Wallabies 2025

[Dctarget]

I'd rather see what Aiden Ross & Ieli can do. Need to have an eye on 2027 IMO. The sugar hit that these old guys bring isn't worth it to me

I disagree, we love to throw out oldies too soon for the hypothetical promise of youth.

Scott Sio at RWC27 will be 35, younger than Slipper is now.

Will 35 year old Sio be better or worse than Ieli in two years time. I'd say yes. Sio has 74 caps and then another 200+ club caps. Let Ieli develop more, he wouldn't be starting for Exeter currently.

 

[Adam84]

We're talking about the end of year tour aren't we? I think he makes sense to bring in there.

Yep, be silly not to engage him at the very least

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd rather see what Aiden Ross & Ieli can do. Need to have an eye on 2027 IMO. The sugar hit that these old guys bring isn't worth it to me

I absolutely think Sio can and should be in the frame for the 2027 RWC.

Aidan Ross is definitely an option but I would prefer to keep Ieli at home doing a full off-season.

 

[Tomthumb]

I disagree, we love to throw out oldies too soon for the hypothetical promise of youth.

Scott Sio at RWC27 will be 35, younger than Slipper is now.

Will 35 year old Sio be better or worse than Ieli in two years time. I'd say yes. Sio has 74 caps and then another 200+ club caps. Let Ieli develop more, he wouldn't be starting for Exeter currently.

What Slipper is doing isn't normal and shouldn't be viewed as anything other than an outlier, and he's about to retire

Maybe, or maybe he will be over the hill by then, or maybe he will be injured. Either way we know what what Sio is, I'd like to See Aidan Ross given first crack as there is still a ton of growth potential there

 

[Ignoto]

The number of hamstring injuries at the top level of rugby in Aus is remarkable. Something aint right.

Curious, who have I missed that has had hamstring issues recently?

Drew Mitchell is the only bloke I can remember having nagging hammy issues.

 

[Major Tom]

I absolutely think Sio can and should be in the frame for the 2027 RWC.

Aidan Ross is definitely an option but I would prefer to keep Ieli at home doing a full off-season.

The wallabies are playing Japan yeah? And Australia A are playing them too yeah? Ieli could feature here. And head back to do a full preseason.

 

[Major Tom]

Curious, who have I missed that has had hamstring issues recently?

Drew Mitchell is the only bloke I can remember having nagging hammy issues.

Potter and Gordon. Lynagh last year.

 

[fatprop]

Curious, who have I missed that has had hamstring issues recently?

Drew Mitchell is the only bloke I can remember having nagging hammy issues.

Rocky Elsom had to be retrained how to run to get over hamstring issues

 

[HogansHeros]

What Slipper is doing isn't normal and shouldn't be viewed as anything other than an outlier, and he's about to retire

Maybe, or maybe he will be over the hill by then, or maybe he will be injured. Either way we know what what Sio is, I'd like to See Aidan Ross given first crack as there is still a ton of growth potential there

Tell that to the springboks

 

[Braveheart81]

John Ulugia is set to replace Mick Cron as the Wallabies scrum coach. Apparently he is in camp this week and will go on the EOYT.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/09/30/exclusive-surprise-aussie-pick-to-replace-cron-as-wallabies-prepare-to-farewell-unsung-hero/

 

[Tomthumb]

Tell that to the springboks

How many 150 cap Springbok props are there?

 

[HogansHeros]

How many 150 cap Springbok props are there?

Sorry wasnt your comment in reply to Sio being 35? Sure slips 150 caps is very impressive. But Props playing international rugby into their mid 30s is not an outlier.

 

[Tomthumb]

Sorry wasnt your comment in reply to Sio being 35? Sure slips 150 caps is very impressive. But Props playing international rugby into their mid 30s is not an outlier.

I’d say a 36 year old playing at his level is an outlier these days, I can’t think of many other tier 1 teams relying on props that age right now, especially at loose head

 

[Joe Blow]

John Ulugia is set to replace Mick Cron as the Wallabies scrum coach. Apparently he is in camp this week and will go on the EOYT.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/09/30/exclusive-surprise-aussie-pick-to-replace-cron-as-wallabies-prepare-to-farewell-unsung-hero/

Shame. Mike Cron has done masterful things with our scrum.

 

[Dctarget]

I’d say a 36 year old playing at his level is an outlier these days, I can’t think of many other tier 1 teams relying on props that age right now, especially at loose head

Koch is 35 and Bongo at hooker is 34. Then the rest of the Springbok props are all 30/31.

Uini Antonio and Slimani are 35. Baille and Aldegheri are 32.

Rory Sutherland and Bealham are 33. Cian Healy is 38 lol. Furlong is 32. Dan Cole just retired and he's 38.

George Bower, Tu'unga'fasi are 33. Codie Taylor is 34.

Point is Sio is 33 and is younger than most of those blokes I just listed who are all quality test front rowers that I would love for Aus.

I'm very skeptical Ieli in 2 years time will be more reliable than Sio.

 

[HogansHeros]

I’d say a 36 year old playing at his level is an outlier these days, I can’t think of many other tier 1 teams relying on props that age right now, especially at loose head

Last world cup we had Dan Cole, 36 running around for England, WP Nel, 37 in the squad for Scotland..
Jonny Sexton was 38 running around for Ireland...
Dane Coles was 36 and hooking for the Kiwis.
My reference to the Boks was they had an average age over 30 in their squad.

We seem to see a 3 at the front of our players ages and decide they are past it for some reason.

 

[Tomthumb]

Koch is 35 and Bongo at hooker is 34. Then the rest of the Springbok props are all 30/31.

Uini Antonio and Slimani are 35. Baille and Aldegheri are 32.

Rory Sutherland and Bealham are 33. Cian Healy is 38 lol. Furlong is 32. Dan Cole just retired and he's 38.

George Bower, Tu'unga'fasi are 33. Codie Taylor is 34.

Point is Sio is 33 and is younger than most of those blokes I just listed who are all quality test front rowers that I would love for Aus.

I'm very skeptical Ieli in 2 years time will be more reliable than Sio.

That’s a whole list of old guys that outside of a couple don’t really move the needle and I think our guys are just as good if not better than

Fair enough if you think Ieli isn’t ready, but I’d still take Aidan Ross every day of the week over a 33-35 year old Scott Sio

 

[Tomthumb]

Last world cup we had Dan Cole, 36 running around for England, WP Nel, 37 in the squad for Scotland..
Jonny Sexton was 38 running around for Ireland...
Dane Coles was 36 and hooking for the Kiwis.
My reference to the Boks was they had an average age over 30 in their squad.

We seem to see a 3 at the front of our players ages and decide they are past it for some reason.

I don’t think it’s an age thing, no one is calling AAA or Tom Robertson old

But to spend the money to bring someone over on short notice they better be worth it, and right now Sio isn’t clearly better than any of the local guys. And I don’t think we should be taking guys on the spring tour that won’t factor into the home tests in 2026 unless they are Will Skelton level good

 

[Crashy]

yes with the advancement of sports science, I have changed my tune about players continuing well into their 30s. With our comparative lack of depth, we absolutely should be looking to retain this experience as much as possible. Slips and White have been crucial to the current rebuild. Coaching / mentoring the up and comers cant be underestimated.

 

[Dctarget]

Well if you want, you can watch 20% of a Wallabies XV with Exeter soon having T. Hooper, Sio and Ikitau then we'll all be able to see if he's up to it.