Wallabies 2025

[KOB1987]

Move on to who? Lolesio and Lynagh out, Donaldson will travel, Edmed has been called up - JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) has been sounded out if he is able/willing to travel. Seems completely necessary to take him (or see if Foley is available) because who is next? I'd say Debrazcini but he is finishing up. HMP and Meredith are nowhere near being able to be Super Rugby starters, let alone Wallaby tourists.

Depending on JOC (James O'Connor) that is not a bad option as a plan c, for South Africa only though

 

[KOB1987]

Who wants to have a bet that Skelton won't be playing against Toulon on 21 September?

What odds are you offering?

 

[KOB1987]

This just came up on my Aus feed:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/wallabies-declare-giteau-law-redundant-as-all-foreign-based-players-to-be-eligible-for-selection/news-story/c63a68f4c80a4b30738fe498743e50da

"The Giteau Law is officially dead, with Rugby Australia bosses confirming the Wallabies coach can pick as many overseas-based players as he wants.
But the strong preference will always be for those who have committed to Australian Super Rugby teams, and if there are 50-50 calls they will always go with the locally based player."

 

[Slim 293]

And from the Nine papers…

“I think we’ve been pretty open. Joe [Schmidt] has got no impediment to select whoever he wants; that’s always been the case,” Horne said.

“The Giteau Law, it’s kind of redundant, right? Though the reality is, if he wants to pick, I don’t know, Josh Kemeny from Northampton, that’s his call.

 

[Sword of Justice]

This just came up on my Aus feed:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/wallabies-declare-giteau-law-redundant-as-all-foreign-based-players-to-be-eligible-for-selection/news-story/c63a68f4c80a4b30738fe498743e50da

"The Giteau Law is officially dead, with Rugby Australia bosses confirming the Wallabies coach can pick as many overseas-based players as he wants.
But the strong preference will always be for those who have committed to Australian Super Rugby teams, and if there are 50-50 calls they will always go with the locally based player."

I’ve been calling for this on these here forii for several years but it still makes me feel kind of sad to see it happen. There will be downsides but for the sake of the national team it has to happen.

 

[KOB1987]

If they stick to the 'guidelines' that appear to have been implemented in its place I think it will work well. It won't be open slather, and there is still the incentive to stay in Australia (especially for developing players) as the preference will be given to those players. Of course there will be the odd Skelton that escapes the domestic system and gets recognised as a 'must have' later, but as long as they are the exceptions and not the rule. Also, I don't think the timing is coincidental with a significant cash injection, you would assume (hope) that a reasonable portion of the 'going forward' budget will be dedicated to retaining and developing local talent, which may come about via expanding the Super AU competition into a proper third tier.

 

[Hogan]

To be fair he was more than ok, was probably the best player on the field vs the Blues. I wouldn't be surprised if he beats out Edmed next year. I'm not advocating for him, but we need to build depth at some point. Constantly bringing David Knox or Dally messenger into the team every time there are injuries isn't developing depth

I agree TT. I predict Meredith to start over Edmed next year. He is a terrific player with a great skill set and definitely offers more in attack than Edmed. Would be great for his development if they took on this year’s Spring Tour.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

If they stick to the 'guidelines' that appear to have been implemented in its place I think it will work well. It won't be open slather, and there is still the incentive to stay in Australia (especially for developing players) as the preference will be given to those players. Of course there will be the odd Skelton that escapes the domestic system and gets recognised as a 'must have' later, but as long as they are the exceptions and not the rule. Also, I don't think the timing is coincidental with a significant cash injection, you would assume (hope) that a reasonable portion of the 'going forward' budget will be dedicated to retaining and developing local talent, which may come about via expanding the Super AU competition into a proper third tier.

This is great news for all the Australian youngsters playing throughout the NH. Every time the Wallabies play in the NH they can select a couple of young players and let them train with them in camp (Like Eddie Jones did with a 17-year old Marcus Smith). Keeps the kids engaged and doesn't make them loose JIFF status (which is what the French are after anyway). For the more senior players the quality of life in Australia is higher than loads of places up in the NH (bar the South of France probably), so that could also be a drawing card to get players to return to Super Rugby.

