Wallabies 2023

[RugbyReg]

From ESPN: (Oh Brumbies v Reds)
Muirhead with 6 tackles for 2 missed. Hey, it happens out wide.
Vunivalu with 2 tackles for 2 missed. Go figure.
Daugunu with 4 tackles for 4 missed. Hmm

My money here is with Muirhead. Tradition or otherwise, he did fine in the last game.

Have to admit that Muirhead is not close to my favourite winger, but he did ok on the weekend.

Yep he did ok on the weekend and was in my TOTW. Despite his turnover stat.

But that’s not what we are discussing here.

 

[Marce]

Have to admit that Muirhead is not close to my favourite winger, but he did ok on the weekend.

Muirhead is a consistent player. He's a 7 points player but he isn't a superstar in the making. He isn't gifted like Petaia or Sua'ali'i but he deserved an opportunity at international level with the recent injury crisis. On the other side, Tom Wright was more lucky with the selections criteria

 

[Adam84]

if you look at the Wallabies squad wingers who were selected ahead of him for the recent tour/camp: Petaia, Kellaway, Wright & Nawaqanitawase.

I don’t think it’s that difficult to see why he isn’t included. Guys like Wright, Petaia, Kellaway also offer the ability to play fullback as well.

 

[TSR]

I wouldn’t have been surprised if Muirhead a crack when Wright & Daugunu got their first opportunities- but he is just one of many fine players who has been a bit unlucky.

The pipeline of wingers is growing quickly and I suspect he might be a bit far down the pecking order now - but with Jones bringing a clean slate you never know.

 

[Adam84]

Daugunu was peak form when he first debut’d in 2020 and on form he deserved selection, his 21-22 season didn’t come close to that though. He has improved in 2023 though but seems to have lost a bit of speed/acceleration. Consistency wise, he is well off test selection again.

 

[TSR]

Yeah - I don’t have a problem with Daugunu’s selection. It wa well deserved, as was Wrights. But Muirhead has been up there. Maybe not quite to their level, but more consistent than most wingers. Wouldn’t be the unluckiest player to not get a test cap if it never happens but a good quality, dependable super rugby player.

 

[fatprop]

From ESPN: (Oh Brumbies v Reds)
Muirhead with 6 tackles for 2 missed. Hey, it happens out wide.
Vunivalu with 2 tackles for 2 missed. Go figure.
Daugunu with 4 tackles for 4 missed. Hmm

My money here is with Muirhead. Tradition or otherwise, he did fine in the last game.

Have to admit that Muirhead is not close to my favourite winger, but he did ok on the weekend.

Muirhead always does OK, we generally want a test player to be able to add that "x" factor in some fashion

 

[stillmissit]

I don't see any reason we would be writing off Edmed right now. The choices are limited. In that same vein, Carter Gordon has to be on the list if not topping it. Donaldson is a "Hail Mary" until he actually plays 10.

If things change, Quade being fit, playing and demonstrating he is ready, Donaldson moved to 10, then sure. Also, don't right off JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor). He out-performed Lolo in my book last night.

Dru, I agree about JOC (James O'Connor) outplaying Lolesio and he looked lighter and fitter. One thing Eddie will need is a good 10 as a backup to Quade as the chances of him picking up an injury in the RWC is high. Gordon is the best option atm but I suspect Eddie won't pick him regardless of how well he plays, behind all of Eddie's radical thinking he is VERY conservative and he won't have a one year star as the backup to QC (Quade Cooper) at the Cup.

 

[stillmissit]

Yeah I think so too. I still think you are asking him to make too many decisions from fullback though. Much better on the wing.

I don't think he's smart enough for a Wallaby full back.
BTW I am not referring to his IQ but his rugby brain. I played with a great fullback who was not the sharpest tool in the shed but he sure knew his way around a rugby pitch.

 

[Ignoto]

Given Kellaway recent injury form, is he really that locked in for a RWC spot where you can't just parachute a replacement in for a week or two?

I don't know if any of our backrowers have experience on the wing like Radike did.

 

[Adam84]

Given Kellaway recent injury form, is he really that locked in for a RWC spot where you can't just parachute a replacement in for a week or two?

