2025 Bledisloe Cup Series

[rugbyAU]

I'm unsold on Toole. His aerial game was rubbish in the last game. I think he will get exploited again if he's out there.

They'll definitley target him, he wasn't in the team before Kellaway's injury, I think he's our 6th best winger

 

[Red Runner]

- Gordon and O'Connor at 9/10 - Edmed on bench
- Back 3 of Potter, Toole and Jorgo (FB) with kellaway out
- Ikitau and JAS in the centres
- Frost and Williams starting with LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) off the bench
- Hooper-McReight-Wilson backrow
- AA returns

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/09/...-backline-changes-after-fresh-injury-setback/

So??

1 Slipper
2 Pollard
3 AAA
4 Frost
5 Williams
6 Hooper
7 McReight
8 Wilson
9 Gordon
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Potter
12 Ikitau
13 JAS
14 Toole
15 Jorgo

16 BPA
17 Bell
18 Tupou
19 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 Tizzan
21 McDermott
22 Edmed
23 Daugunu

Is that we think from that leak?

 

[rugbyAU]

So??

1 Slipper
2 Pollard
3 AAA
4 Frost
5 Williams
6 Hooper
7 McReight
8 Wilson
9 Gordon
10 JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)
11 Potter
12 Ikitau
13 JAS
14 Toole
15 Jorgo

16 BPA
17 Bell
18 Tupou
19 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 Tizzan
21 McDermott
22 Edmed
23 Daugunu

Is that we think from that leak?

Yep, bang on from reports

 

[KiwiM]

I'm unsold on Toole. His aerial game was rubbish in the last game. I think he will get exploited again if he's out there.

ABs aerial game has been rubbish all season. Admittedly Caleb Clarke should play which will help but the AB wing play has been atrocious this season bar 5 minutes of Narawa before he got injured.

 

[Rob42]

ABs aerial game has been rubbish all season. Admittedly Caleb Clarke should play which will help but the AB wing play has been atrocious this season bar 5 minutes of Narawa before he got injured.

Nah, the Wallabies' aerial game has been worse. I'd just like to see the Wallabies play smart in that area - if you're not winning those contestable kicks, push them a bit deeper and plan to get two or three tacklers over the receiving player to go for the turnover on the ground.

 

[The Phoenix]

So??

1 Slipper
2 Pollard
3 AAA
4 Frost
5 Williams
6 Hooper
7 McReight
8 Wilson
9 Gordon
10 JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)
11 Potter
12 Ikitau
13 JAS
14 Toole
15 Jorgo

16 BPA
17 Bell
18 Tupou
19 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 Tizzan
21 McDermott
22 Edmed
23 Daugunu

Is that we think from that leak?

Maybe Stewart on the bench to cover fullback.

 

[Uh huh]

I'm unsold on Toole. His aerial game was rubbish in the last game. I think he will get exploited again if he's out there.

There's no question he had a terrible game, but usually his aerial game is really strong. Hopefully he takes the chance and bounces back this weekend.

 

[Uh huh]

So??

1 Slipper
2 Pollard
3 AAA
4 Frost
5 Williams
6 Hooper
7 McReight
8 Wilson
9 Gordon
10 JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)
11 Potter
12 Ikitau
13 JAS
14 Toole
15 Jorgo

16 BPA
17 Bell
18 Tupou
19 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 Tizzan
21 McDermott
22 Edmed
23 Daugunu

Is that we think from that leak?

Personally I'd swap 19 and 5. Otherwise, no notes.

 

[KiwiM]

Nah, the Wallabies' aerial game has been worse.

I would strongly disagree with you there.

Toole was excellent under the high ball in South Africa. The ABs aerial work is atrocious. You've got Dagg and Jane coming out in the press criticising it specifically.

 

[LeCheese]

Maybe Stewart on the bench to cover fullback.

He hasn't played fullback (at least started there) since like 2019 at the Reds? IMO he is a step down on the other options listed, and I'd much rather play one of the other backs out of position than Stewart out of position.

 

[Uh huh]

I'm really excited about Jorgensen at 15. It's the next natural step in his journey to emulating Larkham and becoming the best flyhalf in the world.

 

[Tomthumb]

Super disappointing to see Kellaway out, his experience was crucial in trying to minimise the loss of Wright

Toole is up for it. He seems to have taken all the blame for the Argentina loss, but he was the best on ground vs South Africa and is young in test rugby

 

[chasmac]

Nah, the Wallabies' aerial game has been worse. I'd just like to see the Wallabies play smart in that area - if you're not winning those contestable kicks, push them a bit deeper and plan to get two or three tacklers over the receiving player to go for the turnover on the ground.

It seemed like the Argies had huge kicks with massive hang time. They'd target a drop zone where the Wallaby catcher was standing so that there was no opportunity to take a running leap at the ball. Then the Argie winger would launch at the landing zone and simply try and touch the ball. Created nearly all positive outcomes for themselves. Good tactic to try on the AB's and good tactic to try and mitigate at training this week.

 

[The Phoenix]

He hasn't played fullback (at least started there) since like 2019 at the Reds? IMO he is a step down on the other options listed, and I'd much rather play one of the other backs out of position than Stewart out of position.

Yet Joe keeps picking him for Wallaby squads assuming, for his versatility.

 

[Slim 293]

Yet Joe keeps picking him for Wallaby squads assuming, for his versatility.

Assuming, not to play at fullback...