Wallabies 2025

[Tomikin]

I will add that if something happened to McReight I'd expect Tizzano to get the next start though.

Gleeson doesn't get that spot. We just don't need another 7 on the bench.

I would have probably sent Tizzano over to play for AU/NZ side, he might be the only player around the squad who actually doesn't get a game against the Lions..

 

[Tazzmania]

I think Tizzano is far too often underestimated.

While stats do not tell the whole story it is often better than a generalisation or five minute highlight reel:

 

[KOB1987]

I think Tizzano is far too often underestimated.

While stats do not tell the whole story it is often better than a generalisation or five minute highlight reel:

View attachment 22656

I’m not actually sure what you’re trying to highlight here, that he made a lot of tackles? I’d say that was his brief for the 23 minutes he was on, Fraser’s workload was managed for 80 minutes.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Tizzano is far too often underestimated.

While stats do not tell the whole story it is often better than a generalisation or five minute highlight reel:

I don't think anyone is disputing that Tizzano is anything other than very good. He's just trying to supplant a consistently excellent player who is entrenched in the team.

In most matchday 23s we're also not going to have a 7 on the bench.

 

[BDA]

Re TT's scrummaging for the Tahs, it was a bit hard to know what was going on in those scrums. There did seem to be some silly buggers going on and I don't suggest Tupou was entirely innocent, but when the scrum wasn't immediately collapsing it also wasn't going backwards when he was on the field.

He still seems fairly valuable at scrum time.

My bigger issue with TT's performance was that he looked out of sorts in general play. He did one really decent pick an drive on their try line but otherwise didn't have much in terms of work rate, was hands on hips, and not doing a lot else

I can't see him getting picked in game 1. I think if our scrum really becomes an Achilles heal in the first game he'll be recalled for game two.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Pretty different game plan with Tizzano out there than with McReight too. Tizzano carries a lot, and tackles a lot. He isn;t the link nearly as much as McReight is, an and doesn't get as many turnovers. They actually complement each other better as a playing pair better than they do as a a starter/sub.

I actually think Hooper may be the best "turnover" replacement option for the bench, if that's what they want

 

[BDA]

Kind of a shame that Tizano wasn't released to play for the Force

 

[Strewthcobber]

Re TT's scrummaging for the Tahs, it was a bit hard to know what was going on in those scrums. There did seem to be some silly buggers going on and I don't suggest Tupou was entirely innocent, but when the scrum wasn't immediately collapsing it also wasn't going backwards when he was on the field.

He still seems fairly valuable at scrum time.

My bigger issue with TT's performance was that he looked out of sorts in general play. He did one really decent pick an drive on their try line but otherwise didn't have much in terms of work rate, was hands on hips, and not doing a lot else

I can't see him getting picked in game 1. I think if our scrum really becomes an Achilles heal in the first game he'll be recalled for game two.

I was watching him warm-up live before the Tahs game, and while he wasn't quite limping, he sure doesn't move like he used to. He moves like a 40 year old playing his last season.

Once he got into the game it looked a bit better, but he does do an awful a lot of hands-on-hips hiding behind the ruck.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

I think Tizzano is far too often underestimated.

While stats do not tell the whole story it is often better than a generalisation or five minute highlight reel:

View attachment 22656

"Tackles per minute" needs a rewording to minutes per tackle.

 

[Ignoto]

I think Tizzano is far too often underestimated.

While stats do not tell the whole story it is often better than a generalisation or five minute highlight reel:

View attachment 22657

Busy, but ineffectual comes time mind. We saw the same thing last year when McReight was injured. Carlo is busy but not influencial.

Fraser has time and time shown he's ability to read the game and be in the right place at the right time. Whether that's off the hip of Wilson, 2nd/3rd man at a ruck to over turn a ball or running a good support line in the backs.

 

[Dctarget]

It was weird with Daugunu, Tizzano and McReight all on the field, it was a game built for pilfers, the ref was pilfer friendly yet they seemed to be tripping over each other to get there, didn't work.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It was weird with Daugunu, Tizzano and McReight all on the field, it was a game built for pilfers, the ref was pilfer friendly yet they seemed to be tripping over each other to get there, didn't work.

Tizzano and Daugnu average around a breakdown steal about every 2.5 to 3 games in Super Rugby, and Mcreight about 1 per game.

They are better than most, but that return is probably about as expected in a test match........

 

[rugbyAU]

Where are we after essentially four lead up matches and the only Wallabies game before the first test?

We're sweating on the health of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini. Both will go straight into the starting side for the first test if healthy in my view. We struggled to match it with Fiji physically as the game went on and these two are critically important to setting that tone.

Hooker is wide open. I don't think any the three squad hookers really did that well in their opportunity. Faessler was quiet, Porecki looked ok until he got concussed 27 minutes (I think) into the game and I don't think Pollard had a strong game off the bench. Both Porecki and Pollard had some issues with the lineout.

Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper played very well. I think they are fighting for one bench spot when it is all said and done though.

I expect Jake Gordon will slot straight back in if he's fit. McDermott didn't improve his stock and while Nic White played quite well I think McDermott is clearly the best bench option.

I guess Donaldson starts now. Hopefully Noah bounces back quickly.

Aside from that I think 11-15 will stay as is. Maybe Pietsch is a chance to start ahead of Potter but I thought both Jorgensen and Potter looked really threatening and I can't see why you'd be swayed to think that they aren't still your first choice.

Would Dylan beat out Daungunu for the 23 spot

 

[Major Tom]

I think Tizzano will likely get bumped for Gleeson, but Hooper will probably miss out too if Skelton is fit...

16. TT (could also be AAA given how long Tupou lasts these days), 17. Pollard 18. Slipper, 19. Skelton, 20. Hooper, 21. Gleeson 22. Tate 23. Daugunu

6/2 split always a risk, particularly for the notoriously unlucky wallabies. But I have always thought tate could cover wing in a pinch and Filipo covers the midfield. Probably crazy but I reckon Gleeson with his explosiveness could do a job in midfield if really needed. Just my 2 cents, pick it to pieces everyone.

 

[Wilson]

I doubt we'll see 6/2, at least not straight up. Joe didn't name it once last year. Maybe later in the series if things go tits up, but it would probably be a deviation from the plan.

 

[rugbyAU]

1 - Bell
2 - Faessler
3 - Ala'alatoa
4 - Williams
5 - Skelton
6 - Valetini
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson (c)
9 - Gordon
10 - Lolesio
11 - Jorgensen
12 - Ikitau
13 - Sua'ali'i
14 - Potter
15 - Wright

16 - Pollard
17 - Slipper
18 - Robertson
19 - Salakaia Loto
20 - Gleeson
21 - McDermott
22 - Donaldson
23 - Pietsch

 

[Major Tom]

I doubt we'll see 6/2, at least not straight up. Joe didn't name it once last year. Maybe later in the series if things go tits up, but it would probably be a deviation from the plan.

Yeah I do reckon you’re right. Wouldn’t hurt to try one day. I also feel like 5/3 split with with Hooper over skeleton (lineout) and Gleeson there to replace Wilson or Valetini would be tempting. Donno rounds out the other backs.