Wallabies 2025
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KOB1987
John Eales (66)
no chance this season, if he gets ditched by the Titans then yes, surely next season.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
The other thing was we were playing the Lions at the time for no points and I said that if we just beat them once then that ranking advance would be justified. We did that and it has been since vindicated with the Ellis Park win.
Uh huh
Syd Malcolm (24)
Red Runner
Chris McKivat (8)
Nup. It was talked about moving him to 10 for the 1998 Super RUgby season but Brumbies coach Eddie Jones refused.
His first game at 10 was for the Wallabies against England in 1998.
Uh huh
Syd Malcolm (24)
You're right of course. I had misremembered that he replaced Knox mid-season, but it was Pat Howard.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Soooooo……. McLaughlin Phillips v Declan Meredith is on the verge of being a choice Schmidt might need to actually consider (for a squad spot).
At the very least a choice that should be good for 3-4 pages of backwards and forwards on here, with the inevitable calls from some to recall Foley.
At the very least a choice that should be good for 3-4 pages of backwards and forwards on here, with the inevitable calls from some to recall Foley.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Uh huh
Syd Malcolm (24)
Of the remaining flyhalves that aren't already in the squad, I think Debreczini is the obvious next call-up if one is needed. Yes he's run hot and cold over the years, but he's had a strong season and gave a really good account of himself for the FNPs. Meredith is fresh out of the wrapper and McLaughlin-Phillips looks absolutely nowhere near making a step up.
Omar Comin'
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Pretty sure we don't need their permission due to reg 9. Will be up to JOC (James O'Connor), and surely he won't knock back playing 10 for the Wallabies in a Bledisloe series over a couple of extra games for Leicester. I doubt they're paying him huge money either.
Sword of Justice
Dick Tooth (41)
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
James O'Connor wouldn't be the worst player to base a Regulation 9 challenge on. Really put a line in the sand. It might burn a few bridges with JOC (James O'Connor) at Leicester, but maybe he's up for that?
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
If need be, but I don't think the English clubs are anywhere near as bad to deal with as the French (pretty sure dealings with Exeter around Ikitau have been very positive for example), so it'd be a bit surprising if they resist a release. The hard part with the English clubs is organizing out of window release - I'm pretty sure they have a competition level regulation that prevents clubs from releasing non-English players outside the Reg 9 windows.
They've also moved on from Pollard and Volavola with 2 or 3 incoming English qualified 10s repolacing them. I think they might want to focus on them at the start of the season, but that part might depend on their fitness.
Uh huh
Syd Malcolm (24)
I can't remember whether it was this or the 1st Aus/Arg match thread, but I saw a comment pointing out that - while the centres were good - the wingers didn't get much ball, and I've been thinking about it.
It's definitely true that the wingers were starved of attacking ball, getting most of their possession from broken play, but I don't think it really has anything to do with Ikitau and Sua'ali'i. The current attacking formation has both centres playing a running and short off-loading game, so if they do eventually shovel it to the wings, it's unlikely to be in a lot of space. Before the Argentina game, the ball hadn't been getting to the wings via the centres, but behind them.
That's where we're really missing Wright. As well as Kellaway played, he doesn't have that skill-set, and it really cut down the attacking options. I am a little concerned that the attack is going to be too one-dimensional against NZ. I do think a potential solution is Jorgensen starting at fullback. Those long, looping, Larkham-esque passes could be highly effective floating over to a screaming Toole or a rampaging Potter.
It's definitely true that the wingers were starved of attacking ball, getting most of their possession from broken play, but I don't think it really has anything to do with Ikitau and Sua'ali'i. The current attacking formation has both centres playing a running and short off-loading game, so if they do eventually shovel it to the wings, it's unlikely to be in a lot of space. Before the Argentina game, the ball hadn't been getting to the wings via the centres, but behind them.
That's where we're really missing Wright. As well as Kellaway played, he doesn't have that skill-set, and it really cut down the attacking options. I am a little concerned that the attack is going to be too one-dimensional against NZ. I do think a potential solution is Jorgensen starting at fullback. Those long, looping, Larkham-esque passes could be highly effective floating over to a screaming Toole or a rampaging Potter.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
If we look at the NZ matchup - Kellaway loses his battle to Will Jordan. I think Wright was probably closer to Jordan this season form wise.
But I don't think moving a key attacking weapon in Jorgo to fullback is the answer either. All you're doing is weakening his best attributes by giving him more responsibility in terms of positional play.
Uh huh
Syd Malcolm (24)
Look I completely agree that it's a gamble, but I also think that a lot of the best stuff he does, he can also do from fullback, especially if Potter is on the wing and can slide back to let Jorgensen chase his own kicks. The reality is that most professional teams these days have their best two fullbacks on the pitch at any given time, it's just that one of them is out of position.
My concern is that Kellaway at 15 more or less stops the attack functioning the way it's supposed to, which to my mind is a bigger risk than moving Jorgensen, especially given he's played there in the Super 12 and most of his junior career.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Pretty interesting interview with La Rochelle's Ronan O'Gara yesterday. Skelton didn't play in their first game.