camp and playing together for 8 weeks now, if they cant develop cohesion during that period they never will
Whereas Lolesio-Simone-Ikitau has been playing together and training together for years

My concern is Lolesio as a test 10 and making his work as easy as possible - he is clearly not a finished product, not Paisami's quality

 

The Ghost of Raelene

Mark Ella (57)
I wouldn’t mind Hodge starting at 10 playing a simpler/more direct game plan getting us around the field. When we are in attack we can have Wright picking his moments to try and be a bit more creative. But if Rennie picks Lolesio there and puts Hodge at 23, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Bench guy for me. He did really well to his credit. Only threw that one pass directly forward which was a Hodge special.

I thought Ikitau had his best game for a while in gold. His post contact meters (Rugba Loig term) were great. Gordon was nice and controlled towards the end.
Is Liam Wright still injured?
Liam Wright has to be getting to myth status at this point. Love to see him play some time. Was as anointed as Sam Cane at one stage.
 

stillmissit

Chilla Wilson (44)
At some stage Rennie will have to bite the bullet and let Hooper play without the C. His games for the Tahs improved without the added burden.
I predict that McReight will be starting 7 and captain with Hooper on the bench for RWC.
 

LeCheese

Ken Catchpole (46)
At some stage Rennie will have to bite the bullet and let Hooper play without the C. His games for the Tahs improved without the added burden.
I predict that McReight will be starting 7 and captain with Hooper on the bench for RWC.
I'm a big McReight advocate, but if Hooper's in form and ready to go mentally, I'd be shocked if he wasn't starting (with or without captaincy)
 

Eyes and Ears

Bob Davidson (42)
At some stage Rennie will have to bite the bullet and let Hooper play without the C. His games for the Tahs improved without the added burden.
I predict that McReight will be starting 7 and captain with Hooper on the bench for RWC.
Which season are you referring to when Hooper's form for the Tahs was better but he wasn't captain?
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Mark Ella (57)
At some stage Rennie will have to bite the bullet and let Hooper play without the C. His games for the Tahs improved without the added burden.
I predict that McReight will be starting 7 and captain with Hooper on the bench for RWC.
I'm a big McReight advocate, but if Hooper's in form and ready to go mentally, I'd be shocked if he wasn't starting (with or without captaincy)
I feel like a walking contradiction to agree with both of you here but I do.

McReight has the ability to do things other players can't and has that knack/footy nous of always being in the right place at the right time. Having said that, Hooper has done nothing to lose the 7 jersey. The biggest flaw in his game is his Captaincy IMO. I bet Rennie wishes he had a clear cut alternate option but we rotate our front row, inexperienced 2nd Row, young backrow and I don't see any of the backline screaming leadership currently.

- I don't think Nic White is a viable option. Can't imagine Refs can stand him.
 
Top