Wallabies v France, user friendly time Sunday Morning

[Strewthcobber]

Unsure why we persist with such an underweight locking combo especially considering our narrow gameplan and the giant opponents.

Suspect this, and Valetini on the bench, is a reaction to losing 6 lineouts last week.

 

[Tomthumb]

Suspect this, and Valetini on the bench, is a reaction to losing 6 lineouts last week.

Jeremy Williams started last week though. Bit of a shame we send the best lineout forward in the country home last week I guess

Hopefully Frost can fix it

 

[griffins]

Valetini also still doesn't look 100% fit. Hopefully he adds some punch for the last 20.

 

[Slim 293]

Valetini also still doesn't look 100% fit. Hopefully he adds some punch for the last 20.

I thought he was looking much improved the past couple of weeks, but I did hear through the grapevine leading up to Italy that his calf still wasn’t 100% which was later confirmed.

He’s definitely in need of an off season after a few big seasons prior to this one.

 

[Tomthumb]

I really hope his calf is 100% if he's playing. Playing on a dodgy calf can be very risky for serious injuries to your achilles

 

[Ignoto]

The balance of the team feels a bit off with both Bell and Taniela starting. Bobby is the only one on the bench who may inject the require line breaking ability in the second half. Frost, Williams and Hooper all play the same type of game which is needed for supporting Bell and Taniela being the line benders, I just don't think a locking combination of Frost and Williams has ever worked.

Looking forward to seeing Khalni getting a run, he's the closest to mirroring Tate's running game across all our half-backs.

 

[dillyboy]

Biggest question I have is O'Connor. Surely an out of form O'Connor is better than an uninspiring Edmed?

 

[Major Tom]

I think the JOC (James O'Connor) snub was handled poorly. He should have stayed on for another week, pushed for selection even if Joe had Carter and edmed playing. Tactically it makes France wonder who we’re going to play. He’s basically another coach, unless he thinks James is actively sending the players different msgs to what he wants and didn’t want the distraction.

 

[Strewthcobber]

he thinks James is actively sending the players different msgs to what he wants and didn’t want the distraction.

This was the subtext of the interview during the week wasn't it? Schmidt basically said against Ireland, JOC (James O'Connor) didn't follow the game plan. Pretty big issue for a coach

 

[rugbyAU]

This was the subtext of the interview during the week wasn't it? Schmidt basically said against Ireland, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) didn't follow the game plan. Pretty big issue for a coach

Because Schmidt has such a great game plan

 

[rugbyAU]

C. Gordon didn’t complete Thursday training

 

[LeCheese]

C. Gordon didn’t complete Thursday training

 

[Slim 293]

Biggest question I have is O'Connor. Surely an out of form O'Connor is better than an uninspiring Edmed?

Yes, but the plan wasn't for Edmed to start...

Considering JOC (James O'Connor)'s mixed form, age, and his move overseas I think it's fair that the coaching staff have only seen him as an option when injuries struck and as an improved, more composed option ahead of Edmed to start.

I can imagine what the perpetual outrage machine would've spat out regarding inexperienced flyhalves if Schmidt had not exhausted other options when JOC (James O'Connor) is most unlikely to play another test after this year.

 

[rugbyAU]

Yes, but the plan wasn't for Edmed to start...

Considering JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s mixed form, age, and his move overseas I think it's fair that the coaching staff have only seen him as an option when injuries struck and as an improved, more composed option ahead of Edmed to start.

I can imagine what the perpetual outrage machine would've spat out regarding inexperienced flyhalves if Schmidt had not exhausted other options when JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) is most unlikely to play another test after this year.

watch this space

 

[Heavyd]

Lonergan & Lukhan will sign to Japan or Europe ASAP and who can blame them.

 

[rugbyAU]

Lonergan & Lukhan will sign to Japan or Europe ASAP and who can blame them.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is on 500k here

 

[stillmissit]

Schmidt really dosent trust Lonergan

otherwise pretty close to our strongest team at this stage

but would have liked to see Valetini at 8 instead of Wilson, no reserve locks not ideal too

Is LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) injured?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Lonergan & Lukhan will sign to Japan or Europe ASAP and who can blame them.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) probably shouldn't have signed a contract with RA until 2028 if that was his plan

 

[rugbyAU]

Is LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) injured?

dont believe so

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Happy for Thomas to get a cap. It adds a bit of fresh air to what feels like a stale tour.

He had a good Super Rugby season after seeming a bit so so in 2023.