Wallabies 2025

[Homer]

I like Lynagh, but as he has been out for a while will need time. Donno is a solid replacement, runs the ball better than Lolesio and puts in strong efforts to support runners or chase kicks (a huge weakness in Australia).

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

In my mind I expect Donaldsons purely on past selections by Schmidt. I think they are fairly equal if I was to score them as international play-makers. 6.5/10

 

[Braveheart81]

So really you are saying that you think guessing the backline to be selected will be a straightforward exercise? Or do you consider Donaldson to be a clear second option?

I think Schmidt has nailed his colours to the mast in regards to his selections. We've seen a lot of continuity from previous sides selected and I think the side selected to play Fiji was clearly his best side rather than being at all experimental etc.

I would also pick Donaldson to start now that Lolesio is out. I don't think we have an amazing option out there I certainly think it's too late to switch to a totally new plan.

You don't seem to think that is the case. Why?

 

[Sword of Justice]

I think Schmidt has nailed his colours to the mast in regards to his selections. We've seen a lot of continuity from previous sides selected and I think the side selected to play Fiji was clearly his best side rather than being at all experimental etc.

I would also pick Donaldson to start now that Lolesio is out. I don't think we have an amazing option out there I certainly think it's too late to switch to a totally new plan.

You don't seem to think that is the case. Why?

I don’t want to bash Donaldson but his track record at 10 is very poor other options have a better record of success. I’m surprised at the number of chances he’s been given to be frank.

 

[Tomikin]

I think Schmidt has nailed his colours to the mast in regards to his selections. We've seen a lot of continuity from previous sides selected and I think the side selected to play Fiji was clearly his best side rather than being at all experimental etc.

I would also pick Donaldson to start now that Lolesio is out. I don't think we have an amazing option out there I certainly think it's too late to switch to a totally new plan.

You don't seem to think that is the case. Why?

Read his post history, he thinks Lynagh is the second comming of his dad (his not) and that he is clearly the best 5/8 in Oz. But like you, Schmidt has already proven that he had a clear pecking order of Noah, Ben, Tom, Edmen... I suspect that hasn't changed and he will go next man up.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Read his post history, he thinks Lynagh is the second comming of his dad (his not) and that he is clearly the best 5/8 in Oz. But like you, Schmidt has already proven that he had a clear pecking order of Noah, Ben, Tom, Edmen... I suspect that hasn't changed and he will go next man up.

The irony of this poster making this comment. There are two tens in the squad.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don’t want to bash Donaldson but his track record at 10 is very poor other options have a better record of success. I’m surprised at the number of chances he’s been given to be frank.

Do you think that Schmidt will select Lynagh as the starting 10?

Do you think that Schmidt will bring in a new 10 whether that is Edmed, JOC (James O'Connor), Foley or Cooper and they will be picked as the starting 10?

 

[Sword of Justice]

Do you think that Schmidt will select Lynagh as the starting 10?

Do you think that Schmidt will bring in a new 10 whether that is Edmed, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor), Foley or Cooper and they will be picked as the starting 10?

I do not to either but I wish that he would. I cannot see logic in picking a player for familiarity reasons if the familiarity is with losing.

 

[Braveheart81]

I do not to either but I wish that he would. I cannot see logic in picking a player for familiarity reasons if the familiarity is with losing.

None of these options are great so I can certainly understand picking the next guy up. It's too late for experimentation.

He's not picking Donaldson because he's familiar with the situation. He's picking him because he has fairly consistently ranked him as his second best option and now his best option isn't available.

 

[fatprop]

I seem to recall JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) was awful in his last Wallabies game too

The Wallabies were awful and we have f*ck all options

 

[Sword of Justice]

None of these options are great so I can certainly understand picking the next guy up. It's too late for experimentation.

He's not picking Donaldson because he's familiar with the situation. He's picking him because he has fairly consistently ranked him as his second best option and now his best option isn't available.

