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Wallabies 2023

Marce

Jim Lenehan (48)
Been that way for a while.
Yeah, that's my point. And they are far away from ARL in terms of structure and incomes, like Aussie Rugby and NZ Rugby.

Most of their players play in Australia so it's an interesting business model
 

LeCheese

Ken Catchpole (46)
Any word yet on the centre cover coming into the squad? I know Rennie said they'd be coming from Aus, but I would've thought they'd get them over there ASAP.

After Italy, does Rennie risk blooding Stewart / Keunzle / Henry, or do we fall back to Beale? Both routes are equally as risky imo, as Beale isn't much of a known quantity at the moment and hasn't had recent game time like the others. I'd be looking towards the future.
 

Wilson

David Codey (61)
Any word yet on the centre cover coming into the squad? I know Rennie said they'd be coming from Aus, but I would've thought they'd get them over there ASAP.

After Italy, does Rennie risk blooding Stewart / Keunzle / Henry, or do we fall back to Beale? Both routes are equally as risky imo, as Beale isn't much of a known quantity at the moment and hasn't had recent game time like the others. I'd be looking towards the future.
In terms of squad call up I think it'll be one of the Australia A guys unless they have lost faith in Campbell, which they shouldn't have. I don't see any of them getting game time without more injuries though.
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Nice point from the tweeter

Jake Gordon delivered the Wallabies' 13th card of 2022 (12 x Y + 1 x R).
We've only played 12 Tests.
That makes 23 in 26 Tests over 2021-22.

Fix. Your. Discipline. NOW
 

PhilClinton

John Hipwell (52)
I think we need to update the title of this thread to "Wallabies 2022 (towards 2027)". Cos we have no hope with achieving much next year.

I totally agree and have been saying that for a while, but long term rebuilding is something that Aussie teams and their supporters aren't very good at grasping. Not just Aussie's either, NZ fans are going through some dark times over the past couple of years with the All Blacks losing their immortality.

Rugby is the 'global' game - it's very hard to maintain a monopoly over positions in the upper echelons of the game for an extended period. Even the Kangaroos in Rugby League are having a bit of an awakening as the game has filtered back through the Polynesian communities and national teams outside of Australia build strength.

If we want our game to thrive and grow, other countries are going to step up. Our administration, coaching networks and pathways have become complacent on a number of levels and it's all starting to bear fruit, the rotten kind.
 

Wallaby Man

Trevor Allan (34)
Any word yet on the centre cover coming into the squad? I know Rennie said they'd be coming from Aus, but I would've thought they'd get them over there ASAP.

After Italy, does Rennie risk blooding Stewart / Keunzle / Henry, or do we fall back to Beale? Both routes are equally as risky imo, as Beale isn't much of a known quantity at the moment and hasn't had recent game time like the others. I'd be looking towards the future.
Stewart, Henry, Keunzle unfortunately aren’t better than current options although would like to see Henry injury free and a full season on Super Rugby.
 

LeCheese

Ken Catchpole (46)
Stewart, Henry, Keunzle unfortunately aren’t better than current options although would like to see Henry injury free and a full season on Super Rugby.
Whoever is chosen is coming in as injury cover, not because they're favoured over the centres currently available in the squad. As @Wilson said, it's unlikely they get game time, barring any further injuries.
 

Micheal

Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Having watched the French beat South Africa, it's really obvious how both teams rely on their systems - and not individual players (with the exception of Kolbe) - far more than we do.

The game plans are pretty similar -- kick intelligently for territory, chase hard and play in the right part of the field.

It's not even boring either. For my fellow UFC fans, it reminds me a lot of counter-strikers like Adesanya (RIP). They just apply relentless pressure via territory and strong defence, and then execute ruthlessly when an opportunity presents itself.

We seem to play a lot in the wrong parts of the field, and we seem to have a lack of belief that opportunities will arise, instead attempting to force them into existence out of the blue. We also suck at our kickoff exits, which is such an important part of the game.

If I was Rennie and the RA administration, I'd tell all Super Rugby teams that they have to implement territory based game plans for the next season.

Players like Ntamack are lauded as enormous talents, but I've never seen him play with ability that far exceeds the players that we have. The number one differentiating trait is that he's simply composed under pressure.
 

rodha

Dave Cowper (27)
The Board have 2 options: 1) continue to support him or 2) march him after the tour. My opinion is to march him and then bring in someone who will can go about and repair the 20 years of chaos. It would be best to have an Aussie in the position. But have someone who will have the courage and determination to do whatever it takes to build the code and the Wallaby brand. Most importantly someone who the Board will give space and support to reek havoc for the mid-term benefit of the game in Australia. In my mind, David Nucifora. He is tough, uncompromising, & leaves no stone unturned, he has an incredible record of success.

