Wallabies 2023

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I can almost gurantee that won't be the make-up. There's no 6 backups to Holloway in there who can run and execute a lineout exceptionally (to offset Skelton) - imo Hanigan almost a cert for the squad as Holloway's backup. There's 6 backrow spots likely, so you need to pick your starters and then pick the most like-for-like replacements for each. Holloway -> Hanigan, Gleeson -> McReight*, Valetini -> Wilson I'd say.

*Wilkin the bolter for McReight as the bigger body possibily, depends which type Eddie prefers I guess. Hooper will not make the squad.

edit: Forgot about LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) as mentioned below, another option at #6 for sure. Don't see where Samu fits at all and he hasn't played great this year.

I would have agreed about Wilkin a month ago but McReight has been huge for the Reds in some tough games. I actually don't mind the idea of Gleeson in the 7 for 55-60 mins and McReight to come on when a game tires and he's flying around the field. Holloway & Valetini have big motors and can do big minutes.

Samu just falls behind these guys IMO. Really wish Leota had been fit all year.

 

[RebelYell]

Who says that there's only 6 backrowers? I see it as:

5 props
3 hookers
4 locks
7 backrowers
3 scrumhalves
2 flyhalves
4 midfielders
5 outside backs

 

[stillmissit]

Because he will play Gleeson at 7. I think you can pretty much pencil in 4. Frost 5. Skelton 6. Holloway 8. Valetini - does anyone really think it'll be anything else?

Hi Qwerty, Don't think Jones will play Gleeson at 7 for a few reasons. He hasn't played there in Super Rugby, he shows little ability over the ball and doesn't do much in supporting runners or pressuring the 10. As I have said many times, he just does big runs like a League player ( wonder if that's why so many like him) and compared to McRight he has little to offer at 7.
If he improves in those areas he could end up as the bigger 7 we have been looking for but can't see it this year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Iv'e seen him be a real problem in the 7 jersey in Club land. I know we are talking a VERY different level but he can play 7. The Tahs have used him differently because of Hooper and Gamble.

Not as pure as McReight but he can play 7.

 

[Slim 293]

Because he will play Gleeson at 7. I think you can pretty much pencil in 4. Frost 5. Skelton 6. Holloway 8. Valetini - does anyone really think it'll be anything else?

You're very confident Jones will a select a player in a position he's never played in his professional career...

 

[qwerty51]

Guys, he's played 7 before, he has the speed, he runs out of the line all the time (not always the best option) - he can absolutely put pressure on the 10. He's just as fast as Hooper or McReight. He has shown pilfering ability at the Tahs for sure (go watch the 2H of the Reds game?) he often is first to a breakdown and leaves it. It's not his role at the Tahs ffs no wonder you haven't seen it extensively! It can be if given to him. We need a big body at 7.

You're very confident Jones will a select a player in a position he's never played in his professional career...

Yeah, are you new to Eddie Jones?

Who says that there's only 6 backrowers? I see it as:

Because I am 99.9% certain they will select 6 props.

 

[stillmissit]

Guys, he's played 7 before, he has the speed, he runs out of the line all the time (not always the best option) - he can absolutely put pressure on the 10. He's just as fast as Hooper or McReight. He has shown pilfering ability at the Tahs for sure, he often is first to a breakdown and leaves it. It's not his role at the Tahs ffs no wonder you haven't seen it extensively! It can be if given to him. We need a big body at 7.

Yeah, are you new to Eddie Jones?

Because I am 99.9% certain they will select 6 props.

If you are first player there and I would question whether he is, then securing the ball or pilfering is your No1 Job....

BTW Eddie isn't know for outrageous stabs in the dark on players

 

[Slim 293]

Yeah, are you new to Eddie Jones?

No, which is why I do find it surprising...

 

[qwerty51]

If you are first player there and I would question whether he is, then securing the ball or pilfering is your No1 Job....

Not always if there's no chance of a turnover, take it up with Jason Gilmore...

People should rate players on their attributes, not decision-making during Super Rugby, everyone is playing a role suited to their own club/coaches.

 

[The Marketing Pigeon]

Wondering if Eddie might go similar to his England pack and play big bodies like Holloway at 4 and a big body at 6, don’t hate the idea as frost might be a bit small for some international match ups.
4. Holloway
5. Skelton
6. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)/Gleeson/Leota
7. Mcreight
8. Valentini

 

[Slim 293]

People should rate players on their attributes

Yeah, Gleeson runs hard/tackles hard... but he doesn't complete a lot of tackles, or compete hard over the ball, or seemingly possess the workrate required..

