Wallabies 2025

[stillmissit]

Swain won't get picked, not because he doesn't deserve it, but as a risk mitigation measure. Every Lions player would be winding him up to the best of their considerable abilities.

That's probably unfair, but it is what it is

I think that is a very conservative approach to an area that needs aggression at some level. If Swain was red carded over a serious incident again this season then it might be an issue. The red card he got v Eng was was due mostly to that pommie drop kick, who has not been seen in England colours since. As you state we are up against a couple of good locks and if Skelton is not in then we will have an issue.

 

[Major Tom]

Wouldn’t mind seeing a back row like this, would be pretty awesome

6 Valetini
7 Tizzano
8 Gleeson

Mcreight off the bench after 50 would be dangerous and could replace gleeson with a tom hooper or Leota and move Rob to 8

I worry Wilson will take awhile to get back up to speed after injury, pretty crucial that reds go deep into finals I think for game time

Harry will be fine. He's got a crazy motor. Last year, with the same injury he came back and didn't miss a beat!

 

[Strewthcobber]

It's fun to speculate on some of these wild card selections, but I reckon there is little to no chance (barring injury) that anyone who hasn't already spent significant time in Schmidt's squads, particularly EofYT, plays any kind of role in the Lions series.

There just isn't time for the players to get up to speed with how the coaches want them to play.

This is the reality of pro rugby now. You play a role in a scheme.

 

[Wilson]

It's fun to speculate on some of these wild card selections, but I reckon there is little to no chance (barring injury) that anyone who hasn't already spent significant time in Schmidt's squads, particularly EofYT, plays any kind of role in the Lions series.

There just isn't time for the players to get up to speed with how the coaches want them to play.

This is the reality of pro rugby now. You play a role in a scheme.

I mostly agree with this, though O'Connor really does seem to be firming for a place in the squad:

He hasn’t played a Test for three years. But Joe Schmidt just kept this veteran’s Lions dream alive

James O’Connor last played for the Wallabies in 2022, but coach Schmidt appears to have left the door open to a stunning recall for the British & Irish Lions series.

www.smh.com.au

It'll likely all come down to how the pointy end of the season goes for him, but with Taha Kemara now out and the Crusaders in good form he's going to have thee best possible opportunity to demand a spot.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Re picking Lolesio......Schmidt's probably covered every base there lol

“With James, he’s still playing in our local comp [Super Rugby] and he’s not based currently in Australia. I don’t think that precludes him. I don’t think we’ve precluded anyone. We want to be as strong as we can be for a pinnacle event.

“Noah is still young in terms of international experience,” Schmidt said. “With all those players, it’s nice to have an experienced head.

“We just know that if there are close calls, we’re going to favour the guys who have committed their future to Rugby Australia.

“Once you get to those big play-off games, that’s the highest level they play outside of Test football. You want to add a little bit extra weight onto those performances, and I think there was a really good upsurge from the Brumbies last week.”

 

[fatprop]

Wouldn’t mind seeing a back row like this, would be pretty awesome

6 Valetini
7 Tizzano
8 Gleeson

Mcreight off the bench after 50 would be dangerous and could replace gleeson with a tom hooper or Leota and move Rob to 8

I worry Wilson will take awhile to get back up to speed after injury, pretty crucial that reds go deep into finals I think for game time

Our Captain will be picked, as will Mcreight

Tizzano & Gleeson will be in the battle for the bench, so it will depend who gets budgeted for 80 minutes

 

[Derpus]

Our Captain will be picked, as will Mcreight

Tizzano & Gleeson will be in the battle for the bench, so it will depend who gets budgeted for 80 minutes

Tizzano isnt in the 23 youd think

 

[fatprop]

Tizzano isnt in the 23 youd think

He will be in the squad, but you would assume the preferred bench will be Lock and 6/8 cover with Mcreight being budgeted for 80 minutes

Depending on the bench split being 5/3

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Tizzano isnt in the 23 youd think

I never thought Tizzano would have a chance of displacing McReight but he has been the most outstanding Australian player in all the super rugby sides and needs to be picked. Luckily Schmidt watches all the teams, whereas most commentators on here clearly don't watch the Force games

 

[Slim 293]

Tizzano is playing great, but I think it will take more than a handful of SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) games to displace an experienced, quality test calibre player...

 

[Serge]

Tizzano and Kirifi have a lot of similarities, including pushing hard for resepctive national selection

 

[Major Tom]

I never thought Tizzano would have a chance of displacing McReight but he has been the most outstanding Australian player in all the super rugby sides and needs to be picked. Luckily Schmidt watches all the teams, whereas most commentators on here clearly don't watch the Force games

I reckon Tizzano will get gametime at some point of the series.
Fraser has been quieter than usual but not poor. He still offers that link around the park that Carlos doesn't.

 

[Derpus]

Tizzano is playing great, but I think it will take more than a handful of SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) games to displace an experienced, quality test calibre player...

McReight also completely outplayed his likely opposite number last year.

 

[drewprint]

Form is of course important but the proven ability and experience to perform on the international stage is vital, particularly given we are playing the Lions. So in the case of McReight vs Tizzano, it's why McReight is locked in. It's also why I'm amazed some people are dismissing Kellaway; the guy always turns it on for the Wallabies and is in the #23 jersey for me.

 

[Blue]

McReight also completely outplayed his likely opposite number last year.

Some players are just test animals. McReight is one of those. I think Scmidt will likely play a 6/2 bench, given the quality of the Lions' pack and bench, so you can have both Tizzano and Gleeson on the bench. JOC (James O'Connor) covers everything in the backline from 10 to 15. His form is such good timing. Nobody better to back up ten, goal kicking and to stopgap everything else.

 

[Blue]

I am not convinced that Williams has done enough to be included. I was impressed with his skill set and work rate last year, looks like both have fallen away. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) goes well one week and bounces of everyone the week after. I suspect we have an issue in the row? Thank Christ! we have Bobby V at 6 or our back 5 would look pretty fragile in terms of ad line and breaking the line.

Williams was an essential piece in the exponential improvement shown in the pack on EOYT. Despite the fact that he gives a little bit away in size he does the hard work exceptionally well. The less you notice him the better he is doing. Quality player. No frills. Hard. Lock him in for mine.

 

[Thalium]

I think Nick CdC is a Smokey for the 20 jersey

he jumps hits rucks, tackles well and a lot and can play 6,7,8

very smart player too with a decent amount of game time

 

[Sword of Justice]

Thalium I agree that he has looked great but do you really debut a back row player against the Lions when you have Wilson, Valetini, McReight, Leota with a good amount of test experience plus Gleeson, Hooper and Tizzano with a bit of their own. Probably forgetting some but my point is that it would be pretty cavalier to ignore that security.

 

[saladsdontwinscrums1]

I reckon Tizzano will get gametime at some point of the series.
Fraser has been quieter than usual but not poor. He still offers that link around the park that Carlos doesn't.

I agree, Tizzano has been red hot this season, but Fraser still is the better option for the Wallabies at the moment. I think we will most certainly see Tizzano coming off the bench though, as he could have a major impact coming off the bench in the second half.

 

[A mutterer]

Thalium I agree that he has looked great but do you really debut a back row player against the Lions when you have Wilson, Valetini, McReight, Leota with a good amount of test experience plus Gleeson, Hooper and Tizzano with a bit of their own. Probably forgetting some but my point is that it would be pretty cavalier to ignore that security.

Leota isn't in the mix for me. It may be McKellar and his questionable systems but he has been nowhere near form this year, and is second to thor for his report card on effort.

I'd be backing gleeson's inclusion over leota.