Wallabies 2023

[Dctarget]

If you pick Foketi in a cup competition, be prepared to not have him available in later games.

Him, Hunter and Perese all seem to be good for a few games and then bust themselves.

Would love to know length and number of injuries by position.

 

[Derpus]

If you pick Foketi in a cup competition, be prepared to not have him available in later games.

Him, Hunter and Perese all seem to be good for a few games and then bust themselves.

Kerevi too.

 

[fatprop]

If you pick Foketi in a cup competition, be prepared to not have him available in later games.

Him, Hunter and Perese all seem to be good for a few games and then bust themselves.

That is a different statement than if he is of "international standard", and I would much prefer a wobs without Him, Hunter and Perese

 

[liquor box]

I heard today that the existing players are not at all happy about the 1.6 million deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if we lost a lot to overseas. They can make much more money overseas than the pay cuts they have had during covid and just generally ridiculously lower pay. Just stating facts, don’t come for me.

They may be jealous, but they should also consider that he may bring money to the game, which will benefit them.

It is like PGA players being jealous of how Tiger Woods got so much appearance money at the start of his career, this eventually led to the huge amounts of money in golf.

I think he is over priced given his rugby achievements so far, but think he will benefit the game overall.

 

[upthereds#!]

I agree with most of what you said except for this point. I think Foketi proved last year that he's our second best 12 behind Kerevi (and I say this as a Reds fan with a huge hard on for Paisami). He was excellent all year, really stepped up in the internationals and looks to have carried that form into this year.

Yehhh i get it but I still think just because he can get into OUR international team as our 2nd or 3rd best option, does not make him Tier 1 international standard. Would he play 12 for SA, NZ, IRE, ENG etc? I don't believe so

 

[PhilClinton]

Will be interesting to see the repercussions the Suaalli deal has on things like the value of Japanese contracts.

I feel like that market for established Aussie players isn't as strong as it once was considering there is an expectation they're available for internationals if selected.

Some of the younger guys with high ceilings may be keener to hold out for a marquee Aussie deal rather than look to head overseas as quickly.

 

[upthereds#!]

I would argue the Rebels backline next year with our new signing will be even better:
10. Gordon 11. Kellaway 12. Ili 13. Ripley 14. Monty 15. Tupou

This is a reasonable assertion.

 

[cyclopath]

If you pick Foketi in a cup competition, be prepared to not have him available in later games.

Him, Hunter and Perese all seem to be good for a few games and then bust themselves.

The general shift to 12s (and 13s) being line-busters puts them at higher risk of injuries, I think. Where they are hitting it up is where some pretty big bodies are, waiting to smash them. Plus those mentioned seem to like to run through / over people a bit, not so much around them.

 

[Tomthumb]

Look at this from this angle:

Eddie will get an easier ride initially (2023-2025) due the outstanding development Rennie has done over last 3 years - in establishing the nucleus of the side for the 2023 World Cup and beyond, 2025-27 will be an interesting period as Eddie's record of developing teams himself is mostly non-existent.

In contrast, Razor will inherit a basket case after Foster spent the last 4 years stalling the development of the team, due to backing wrong players & combinations in crucial positions for almost an entire WC cycle, and then an exodus of senior All Blacks post 2023, means that Razor is going to be undertaking a significant rebuild come 2024.

Fortunately for All Black's supporters - Robertson's track record of rebuilding sides, bringing through the next generation in a seamless transition is exemplary.

Unfortunately for Wallabies fans - Eddie is not (a rebuilder of rugby teams).

For Eddie, the period after the initial seasons from inheriting Rennie's solid team (much like after he inherited the core of Lancaster's team for 2016-2019 cycle) will be very interesting to say the least.

Eddie living rent free in your head still I see

 

[Brumby Runner]

I remember the days when the English league team used to wallop the Kangaroos. They produced some wonderful footballers.

They (the English) had a good run until a bloke named Gasnier tore them to pieces on a tour in '62. Since then, it has been fairly poor picking for England against the Aussies in League.

 

[Marce]

“Rugby Union is poaching our players”

View attachment 15558

He played at the wing that game?

 

[Marce]

To quote Brandon Smith, “a 1.6 million dollar winger isn’t going to help you beat the all blacks”. I will add here that Rugby Australia is currently the laughing stock of the NRL, who we can all agree has us beat at this point.

Brandon Smith can't make the All Blacks squad. He isn't a star in NZ

 

[Marce]

Don't forget PNG.

And Northen England too lol

 

[qwerty51]

This is a good article.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...are-turning-on-Sua'ali'i-20230328-p5cvz4.html

Mentions an agent of a "major" NRL player approached RA and also gives an insight into how some players feel about it (Pietsch). McLennan unsurprisingly doesn't hold back why he thinks rugby is better for players.

I know V'landys gets much of the media attention but you sometimes see Abdo in the media. Marinos is just completely anonymous isn't he?

