Wallabies 2025

[The Ghost of Raelene]

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:

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I'm not talking Tizzano down as a player by saying McReight is the 7.

It's about how the Wallabies match day 23 can be as effective as possible. With McReight being a consistent 80m player and a better pure 7 than Tizz it's a wasted space to carry him on the bench. If Fraser isn't available for a game then Tizz gets the start but carrying two 7s doesn't make sense. Also can't play a hypothetical game of what if Fraser gets hurt...

If he wants to genuinely push to be the best 7 in Aus he needs to work on his breakdown work. Otherwise he will be seen as an undersized 6. He's a tackling machine but sides do need to be concerned about the breakdown or they are free to never over commit to the ruck and string phase after phase.

 

[Wilson]

I wouldn't mind seeing Paisami come into the 23 jersey. Running Daugunu and Sua'ali'i in the centres at the back end of the Fiji game didn't work at all and it's not something they'll have anytime to work on improving. Bringing Paisami in gives us full backline coverage with him covering 12 and 13 and Sua'ali'i able to shift into the back 3 positions when needed.

 

[Dctarget]

So what's our back three? I assume everyone thinks Wright has enough in the bank to not be marred by the Fiji game. Did Potter do enough to lock in his spot? I thought Jorgo was fantastic after a big layoff.

I wouldn't hate 11. Jorgo 14. Potter 15. Wright 23. Pietsch. Only issue there is it locks you into a 5/3 split with probably Donno at 22.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Jorgo shocked me at how good he was after such a long lay off. Also looked bigger which may be a positive outcome of a lower limb injury with some time in the gym on the upper half. He took down some massive outside backs for Fiji well. I still think he could be seen as an impact player off the bench with that speed and freak for 20-25 mins.

Potter was good. He's big, fast and smart. Gives Wright someone to help organise as well. So does Jorgo... Fuck I'm going in circles but these guys have been good. Pietsch could not have done more v the Lions either and I'd be content to see Pietsch, Potter, Wright with Jorgo on the bench. The others on the bench feel less impactful.

The game now is about the 23. They aren't necessarily worse players than the 1-15 and how can you have the most impact across 80mins.

 

[Braveheart81]

Would Dylan beat out Daungunu for the 23 spot

The thing working against Pietsch is that he really only covers wing. Assuming we're going to pick a specialist 10 in the 22 jersey, who covers centre? I guess it would be Potter covering 13 with Sua'ali'i covering 12.

I wouldn't mind seeing Paisami come into the 23 jersey. Running Daugunu and Sua'ali'i in the centres at the back end of the Fiji game didn't work at all and it's not something they'll have anytime to work on improving. Bringing Paisami in gives us full backline coverage with him covering 12 and 13 and Sua'ali'i able to shift into the back 3 positions when needed.

This is certainly worth considering. It felt like Ikitau leaving the field left a bigger hole than having to replace anyone else with Daugunu as our bench option. It's a defensive bench option given you'd normally leave Ikitau on the field for 80 minutes.

 

[Dctarget]

Felt like Daugunu was a super player out of his depth playing against Tuisova. But Tuisova is one of the best centres going around and 10kg heavier than any centre in this series. I feel like Daugunu and Paisami are too small to be useful at test level but them, Tuipulotu, Aki, Jones, Ringrose all sit around 98kg-102kg level. Dunno why Paisami gets boshed so much.


Absolutely kills me to see Sione lining up against us. Him and Ikitau would be a deadly combination.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Felt like Daugunu was a super player out of his depth playing against Tuisova. But Tuisova is one of the best centres going around and 10kg heavier than any centre in this series. I feel like Daugunu and Paisami are too small to be useful at test level but them, Tuipulotu, Aki, Jones, Ringrose all sit around 98kg-102kg level. Dunno why Paisami gets boshed so much.


Absolutely kills me to see Sione lining up against us. Him and Ikitau would be a deadly combination.

I think it is a height thing. He's not tall and when he drops for a tackle and suddenly he's putting his body into the hips of the attacker and they can power through him. When he gets a shot right into the guts he wins contact but then he starts risking getting those sternum up ones that result in cards.

 

[JRugby2]

The thing working against Pietsch is that he really only covers wing. Assuming we're going to pick a specialist 10 in the 22 jersey, who covers centre? I guess it would be Potter covering 13 with Sua'ali'i covering 12.

This is certainly worth considering. It felt like Ikitau leaving the field left a bigger hole than having to replace anyone else with Daugunu as our bench option. It's a defensive bench option given you'd normally leave Ikitau on the field for 80 minutes.

I agree - he either starts or doesn't play.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I agree - he either starts or doesn't play.

Plenty of guys like that and nothing wrong with it. Shows a bit of depth which is wonderful for Aus Rugby.

Look at the Aus Cricket team. Some guys have to bide their time and be ready when called on like Scotty Boland. Yes I know they don't have a bench.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Felt like Daugunu was a super player out of his depth playing against Tuisova. But Tuisova is one of the best centres going around and 10kg heavier than any centre in this series. I feel like Daugunu and Paisami are too small to be useful at test level but them, Tuipulotu, Aki, Jones, Ringrose all sit around 98kg-102kg level. Dunno why Paisami gets boshed so much.

I wouldn't think Paisami is close to 98kg.

Aki looks far bigger, he's taller and a much bigger frame - like at least 10kg heavier

 

[Brumby Runner]

I agree - he either starts or doesn't play.

Pietsch to start with Potter on the bench. More versatility.

 

[KFC]

It sounds like Lolesio is a good chance to play in the first test after returning to the squad today...

Hooper had a good cameo off the bench but Gleeson would have to be the favourite choice for that bench spot, particularly with Hooper released to the Brumbies this week.

I think we'll see a team closely resembling one from the spring tour with the possible exception of hooker and bench tight head prop.

Lolesio is out. Going in for surgery today

 

[Spamnoodle]

I wouldn't think Paisami is close to 98kg.

Aki looks far bigger, he's taller and a much bigger frame - like at least 10kg heavier

Stats on the screen at Lang Park last Wednesday night.
Paisami 98kg
Aki 104kg

 

[MarkJ]

Paisami looks like he's wearing a tent. Aki can't even put Paisami's jersey on

 

[Slim 293]

Lolesio is out. Going in for surgery today

Source?

It's strange that he would be given the all clear and released from hospital yesterday to return again today for surgery...

 

[CoachN]

Lolesio is out. Going in for surgery today

Wasn't he cleared just yesterday? what the surgery on/for ?

 

[Sword of Justice]

Source?

It's strange that he would be given the all clear and released from hospital yesterday to return again today for surgery...

Usually just tomato at KFC. It’s really the herbs and spices that they pride themselves on.

 

[Slim 293]

Usually just tomato at KFC. It’s really the herbs and spices that they pride themselves on.

On a chicken sandwich?

Nonsense...

 

[Strewthcobber]

Stats on the screen at Lang Park last Wednesday night.
Paisami 98kg
Aki 104kg

Paisami might be 98kg after not training for a month + Christmas dinner + drinking a carton of beer. Players nominate their own weight - you can't trust them at all. (Plus there's probably huge swings depending on when they eat/drink/train/weigh etc)

 

[swingpass]

Absolutely kills me to see Sione lining up against us. Him and Ikitau would be a deadly combination.