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Wallabies 2023

eastman

Arch Winning (36)
Is it crazy to consider JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) as a utility back that kicks goals, over Hodge? i.e comes off the bench in the easier pool games?
I remember him playing some absolutely cracking games for the Wallabies at 13 outside Samu. He's not a 10 anymore, but I don't hate the idea of him providing back up for 13-15
He couldn’t be in worse than Hodge.
 

stillmissit

Chilla Wilson (44)
Yes, I started posting on this site when I was 3....

Seriously, if you are going to be consistently upset when people take you to task over some of the stuff you post, then you have to rethink your approach. Thin skin is never going to serve you well on any internet forum.
Thin skin is never an issue with me but lacking any sensible discussion or argument implies either a lack of any understanding or just plain childishness. I suggest more work on sand dunes and you come back with coastal erosion. I assume you think that is a smart well thought out reply.
If that's the best you can do just put me on ignore and I'll do the same as you offer next to nothing.

BTW I am not here for a social media experience as I think it is part of the reason 30+ year olds are still playing computer games. I am here because I have spent a fair chunk of my life playing, referring and coaching a game I love, as it used to turn boys into men.
 
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Wallaby Man

Trevor Allan (34)
If Eddie has any sense at all Ainsley must be brought in, he's a powerfully built 123kg Maori All Black, Australian rugby just doesn't seem to produce decent size front-rowers, other than PI guys who were born & schooled in NZ... Tupou, Fa'amausili, Kepu, Polota-Nau, the list just goes on and on...
What a load of trash.

The funny thing in this post is not one of these players is what you mentioned.

Tupou not born in NZ
Pone born and bred on Melbourne
Kepu born in Sydney, schooled in NZ
TPN born and bred in Sydney

I guess to some people you can’t be an Aussie if you look like an islander.
 

Ignoto

Greg Davis (50)
If Eddie has any sense at all Ainsley must be brought in, he's a powerfully built 123kg Maori All Black, Australian rugby just doesn't seem to produce decent size front-rowers, other than PI guys who were born & schooled in NZ... Tupou, Fa'amausili, Kepu, Polota-Nau, the list just goes on and on...
I've seen enough scrums where Ainsley folded like a beach chair from BCF. He is far from the lord and saviour you're making him out to be.
 

The Red Baron

Chilla Wilson (44)
Thin skin is never an issue with me but lacking any sensible discussion or argument implies either a lack of any understanding or just plain childishness. I suggest more work on sand dunes and you come back with coastal erosion. I assume you think that is a smart well thought out reply.
If that's the best you can do just put me on ignore and I'll do the same as you offer next to nothing.

BTW I am not here for a social media experience as I think it is part of the reason 30+ year olds are still playing computer games. I am here because I have spent a fair chunk of my life playing, referring and coaching a game I love, as it used to turn boys into men.

Go for it pal, the threads will be much better experience with you on ignore. And just for the record, I wasn't the person who posted about coastal erosion, I just thought your reply was ridiculous enough to warrant the laugh.

I'm done here, you won't change your approach. I'll just pop you on ignore and we can go on our merry way.
 

rugbyAU

Arch Winning (36)
Our best 23 for the WC:

1 - Bell
2 - Faesslar
3 - Tupou
4 - Frost
5 - Skelton
6 - Hooper
7 - McReight
8 - Valentini
9 - McDermott (c)
10 - Gordon
11 - Korobiete
12 - Kerevi
13 - Ikitau
14 - Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase)
15 - Kellaway

16 - Porecki
17 - Slipper (vc)
18 - Pone
19 - Phillip
20 - Gleeson
21 - White
22 - Cooper
23 - Petaia
 
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qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Faesslar ahead of Porecki after 1 match is wild. Unless you want your best hooker on to finish which isn’t the worst idea. I’d start Pone just so we break up Bell and Tupou imo.

I reckon after Tom Hooper, McReight and Valetini it’s anyone’s guess who the other 3 backrowers will be in the squad.
 

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
Our best 23 for the WC:

1 - Bell
2 - Faesslar
3 - Tupou
4 - Frost
5 - Skelton
6 - Hooper
7 - McReight
8 - Valentini
9 - McDermott (c)
10 - Gordon
11 - Korobiete
12 - Kerevi
13 - Ikitau
14 - Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase)
15 - Kellaway

16 - Porecki
17 - Slipper (vc)
18 - Pone
19 - Phillip
20 - Gleeson
21 - White
22 - Cooper
23 - Petaia

I like it, but the starting team is lacking line-out jumpers. Frost is great, Hooper is okay, Valetini only used sparingly. I think you need two specialist jumpers.
So Skelton has to come off the bench.
 

HogansHeros

Bob Loudon (25)
Faesslar didnt really offer anything more than Porecki has? Porecki is probs still first choice thrower and has certainly gotten better in contact over this test window. Faesslar was no doubt good on debut but didnt show anything to be starting him over Porecki yet.
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
Ikitau has been great at 13 and I would have considered, until injury, 13 was locked in.

But then he got injured and Petaia got his shot and he has been excellent.

I’ personally leave Petaia at 13.

In fact I would be leave yesterdays starting XV as is, including Arnold. I’m not convinced he is better than Neville - but that is the way Jones has gone and it’s too late for further changes.

Ikitau & Tupou on to the bench. Maybe Holloway for Leota. Otherwise leave it unchanged.
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
Faesslar didnt really offer anything more than Porecki has? Porecki is probs still first choice thrower and has certainly gotten better in contact over this test window. Faesslar was no doubt good on debut but didnt show anything to be starting him over Porecki yet.
I pretty much agree with the first line and won’t be surprised or disappointed if Porecki comes straight back in. But Porecki has had plenty of chances and, to date, has done nothing but be adequate. I do give him credit for being accurate at the line out because it is a skill most of our other hookers haven’t managed - but Faessler is too and was a better player in super rugby this year IMO and is better at the pilfer which is something I think we would benefit from. My preference would be to persist with him starting but agree it’s probably splitting hairs.
 

rugbyAU

Arch Winning (36)
Ikitau has been great at 13 and I would have considered, until injury, 13 was locked in.

But then he got injured and Petaia got his shot and he has been excellent.

I’ personally leave Petaia at 13.

In fact I would be leave yesterdays starting XV as is, including Arnold. I’m not convinced he is better than Neville - but that is the way Jones has gone and it’s too late for further changes.

Ikitau & Tupou on to the bench. Maybe Holloway for Leota. Otherwise leave it unchanged.
I think Ikitau when he comes back has to slot right back into 13 with Petaia at 23, other than that agreed
 
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