Wallabies 2025

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Even without the tries Tizzano beat more defenders made more tackles and made more runs than McReight so I think he is definitely pushing for that spot

He had a great year and they will make each other better players with pressure but Tizz also racks up stats in a side where he can shine. Good players on bad sides always stick out and get stats and votes.

Fraser has those moments like stealing a ball of an attacker on the run and making a break. Hooper would burst through for a line break or Smith do something you cant understand. Unteachable stuff that gives the Wallabies an edge.

Love watching Tizzano play. He'll make the Forces future brighter because of the standards the guy will drive and set.

 

[Major Tom]

I think the best plan is Kerevi at inside, Ikitau outside him. JAS on the bench to replace Kerevi if he's struggling or one of the wingers / fullback.
Jorg on one wing, Daugunu on the other wing (can also cover the midfield). Lynagh or Donno on the bench to cover flyhalf. Donno could cover fullback but I think we'll have plenty of coverage there with Jorgo and JAS.

 

[Tomthumb]

Can't agree with Samu Kerevi being part of any best plan in 2025

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think the best plan is Kerevi at inside, Ikitau outside him. JAS on the bench to replace Kerevi if he's struggling or one of the wingers / fullback.
Jorg on one wing, Daugunu on the other wing (can also cover the midfield). Lynagh or Donno on the bench to cover flyhalf. Donno could cover fullback but I think we'll have plenty of coverage there with Jorgo and JAS.

I tend to think JAS is wasted on the bench. Rather have him on a Wing if he's not at Centre and be a beast close to the line or an aerial threat. We do have 10s with neat short kicking games. Jorgo off the bench IMO offers more punch in a tiring game similar to Tate coming on with speed and footwork.

 

[Major Tom]

I tend to think JAS is wasted on the bench. Rather have him on a Wing if he's not at Centre and be a beast close to the line or an aerial threat. We do have 10s with neat short kicking games. Jorgo off the bench IMO offers more punch in a tiring game similar to Tate coming on with speed and footwork.

We defs need size in the midfield so it's either JAS or Kerevi IMO. I agree that JAS is an absolute X factor either on the wing or at centre.
I prefer Jorgo work his way into the game but I take your point that his speed against tiring players is quite enticing.

 

[fatprop]

I thought Ikitau and JAS were a revelation in the centres on the wobs tour, it solved our ongoing issue with the 12 spot

As to wings, Jorgo is the obvious as the 14/15; whilst the 11 - what I call the aggressive workrate unit, Daugunu, Potter & Pietsch are all vying for that spot with Wright owning 15

 

[Homer]

JAS is the conundrum for the team. The lions will target the inside channels so we need a very strong defender there and if Lynagh gets the nod you need an experienced hand, so Lenny for me. Wright deserves the fullback roll, has to be in the team and is wasted on the wing. Jorgo and Potter for me. Potter creates stuff and does not give up. So, JAS at OC and Daungunu on the bench to cover wing and centre. JAS can cover fullback if needed.
However, whilst JAS attack is top notch, does he have the experience to defend OC against a smart Lions team?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Speaking of Lynagh - has there been any update on his HIA/concussion?

 

[fatprop]

JAS is the conundrum for the team. The lions will target the inside channels so we need a very strong defender there and if Lynagh gets the nod you need an experienced hand, so Lenny for me. Wright deserves the fullback roll, has to be in the team and is wasted on the wing. Jorgo and Potter for me. Potter creates stuff and does not give up. So, JAS at OC and Daungunu on the bench to cover wing and centre. JAS can cover fullback if needed.
However, whilst JAS attack is top notch, does he have the experience to defend OC against a smart Lions team?

JAS surprised me this season, he kept doing great stuff, like really tearing into and through defenders and yes, strong defence - he also has the pace and the attitude to recover

 

[Derpus]

I would be pretty surprised if it isn't 12. Ikitau and 13. JAS. Only real alternative is to shift Ikitau out to 13 for Kerevi.

 

[Tomikin]

11 Sua'ali'i
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitua
14 Jorgensen
15 Wright

21 McDerroment
22 OConner
23 Potter

I think JAS is too good to leave out, and wing will get him on the field, and I thought Jorgensen was playing exceptionally well before injury, and we will need the best on the field to beat the lines.

Could do JAS at 13 and Lenny at 12 Potter into the starting side. and someone to the bench, don't know who though.

