The Phoenix
Sydney Middleton (9)
How did Matt Faessler go? Didn't see the game but he is a USQ junior and I'm enjoying his rise through the ranks.
Fiji v Australia A 1:30pm Saturday 9 July
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Arch Winning (36)
I probably agree…. didn't he get picked in the Wallaby squad earlier this year pre his injury?
Edmed is still solid…. although his last two games v Chiefs and Samoa showed he has a little way to go..
Mixed. Considering his season he did damn well. I haven’t seen stats but feel he missed a bunch of tackles. But did some really good things too. I’m a big fan and reckon he’s good enough to take the next step.
The Phoenix
Sydney Middleton (9)
Thanks Reg
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I was quite impressed. Have to say I didn't see the missed tackles mentioned by Reg but they probably occurred before I started to take notice. He was busy and I think close to 100% on lineout throws.
Marce
John Thornett (49)
I've just watched the game. A pretty good contest, a bloody good performance of Australia A. Give this team more games and interesting things are gonna happen.
Fiji is a tought rival with so many strong ball carriers like Tamanivalu, Botia, Tuisova and Mataele. It was a good defense effort IMO despite the tries conceded, I thought they were going to be crushed by Fijians after the Samoa game
Fiji is a tought rival with so many strong ball carriers like Tamanivalu, Botia, Tuisova and Mataele. It was a good defense effort IMO despite the tries conceded, I thought they were going to be crushed by Fijians after the Samoa game
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Marce
John Thornett (49)
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Donaldson is also slightly ahead in terms of first team time with the Tahs. Edmed has benefitted from playing time in the Shute shield week in and week out (something the U20s should look at instead of cotton wooling). Donaldson seems to have those unteachable quirks that can make something out of nothing.
Good problems to have.
Rae Rae
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Bingo. Playing against men will be valuable.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
He almost won the thing for Eastwood against the Coleman coached Gordon team as a kid.
Rae Rae
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
There is something to be said for young blokes coming up against gnarly old veterans early on to accelerate their learning. It's always been the way in cricket, for instance.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Even more so for tight five players.
Not even all gnarly vets. You have 24-28 year olds who were in the academies, played overseas, 7s and all want your spot in a super rugby team. Seeing Porecki, Neville and even the Arnold Brothers shows what it can do.
Minutes in the legs in real games is invaluable. Following the last few Covid years and how short some of the Schoolboy seasons are, there would be some 20-21 year olds who would of played less than 10 full games in 3 years. The same kid in France could be 50-60.
Rae Rae
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
Crusaders couldn't even fix that. Remember there was a time that it was either Volavola or Mounga
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
I saw a bit of him when he was at Newington, the hype then was he was a mature footballer for his age. I didn’t get that, to me he’d always go the highlight reel plays; the immaculate 3 man cut-out on a 2 man overlap when draw and pass would’ve made the try scorers job a lot easier, the chip and chase straight into his opposition 5/8ths arms inside his own quarter. That being said, he was a nice kid.
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Arch Winning (36)
Sorry, who are you talking about?
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
It would be Volavola who attended Newington.
Tend to agree with Drew's view. Nice guy, though.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Glad to hear he's a nice guy. Never seen him do anything to make me think otherwise.
His style needs to be scaled back when playing with Fiji. The French style of 10 which he is most like IMO doesn't fit their need. You almost need to be like a Jail Rugby (League) Dummy Half and get the ball straight out and give the backs time and space. Direct the team around the field but keep it simple and let the magic happen.
Big game for Aus A coming up. Tonga want that first win and players will be wanting spots in their WC qualification match v Hong Kong. Hope our boys don't have half an eye on their offseason plans.
Rae Rae
His style needs to be scaled back when playing with Fiji. The French style of 10 which he is most like IMO doesn't fit their need. You almost need to be like a Jail Rugby (League) Dummy Half and get the ball straight out and give the backs time and space. Direct the team around the field but keep it simple and let the magic happen.
Big game for Aus A coming up. Tonga want that first win and players will be wanting spots in their WC qualification match v Hong Kong. Hope our boys don't have half an eye on their offseason plans.
Rae Rae
Eyes and Ears
Bob Davidson (42)
He must have been a decent footballer at that age as I believe he played Shute Shield when he was in Year 12 at Newington.
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
I think as he emigrated from Fiji halfway through school and went to whatever grade he was in was there when he came over he was too old to play GPS rugby in year 12. But you’re right he could’ve still played colts instead of SS.
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