Wallabies v Italy - 9 November

[Wilson]

Japan is not a Tier 1 nation

Georgia is not a Tier 1 nation

Wales are no longer a Tier 1 nation at 12th after an 18 game losing streak

That's not how the tier system works, it's a very real and formal concept in World Rugby. You cannot lose tier 1 status by losing games and Japan was promoted to tier one (the high performance unions) in 2023:

Le Japon rejoint le "High Performance Union" et devient une nation du Tier 1 mondial

Lors de la réunion du Conseil d'administration de World Rugby qui s'est tenue aujourd'hui, un amendement partiel (article 9) des statuts de World Rugby a été approuvé. La révision des statuts a été faite en réponse à la reconnaissance de la Japan Rugby Football Union en tant que syndicat de...

www.asierugby.com

 

[rugbyAU]

That's not how the tier system works, it's a very real and formal concept in World Rugby. You cannot lose tier 1 status by losing games and Japan was promoted to tier one (the high performance unions) in 2023:

Le Japon rejoint le "High Performance Union" et devient une nation du Tier 1 mondial

Lors de la réunion du Conseil d'administration de World Rugby qui s'est tenue aujourd'hui, un amendement partiel (article 9) des statuts de World Rugby a été approuvé. La révision des statuts a été faite en réponse à la reconnaissance de la Japan Rugby Football Union en tant que syndicat de...

www.asierugby.com

They've only beaten one top 10 nation since us in 2022 (maybe Wales were just in the top 10 in 2024)

 

[rugbyAU]

This is Italys first game since July yeah?

Yes

 

[rugbyAU]

That's not how the tier system works, it's a very real and formal concept in World Rugby. You cannot lose tier 1 status by losing games and Japan was promoted to tier one (the high performance unions) in 2023:

Le Japon rejoint le "High Performance Union" et devient une nation du Tier 1 mondial

Lors de la réunion du Conseil d'administration de World Rugby qui s'est tenue aujourd'hui, un amendement partiel (article 9) des statuts de World Rugby a été approuvé. La révision des statuts a été faite en réponse à la reconnaissance de la Japan Rugby Football Union en tant que syndicat de...

www.asierugby.com

definitley cheapens Tier 1 status then

 

[Major Tom]

Yes

Should be a little rusty then.

 

[Dctarget]

Should be a little rusty then.

As rusty as England were.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Speaking of rusty, when was the last time out 10 played a game of rugby?

 

[JRugby2]

A lot of these players took France to a 13-13 draw in the 2024 6 nations, in France. Only a draw due to an Italy missed kick (from memory - I cbf fact checking that).
They aren't incapable of showing up

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Speaking of rusty, when was the last time out 10 played a game of rugby?

Something like October 2023.

Many of us have isolated and purged that period of time so not completely sure...

 

[Yoda]

And the revolving door 10 situation spins on! With a guy who hasn't played rugby in 18 months. Loyalty for staying in the game of rugby out the window.

 

[TSR]

If only Donaldson had taken his chance when he was given it. He’d be up to like 20 or so tests now.

 

[JRugby2]

And the revolving door 10 situation spins on! With a guy who hasn't played rugby in 18 months. Loyalty for staying in the game of rugby out the window.

I don't think a single person inside RA, either around the team or in the office, begrudges him for leaving considering the circumstances of 2023 and 2024.

 

[Yoda]

I don't think a single person inside RA, either around the team or in the office, begrudges him for leaving considering the circumstances of 2023 and 2024.

I don't either as he is a handy talent. Just not sure he deserves to blow straight back in to a Wallaby jersey.

 

[KOB1987]

I don't either as he is a handy talent. Just not sure he deserves to blow straight back in to a Wallaby jersey.

You would assume there’s a time that he would?

 

[Yoda]

If only Donaldson had taken his chance when he was given it. He’d be up to like 20 or so tests now.

TSR. I think it's more like, if only they persevered with Donaldson as much as they did Lolesio, I think it would be a different story for him. Then Joe brushes him for Edmed and Carter for this tour. Hope he comes back next year better for the snubbing and grabs that jersey for himself. Him and Carter from then on.

 

[Adam84]

I don’t really care that he went to the NRL, and I don’t think that should be a reason not to select him. Parochial pride shouldn’t get in the way of selection decisions, especially when we don’t have the luxury of time to build a credible halves combination ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

My concern is simply that he hasn’t played much football at all over the past 18 months, in either code. Ideally, he’d have been eased back via bench minutes, but it seems the alternatives haven’t stepped up. In that sense, his selection has almost being forced rather than earned.

 

[Major Tom]

I don't either as he is a handy talent. Just not sure he deserves to blow straight back in to a Wallaby jersey.

1. He'll probably go better than the other options (Edmed, Stewart and JOC (James O'Connor)).
2. need to get him playing with the boys in prep for RWC.

 

[JRugby2]

1. He'll probably go better than the other options (Edmed, Stewart and JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)).
2. need to get him playing with the boys in prep for RWC.

this one I don't really agree with - 3 games at the end of the year mid way between RWC cycles and before an extended break from international footy?

I'm not sure selecting him for this reason really moves that specific dial that much. Especially considering the players directly around him in 9 and 12 could very well change between now and then.

 

[PhilClinton]

Brace yourself - if we lose this game just be prepared for the endless NRL journo articles mocking us for paying $100k to return our messiah to rugby and that it meant fuck all.

Out of all the games on tour, this one will make or break us.

 

[Adam84]

Basing your peace of mind on what NRL journos say is a guaranteed way to stay perpetually miserable and confused.