Recent content by Slim 293

3. Hooper 2. Ikitau 1. McReight

Bell is being rested after injuring his rib and aggravating it at training on Tuesday.

Yeah, because for whatever reason he has, and we don't yet know why...

They're going on as much information as we have...

Bell not being there is the only really big surprise, but going to have to wait for the Schmidt presser to find out why as they never include the reason in the press release, but until then I'm going it's injury related...

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/new-player-load-guidelines-hailed-as-landmark-moment-for-rugby-2025101

He was… and the team had already started falling apart well before he came off.

You can keep repeating this falsehood in every match thread, but Donaldson has had plenty of opportunities, including test matches such as the two starts last year he was poor in, and several years playing in the same competition and being a regular test squad member to adjudicate and compare...

I don't think so...

Anyways, he’s no longer available and soon neither will JOC (James O'Connor)… So Schmidt is going to have to start backing Lynagh or Edmed, or whoever else is left… HMP? Meredith? Debreczeni?

None of the other candidates have yet shown to be a definitive improvement… JOC (James O'Connor) has been the best option, but even his form has swung between being very good, and very bad.

I’d say that recent tests justified Schmidt’s decision to back Noah prior to his injury…

Maybe, but I'd say unlikely... Sketon, Frost and Williams have been the preferred group of locks, and still need to squeeze Hooper in there who either goes to the bench as backrow cover or potentially starts again at 6 and Valetini comes on in the second half.

I don't see any room for LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the squad with those guys back.

Moving away from the CEO and Donaldson fan club... Skelton and Valetini back for the next game which creates a pretty good selection conundrum. I'm not sure what Skelton's preparation is going to be like going into the week... Normally I'd assume he starts and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) drops out, but will he need...