Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
I think with him as a pure 10 and kicking his goals we probably take the chocolates in that one.
Rugby Championship 2025 : South Africa v Australia Round 2
- Thread starter TSR
- Start date
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Wilson has been very effective in the lineout for the Wallabies this year and has been preferred over Hooper as a jumper when they've both been on the field. We've also been cultivating a variety of plays around long and short throws to make sure we've always got options.
I really doubt Schmidt will have any issue with a Valetini, McReight, Wilson backrow (with or without Skelton), given its clearly been plan a since early in his time in charge and he's picked it whenever possible.
Blue
Steve Williams (59)
1. Too close for comfort.
2. Scmhidt is a damn good coach. Hell.
3. Wallabies can only get better. Still some personnel gaps (depth) but hopefully the next two years will unearth a few options.
4. The Boks age is showing and there is a definite sudden lack of self-belief.
5. All the talk of this incredible depth the boks have is being horribly shown up. It is all talk with little real proof. Wriignt names down in spreadsheets proves nothing.
6. Bold observation: I think JOC (James O'Connor) has been the real point of difference. Last week and this one. More than people think.
7. Most of all. Rassie is now left with a litany of questions. Game plan? Starting 15? Who can make 2027 and who cannot? When do I make the hard selection call? What do I do as the next cabs off the rank in key positions are injured, and I have some holes that I don't know who will fill them.
No doubt he has answers but there are some tough calls, and he is in a corner bc some new guys who would have had 2 or 3 tests this year have been injured, or the loss at Ellis Park stopped them from being tried in Cape Town.
Eden Park looms large. Very feckin black and ugly large.
2. Scmhidt is a damn good coach. Hell.
3. Wallabies can only get better. Still some personnel gaps (depth) but hopefully the next two years will unearth a few options.
4. The Boks age is showing and there is a definite sudden lack of self-belief.
5. All the talk of this incredible depth the boks have is being horribly shown up. It is all talk with little real proof. Wriignt names down in spreadsheets proves nothing.
6. Bold observation: I think JOC (James O'Connor) has been the real point of difference. Last week and this one. More than people think.
7. Most of all. Rassie is now left with a litany of questions. Game plan? Starting 15? Who can make 2027 and who cannot? When do I make the hard selection call? What do I do as the next cabs off the rank in key positions are injured, and I have some holes that I don't know who will fill them.
No doubt he has answers but there are some tough calls, and he is in a corner bc some new guys who would have had 2 or 3 tests this year have been injured, or the loss at Ellis Park stopped them from being tried in Cape Town.
Eden Park looms large. Very feckin black and ugly large.
Blue
Steve Williams (59)
Options and options. And you need a few more options. Especially another real 8. Back row attrittion is always an issue. Going into 27 you need to know who is third in line at 6 and 8. Not a stop gap guy.
Major Tom
John Solomon (38)
Mate we have plenty options in the back row we hardly need more. Wilson, Valetini, Hooper, Gleeson, CDC, Samu, Uru. I think we'll be alright there.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
I don't think there's much doubt about who the next guys up are, but where we're at in the cycle we still need to be focused on building strength in the first 23. Natural attrition is giving the other guys plenty of opportunity - Valetini has missed 4 games this year and Wilson 1, there will be plenty more weeks like these for those players to ease in.
Right now we need to be playing the 1st choice options whenever available, otherwise we won't be doing well enough to worry about whether or not the 3rd string can cut it late in the tournament.
Major Tom
John Solomon (38)
Really. I thought Wilson had been more involved in the lineout, but I wouldn't have thought he'd be better than Hooper? If we go back to the 2nd Lions game I'm pretty sure we had to get very very creative with our lineout with that back row and Skelton.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
1st south Africa test Wilson took 8 lineouts (at least one of them was steal to eventually setup his first try), equal most for the match with Frost. Wilson has otherwise been out 2nd target this year behind Frost, and before this game I don't believe Hooper took a lineout for the wallabies this year.
stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
I think he is too young (in his head) to play 10, and maybe moving Ikitau to 13 and Edmed to 12 may not be a stupid call.
stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
You have to put Bobby into 6 and Hooper on the bench. Pity, as I think Champion could be very handy from the bench against Arg. Interesting to see how Schmidt does it.
North Liberty
Stan Wickham (3)
Problem is if JOC (James O'Connor) get injured .. it might all crumble
stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
MT Kellaway took a bo peep and fairly early, and that is nerves. He was on autopilot, and he had a look to see who was going to hammer him or who he had to sidestep.
stillmissit
Jim Lenehan (48)
Big issue with nobody screaming to be included.
Uh huh
Johnnie Wallace (23)
It'll depend a bit on how Valetini's recovery is being managed. It might be the more prudent choice to shift him back to the bench for a match or two.
Uh huh
Johnnie Wallace (23)
I don't think 12 is the spot for up-and-coming 10s anymore. These days 15 is a better spot for an apprentice flyhalf.
Spamnoodle
Charlie Fox (21)
Haha,yeah, a sly dig... Those guys thoroughly deserve the points this round. imo of course...
Wallabies first, club second.
North Liberty
Stan Wickham (3)
Max
Major Tom
John Solomon (38)
It’s probably Kellaway tbh