Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
- Start date
Linerunner2023
Charlie Fox (21)
Certainly if he can stay fit he will be an easy pick for the wallabies squad
His versatility is great with pace, size and power but would also love for the wallabies to pick and stick him in a spot
Whether 13 or wing
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
French season finishes in June.
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
Now to the force
Hogie
Herbert Moran (7)
With T. Wright ruled out for the season and ongoing uncertainty at fly-half, you'd have to think Will Harrison or Isaac Lucas — assuming he isn't lured back to Japan — should be having a hard think about getting back into the Wallabies mix.
It’s especially compelling when you consider how many of their teammates from the 2019 Junior World Cup have become key players in the current setup.
I always rated Harrison for his game management at 10 — calm under pressure with a reliable and consistent boot. Unfortunately, injuries held him back at the Tahs but he seems to have had a good run in Japan and there is still no stand out currently for Wallabies at 10.
As for Lucas, he always had a bit of that Damian McKenzie flair. If he was to commit to Australia he'd be a seriously interesting option at fullback heading towards 2027.
It’s especially compelling when you consider how many of their teammates from the 2019 Junior World Cup have become key players in the current setup.
I always rated Harrison for his game management at 10 — calm under pressure with a reliable and consistent boot. Unfortunately, injuries held him back at the Tahs but he seems to have had a good run in Japan and there is still no stand out currently for Wallabies at 10.
As for Lucas, he always had a bit of that Damian McKenzie flair. If he was to commit to Australia he'd be a seriously interesting option at fullback heading towards 2027.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
With potential changes to the selection policy I'd be on the phone to Lucas about the EOYT. Get him in there mixing it up and seeing how he goes. If he has no interest then move on completely from him.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Will Harrison started 5 games at 10 for his second division Japanese club. His last start at 10 was in March - he was just not selected for the rest of the season.
Fair distance between there and the Wallabies
Fair distance between there and the Wallabies
Ignoto
John Hipwell (52)
100% - the soft french league can help him transition his body back to one that is more aerobic in base. Then he's already in Europe for the EOYT.
A Reds backline with Hunter, Dre, Jordan and Filipo would be a great balance.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Who do the Reds lose to get him though. He won't be cheap and I know he's likely to want to go to the Reds which helps negotiating but does it mean Jock+ one. You don't let Dre go, want to keep Goldsbrough, Daugunu signed through 27 and Flook very useful. Hunter may becomes the guy who at 27 will get plenty of offers from overseas clubs but not as much interest from RA in a top up.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Jock and Murray would probably more than cover it, but if we're talking 27 there's a solid chance there will be a salary cap increase - it seems a lot like the club's were expecting one for 26 and I don't think we can go much further without one.
Beyond that it's a bit hard to see this far out - there are still guys like Anderson to re-sign right now, and a fair bit of young talent to get their chances in 26.
Red Runner
Herbert Moran (7)
I reckon Lucas will be wearing red and white by the end of the year.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I'm fairly sceptical of Lucas as well.
He's been playing well by reports, but it's for a poor team in a comp that is somewhere below Super Rugby. Only hint of finals was the access games last season when they had to play promotion/relegation matches after winning 3 games all year
Can't blame one player for a team performance, but his record in Japan is 16 from 51 games. He's not ever been part of a high performing pro team since U20s (the Reds were pretty rubbish when he was there too).
I don't know how you can judge his readiness for Wallaby under that sample, and if it would even be worth to try
He's been playing well by reports, but it's for a poor team in a comp that is somewhere below Super Rugby. Only hint of finals was the access games last season when they had to play promotion/relegation matches after winning 3 games all year
Can't blame one player for a team performance, but his record in Japan is 16 from 51 games. He's not ever been part of a high performing pro team since U20s (the Reds were pretty rubbish when he was there too).
I don't know how you can judge his readiness for Wallaby under that sample, and if it would even be worth to try
I agree completely Strewthcobber.
By all means I'd welcome Lucas returning to Super Rugby to push for Wallabies selection against his peers. If you've never played for the Wallabies and are playing overseas you need to be absolutely beating the door down to get picked in my view.
The Giteau Law may be gone but I think the spirit of the law should remain. The players I'm selecting from overseas should always be guys who I think are in my best players, not just someone who has been overseas so long that I have no idea what they're like and am slightly curious to see where they sit.
By all means I'd welcome Lucas returning to Super Rugby to push for Wallabies selection against his peers. If you've never played for the Wallabies and are playing overseas you need to be absolutely beating the door down to get picked in my view.
The Giteau Law may be gone but I think the spirit of the law should remain. The players I'm selecting from overseas should always be guys who I think are in my best players, not just someone who has been overseas so long that I have no idea what they're like and am slightly curious to see where they sit.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
The most likely back to suddenly be brought in from overseas at this stage is probably Petaia, I would not be at all surprised to see him pop up with the squad on the EOYT. I really don't think Lucas or Harrison are particularly likely, nor are some of the other former wallabies backs kicking around Europe like Banks or Maddocks, though they are at least more likely than Lucas/Harrison.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Maybe one of Banks or Maddocks could get a call up to fill a hole left by Tom Wright?