2025 Bledisloe Cup Series

[Mr Pilfer]

Donno named at 10 for the Force, hopefully plays well and gets his chance on the Spring Tour as I certainly don't think Edmed is the answer, but also hope to be proven wrong.

Really interested to see what Joe does with second row/backrow. I definitely don't think Hooper deserves to be dropped and probably Frost as well so might need to bring Valetini back from the bench.

Would love to see this combo for this game.

4. Frost
5. Skelton
6. Hooper
7. Tizzano
8. Wilson

19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Valetini

 

[Slim 293]

7. Tizzano

I don't think so...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

How injured is Valetini? Are they bringing him back too soon each time?

Too tough for his own good. I expect him to miss every second game atm

 

[Tomthumb]

I don't think so...

McReight could do with a break at some point

 

[rugbyAU]

McReight could do with a break at some point

We have three weeks off and then Japan after this weekend

 

[rugbyAU]

How injured is Valetini? Are they bringing him back too soon each time?

Too tough for his own good. I expect him to miss every second game atm

Fully fit the reports were that it was precautionary keeping him at home

 

[Spamnoodle]

I hope they look at a guy like Scott Sio as mentioned by others. 59 starts 66 games for Exeter... Must be fit and going alright.

We aren't exactly short on props now though.

 

[Tomikin]

View attachment 23440

Donno named at 10 for the Force, hopefully plays well and gets his chance on the Spring Tour as I certainly don't think Edmed is the answer, but also hope to be proven wrong.

Really interested to see what Joe does with second row/backrow. I definitely don't think Hooper deserves to be dropped and probably Frost as well so might need to bring Valetini back from the bench.

Would love to see this combo for this game.

4. Frost
5. Skelton
6. Hooper
7. Tizzano
8. Wilson

19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Valetini

I know this isn't the answer and I dont know if its true, but he did get the 10 at the Tah's when Donno was still there, maybe there's more to it then us as fans are seeing.

 

[Red Runner]

We aren't exactly short on props now though.

I think there is still ground for concern. Counting just Australian based players, because while we have the new Giteau Clause interpretation the Skelton case study shows it aint perfect.

At Tight head we have

1 AAA
2 Nonggorr
3 Robetson
4 De Luttis
5 Van Nek
6 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)?

Then at loose head we have:

1 Bell
2 Robertson
3 Schoupp
4 Ieli
5 Lambert
6 Pearce

Would that be right? Some potential but we fall off quickly.

 

[rugbyAU]

I think there is still ground for concern. Counting just Australian based players, because while we have the new Giteau Clause interpretation the Skelton case study shows it aint perfect.

At Tight head we have

1 AAA
2 Nonggorr
3 Robetson
4 De Luttis
5 Van Nek
6 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes)?

Then at loose head we have:

1 Bell
2 Robertson
3 Schoupp
4 Ieli
5 Lambert
6 Pearce

Would that be right? Some potential but we fall off quickly.

Ross too

 

[TSR]

I know this isn't the answer and I dont know if its true, but he did get the 10 at the Tah's when Donno was still there, maybe there's more to it then us as fans are seeing.

I dunno. I know he has some passionate supporters here but the argument for Donaldson for most, I think, was that Lolesio hadn’t shot the lights out and throwing Lynagh in was premature. That was it for me anyway. And now the arguement seems to be that everyone else has had a go so surely it’s his turn. Which isn’t a strategy any of us should be hoping gets adopted (in general - not aimed specifically at Donaldson).

I’m not saying Donaldson couldn’t have at least been on par with the others guys - every chance he could have. But I’ve never seen anything to suggest he is better. He’s started the last two super rugby seasons as probably Australia’s best 10 for the first 4-5 rounds but he’s never really sustained it.

I’ll have no problems at all if he gets called in and gets his chance - and if he does I hope he goes great. But I’m not sure there is really much mystery behind him not getting picked.

 

[Tomikin]

I dunno. I know he has some passionate supporters here but the argument for Donaldson for most, I think, was that Lolesio hadn’t shot the lights out and throwing Lynagh in was premature. That was it for me anyway. And now the arguement seems to be that everyone else has had a go so surely it’s his turn. Which isn’t a strategy any of us should be hoping gets adopted (in general - not aimed specifically at Donaldson).

I’m not saying Donaldson couldn’t have at least been on par with the others guys - every chance he could have. But I’ve never seen anything to suggest he is better. He’s started the last two super rugby seasons as probably Australia’s best 10 for the first 4-5 rounds but he’s never really sustained it.