Put that way I can understand the logic but I am really struggling with how that ranking would have come about but it’s subjective.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The Wallabies were awful and we have f*ck all options

 

[Strewthcobber]

Put that way I can understand the logic but I am really struggling with how that ranking would have come about but it’s subjective.

Every selection is subjective isn't it? That's why Schmidt gets paid the big bucks, to make those calls.

The writing was on the wall when Schmidt didn't select Lynagh for the end of year tour. He is incredibly inexperienced. Outside of the Welsh test (11 passes) His total test match experience includes 4 passes total, one of which was in the attacking half.

Selecting Edmed to start against the Lions would probably be the most amazing selection in Australian pro test history, but Lynagh would also be a close second.

 

[Tomthumb]

I don’t want to bash Donaldson but his track record at 10 is very poor other options have a better record of success. I’m surprised at the number of chances he’s been given to be frank.

He's started 5 tests at 10 in his life....

I swear I don't get why Donaldson gets this much hate. The last 3 Wallabies coaches all picked him, he was one of our best performers at the World Cup and he's had 2 good Super seasons in a row

 

[Sword of Justice]

Every selection is subjective isn't it? That's why Schmidt gets paid the big bucks, to make those calls.

The writing was on the wall when Schmidt didn't select Lynagh for the end of year tour. He is incredibly inexperienced. His total test match experience includes 4 passes total, one of which was in the attacking half.

Selecting Edmed to start against the Lions would probably be the most amazing selection in Australian pro test history, but Lynagh would also be a close second.

I don’t disagree that those two would be huge risks. I think when the known quantity has a track record such that it is in Super Rugby and Tests such that it is taking risks becomes more attractive.

There are also other options.

 

[Hogan]

I don’t want to bash Donaldson but his track record at 10 is very poor other options have a better record of success. I’m surprised at the number of chances he’s been given to be frank.

Donaldson has started at 10 in only 5 Test matches for 3 wins and 2 losses. Who are the other options you speak of? Lynagh, Edmed, Debreczeni, HMP, Creighton, Bowen?? Or Foley or O’Connor? O’Connor has only started at 10 twelve times for the Wallabies winning six
- his last appearance being 5 years ago. And from memory punters weren’t too happy with Foley last time he played.

I’d like to see Donaldson and Lynagh be given ample time in the playmaker’s seat to prove their worth. They deserve the opportunity. If they don’t aim up then move onto the next candidate. But the cupboard behind them is rather bare.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don’t disagree that those two would be huge risks. I think when the known quantity has a track record such that it is in Super Rugby and Tests such that it is taking risks becomes more attractive.

There are also other options.

If you're comparing that to Lynagh though I don't think there's any evidence to suggest he's a better option. It's much of a muchness and we're picking the player with a bit more experience.

 

[Spamnoodle]

We have Michael Hooper and Steve Larkham saying we now need either O'Connor or Foley in the squad. That's a bit different to Phil Kearns and David Campese saying it. Personally I agree we should bring one of them into the environment, especially considering we are going to match the Lions 38 man squad. Tahs bias aside I'd go with Foley as he's playing in great form up there. We will find out today I guess.

You can add Giteau to the list calling for the same.

 

[Sword of Justice]

He's started 5 tests at 10 in his life....

I swear I don't get why Donaldson gets this much hate. The last 3 Wallabies coaches all picked him, he was one of our best performers at the World Cup and he's had 2 good Super seasons in a row

My question is why does he get so much love? Doesn’t the fact that he’s only played 5 tests at 10 undermine an argument that Schmidt has a pedigree in picking him there? He’s usually a bench option for 10-12-15 which I’d be very comfortable with.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Does he get much love?

I reckon pretty much everyone acknowledges that we don't have a great option at the moment, but you have to pick someone.

He probably wouldn't get picked 5 years ago, and hopefully won't get picked in 5 years time as better options come through. But we are where we are