I don't know if any of our backrowers have experience on the wing like Radike did.

yeah versatility is key come RWC, thats where specialist wingers like Muirhead are at a disadvantage against players like Wright, Petaia, Hodge, Kellaway who can play other roles if required.

I'm not concerned about Kellaway being an injury risk. I don't think he has had repetitive injuries in the same spot yet?

The bigger risk at the RWC is in the likes of Quade, Bell and Tupou who have had repetitive injuries in pivotal areas of their body that they can't hide.

 

[fatprop]

Given Kellaway recent injury form, is he really that locked in for a RWC spot where you can't just parachute a replacement in for a week or two?

I don't know if any of our backrowers have experience on the wing like Radike did.

Depends if he gets on the field this season, he lost his bonus points last season as he wasn't great

 

[Derpus]

yeah versatility is key come RWC, thats where specialist wingers like Muirhead are at a disadvantage against players like Wright, Petaia, Hodge, Kellaway who can play other roles if required.

I'm not concerned about Kellaway being an injury risk. I don't think he has had repetitive injuries in the same spot yet?

The bigger risk at the RWC is in the likes of Quade, Bell and Tupou who have had repetitive injuries in pivotal areas of their body that they can't hide.

Yeah Bell and Tupou are big concerns. Essential to our chances.

Although if Pone stays fit he could help fill the Tupou void. Bell is basically irreplaceable.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah versatility is key come RWC, thats where specialist wingers like Muirhead are at a disadvantage against players like Wright, Petaia, Hodge, Kellaway who can play other roles if required.

I'm not concerned about Kellaway being an injury risk. I don't think he has had repetitive injuries in the same spot yet?

The bigger risk at the RWC is in the likes of Quade, Bell and Tupou who have had repetitive injuries in pivotal areas of their body that they can't hide.

didn't Andy play a bit of fullback back in his souths days in Brisbane?

 

[Braveheart81]

Muirhead has consistently been a good Super Rugby player but his challenge to break into the Wallabies now is his age, lack of existing Wallaby experience and the queue in front of him.

Koroibete, Wright, Kellaway and Nawaqanitawase are all likely in front of him based on past exploits.

If Jones was going to opt for a bolter, Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen are a lot younger.

Then you've got Daugunu and Vunivalu. It's really hard to see Jones finding a spot for Muirhead out of all those options. He'd really have to blow away the opposition in Super Rugby and make himself impossible not to select. If it's at all a toss up between him and basically anyone else on the list above I can't see how he doesn't lose that battle.

 

[stillmissit]

Just watched a short catch up on Ireland v Scotland and Mack Hansen is MOTM. We seem to have a talent for losing quality players and the Wallabies can't afford it. Instead of buying proven ex-rugby NRL players, we might be better off investing in a top talent scout who can supply a list of players who could develop.
I also agree with a poster here who suggested it would be better if our young talent played club rugby but I think they should also play U20's.
The academies should be abolished as they have not provided us with a talent pool as far as I can see. It provides a protected environment that keeps our young talent juvenile.

 

[Derpus]

Just watched a short catch up on Ireland v Scotland and Mack Hansen is MOTM. We seem to have a talent for losing quality players and the Wallabies can't afford it. Instead of buying proven ex-rugby NRL players, we might be better off investing in a top talent scout who can supply a list of players who could develop.
I also agree with a poster here who suggested it would be better if our young talent played club rugby but I think they should also play U20's.
The academies should be abolished as they have not provided us with a talent pool as far as I can see. It provides a protected environment that keeps our young talent juvenile.

Eh Hanson was poached. He wouldve been starting for the Brumbies by now and probably would have been capped for the Wobs last year.

Ireland swoop in with their dodgy tax money and offer him a better salary and fast track into their national side. What do you do?

 

[Adam84]

Eh Hanson was poached. He wouldve been starting for the Brumbies by now and probably would have been capped for the Wobs last year.

Ireland swoop in with their dodgy tax money and offer him a better salary and fast track into their national side. What do you do?

This was the Waratahs fault if my memory serves me correctly?

 

[Brumby Runner]

This was the Waratahs fault if my memory serves me correctly?

Nothing wrong with your memory Adam. Anyway, it is good to see Mack making such a go of it in Ireland.

 

[stillmissit]

what are your thoughts on the impact of Academies on the Wallabies?