I'm not suggesting Eddie won't pick him in the backrow, but I doubt, particularly based on his coaching history, it will be to fill the role as an openside flanker.

 

[stillmissit]

Not always if there's no chance of a turnover, take it up with Jason Gilmore...

People should rate players on their attributes, not decision-making during Super Rugby, everyone is playing a role suited to their own club/coaches.

Gilmore should understand that the world has changed and the breakdown is the critical part, all you need to do is watch how the Kiwis have beaten us up at the breakdown. if Gleeson is first there, then leaves, it makes the tackled player a target for a turnover or a counter ruck. Absolute madness in the modern game.

 

[rugbyAU]

I can almost gurantee that won't be the make-up. There's no 6 backups to Holloway in there who can run and execute a lineout exceptionally (to offset Skelton) - imo Hanigan almost a cert for the squad as Holloway's backup. There's 6 backrow spots likely, so you need to pick your starters and then pick the most like-for-like replacements for each. Holloway -> Hanigan, Gleeson -> McReight*, Valetini -> Wilson I'd say.

*Wilkin the bolter for McReight as the bigger body possibily, depends which type Eddie prefers I guess. Hooper will not make the squad.

edit: Forgot about LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) as mentioned below, another option at #6 for sure. Don't see where Samu fits at all and he hasn't played great this year.

Hooper is definitely getting picked in the squad

 

[Brumby Runner]

Wondering if Eddie might go similar to his England pack and play big bodies like Holloway at 4 and a big body at 6, don’t hate the idea as frost might be a bit small for some international match ups.
4. Holloway
5. Skelton
6. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)/Gleeson/Leota
7. Mcreight
8. Valentini

Holloway : 195cm, 118kg;
Frost : 206cm, 120kg.

According to Wikipedia - do you have other stats?

 

[Slim 293]

frost might be a bit small for some international match ups.

I think you're mixing up your Nick Frosts...

I wonder if he can throw in a lineout?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Honestly that doesn't disprove anything and I'm a Frost fan and back him to start in the 2nd Row for the Wallabies. Only being 2kg heavier when your 11cm taller...

I want to see Frost get a lot more aggressive in defence. Right now that is his weakest part of the game. I didn't really notice it until it was pointed out and since then I've really seen him fall off some tackles he should handle.

 

[Dctarget]

Holloway : 195cm, 118kg;
Frost : 206cm, 120kg.

According to Wikipedia - do you have other stats?

If either of them are above 115kg I'll eat my hat

 

[Braveheart81]

In 2019 Cheika named a 34 player squad for the Rugby Championship. Do we maybe expect a couple more players than that given the RWC squad is now two more players?

The biggest things we are likely to find out in that initial squad is who the likely hookers and halfbacks are because there is very unlikely to be more than 3 of each named.

36 players?!?

6 props
3 hookers
5 locks
7 backrow
3 halfbacks
3 fly halves
4 centres
5 back three

If a couple of likely selections are still injured but close then maybe they are also there on the fringes of the squad but not named in the actual squad.

 

[fatprop]

In 2019 Cheika named a 34 player squad for the Rugby Championship. Do we maybe expect a couple more players than that given the RWC squad is now two more players?

The biggest things we are likely to find out in that initial squad is who the likely hookers and halfbacks are because there is very unlikely to be more than 3 of each named.

36 players?!?

6 props
3 hookers
5 locks
7 backrow
3 halfbacks
3 fly halves
4 centres
5 back three

If a couple of likely selections are still injured but close then maybe they are also there on the fringes of the squad but not named in the actual squad.

Re the backrow

I expect
2 "fetchers"
2 "angries"
2 "workers\lineout options"
1 "lock backrow hybrid"

The may also pick 6 locks and 6 backrowers

 

[qwerty51]

How many will go to SA though? Probably only 27 and not Bell & Tupou (and Phillip & Rodda if they're in Eddie plans - not enough game time for an altitude Test) I think that squad should all make the RWC injuries and bad performances pending.

You take a 23, maybe a backup backrower, a backup hooker & 9 and outside back. Potentially we're looking at only 4 additions to that squad.

Actually, the Aus A match makes things less clear.