Wallabies 2025

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I believe in the past line out success was a really good indicator, but that was for a period in the early 2000s and hasn't necessarily held long term. But realistically no single stat will ever be a perfect indicator, the game is much too complex for that. Any combination or complex metric that does correlate with winning isn't likely to be permanent either, as it will necessarily change the way teams play, to both take advantage and combat it.

Personally I just wish there were more public stats available, and the methodology for recording them was more open and well defined - what constitutes "post-contact meters"? When is a tackle classed as missed? How are multiple players involved in a tackle credited? etc. Frustratingly this information must exist somewhere, as they have to guide the people recording the stats, but none of the providers seem willing to publish it.

Opta had some good ones for the 24/25 Club season. They seem to be gone now though which is a shame. Hopefully they get on board again.

If they could develop a really good fantasy comp it would help as it all flows into scoring that and letting all us Rugby nerds dive into it. Last years fanasy was garbage. Hopefully a market test to see how many are willing to uptake the product which seemed high.

 

[JRugby2]

I believe the team that scores the most points wins...

This is all well and good, but not really enough for one to over-intellectualise.

 

[KOB1987]

Looking at the guys on ‘sabbaticals’, or generally going overseas to play, I’m wondering if this is a deliberate action by RA to get them into a better system for their own personal development. The ditching of the Giteau law would support this theory.

Bell
Tupou
Hooper
Ikitau

They are all potential world class players

 

[Wilson]

Looking at the guys on ‘sabbaticals’, or generally going overseas to play, I’m wondering if this is a deliberate action by RA to get them into a better system for their own personal development. The ditching of the Giteau law would support this theory.

Bell
Tupou
Hooper
Ikitau

They are all potential world class players

It's only deliberate in so much as RA are looking for a way to save money. Tupou and Hooper in particular were uncontrolled departures. Even Ikitau's was up in the air at the time with his following contract back here not locked in until afterwards.

There is zero evidence it is a "deliberate action" from RA for their development, and very little it will be of any benefit to it over another year in Australia.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Think it’s just smart to let them get 1. Paid by someone else 2. Appease the desire of top talent.

Play the game, keep these guys happy. The Wallabies can get 6-7 years more service from them by doing so. These are players that could walk and demand money wherever and end up hard to bring back (look at Skelton) this way is somewhat controlled

 

[KOB1987]

Think it’s just smart to let them get 1. Paid by someone else 2. Appease the desire of top talent.

Play the game, keep these guys happy. The Wallabies can get 6-7 years more service from them by doing so. These are players that could walk and demand money wherever and end up hard to bring back (look at Skelton) this way is somewhat controlled

That is no doubt a better angle on it. Kind of a win/win for the players and RA but not for the super franchises

 

[Wilson]

That is no doubt a better angle on it. Kind of a win/win for the players and RA but not for the super franchises

For Bell (a proper sabbatical) yes, and maybe for Ikitau. For Hooper and Tupou that's much more up on the air - how many matches will they be "unavailable" for going forward?

That said, there was no way we could've (or should've) offered Tupou what it would've taken to keep him in Australia.

 

[rugbyAU]

Looking at the guys on ‘sabbaticals’, or generally going overseas to play, I’m wondering if this is a deliberate action by RA to get them into a better system for their own personal development. The ditching of the Giteau law would support this theory.

Bell
Tupou
Hooper
Ikitau

They are all potential world class players

Gleeson too

I think Tupou’s Wallaby days may be over after next week

 

[KOB1987]

Gleeson too

I think Tupou’s Wallaby days may be over after next week

I knew I forgot one.

Im not sure about that on Tupou, potentially Racing can turn him into a world class freak.

 

[Major Tom]

It’s a salary dump. Particularly, with Tupou as we just couldn’t justify that money. Hooper should actually improve overseas which is a good thing. Bell too could with a fresh challenge. Pretty confident Gleeson will return.
While it weakens the super franchises it should mean others get an opportunity to step up.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

With this RA remains in the situation.

Let them walk with the thought “well we can pick them from overseas” and RA is an outsider now wanting help.

Pro sports are player led now. Organisations that adapt will benefit.