Interesting to see how these teams have been used over the years. In red are the players on this Wallaby tour, blue are the ones in Australia A
Lots of games in 2022, I guess in preparation for the RWC. 6 games in all.
Matt Gibbon was at loose head for all but one (Tom Robertson there then).
Billy Pollard main hooker with Faessler getting a run and Lonergan getting a couple
Tom Robertson was THP for most except for 2 where Pone was.
Locks were rotated between Smith, Uru, Sinclair, Frost, Hanigan and Neville
Anstee, Uru, Harris, Hanigan and Scott featured at blindside
McReight was openside for the pacific series (Samoa, Fiji and Tonga) before Ollie Callan! and Wilkin played v Japan
Gleeson was the main No 8 with Harris and Uru both getting a run each.
Lonergan played every game bar one and was captain. Tuttle was 9 the last game of the year, and captain
10s were Edmed and Donaldson
At 12 was Stewart, Foketi and Kuenzle while at 13 there was Foketi, Hudson Creighton and Isaac Henry (mostly Creighton)
Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase), Daugunu, Pietsch and Vunivalu were the main wingers, with Jock Campbell playing their once
Campbell was the main fullback with Hodge and Banks getting a game each.
Bench players who didn't get a start include Feleti Kaitu'u, Richie Asiata, Harry Hoopert, Archer Holz, Ross, Jeremy Williams, Jackson Pugh, Teddy Wilson. It seems a few players were named and perhaps got injured as they didn't feature. Feao Fotuaika, Ryan McCauley, Darcy Swain, Andy Muirhead and Jake Strachan. Jorgo toured as a "Development Player"
Jason Gilmore was coach with Rod Seib, Michael Todd and Geoff Parling as assistants.
Then in 2023 it looks like it was just a one off game v Tonga. Team was:
Tom Lambert, Folau Fainga'a, Tupou, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Neville, Lachie Swinton, Wilkin, Uru, Jake Gordon, Bernard Foley, Toole, JOC (James O'Connor), Joey Walton, Lachie Anderson, Campbell. Reserves: Lonergan, Angus Wagner, Sam Talakai, Hanigan, Harry Wilson, Isaak Fines-Lelewasa, Ollie Sapsford, Josh Flook.
Canham, Pone, Schoupp, Van Nek all toured too.
Then last year, 2024, it was the two Australia A games on the UK tour.
V Bristol in was Lambert, Lonergan, Van Nek, Blyth, Swain, Tom Hooper, Scott, Bryant, IFL, Stewart, Toole, Walton, Flook, Anderson, Muirhead.
Bench: Horton, Hoopert, Tauakipulu, Ryan Smith, Reimer, Lonergan, Sapsford, Campbell
V Eng A it was Hoopert, Nasser, De Lutis, Smith, Canham, Hooper, Reimer, Brial, Lonergan Lynagh, Lancaster, Stewart, Walton, Toole, Campbell
Bench: Lonergan, Lambert, RVN, Blyth, Scott, IFL, HMP, Sapsford.
Think that's right. Just interesting to see who's fallen away, who's gone elsewhere, and who's stepped up. Acknowledging injuries often throw forward some surprising names in these games.