No one else is better qualified for the job. He is the outstanding candidate.
 
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LeCheese

Ken Catchpole (46)
The Board have 2 options: 1) continue to support him or 2) march him after the tour. My opinion is to march him and then bring in someone who will can go about and repair the 20 years of chaos. It would be best to have an Aussie in the position. But have someone who will have the courage and determination to do whatever it takes to build the code and the Wallaby brand. Most importantly someone who the Board will give space and support to reek havoc for the mid-term benefit of the game in Australia. In my mind David Nucifora. He is tough, uncompromising & leaves no stone unturned and has a proven record of success.
Thinking that any single change of personnel, particularly a coach, is going to uproot the Wallabies / Rugby Australia and lead them towards greener pastures is setting yourself up for disappointment.

We've had 6 coaches since 2001 - all with good intentions, all (post-Eddie) heralded as the saviour of Australian rugby. The seismic shift in direction that you are (rightfully) suggesting is required will not come solely from a change of coach.
 

Froggy

John Solomon (38)
Real world is Rennie won't be replaced before the WC, and if he was no self-respecting coach would take on the job this close to the big dance. I'm not sure what can be done by any coach to stop the players being so stupid. There's an article today by Sterling Mortlock lamenting the fact that we are consistently the most penalised tier one side in world rugby, this isn't lack of ability, combinations or fitness, it just simply dumb.
The side that took the field against Italy included 10 players from our top 23 in the run-on side, and only one test debutant (who was one of the best on the paddock), there is no excuse for this team not beating Italy. All these guys are an injury away from our top side and should be expected to perform.
 

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
Real world is Rennie won't be replaced before the WC, and if he was no self-respecting coach would take on the job this close to the big dance. I'm not sure what can be done by any coach to stop the players being so stupid. There's an article today by Sterling Mortlock lamenting the fact that we are consistently the most penalised tier one side in world rugby, this isn't lack of ability, combinations or fitness, it just simply dumb.
The side that took the field against Italy included 10 players from our top 23 in the run-on side, and only one test debutant (who was one of the best on the paddock), there is no excuse for this team not beating Italy. All these guys are an injury away from our top side and should be expected to perform.
I often wonder if our penalty count is more correlative with our current low rankings than causative. It's easy not to give penalties when you're dominant a la France/Ireland. When you're on the backfoot you give away more from being under pressure.
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
The Board have 2 options: 1) continue to support him or 2) march him after the tour. My opinion is to march him and then bring in someone who will can go about and repair the 20 years of chaos. It would be best to have an Aussie in the position. But have someone who will have the courage and determination to do whatever it takes to build the code and the Wallaby brand. Most importantly someone who the Board will give space and support to reek havoc for the mid-term benefit of the game in Australia.

Time is a flat circle...

50740149791_a6c7029218_z.jpg
 

A mutterer

Desmond Connor (43)
Real world is Rennie won't be replaced before the WC, and if he was no self-respecting coach would take on the job this close to the big dance. I'm not sure what can be done by any coach to stop the players being so stupid. There's an article today by Sterling Mortlock lamenting the fact that we are consistently the most penalised tier one side in world rugby, this isn't lack of ability, combinations or fitness, it just simply dumb.
The side that took the field against Italy included 10 players from our top 23 in the run-on side, and only one test debutant (who was one of the best on the paddock), there is no excuse for this team not beating Italy. All these guys are an injury away from our top side and should be expected to perform.

i don't know, wayne smith did a bang up job with the ferns and look where he got them to ...

and he might just be coming on the market soon ;)
 

Mr Pilfer

Bob Loudon (25)
Any word yet on the centre cover coming into the squad? I know Rennie said they'd be coming from Aus, but I would've thought they'd get them over there ASAP.

After Italy, does Rennie risk blooding Stewart / Keunzle / Henry, or do we fall back to Beale? Both routes are equally as risky imo, as Beale isn't much of a known quantity at the moment and hasn't had recent game time like the others. I'd be looking towards the future.

I find it amazing how badly and quickly To'omua fell out of favour. He is still younger than Foley, Beale and Cooper but not even mentioned in these type of conversations anymore. Yes I know he has been pretty poor the past couple of years but seeing how bad the Wallabies are going it obviously wasn't just him that sucked when he played. Not saying I would pick him but is he an option to plug a hole at 12
 
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