I’ll have no problems at all if he gets called in and gets his chance - and if he does I hope he goes great. But I’m not sure there is really much mystery behind him not getting picked.

Id argue, that gngr votes, and performance said Noah played better, he was the one Joe wanted to go with. Now its out in the open, and Dono seems to not control a game as well as the others.

 

[Yoda]

I dunno. I know he has some passionate supporters here but the argument for Donaldson for most, I think, was that Lolesio hadn’t shot the lights out and throwing Lynagh in was premature. That was it for me anyway. And now the arguement seems to be that everyone else has had a go so surely it’s his turn. Which isn’t a strategy any of us should be hoping gets adopted (in general - not aimed specifically at Donaldson).

I’m not saying Donaldson couldn’t have at least been on par with the others guys - every chance he could have. But I’ve never seen anything to suggest he is better. He’s started the last two super rugby seasons as probably Australia’s best 10 for the first 4-5 rounds but he’s never really sustained it.

I’ll have no problems at all if he gets called in and gets his chance - and if he does I hope he goes great. But I’m not sure there is really much mystery behind him not getting picked.

"But I’ve never seen anything to suggest he is better. He’s started the last two super rugby seasons as probably Australia’s best 10 for the first 4-5 rounds but he’s never really sustained it."
I think you answered your doubts there in your own words. In this year's early rounds of Super rugby he WAS head and shoulders above any other 10... so on his best day he is better than the others... but you are right in saying that that form wasn't sustained... the conundrum.
That's why I'd like to see him the one persevered with, like Noah was. He's the most gifted imo. Just needs more time and not in and out like a yo-yo.
Hopefully starts every Test on the Spring Tour and we'll know one way or the other.

 

[Spamnoodle]

I think there is still ground for concern. Counting just Australian based players, because while we have the new Giteau Clause interpretation the Skelton case study shows it aint perfect.

At Tight head we have

1 AAA
2 Nonggorr
3 Robetson
4 De Luttis
5 Van Nek
6 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes)?

Then at loose head we have:

1 Bell
2 Robertson
3 Schoupp
4 Ieli
5 Lambert
6 Pearce

Would that be right? Some potential but we fall off quickly.

Add Aiden Ross, I'm pretty sure we'll still call on Nella once he starts in France. Mostly because he's been close to the current systems put in place by Cron.
Some great young talent coming through also.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

"But I’ve never seen anything to suggest he is better. He’s started the last two super rugby seasons as probably Australia’s best 10 for the first 4-5 rounds but he’s never really sustained it."
I think you answered your doubts there in your own words. In this year's early rounds of Super rugby he WAS head and shoulders above any other 10... so on his best day he is better than the others... but you are right in saying that that form wasn't sustained... the conundrum.
That's why I'd like to see him the one persevered with, like Noah was. He's the most gifted imo. Just needs more time and not in and out like a yo-yo.
Hopefully starts every Test on the Spring Tour and we'll know one way or the other.

By that logic isn’t he being shaded by other 10s for two thirds of the season.

He is in his prime right now but a perseverance argument could then be made for Noah eve who is younger than Donaldson. There is an appeal about a guy who is 28 come the WC. Comfortable in their game etc

 

[Yoda]

By that logic isn’t he being shaded by other 10s for two thirds of the season.

He is in his prime right now but a perseverance argument could then be made for Noah eve who is younger than Donaldson. There is an appeal about a guy who is 28 come the WC. Comfortable in their game etc

My Point is that his skill level is higher. He just needs to produce them more consistently. Give him 30 starting Tests like Noah has had.

 

[Tomthumb]

Yeah the big thing for Donno is consistency, as he has the best natural tools out of any of them

And the Force tend to fall off in general by the end of the year, which isn’t shocking considering their travel schedule. It’s hardly just a Donaldson issue

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Noah did get the bump of being part of Australia’s most consistently high performing side. It’s always made a difference.

 

[Yoda]

Noah did get the bump of being part of Australia’s most consistently high performing side. It’s always made a difference.

Definitely easier as a 10 playing behind a dominant pack.

 

[Adam84]

They’re all a muchness…I’d personally take Donaldson over Edmed, but it is what it is.

I’d be stoked to see one of the 5/8s to grip the game by its balls and actually do well… tired of reading the criticism each week getting thrown at the 5/8s