Rugby Championship 2025: South Africa v Australia

[Ignoto]

Is it time to start talking about what we're prepared to do to keep Schmidt in the job? How do we get more money to throw at him? Can we sell the Waratahs? I understand he wants to be closer to home, I'd be happy to relocate the Wallabies to the North Island if it seals the deal.

Reading about the lengths RA have gone to make the Schmidt's family feel supported during Joe's trips etc (i.e. having a live in nurse), I don't think there's anyway we can retain him.

At best, Joe could transition into a "Director of Rugby" role that he can do from home and help support Les. Hopefully that can be arrange as the knowledge we'll lose will hurt us the most.

 

[Backintheolddays]

That's basically what they said, and high veldt isn't place to get roped into it. What they said was they actually changed up once they got ahead rather than sticking with what was working. I thought it was quite interesting, as I always do listening to how all sides decide what went right or wrong.

Yes they dominated through box kicking and ball retention before going wide. Loosened up when they got ahead

 

[Major Tom]

I got confused by the "Bees" term in the post but I now understand that to be short for Wallabies and the person was suggesting that the only reason Sua'ali'i hasn't been dropped is to preserve Rugby Australia's dignity?

We're 5 from 9 in tests Sua'ali'i has played which includes wins over England at Twickenham, the British and Irish Lions and South Africa at Ellis Park for the first time in 62 years.

If Rugby Australia had been offered that sort of start to his test career they would have signed up on the spot. It's hard to imagine this could be going better.

I don’t reckon you can persuade him. I’m happy with the transfer to kiss

 

[Khun Phil]

Bugger, Potter and Pietsch were the two in-form Aussie Super Rugby wingers this year and they’re both out injured.
Toole and Daugunu both had glimpses of quality play, but neither were at the standard of the other two IMO.

Jorgensen whilst he didn’t play much of the Super Rugby season, is all quality.

Kellaway could come straight into the wing, and potentially Flook onto the bench.

I would say Kellaway is a certainty to come in.I didn't think his form this year was up to his previous standard,but he was excellent when he came on.

 

[Backintheolddays]

Will want a high ball specialist next game. Toole deserves his chance but kick receiving is not one of his strengths.

 

[Tomthumb]

The biggest hurdle Kiss is going to have to overcome is the lack of a standout play making duo once he takes over.

It is quite possible we go through the rest of TRC with JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and White at the helm. I don't reckon either of them will be around in 2026 and it is nearly a certainty they won't be around for the 2027 RWC.

The 9 isn't really an issue IMO. Gordon & McDermott are experienced players, Gordon was awesome in his last Test for the Wallabies and McDermott might be the best reserve 9 in the World

10 is certainly an issue. Hopefully Lynagh can overcome his concussion issues and Donaldson can prove some people wrong if he gets the chance. And Bernie might just get the best out of Tane Edmed, there is a world in 12 months time he may just be the best 10 in the country

 

[Tomthumb]

Will want a high ball specialist next game. Toole deserves his chance but kick receiving is not one of his strengths.

I don't think Toole is anywhere near as bad as some people think he is under the high ball

 

[Major Tom]

Only if you're Red.

That's not to deny Brial is an extremely promising talent. One for the future, maybe RWC 27, but not realistic to say he has surpassed a regular Super Rugby and test player.

The RWC might be run and done before Cale gets back at this rate.
Ghost mentioned it but depends how they want to go. Uru and Cale are excellent jumpers and but Uru is the one that's fit and has games under the belt. Brial's only a year younger than Cale so really, they're both considered "a promising talent". I like Cale but it would be very brave to select him after such an injury layoff.

 

[Khun Phil]

I got confused by the "Bees" term in the post but I now understand that to be short for Wallabies and the person was suggesting that the only reason Sua'ali'i hasn't been dropped is to preserve Rugby Australia's dignity?

We're 5 from 9 in tests Sua'ali'i has played which includes wins over England at Twickenham, the British and Irish Lions and South Africa at Ellis Park for the first time in 62 years.

If Rugby Australia had been offered that sort of start to his test career they would have signed up on the spot. It's hard to imagine this could be going better.

Like you,it took me a while to work out the "Bees" meant Wallabies.I must say I have never heard them referred to as that,just as mystifying as the comment about JAS.If you can't see his quality,then I doubt your qualifications to judge.

