Wallabies 2023

[liquor box]

Wright has had a great season, and he's the best counter attacking fullback of the bunch... but he left his worst game of the season for last.

Having said that, his defence has been a constant issue and unless he can sort that out Kellaway is definitely the safer option.

Another way of looking at it might be that in the most important game he also had his worse game.

Jones needs to decide if he has issues under high pressure, in a world cup final will he play badly due to what is at stake?

 

[swingpass]

Wright has had a great season, and he's the best counter attacking fullback of the bunch... but he left his worst game of the season for last.

Having said that, his defence has been a constant issue and unless he can sort that out Kellaway is definitely the safer option.

i dont watch the Brumbies a lot, but when i do, to my eye Wright is not infrequently a liability, too many rocks to be compensated for by the few diamonds. i thought on last years EOYT he was showing signs of improvement and consistency, but alas not sustained in 2023.

 

[Highlander35]

I've been puzzling over it in my head, and I think I've picked it.

Watching Wright play reminds me (although with more physical ability) of watching Jason Woodward play.

 

[The Marketing Pigeon]

With the Brumbies now out are we expecting a wallabies squad announcement today?

 

[rugbyAU]

With the Brumbies now out are we expecting a wallabies squad announcement today?

next Sunday I think

 

[stillmissit]

okay not only is he not young enough but he's also not good enough

I am no fan of older players but it is Nic White #1 halfback but it is daylight behind him.

 

[rugbyAU]

I am no fan of older players but it is Nic White #1 halfback but it is daylight behind him.

yep definitely still our best #9, I think Mcdermott and Gordon should still be the other two

 

[stillmissit]

Well, the cheer squad for Wright as Aus best full-back disappeared quickly enough. Another big runner shows he has little to offer in a tight match.

 

[stillmissit]

yep definitely still our best #9, I think Mcdermott and Gordon should still be the other two

Not sure about Gordon but wouldn't dislike the choice, I would most probably go with Lonergan as 3rd but only as a point of difference and a kicking option.

 

[Drew]

Just watched the T14 final. From what I saw Skelton wasn’t used once in the lineout, he played hard for 80 minutes though. In the European final he only jumped on attacking lineouts, so the defensive side probably wouldn’t compete on his jump. I don’t see him as a lineout option, but think he should be in the team. Another thing that was noticeable to me was when his locking partner came off the lineout sputtered a bit. If selected, we need to have our 4, 6 and reserve lock be a proper lineout option/operator.

 

[RugbyReg]

What’s the rest of the make up of his pack over there? A tall six or eight?

 

[Drew]

What’s the rest of the make up of his pack over there? A tall six or eight?

They had the Fijian 7, Botia(?) who is pretty solid and their 6/8 seemed similar builds (similar to Holloway maybe?). They certainly took their time setting their lineouts.

 

[Dctarget]

What’s the rest of the make up of his pack over there? A tall six or eight?

Alldritt is incredible in the air at 8 and Boudehent at blindside is decent, he’s 6’4 and gets used a lot.

 

[RugbyReg]

Alldritt is incredible in the air at 8 and Boudehent at blindside is decent, he’s 6’4 and gets used a lot.

so not a Valetini and Gleeson type of backrow..

 

[Drew]

so not a Valetini and Gleeson type of backrow..

Not as heavy hitting, no. Skelton and the massive THP seemed to take that role.

 

[qwerty51]

Boudehent reminds me a lot of Danie Rossouw, I think he's much taller than listed, probably closer to 196/7cm. More athletic than Holloway but would be their 2nd main jumper after Sazy. They manage with Botia at 7 who doesn't jump or even wear blocks where as we'd have Gleeson at 7 as an option.

 

[Highlander35]

I think it restricts your 20 jersey a lot more than it does your 6/8.

 

[qwerty51]

Anyway, club rugby is finished everywhere now for Australians.

Pretoria match is in 20 days. I wonder when they'll try get there? They should aim for minimum 10 days, Aus players wouldn't have played at altitude since 2019.

Will the Brumbies, Skelton and Arnold all get a week off? Be good to know the squad size going over and current injury status.

 

[rugbyAU]

Anyway, club rugby is finished everywhere now for Australians.

Pretoria match is in 20 days. I wonder when they'll try get there? They should aim for minimum 10 days, Aus players wouldn't have played at altitude since 2019.

Will the Brumbies, Skelton and Arnold all get a week off? Be good to know the squad size going over.

do you know when the squads announced?

 

[qwerty51]

do you know when the squads announced?

No idea
--
That pic from socials earlier shows no Tom Banks, I think we can assume if you're a Force/Rebels player and not there you're not going to be used this year.

Wilkin
Isaak Fines
Lachlan Anderson
Leota
Rodda
Pone
Gibbon
Tupou
Uelese
Carter Gordon
Canham
Kerevi
Petaia
Phillip
Bell
Kellaway
Quade
Talakai
Fainga'a
Foley
Tuttle
Koroibete
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Kemeny
Hodge

So no Naisarani or Mafi we can assume I think. Interesting no Paisami yet Petaia is there?