Wallabies 2025

[Slim 293]

I think JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) would still be a chance for the Lions squad, this was probably too short notice to include him for Fiji given he is playing this weekend.

The Fiji test is two weeks after the SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) GF, and some of the Force players selected won't join the Wallabies' squad for at least another week...

I'd say JOC (James O'Connor) isn't much chance.

 

[Braveheart81]

Completely new front row then BH, and possibility of Skelton replacing Frost in the second row, with some doubts over Kellaway and Jorgensen (will he really start after long term injury?) while LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Edmed aren't even in the squad?

That seems like more than small change to the Irish team.

10 out of 15 of the same starters and likely to be 18 out of 23 that are in our best team?

Of the players to come in, Bell, Faessler and Skelton were unavailable for the game but would have likely played if they had been available. That leaves a wing and Donaldson to come in.

My view is that I'm not expecting a lot of surprises for the first Lions test. The likely changes from the last team selected are mostly obvious and feature unavailable players replacing players who aren't even in the squad.

No O'Connor, Kerevi, Salakaia-Loto and Paenga-Amosa resolves a lot of selection conundrums that people have been speculating over. I also doubt there's going to be a lot of additions to this squad as we go. Are we really going to have substantial changes less than 2 weeks before the first Lions test that include players likely to be in the matchday 23?

 

[Super Hooper]

It feels like most of our backline is dependent on where we see JAS

I think the 12. Ikitau 13. JAS worked well at the end of last year, both are bigger bodies and can defend (as long as JAS keeps it low and uses his arms)

One of the issues in the catastrophic defeat in Santa Fe against the Pumas was the difference in physicality between the small Wallabies back-ups and the big Pumas, that was crucial. I hope something has been learned from that lesson; rugby is still a contact sport.

 

[whitefalcon]

One of the issues in the catastrophic defeat in Santa Fe against the Pumas was the difference in physicality between the small Wallabies back-ups and the big Pumas, that was crucial. I hope something has been learned from that lesson; rugby is still a contact sport.

Wasn't it also that half the team were literally shitting themselves?

 

[BDA]

Not too many surprises in the squad and I guess i wasnt really expecting any.

Nice to see Gleeson and Hooper have been named. Would have been a disservice to the squad to leave them out given their form this year. Also nice to see Swain back in the mix. He has all of the qualities you want in a test lock and i was kinda expecting him to be overlooked again.

 

[Heavyd]

We can expect there will be 2 or 3 withdrawals within this squad from training or game day injuries prior to game one of the Lions. There is hope for those on the fringes the door isnt closed.

 

[Qwertyrick]

Because he is a back with a proper workrate

He will be on the bench lol

 

[Slim 293]

Some words from Schmidt re: some of the players who missed out...

Schmidt aiming for versatility, physicality and set piece first with forward bolters

The announcement of the Wallabies squad to face the British and Irish Lions has come with several surprise inclusions - with Joe Schmidt giving opportunities to several bolters in the forward pack.

www.rugby.com.au

"I had a good chat with Lukan, BPA definitely and Seru as well," clarified Schmidt.

"They all had in-and-out opportunities through Super Rugby. The difference with Matt Fessler having started ten Tests for us, we just felt that we would get him in.

"One of the options with Matt is that he only spends a week with us just so that we check him out, see how he's going and then he may go back and play that game for the Reds.

"Yes, it's a 36-man squad but there's a lot of interest from us in how those players perform for their Super club against the Lions.

Wallabies to 'keep investing' in young playmakers as O'Connor omission explained

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says he'll "keep investing" in Australia's young crop of playmakers after omitting James O'Connor from his initial 36-man squad to face Fiji.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Dctarget]

Wider training squad members while select players above remain in Perth
Tane Edmed
David Feliuai
Darby Lancaster
Ryan Lonergan
Isaac Kailea
Matt Philip
Rory Scott

Interesting players kept in the WTS. With them it's 43 players. So, nearly enough for two full teams to train against each other with 3 missing. Would've kept an unfit Kerevi on one leg over Feliuai. Salakaia-Loto or Uru could've filled out that missing lock position. Prefer JO'C (and Beale) over Edmed.

Maybe there's more benefit for the older ones to play in AUNZ and Pasifika. And as I said earlier, there'll be change post Fiji but can't see the oldies cracking in from here.

