Australia A v Japan XV matches

[Drew]

Off the bench in his first season i believe. Could be making it up.

I’m pretty sure you’re right.

 

[Pfitzy]

I’m pretty sure you’re right.

That edmed played 12?
Or that he's making it up?

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Edmed would be pretty handy at 12.
He can carry well. Obviously pass well and can kick.

Sometimes flat footed at first receiver, so being second man can stop those tendencies too.

 

[wamberal]

Off the bench in his first season i believe. Could be making it up.

He has played 12 for the Woodies. He is pretty robust, no reason why he couldn't at the higher level. According to the stats I could find, he is 8 kgs heavier than Donaldson.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Interesting reading the fox articles over the last couple of days highlighting foley will be part of the tour then outlining that all three Noah, Donaldson and Edmed are fighting it out for the next two spots.

It does make me wonder if they are going to leave Noah and take the other two. It’s an option no one has really considered.

 

[Rob42]

Interesting reading the fox articles over the last couple of days highlighting foley will be part of the tour then outlining that all three Noah, Donaldson and Edmed are fighting it out for the next two spots.

It does make me wonder if they are going to leave Noah and take the other two. It’s an option no one has really considered.

Surely not. Noah still needs time in the saddle.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Surely not. Noah still needs time in the saddle.

It’s this line here:

“Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson has been named at fly-half, with his Super Rugby teammate Tane Edmed named on the bench. It comes as the duo fight for selection for the upcoming tour, with Noah Lolesio’s place in the side not assured following Foley’s return.”

There has been lots of leaks to Fox, so it does make me wonder if we are being set up for similar to Harry Wilson from last year.

 

[qwerty51]

Yeah that’s not happening. Why on earth would they do that.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Pretty rapid and big back three, I really like it.

I'd guess excluding the players sent home for recovery (Campbell & Gibbon who I assume are going on the EOYT) this is almost our best team.

Looks like a bits and pieces side to me. One that gives all the secondary players good game time. I reckon the only takeaway we can get from the selections is that Donaldson is preferred to Edmed at 10. Otherwise a lightweight second row that is likely to get hammered, a new halves combination that might have some trouble gelling, and a less than inspiring centre partnership.

Having said that, I hope Pone continues his good form and cements the third THP spot for the tour. The backrow has promise but not the starting backrow for the A team, but Wilkin's form has been eyecatching. Nawaqanitawase and Banks ought to earn their touring spots also.

I think this is the best opportunity Japan has for a win in the series.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It’s this line here:

“Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson has been named at fly-half, with his Super Rugby teammate Tane Edmed named on the bench. It comes as the duo fight for selection for the upcoming tour, with Noah Lolesio’s place in the side not assured following Foley’s return.”

There has been lots of leaks to Fox, so it does make me wonder if we are being set up for similar to Harry Wilson from last year.

If Noah's spot is under threat, then the wise move would have been for him to have been included in the Aus A side to go head to head with Donaldson and Edmed. But I don't think it's even a possibility after being groomed as the No 10 over the past couple of years.

 

[LeCheese]

Looks like a bits and pieces side to me. One that gives all the secondary players good game time. I reckon the only takeaway we can get from the selections is that Donaldson is preferred to Edmed at 10. Otherwise a lightweight second row that is likely to get hammered, a new halves combination that might have some trouble gelling, and a less than inspiring centre partnership.

I sometimes seriously wonder whether we watch the same games BR.

Stewart consistently impresses as a quiet achiever who puts his head down and gets the job done, and Henry has shown a hard-running, committed style of play in the limited opportunities he's had over the past 12mo. I'm very excited for them both to get some game time and show what they can do.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

If Noah's spot is under threat, then the wise move would have been for him to have been included in the Aus A side to go head to head with Donaldson and Edmed. But I don't think it's even a possibility after being groomed as the No 10 over the past couple of years.

I agree.

But I think it is a possibility. Or with all the centres dropping, they may consider taking all three with Edmed as centres cover.

 

[Members Section]

I sometimes seriously wonder whether we watch the same games BR.

Stewart consistently impresses as a quiet achiever who puts his head down and gets the job done, and Henry has shown a hard-running, committed style of play in the limited opportunities he's had over the past 12mo. I'm very excited for them both to get some game time and show what they can do.

I agree, & even if not its an aus a tour that we have won apart from Jorgenson everyone should be getting min or don't take them

 

[RugbyReg]

Noah should be starting every test at 10 this tour with Donaldson as a back up.

Time to move on from Foley.

 

[qwerty51]

I wouldn’t throw Foley away just yet, if Quade isn’t ready for next year I’d be hesitant going into the RWC with just Lolesio even if he’d be my preferred. But yes he’s 100% in the best 23 over Donaldson and Edmed. I’d still be rotating Foley/Lolesio this EOYT.

 

[Lightblue]

Looks like a bits and pieces side to me. One that gives all the secondary players good game time. I reckon the only takeaway we can get from the selections is that Donaldson is preferred to Edmed at 10. Otherwise a lightweight second row that is likely to get hammered, a new halves combination that might have some trouble gelling, and a less than inspiring centre partnership.

Having said that, I hope Pone continues his good form and cements the third THP spot for the tour. The backrow has promise but not the starting backrow for the A team, but Wilkin's form has been eyecatching. Nawaqanitawase and Banks ought to earn their touring spots also.

I think this is the best opportunity Japan has for a win in the series.

Less than inspiring centre partnership? Really ? Not sure about that.

 

[Braveheart81]

Noah should be starting every test at 10 this tour with Donaldson as a back up.

Time to move on from Foley.

I posted this in the Wallabies thread but it should have probably been here.

The comments around Foley looking like being the starter at least at the beginning of the Spring Tour and Donaldson and Edmed auditioning for a spot in the squad certainly make it look like Rennie is moving past Lolesio as his starter.

It's somewhat surprising but in many ways mirrors JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor). Rennie was waiting for him to be healthy and then unceremoniously dumped him when he was deemed not up to standard.

It's a bit puzzling because it doesn't feel like it is clear that Lolesio isn't still the best choice available heading towards the RWC seeing how little time there is to go but it is feeling more and more like Rennie has moved on (or is trying to).

It's weird. It is feeling like Rennie is deciding that Lolesio isn't his option moving forward but there's no evidence that the other options available are any better.

 

[Drew]

That edmed played 12?
Or that he's making it up?

Came on as a replacement and played at 12.

 

[wamberal]

Noah should be starting every test at 10 this tour with Donaldson as a back up.

Time to move on from Foley.

I agree, but depending on who is fit and available, Edmed could be on the plane, too.

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Noah should be starting every test at 10 this tour with Donaldson as a back up.

Time to move on from Foley.

Agree that the Foley revamp should be shelved once and for all. Just not sure who is the back up 10.