 

[Backintheolddays]

I don't think Toole is anywhere near as bad as some people think he is under the high ball

Not saying he is bad, but whoever is there will be receiving 10+ high balls with a lot bigger bodies than his on top of him.

 

[Red Runner]

Only if you're Red.

That's not to deny Brial is an extremely promising talent. One for the future, maybe RWC 27, but not realistic to say he has surpassed a regular Super Rugby and test player.

yeah, c'mon people - stop being so over the top parochial (against Brumby players)

 

[Yoda]

The 9 isn't really an issue IMO. Gordon & McDermott are experienced players, Gordon was awesome in his last Test for the Wallabies and McDermott might be the best reserve 9 in the World

10 is certainly an issue. Hopefully Lynagh can overcome his concussion issues and Donaldson can prove some people wrong if he gets the chance. And Bernie might just get the best out of Tane Edmed, there is a world in 12 months time he may just be the best 10 in the country

Tomthumb. If Edmed becomes the best 10 in the country it will be because Lynagh is retired due to concussion, Lolesio still has back and neck issues, Donno goes to Rugby 360, JOC (James O'Connor) retires and Quade Cooper's comeback stalls. Just joking but I personally don't see him becoming our best, trained by Larkham or not.

 

[Slim 293]

Donno goes to Rugby 360

I'd say it's more likely because Schmidt doesn't take him off the bench... and starts Edmed.

 

[Tomthumb]

Tomthumb. If Edmed becomes the best 10 in the country it will be because Lynagh is retired due to concussion, Lolesio still has back and neck issues, Donno goes to Rugby 360, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) retires and Quade Cooper's comeback stalls. Just joking but I personally don't see him becoming our best, trained by Larkham or not.

We will see. I think it's a bit short sighted to rule any of them out considering no one to date has taken a hold of that jersey

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Are we expecting Skelton to be flying straight back to Europe after the next test or are we expecting him to stick around for longer? I think if this is his last test then we just keep LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) on ice until the home tests and then he can come straight into starting side and rip in

 

[Joe Blow]

Yeah that ability to be in the right place is world class. While he cant run a crash ball like Valetini (not many in the World can) he does things that no other loose forward in Australia does. And he does it at a higher workrate than any of them

I think his non stop engine has rubbed off on the team too. Easy to follow your captain when you see him giving everything he has every game

He has great hands and a decent boot. Just a good rugby player all around. I like seeing him running out in the wide channels. He is like a 120kg outside centre. Not unlike Kieren Reed with a little more beef.

 

[twister29]

Like you,it took me a while to work out the "Bees" meant Wallabies.I must say I have never heard them referred to as that,just as mystifying as the comment about JAS.If you can't see his quality,then I doubt your qualifications to judge.

 

[Uh huh]

Not saying he is bad, but whoever is there will be receiving 10+ high balls with a lot bigger bodies than his on top of him.

I think if you watch the Brumbies games, you might be shocked by how successful he is under the high ball, and his speed is a huge asset in defending kicks. As for bigger bodies bearing down on him, it's not like the Springboks have got George North and Nemani Nadolo on the wings. Their midfielders are big, but they ain't quick.

 

[Joe Blow]

There is certainly the makings of a real world class back row
6. Valetini
7. Mcreight
8. Wilson - has his best game to date on the weekend to cement his spot

if a 6 -2 split comes back eventually would love to see
19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Hooper
21. Gleeson

this weekend is a 5-3 still I’d prefer hooper there over Williams on the bench if Valetini and Wilson are both there

there is some depth now with Tizzano etc

it’s a blow with hooper and Gleeson going but they are still in contention going forward

We have good options. Williams has been incredible off the bench the last two tests and Joe likes him a lot. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod when Skelton is not available.

 

[noscrumnolife]

Are we expecting Skelton to be flying straight back to Europe after the next test or are we expecting him to stick around for longer? I think if this is his last test then we just keep LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) on ice until the home tests and then he can come straight into starting side and rip in

He said in a press conference with JOC (James O'Connor) he is coming back to Aus and going to talk to La Rochelle/Rugby Aus about it. Sounded like he wants to stick around.