Wallabies 2023

[qwerty51]

Yes I think it is time to go open slather now as this is not working. Salakai loto and Sio another 2 that would be handy

Sio and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wouldn't make full strength 23s..

 

[The Whisperer]

Tupou, Porecki, Valetini, White, Paisami and Kellaway all heading home with injuries . Foley and Skelton not available as outside international window too. What does the team look like vs Wales? I assume you’re not bringing in any squad cover. I’d go with this:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga’a
3. Alalaatoa
4. Frost
5. Neville
6. Holloway
7. Hooper
8. Gleeson
9. McDermott
10. Lolesio
11. Wright
12. Ikitau
13. Petaia
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Hodge
RESERVES
16. Lonergan
17. Gibbon
18. Robertson
19. Swain
20. Samu
21. McReight
22. Gordon
23. Campbell

Or do they bite the bullet and give Donaldson a start?

 

[HogansHeros]

Or do they bite the bullet and give Donaldson a start?

At this point, why not..

 

[upthereds#!]

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes)?

I put Hoskins over him tbh.

 

[upthereds#!]

Tupou, Porecki, Valetini, White, Paisami and Kellaway all heading home with injuries . Foley and Skelton not available as outside international window too. What does the team look like vs Wales? I assume you’re not bringing in any squad cover. I’d go with this:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga’a
3. Alalaatoa
4. Frost
5. Neville
6. Holloway
7. Hooper
8. Gleeson
9. McDermott
10. Lolesio
11. Wright
12. Ikitau
13. Petaia
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Hodge
RESERVES
16. Lonergan
17. Gibbon
18. Robertson
19. Swain
20. Samu
21. McReight
22. Gordon
23. Campbell

Or do they bite the bullet and give Donaldson a start?

Such a tough one the back line. Petaia did well, but does Ikitau stay at 13, Hodge go to 12 with Campbell at 15. Or is it Campbell 15 and Hodge the utility reserve in a 6/2 split.

I think a 6/2 split is a good option tbh and think your backline (except swap Hodge and Campbell) is the go. Makes me nervous though. I want Petaia out there but Wales will be gunning for us and I think Hodge is a safer and more experienced 12, leave ikitau at 13. Then they did float the idea last week of Wright at FB.

9. Mcdermott 10. Lolesio 11. Petaia 12. Hodge 13. Ikitau 14. Nawaqa 15. Wright - 22. Campbell?

This is basically Australia A.

Not playing
1. Bell 2. Porecki 3. Thor
4. Arnold 5. Skelton
6. Swinton 8. Valetini 7. Mcreight (if you don't do a 6/2 split)
9. White 10. Quade 11. Koroibete 12. Kerevi 13. Paisami 14. Kellaway 15. Banks
16. Latu 17. Sio 18. Pone 19. Rodda 20. Leota 21. Genia 22. Foley 23. Beale

 

[Members Section]

Tupou, Porecki, Valetini, White, Paisami and Kellaway all heading home with injuries . Foley and Skelton not available as outside international window too. What does the team look like vs Wales? I assume you’re not bringing in any squad cover. I’d go with this:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga’a
3. Alalaatoa
4. Frost
5. Neville
6. Holloway
7. Hooper
8. Gleeson
9. McDermott
10. Lolesio
11. Wright
12. Ikitau
13. Petaia
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Hodge
RESERVES
16. Lonergan
17. Gibbon
18. Robertson
19. Swain
20. Samu
21. McReight
22. Gordon
23. Campbell

Or do they bite the bullet and give Donaldson a start?

Samu at 8
Hodge at 15
Jordy at 15

like the 6/2 split

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

@The Whisperer Youve put together a good team in light of injuries etc...

After this tour/Rugby Championship surely there will be review of the training, treatment & prep. Injuries happen we all know that, and every team always has some, but the amount of soft tissue injuries has been staggering. Maybe it's purely bad luck but it needs to be looked at because we can't have it happen leading into a WC. It would have to include the Super teams as well.

 

[Tomthumb]

@The Whisperer Youve put together a good team in light of injuries etc...