 

[noscrumnolife]

Means we can pick players like Heinz Lemoto if he goes Top 14.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Means we can pick players like Heinz Lemoto if he goes Top 14.

Exactly, so I could see RA maybe help players to sign for clubs in France just to get them playing Union instead of being snapped up by the NRL.

 

[Alex Sharpe]

If they stick to the 'guidelines' that appear to have been implemented in its place I think it will work well. It won't be open slather, and there is still the incentive to stay in Australia (especially for developing players) as the preference will be given to those players. Of course there will be the odd Skelton that escapes the domestic system and gets recognised as a 'must have' later, but as long as they are the exceptions and not the rule. Also, I don't think the timing is coincidental with a significant cash injection, you would assume (hope) that a reasonable portion of the 'going forward' budget will be dedicated to retaining and developing local talent, which may come about via expanding the Super AU competition into a proper third tier.

Even if RA gives the green light for Wallaby coaches to pick overseas players, it will be far from open slather, with the amount of friction and red tape from overseas clubs only seeming to increase.

With restrictions such as international windows, insurance and requirements for club preseason, it will always be better for Wallaby chances to be based in Australia regardless of RAs policy

 

[chiraag]

So who's the back up 10 for the tour? Could Beale get a look in?

How about Bayley Kuenzle as a somewhat leftfield suggestion? Donaldson is an 80 minute player, so probably not worth keeping a dedicated 4th string 10 on the bench. Kuenzle is perfect for a 6-2 bench as he covers 10 to 15.

 

[Ignoto]

What's the stand down period again if Meafou doesn't run out for the Red Roosters again?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

On balance, I think open selection makes sense in the current rugby climate. The issue with players going overseas isn't going to disappear, so we might as well pick our best 23 from wherever they play. I don't mind Wallaby coaches saying that they'll prioritise OZ based players though.

When we have our best available we're very competitive, as this series has just shown.

 

[KOB1987]

It’s more a post for the ‘Wallabies beyond 2025’ thread but that doesn’t exist so here will do.

An interesting stat I picked up is that in the World Cup immediately following the Lions tour the Wallabies have made the final - 89/91, 01/03 and 13/15. NZ also share the same dynamic - 93/95, 05/07 and 17/19. South Africa do not, however won it at the staging after their most recent Lions tour.

 

[Rob42]

Exactly, so I could see RA maybe help players to sign for clubs in France just to get them playing Union instead of being snapped up by the NRL.

I'm not sure about that, France wants to sign up young players to push them into their national pathway, they'll put a lot of pressure on those players to decline Australian representation.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

I'm not sure about that, France wants to sign up young players to push them into their national pathway, they'll put a lot of pressure on those players to decline Australian representation.

I believe French clubs only want JIFF qualified players, regardless if they play for France or not. The France Union would love to see some of those talents flow through to Les Blues, but they have such a wide player pool to choose from they don't care that much. However the clubs want the most talented players to be JIFF qualified as they have quotas they need to hit.


There is a thread on here somewhere where this discussion has been done already I believe.

 

[Omar Comin']

I believe French clubs only want JIFF qualified players, regardless if they play for France or not. The France Union would love to see some of those talents filter through to Les Blues, but they have such a wide player pool to choose from they don't care that much. However the clubs want the most talented players to be JIFF qualified as they have quotas they need to hit.


There is a thread on here somewhere where this discussion has been done already I believe.

Can players remain JIFF qualified if they start playing for another country?

 

[Dctarget]

What's the stand down period again if Meafou doesn't run out for the Red Roosters again?

March 2028.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Can players remain JIFF qualified if they start playing for another country?

"To qualify as JIFF, players must spend five years playing age-grade rugby at any FFR-affiliated club, or three seasons with a French professional club’s academy by age 23." source

So once a JIFF, always a JIFF. The JIFF rules were created to skirt EU-laws about quotas on nationality or eligibility I believe