2025 Bledisloe Cup Series

[rugbyAU]

tired of reading the criticism each week getting thrown at the 5/8s

well they haven't been able to retain their spot for consecutive weeks due to consistent poor performances, we'd love to have no reason to do so

 

[Adam84]

well they haven't been able to retain their spot for consecutive weeks due to consistent poor performances, we'd love to have no reason to do so

if they haven’t retained it for consecutive weeks is it really based on consistency

 

[TSR]

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.

I agree. I was fine with the decision to persist with Lolesio although I also wouldn’t have been concerned if he’d given Donaldson a go. I don’t think there would have been a huge difference either way.

 

[TSR]

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

I think it’s more Lolesio was the last man standing when Rennie turned to him in 2020. And people should remember he played very well that year and was MOM in the Super Rugby final. I think most thought it was too early for him but, at the same time he was also the most logical choice available. Since then he’s been a pretty consistent performer. He just isn’t the top flight 10 we all crave. But neither is Donaldson.

 

[TSR]

"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.

I didn’t say he was head and shoulders and I never thought that.

I thought Lynagh was right up there and personally I thought Lynagh was better overall. I still think he’s the better player. My biggest concern with him is his own health.