After this tour/Rugby Championship surely there will be review of the training, treatment & prep. Injuries happen we all know that, and every team always has some, but the amount of soft tissue injuries has been staggering. Maybe it's purely bad luck but it needs to be looked at because we can't have it happen leading into a WC. It would have to include the Super teams as well.

Surely they would have done that 10 injuries ago?

 

[PhilClinton]

After this tour/Rugby Championship surely there will be review of the training, treatment & prep.

And realistic timelines of return.

I think you'll find a number of these injuries would be related to players returning too early from a prior injury.

Those situations come down to the medical staff and how they're assessing a player. I would hate to think there was pressure from officials for players to lace up the boots when not ready, but the cynic in me knows that with the lack of cattle across the course of these months, it's a possibility. Obviously, most of these guys play through a year at less that 100%, that's the life of an athlete, but there are a couple of guys who definitely need to be more careful than others.

 

[Wallaby Man]

This looks to me an S&C issue. The problem is, it’s impossible to switch up mid season as that could put bodies at risk as well. The switch up (if any issues) will happen after Saturday’s match for pre-season, as need a sustained period to create effect that mid season doesn’t allow.

Think Rugby Australia might take this opportunity to take control of S&C at state level in the coming years. Both Reds and Rebels had horrendous injury tolls this season. Rebels at one stage had 16 players out and pretty sure the Reds were around double figures towards the end of the season. Something is wrong at both state and national level

 

[Dctarget]

Sio & Simone were in the stands watching the game. PUT THEM ON YOU COWARDS.

 

[Dctarget]

Also surely Tupou won't make it back in time. Big boy, achilles, RWC 10 months away. Really tough.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Sio & Simone were in the stands watching the game. PUT THEM ON YOU COWARDS.

Would they be ineligible like Foley and Skelton now with this last Test being outside the window. Shame really because I'd add in SKL into it as well

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Surely they would have done that 10 injuries ago?

Youd think so but you also wouldn't be surprised if they haven't either.

And realistic timelines of return.

I think you'll find a number of these injuries would be related to players returning too early from a prior injury.

Those situations come down to the medical staff and how they're assessing a player. I would hate to think there was pressure from officials for players to lace up the boots when not ready, but the cynic in me knows that with the lack of cattle across the course of these months, it's a possibility. Obviously, most of these guys play through a year at less that 100%, that's the life of an athlete, but there are a couple of guys who definitely need to be more careful than others.

Agree with everything here.

Players always play through a certain level of injury, but it seems way out of line. I have no idea of the numbers but in comparison to the NRL and the Kangaroos they never seem to have the same volume of players out. The Kangaroos were able to go through the entire WC with a settled line up and most of them played the entire season (minus a couple games here or there) + Origin

 

[Dctarget]

Would they be ineligible like Foley and Skelton now with this last Test being outside the window. Shame really because I'd add in SKL into it as well

Yeah probably can only pick Aus based players now. Sad.

 

[Members Section]

Sio & Simone were in the stands watching the game. PUT THEM ON YOU COWARDS.

yeah when I saw in insta Sio drinking a Guinness with gits & drew the night before the game I knew DR (Dave Rennie) has lost the plot with his selections

 

[fatprop]

Thankfully we have been rotating so effectively, the players coming in will take it all in their stride ................................

 

[Doritos Day]

It is time for the blowtorch to turn on Rugby Australia for scheduling five tests in a row.

To act surprised when players break down (on top of the carnage throughout the season) and doubly so that there was mass resting for Italy is asinine.

Players are on record saying they can barely walk the day after a tough match.

Yes there is a need for $ but the only ones 'devaluing' the jersey are administrators pushing the players beyond their physical limits.

 

[qwerty51]

So somehow all the Springbok Japanese players are eligible for their match v England this week.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It is time for the blowtorch to turn on Rugby Australia for scheduling five tests in a row.

To act surprised when players break down (on top of the carnage throughout the season) and doubly so that there was mass resting for Italy is asinine.

Players are on record saying they can barely walk the day after a tough match.

Yes there is a need for $ but the only ones 'devaluing' the jersey are administrators pushing the players beyond their physical limits.

Surprised Rugby Australia hasn't tried to schedule a game v the Barbarians for an extra couple $$ like they have in the past