1. Bell / Robertson
2. Fez / Porecki
3. Ala'alatoa / Nonggorr
4. Williams / Swain
5. Skelton / Philip
6. Valetini / CdC*
7. McReight / Tizzano
8. Wilson / Hooper
9. Gordon / White
10. Lolesio / Donaldson
11. Potter / Pietsch
12. Ikitau / Paisami
13. Sua'ali'i / Daugunu
14. Jorgensen / Feliuai
15. Wright / Toole*
16. Pollard / ?
17. Slipper / Kailea
18. Tupou / ?
19. Frost / ?
20. Gleeson / Scott
21. McDermott / Longeran
22. Lynagh / Edmed
23. Kellaway / Lancaster

 

[Dctarget]

"Nick [Champion de Crespigny]'s point of difference is his versatility, first and foremost. He plays 6-7-8, so having that across a back row is important.

"I think his ability to stop ball carriers in their tracks is impressive. He's a pretty accurate line-out target as well. He's got a good fast jump.

Why'd ya pick Frost then?

 

[Slim 293]

Interesting players kept in the WTS. With them it's 43 players. So, nearly enough for two full teams to train against each other with 3 missing.

Nah, the WTS are only training with the team while a bunch of the Force players remain in Perth...

 

[Slim 293]

Rugby.com.au just pumping out the articles now...

“I think the captaincy chat was all made up.”

'Out of nowhere': Gordon reacts to Wallabies captaincy rumours, gives injury update

NSW Waratahs and Wallabies scrum-half Jake Gordon admits he was taken aback by rumours linking him to the next Australian captaincy, focusing on proving his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Spamnoodle]

Ollie Hoskins signed a 1 game contract to play for Force against the Lions, I wonder if they could do the same for Kerevi to play in the reds game on the 2nd July. Probably unlikely I guess as Hoskins was retiring so easier to get a release.

I think JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) would still be a chance for the Lions squad, this was probably too short notice to include him for Fiji given he is playing this weekend.

If\ when the Crusaders win this weekend you'd think he'd be a lock in. He'd be the only player in the squad to have actually won something recently.

 

[rugbyAU]

How the hell does Dylan Pietsch make that squad ?

Keep in mind he was the starting winger v All blacks in Bled 2 and England last year before getting injured and he's one of our bigger wingers

 

[Slim 293]

If\ when the Crusaders win this weekend you'd think he'd be a lock in. He'd be the only player in the squad to have actually won something recently.

Based on Schmidt’s comments… I’d say he’s not.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Based on Schmidt’s comments… I’d say he’s not.

Fair enough, I saw that after making comment.
Hopefully he'll get a run in the ANZAC test and show his wares.

 

[Derpus]

Fair enough, I saw that after making comment.
Hopefully he'll get a run in the ANZAC test and show his wares.

He hasnt looked that great when playing more than 10-15 off the bench.

 

[cyclopath]

I am guessing that based on Tizzano, Donaldson, Williams and Potter not being released for the Force vs Lions game suggests they are closest to being in the matchday 23 for the Wallabies.

You and your logic...

 

[Ignoto]

Interestingly enough no talk about Aiden Ross. Given our lack of options and depth in the prop department I was expecting him to be flown straight over after the final to be a part of the squad.

 

[Qwertyrick]

Wider training squad members while select players above remain in Perth
Tane Edmed
David Feliuai
Darby Lancaster
Ryan Lonergan
Isaac Kailea
Matt Philip
Rory Scott

Interesting players kept in the WTS. With them it's 43 players. So, nearly enough for two full teams to train against each other with 3 missing. Would've kept an unfit Kerevi on one leg over Feliuai. Salakaia-Loto or Uru could've filled out that missing lock position. Prefer JO'C (and Beale) over Edmed.

Maybe there's more benefit for the older ones to play in AUNZ and Pasifika. And as I said earlier, there'll be change post Fiji but can't see the oldies cracking in from here.

1. Bell / Robertson
2. Fez / Porecki
3. Ala'alatoa / Nonggorr
4. Williams / Swain
5. Skelton / Philip
6. Valetini / CdC*
7. McReight / Tizzano
8. Wilson / Hooper
9. Gordon / White
10. Lolesio / Donaldson
11. Potter / Pietsch
12. Ikitau / Paisami
13. Sua'ali'i / Daugunu
14. Jorgensen / Feliuai
15. Wright / Toole*
16. Pollard / ?
17. Slipper / Kailea
18. Tupou / ?
19. Frost / ?
20. Gleeson / Scott
21. McDermott / Longeran
22. Lynagh / Edmed
23. Kellaway / Lancaster

Surly Lancaster is no where near that squad ?