 

[drewprint]

11 Sua'ali'i
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitua
14 Jorgensen
15 Wright

21 McDerroment
22 OConner
23 Potter

I think JAS is too good to leave out, and wing will get him on the field, and I thought Jorgensen was playing exceptionally well before injury, and we will need the best on the field to beat the lines.

Could do JAS at 13 and Lenny at 12 Potter into the starting side. and someone to the bench, don't know who though.

Strong. I’d have Daugunu in over Potter, but otherwise I’m a fan (happy if they go with 12 Ikitau 13 JAS too).

 

[cyclopath]

11 Sua'ali'i
12 Kerevi
13 Ikitua
14 Jorgensen
15 Wright

21 McDerroment
22 OConner
23 Potter

I think JAS is too good to leave out, and wing will get him on the field, and I thought Jorgensen was playing exceptionally well before injury, and we will need the best on the field to beat the lines.

Could do JAS at 13 and Lenny at 12 Potter into the starting side. and someone to the bench, don't know who though.

Jorgensen in best form, sure. My only concern is that he is coming back from a significant injury, so game fitness might be an issue. He'll be in the squad. I also suspect Joe will go with Ikitau, who is absolute quality, over Kerevi who is going OK in a lower league.
That said, there are some dangerous runners in the backline above.

 

[Tomikin]

Jorgensen in best form, sure. My only concern is that he is coming back from a significant injury, so game fitness might be an issue. He'll be in the squad. I also suspect Joe will go with Ikitau, who is absolute quality, over Kerevi who is going OK in a lower league.
That said, there are some dangerous runners in the backline above.

I guess the question isn't Ikitau vs Kerevi for me, it's if JAS has played enough to be in the centres vs the Lions and I think its no.. I'd stick him on the wing and let him run off everyone. Then its who's the best 12, and I think that's Kerevi (Maybe).

 

[TSR]

The big question for me is where Kerevi is at.

If he is in good physical shape he is way too good to leave out. IMO Sua’ali’i is too good to leave out as well but could be played at wing.

If Kerevi’s fitness isn’t up to scratch then Sua’ali’i comes into 13 and Ikitau pushes 1 in.

Ikitau proved last year he is excellent in either spot so which number he wears isn’t a problem.

 

[Tomthumb]

I guess the question isn't Ikitau vs Kerevi for me, it's if JAS has played enough to be in the centres vs the Lions and I think its no.. I'd stick him on the wing and let him run off everyone. Then its who's the best 12, and I think that's Kerevi (Maybe).

Has he ever played a Pro Rugby game on the wing?

 

[wamberal99]

Has he ever played a Pro Rugby game on the wing?

Good enough to play just about anywhere.

 

[Tomthumb]

Good enough to play just about anywhere.

Maybe, my point was more if he hasn't played enough centre to play there, then how has he possibly played enough on the wing to play there

 

[TSR]

Maybe, my point was more if he hasn't played enough centre to play there, then how has he possibly played enough on the wing to play there

And it’s a really fair question. As far as I recall he hasn’t. So a few of us are making a bit of a leap of faith. Big call against the Lions - fair enough, but a pretty big call to pitch him in at 13 vs England last year at Twickenham and it turned out okay.

My justification -
- I think it only becomes a consideration if Kerevi is physically ready to go. Last time Kerevi was at that level he got nominated for World player of the year off a handful of tests and he is young enough it is quite feasible for him to be back at that level. Personally I just don’t think you can ignore a fully fit Kerevi and, IMO, Sua’ali’i is also too good to leave out (and selecting Ikitau is a no brainer). The other option would be Wright on the wing and Sua’ali’i at FB which personally I would be okay with but I think their different attributes are more suited with Wright in 15. (I do think Wright has earned the 15 spot too - but I’m really not that hung up on that. I’d be pretty confident Wright will be happy to play for the Wallabies wherever he’s picked.)
- Sua’ali’i hasn’t played wing, but he has played fullback and a lot of the skills are adaptable. Modern backline play revolves around being fluid. Sua’ali’i has all the skills to be successful on the wing. While he will lack a bit of the instinct I believe the upside is worth it.

 

[Dctarget]

Hopefully Schmidt has been in Sua'ali'i's ear for the past two months during his rehab gearing him up to play one position. The kid needs training and game time in a consistent position.