 

[Joe Blow]

So the Sua'ali'i move seems to be pretty much an all round win. Pros:
- good chance he performs for the Wallabies (and Tahs I guess). I think there's enough history of similar athletic outside backs succeeding in crossing over to suggest he will at the very least be a moderate success. People probably use Vunivalu as a counterpoint but he did look deadly when he first came over before he fried his hamstrings. Injury is a risk with any sporting contract.
- pisses off Gus Gould.
- is another step in a pretty long line of marketing driven decisions from McLennan. Adds another reason for casuals to switch on to the Lions and RWC. That three year period is going to be absolutely essential to kickstarting Rugby in Aus and it seems clear McLennan is trying to get his ducks in a row for that (see also private equity).
- At least partly subsidised by a private benefactor

Cons:
- I suppose you can argue we can't afford it but, even then, the eyeballs he brings in surely justifies his salary as it did with Folau.
- You can also argue that local players might be put off by his bumper salary. I think this is nonsense though - if they want more money they should just get better at playing rugby football. Ample opportunity for the top tier of players to earn a million+ in rugby.
- could possibly have used this money to get back a big name lock. That said Rory Arnold costs about the same and does he come with any of the benefits? He arguably isn't even in our best side.

I was against it initially but having read some of the pros and cons and enjoyed the angst generated in the NRL community I've been swayed. IMO signing Sua'ali'i has very little to do with beating the All Blacks.

Vunivalu was partially broken when he came and just illustrates that buying league players with no base in the game of union is most often a mistake and money wasted. He is never going to play a significant role for the Wallabies, or even the Reds.
This bloke has form in union and a big chunk of the money being paid for him is not coming from the RA coffers, so most likely was not available for another deal or for developing juniors etc..
Sua'ali'i is like getting prime Izzy Folau with extensive union experience and form.

 

[KOB1987]

I’d be surprised if he’s released early, unless he gets injured or something.

It’s hard enough to win premierships in the NRL, giving up a player on a trajectory like Joseph’s when the Roosters are entering a peak Premiership window would be foolish, they’ve just spent big money retaining and signing some stars. Politis knows that winning premierships builds his brand.

I know what you are saying and agree to an extent....hopefully the Roosters heavies are Phil Gould disciples haha

 

[Marce]

Vunivalu was partially broken when he came and just illustrates that buying league players with no base in the game of union is most often a mistake and money wasted. He is never going to play a significant role for the Wallabies, or even the Reds.

Vunivalu is a traditional winger, he's OK for rugby. Most of the time he has to run straight like Tuqiri or Sailor in their golden days. The issue about him is his body

 

[Derpus]

Vunivalu was partially broken when he came and just illustrates that buying league players with no base in the game of union is most often a mistake and money wasted. He is never going to play a significant role for the Wallabies, or even the Reds.
This bloke has form in union and a big chunk of the money being paid for him is not coming from the Rugby Australia coffers, so most likely was not available for another deal or for developing juniors etc..
Sua'ali'i is like getting prime Izzy Folau with extensive union experience and form.

Seems like an exaggeration to me. He played a few years od schoolboy rugby. Id say he'll have a lot to learn.

 

[Dctarget]

Eddie is set to announce his 33 person squad soon, here's my preliminary crack at it. Assuming he's not including any injured players at all purely fit, Aus based players.

Hookers (3): Longeran, Latu, Porecki
Props (5): Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Gibbon, Fa'amausili, Johnson-Holmes
Locks (4): Swain, Neville, Frost, Holloway
Backrow (5): Valetini, Samu, Hooper, Wilkin, Gleeson (assuming he's semi fit)
Halfback (3): White, McDermott, Longeran
Flyhalf (3): Lolesio, Gordon, O'Connor
Centres (4): Ikitau, Foketi, Perese, Flook
Outside backs (6): Petaia, Vunivalu, Nawaqanitawase, Wright, Toole, Hodge

Not considered due to injury: Tupou, Jones, Paisami, Rodda, Bell, Harrison, Philip, Leota, Kellaway

Not sure about Hodge with his finger, or will he want Kellaway who is near return. Toole's pace is impossible to ignore and he's stated he wants to see Vunivalu though I expect neither will go to France.

Backrow is the most contested. Wilkin is my biased pick there, he'll probably play safe and take McReight. Waratahs could deliver the entire Wallabies backrow with Hanigan, Gamble and Swinton not selected.

With hookers, I don't think he'll be able to go past Latu's strength game. Mafi, Fainga'a also in with a shout.

 

[fatprop]

Eddie is set to announce his 33 person squad soon, here's my preliminary crack at it. Assuming he's not including any injured players at all purely fit, Aus based players.

Hookers (3): Longeran, Latu, Porecki
Props (5): Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Gibbon, Fa'amausili, Johnson-Holmes
Locks (4): Swain, Neville, Frost, Holloway
Backrow (5): Valetini, Samu, Hooper, Wilkin, Gleeson (assuming he's semi fit)
Halfback (3): White, McDermott, Longeran
Flyhalf (3): Lolesio, Gordon, O'Connor
Centres (4): Ikitau, Foketi, Perese, Flook
Outside backs (6): Petaia, Vunivalu, Nawaqanitawase, Wright, Toole, Hodge

Not considered due to injury: Tupou, Jones, Rodda, Bell, Harrison, Philip, Leota, Kellaway

Not sure about Hodge with his finger, or will he want Kellaway who is near return. Toole's pace is impossible to ignore and he's stated he wants to see Vunivalu though I expect neither will go to France.

Backrow is the most contested. Wilkin is my biased pick there, he'll probably play safe and take McReight. Waratahs could deliver the entire Wallabies backrow with Hanigan, Gamble and Swinton not selected.

With hookers, I don't think he'll be able to go past Latu's strength game. Mafi, Fainga'a also in with a shout.

I don't think Foketi & Perese deserve picks