liquor box
John Hipwell (52)
Reds coach 2026?
Wallabies 2025
- Thread starter rugbyAU
- Start date
Sword of Justice
Bob Davidson (42)
Makes it kinda tough.
Pfitzy
Phil Waugh (73)
But it's the same old stories:
1) we don't have competition in the ranks, so we need to keep selecting these guys to try and get results
2) the next tier down is not preparing the next player adequately for Test Rugby, so we end up discarding guys or they end up getting injured.
Sword of Justice
Bob Davidson (42)
100% in agreement with your points. I was kind of 'tilted' as the younger generation would say this morning.
However, it's not necessarily that unreasonable to need to select your most legendary prop of the pro era, your worldy lock who no team can handle, and two of the most (approximately) experienced halves in the world in order to beat a 6N team at their home, even the second worst one.
It's not even my argument that Slipper and White should be starting but they add so much to the squad and it's left a huge hole, especially Slipper. I don't find it a coincidence that we have been so shit since they left. The crisis at 10 may have obscured that factor a little.
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
I think we have been shit since Wright went down injured. But these guys leaving or not being able to be selected has been hard as well
Sword of Justice
Bob Davidson (42)
Agreed. Ikitau being unavailable due to the due date of his child killed us as well (in no way am I saying his priorities are wrong).
The difference being those prior four mentioned could have been available under different circumstances whereas Wright and Ikitau were not selectable for Italy.
Dctarget
Jason Little (69)
It’s frustrating that we don’t have the depth yet we’ll come up against teams with Aussies playing pivotal roles.
Monty Ioane carving us up (yet looking rubbish for the Rebels)
Meafou next week will counter Skelton.
Hansen will make Toole like a fool.
Tuipuloto would answer all our centre issues.
Monty Ioane carving us up (yet looking rubbish for the Rebels)
Meafou next week will counter Skelton.
Hansen will make Toole like a fool.
Tuipuloto would answer all our centre issues.
Pfitzy
Phil Waugh (73)
Some of those players would make a difference in terms of individual contribution. The issue there is usually timing i.e. we don't have anywhere to fit them in, or they get overlooked because their window closes in the younger years of the pathway.
The worst outcome is when that window closes because of politics.
The system is failing because we don't have the volume in numbers or competitiveness to sideline the political decisions, and the longevity in the club system to keep them onshore if they're a late bloomer.
The worst outcome is when that window closes because of politics.
The system is failing because we don't have the volume in numbers or competitiveness to sideline the political decisions, and the longevity in the club system to keep them onshore if they're a late bloomer.
House is on Fire
Peter Burge (5)
One thing that strikes me about the Wallabies when Hunter Paisami is playing is that whenever we are close to the try line in attach, Hunter is always getting stuck-in close to the ruck, getting involved with picks and drives and contributing there as an additional forward.
Why?
Aside from my general distaste of backs trying to jump in to do a real man's work, it just takes away options out the back. I was always taught that multiple forward phases are great for sucking in a defence and providing space out wide for the pretty boys to stroll over the line untouched. I still believe this to be the case even at international level. So I'm not sure why we persist with hitting the line time after time after time with absolutely no outlet out the back. There were times against Italy (when we got held-up in the second half comes to mind) where you could throw a blanket over the entire team. So the only question being asked of the defence is to make individual stops one-out.
I like Schmidt and I think he's done a lot for this team and for the Australian rugby program in general, but he shouldn't be immune to criticism. The attack has been impotent and something needs to change with how they look to score points.
Why?
Aside from my general distaste of backs trying to jump in to do a real man's work, it just takes away options out the back. I was always taught that multiple forward phases are great for sucking in a defence and providing space out wide for the pretty boys to stroll over the line untouched. I still believe this to be the case even at international level. So I'm not sure why we persist with hitting the line time after time after time with absolutely no outlet out the back. There were times against Italy (when we got held-up in the second half comes to mind) where you could throw a blanket over the entire team. So the only question being asked of the defence is to make individual stops one-out.
I like Schmidt and I think he's done a lot for this team and for the Australian rugby program in general, but he shouldn't be immune to criticism. The attack has been impotent and something needs to change with how they look to score points.
JRugby2
Arch Winning (36)
Was it Hunter who tried to dive over the ruck and get held up?
In fairness to him, Len gets himself involved here regularly and we've had success. Hunter is a powerful body so you'd expect him to have some impact here. I don't think missing one bloke from the backline makes too much difference either when the plan here is clearly to just keep hammering away until they score or trigger a penalty.
House is on Fire
Peter Burge (5)
Yes this is the main complaint that I have. I just notice it more when Hunter is on the field, Len tends to pick his moments a little more carefully. The plan is shit, frankly.
Micheal
Dick Tooth (41)
Is this a table from Numbers?! Blasphemous!
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Yeah no problem with Hunter getting involved in tight. He is likely to have better initial leg speed and movement than some of the bodies who put themselves in position for a pick n go. Wallabies issue in close like that tends to be a lack of patience. They get to 5-6 phases and seem desperate to spread it and end up stuffing it if JAS can't carry two over the line. How many times have we seen sides like the ABs be happy to do 15+ knowing you will break or at worst infringe and risk a yellow and then they go again.
Hogan
Ted Fahey (11)
Considering that Ikitau is also guilty of this, I’d say that they’re both playing to the coaches instructions. If so, I agree with you that they are poor and ineffective tactics from Schmidt.
Brumby Runner
George Gregan (70)
The last two tests, at least, it has been a different story. The Wallabies have unsuccessfully hammered the try line in both games for upwards of 15 and more phases without involving the backline but each time have lost possession rather than have found the line or earnt a penalty.
Yoda
Alan Cameron (40)
Ikitau does the pick and drive crap as well which is one man less in backline ... the ABs tend to have a few pick and drives then spin it wide. We plod for ages often coming up tryless. Attack is seriously in need of a shake up.
rugbyAU
Peter Johnson (47)
Sleepy Jo has got to go; his selections have been dreadful
- Jorgensen was fine this week. He should have played; he was mildly sick last week
- Why was AA rested against Italy? whereas Wilson should've been rested with Valetini starting (and why was he only given 17 mins)
- Why do we have Kellaway doing the goalkicking and restarts?
- Why has Edmed been in the squad? Donaldson and Lynagh should be there over him, and why was JOC (James O'Connor) not called in?
- Why is there no communication/transparency with the injuries, unlike NZ
- Why has Lonergan been given very limited minutes, when we're only using two 9's
- Jorgensen was fine this week. He should have played; he was mildly sick last week
- Why was AA rested against Italy? whereas Wilson should've been rested with Valetini starting (and why was he only given 17 mins)
- Why do we have Kellaway doing the goalkicking and restarts?
- Why has Edmed been in the squad? Donaldson and Lynagh should be there over him, and why was JOC (James O'Connor) not called in?
- Why is there no communication/transparency with the injuries, unlike NZ
- Why has Lonergan been given very limited minutes, when we're only using two 9's
Yoda
Alan Cameron (40)
All of the above... tick. He improved us for a while but his selections are now costing us Tests, plus our attack was shown up by the Italians who played some great rugby. Can't wait to see the team this week. Is a recognised goal kicker much to ask? Edmed has been Joe's worst decision.