Wallabies 2023
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John Thornett (49)
1st time in a very long time the Rebels currently dont have someone in a moon boot
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
There's a good article on Eddie Jones by Nic Bishop that discusses the possibility of coming back to OZ and his Smith/Farrel issues that Nic claims were a major part of his downfall.
ANALYSIS: England's Eddie decision was wrong and makes no sense at all - Australia's next move is less clear cut
There is blood in the water. Scarcely a day had passed after Eddie Jones’ dismissal by the RFU last Tuesday before questions began to…
www.theroar.com.au
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
An old physio I used to know was discussing tendon/ligaments issue and he said he had seen a large increase in the numbers of them, his view was that hard physical work as opposed to training/gym work built stronger Tendons and Ligaments. He said this issue is just going to get worse. This discussion was about 20 years ago.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
You'd think professional rugby players would have plenty of functional strength. I wonder if it has any correlation with increased muscle mass/weight.
A massive part is that players are becoming bigger and stronger which makes all the forces at play larger but ligaments and tendons don't really get any stronger.
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
I think they have massive amounts of functional strength but it is the strength of tendons etc that often brings, particulaly young players down, on the plus side the flexibility and speed are what makes them attractive. My only thought (zero medical knowledge) is, are the muscles mass they are building too much for their tendons and Ligaments?
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
Based on conversations in the past I understood that tendons and ligaments got stronger around mid twenties.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
So was everyone. We got slaughtered.
The Nomad
Bob Davidson (42)
Think with the Wilson conversation, where people who support him can see an issue with selections is that the alternatives are really being selected on performances at anywhere near the same level as what Wilson is being judged by.
To say Gleeson had a good Super Season and then looked good for Aus A therefore deserved his selection for the Wallabies, but then to say Wilson didn't take his chance at Test level while not giving him the same credit for Super Rugby form. He didn't get to impress at Aus A level. That doesn't quite seem like a level playing field.
What are the thoughts now on seeing Gleeson at Test level? His Test performance is a
like for like comparison to Wilson.
Holloway gets the gig at 6 on his lineout ability, don't see any other aspect of his game bettering Wilson's.
To say Gleeson had a good Super Season and then looked good for Aus A therefore deserved his selection for the Wallabies, but then to say Wilson didn't take his chance at Test level while not giving him the same credit for Super Rugby form. He didn't get to impress at Aus A level. That doesn't quite seem like a level playing field.
What are the thoughts now on seeing Gleeson at Test level? His Test performance is a
like for like comparison to Wilson.
Holloway gets the gig at 6 on his lineout ability, don't see any other aspect of his game bettering Wilson's.
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Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
I think Rennies work ons could be construed as gaslighting. Wilson and Lolesio were given work ons and were back up (for the most part) for the test squad. While Gleeson and Donaldson got to play rugby in the Aus A team. Rennie then picks the blokes who got to play.
To me a wider issue with a player like Wilson is our ability to retain depth/talent. He’s second best to Valetini at test level at present and lacks the versatility of other options at 6. Still he’s a good player. Does he hang around and hope his improvements are noticed and he gets another chance? Does he wait out Rennie and hope the new guy rates him? Or does he go OS and possibly get paid more?
To me a wider issue with a player like Wilson is our ability to retain depth/talent. He’s second best to Valetini at test level at present and lacks the versatility of other options at 6. Still he’s a good player. Does he hang around and hope his improvements are noticed and he gets another chance? Does he wait out Rennie and hope the new guy rates him? Or does he go OS and possibly get paid more?
Tomikin
Simon Poidevin (60)
I'd say that Wilson's form was better the Gleeson, but one was picked on potential other has been around a while.. I would have taken Wilson on the end-of-year tour, and would be doing my best to give him every chance to find his feet as he is probably the most upside of our 6 / 8's outside of Valentini.
But his not made the case in tests that he is an auto-selection over the others, so it is what it is..
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
If Bobby V goes down, a back three of Leota, Samu and Hooper is well and truly out of balance. Even putting Gleeson instead of Samu makes it even worse.
Wilson should be picked over Samu or Gleeson because he's the closest like for like ie a hard ball runner.
Scary to see similar parallels between Wilson and Higginbotham to be honest from what they say about feedback from a HC.
Wilson should be picked over Samu or Gleeson because he's the closest like for like ie a hard ball runner.
Scary to see similar parallels between Wilson and Higginbotham to be honest from what they say about feedback from a HC.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I doubt Samu is being looked at as the backup no 8 though, except for maybe a RWC game against Portugal…
He’s the reserve backrower, and he’s nailed that position.
There’s possibly still room in the squad for one of either Wilson or Gleeson, but it could be tight.
Leota could even potentially cover no 8 as well.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Could have dropped the entire team by that metric..
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
I just thought it was clear enough Gleeson wasn’t ready. Don’t get wrong - impressive young guy. Will be very good in a few years. Ironically someone who could’ve really benefitted from a full offseason. Personally I’m not even sure he is in the Tahs best backrow - but then I really rate Harris.
Rennie absolutely has the right to pick and choose who he gives opportunists too. There are always unlucky losers - that is life. And I agree Wilson hasn’t demanded selection. As a Qld fan I’ll be very disappointed if he goes OS, but that is part and parcel of the landscape.
I originally weighed in to this in reply to Braveheart who claimed Gleeson earned his spot. And that was clearly a popular opinion. Personally I don’t agree - not to knock the bloke but Rennie should’ve taken the best team he could and I don’t agree Gleeson is there yet. The other problem is that Rennie is not being consistent. He is applying different standards to different players. He is talking in public about rewarding discipline and not following through. He is taking about earning the right and not selecting to reflect that (IMO).
I am actually a big fan of Rennie’s and I think he has done a lot right. But he - like every coach every - has made some mistakes too IMO and his inconsistent treatment of players is one of them.
Having said all that he appears to be strongly supported by the majority of the players group so generally the players must be fine with it.
Fair or unfair - Wilson needs to go up another level and, if he does get another chance, grab it with both hands.
If it doesn’t work out then he could do far worse the look at the pathway Holloway has taken.