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Wallabies 2025

Drew

Desmond Connor (43)
First things first GHost... In internationals, it is defence that wins matches mostly. Under McQueen one of the first things he did was to bring in Mulligan? from league. to fix up the guys defence. So defence is very important, and at the moment we have an old fashioned defensive system and several of the guys who can't make a decent tackle. With the new rules, it is critical the guys can tackle lower.

Mostly agree with you re forwards. Not keen on Frost, although as you state, with Skelton there he didn't have to get over the ad line.
Muggleton
 

Tazzmania

Ron Walden (29)
Stewart tackled more with a higher percentage tackle completion rate, averaged more metres per kick, and made less handling errors in a team under more pressure during super rugby, whereas Hunter ran more metres from more carries, but for a team that now appears to box kick its way upfield to a large extent, it may just allow an opportunity for Hamish. Only the coaches know.
 

Wilson

Tim Horan (67)
Stewart tackled more with a higher percentage tackle completion rate, averaged more metres per kick, and made less handling errors in a team under more pressure during super rugby, whereas Hunter ran more metres from more carries, but for a team that now appears to box kick its way upfield to a large extent, it may just allow an opportunity for Hamish. Only the coaches know.
What has changed since the last time Paisami was preferred over Stewart though? We've generally been asking our 12 to carry a lot (particularly in traffic) and Paisami is much better suited to that.

If Stewart was in line for that spot you'd think he would've been with the squad instead of Aus A this week, and I can't see anything in his Aus A performance that would've shifted Schmidt's thinking.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

John Eales (66)
Edmed and Stewart next to each other is the same guy. You know they’d just kick the ball away and you can gang tackle JAS.

Len who just won the JEM has smashed it up at 12 and that happens to be the thing Hunter excels at. They just need to tell him to make the great run, find his front and get the ball recycled quickly.
 

Homer

Johnnie Wallace (23)
Hunter has some cheeky skills as well, can drop a short grubber through and chip over the D line. When he is on he is very good at opening defences. Unfortunately he is inconsistent on that front.
 

TSR

Simon Poidevin (60)
He was mostly fine against noncompetitive opposition, but his discipline was very poor. I'd be surprised to see him somehow leapfrog Paisami off the back of that performance.
The second penalty where he got carded was particular dumb. Those are the sort of plays I just don’t want players doing. Outcome was very predicable.

Generally I think Stewart is a bit underrated - but he’s really a glue player and not much more. And I don’t think that’s what the Wallabies need at 12 at the moment.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

John Eales (66)
Is he underrated? I know you said I think it so I can't say your'e wrong but I feel he's maximised his gifts but people respect and see him fairly.

He's a good pro. Been plenty of guys who never got a Test who were good pros like Tom English, Mitch Inman etc. Stewart does have the playmaker skills better than those guys but behind in others.
 

Hogan

Ted Fahey (11)
Hamish Stewart offers plenty including a solid kicking game, resolute defence (he rarely misses), hits the ball up hard and direct and most importantly for a 12, is a skilful ball player who can take a bit of pressure off the 10. The only thing going against him at Test level is his size. Would like to see him get some game time on this tour to assist Edmed who struggles for creativity.
 

Slim 293

George Smith (75)
Hunter has some cheeky skills as well, can drop a short grubber through and chip over the D line. When he is on he is very good at opening defences. Unfortunately he is inconsistent on that front.

He can, in the way that anyone with arms and legs can, but he really shouldn't... so I wouldn't call it a "skill."

Hindrance, maybe?
 

TSR

Simon Poidevin (60)
Is he underrated? I know you said I think it so I can't say your'e wrong but I feel he's maximised his gifts but people respect and see him fairly.

He's a good pro. Been plenty of guys who never got a Test who were good pros like Tom English, Mitch Inman etc. Stewart does have the playmaker skills better than those guys but behind in others.
In my opinion he is, yes. My perception is that many on here think he is a ‘break glass’ only level player and some seem to not think he is test material at all. I think he is often sold short.

I believe with more dynamic players inside him and a more established Sua’ali’i outside him he would actually be an excellent test 12 (although would still be preferable if he was a bit bigger). But neither of those things are in play right now so I don’t think he is the right solution at the moment.

I do suspect his comms in defence would help Sua’ali’i and our defence generally but I still don’t think that’s enough in the current set up.
 
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