First, the good things about the squad.
Six props is a great start. I think one or two of the squads already announced only have 5, and certainly there have been calls here to only take 5, but 6 is a necessity to get through the rigours of a RWC.
Three hookers again is a necessity.
Three halfbacks is a necessity.
Tall timber in the second row is good.
A backup squad to be conveniently located and match fit is a great idea.
Now the head scratchers.
Will Skelton as captain and Tate McDermott as Vice captain is odd. Both are likely starters in the big matches but unlikely to see out the whole game. Who takes over when both are off the ground?
Jordan Uelese's continued selection. He is currently injured, and has a history of injuries. In my eyes he is also a suspect pea heart. Twice this Super Rugby season he, along with Mafi, left the Rebels without a hooker on the field yet was fit enough to play the next week. Something fishy there imo.
Dropping Ryan Lonergan from the squad when he was there all year but didn't get a game. I have no beef about IFL being included as I think he is most like Tate in the way he plays and is probably even more of a threat than Tate with his running game. But that change should have been made much earlier in the RC campaign.
Only one specialist No 10 who is an out and out rookie and right now suspect at this level and kicking goals. No 10 resources are scarce but probably Quade should have been retained after again being in the squad and playing this year.
A lack of specialist cover in the back three. Vunivalu is not playing at this level and covers only one spot, so not even a suitable bench option. Jorgenson has potential written all over him, but hasn't played for about three quarters of the year and is not yet over his injury. Shades of Rory Arnold? If he hasn't been playing, why would Eddie pick him?
The two utility players raise a number of issues. Donaldson had a very ordinary Super season where he couldn't even cement a spot at 15 or 10 for a poorly performing Tahs side. He has little to no claims to be in a RWC squad imo. A better performing No 10 who can also cover 12 and 15 would be Jack Debreczini, but he never got a look in with Eddie. Kemeny again looks to have potential, but as a backrower. It makes little sense to me to claim he is versatile enough to play in the backline. As a backrower, he would probably miss out to Pete Samu.
Anyway, it is what it is. I hope they go well, and my expectation is that they should top their pool and make the Quarters. If they go on to the semis or higher, that would be a sensational result. If they miss the Quarters, Eddie's appointment will have been a massive failure and he won't be around in 2025/27.