Recent content by Wilson

Probably only if they have enough depth in a position that a talented youngster isn't getting game time, then they might look at sending them down here for the experience. I'm not too sure that would ever be someone pushing for the 23 for us though. Maybe in the case of an injury crisis.

He definitely hasn't been interviewing with them for a coaching position, all those skype calls were just 'advisory' in nature...

Based on the fact that you "don't think he's been playing much this season"? It's fair enough to discus the inclusion of foreign based players, but just throwing names up based on the fact that they're all of a sudden eligible doesn't make a lot of sense.

To what end? Are you suggesting these players are playing better than those in the squad?

Have you been watching these players and think their form warrants selection or are you just listing Australians playing in Europe?

Charlie Cale has extended through 2027 https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallaby-charlie-cale-signs-with-act-brumbies-until-the-end-of-2027-20251013

Yes, Schmidt specifically called it out too:

It means plenty - if he was to leave for a contract elsewhere than RA/the Reds would be looking for a release fee to let him go, as the Titans just received. The guy is clearly committed to the game and playing it for Queensland and Australia longer term. I don't really think anyone will be...

Nasser is a good scrummager, but I'd be surprised if they saw him as better than BPA, who is maybe the best scrummaging hooker we've ever had (and has a very solid partnership with Tupou. I'm not so surprised they've preferred Nasser over him given recent teams named, but the surprising part...

It's been a bit lost in the flyhalf chat, but Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been left out of both the wallabies and Australia A squads, but not listed as unavailable due to injury. A bit of a surprise drop off there as easily our most experienced hooker

Not sure the Aus A guys will back up straight away having not been with the squad, at least in starting roles. The Italy test might be where a few more of those 1st picks get a break as a result, particularly with at least a few of Ikitau, O'Connor, Skelton and Hooper to be available.

Bell is a proper sabbatical (as opposed to Ikitau who has signed a quick season away between deals), so I imagine he was never going to be released until after the EOYT was done. Tupou is a bit more interesting, but it's probably just the Racing didn't want to buy out the last ~month or so of...

Seems unlikely that Stewart will be the preferred/conservative option as 10 coverage there, if Schmidt was that worried about playing Gordon straight up against Japan he would've called Donaldson in like a bunch of the other Australia A players.

That probably helps explain the 2 10s as well, O'Connor likely gets the call up as soon as they arrive in Europe, whether or not they use him too much.

I think this means we're pretty much guaranteed to see Carter in the 23, at least for that first game against Japan. I imagine Paisami and Stewart will then be looked at as the squad coverage 10s, while everyone is otherwise fit.