Wallabies v Japan 25 Oct

[rugbyAU]

Good opportunities to get some game time into some backup players

1 - Bell
2 - Nasser
3 - AA
4 - Frost
5 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6 - Valetini
7 - Tizzano
8 - Wilson
9 - Lonergan
10 - Edmed
11 - Pietsch
12 - Paisami
13 - JAS
14 - Jorgensen
15 - Kellaway

16 - Pollard
17 - Ross
18 - Tupou
19 - Williams
20 - CDC
21 - Thomas
22 - Gordon
23 - Daungunu

 

[Red Runner]

is Gordon still injured?

 

[Wilson]

is Gordon still injured?

Pretty sure he's fine, unless he re-injured himself after the second Bledisloe. Not sure about Pietsch though, he was still tondo a fitness test this week I think, so the Japan game might be a bit early even if he passed that.

 

[rugbyAU]

is Gordon still injured?

No

 

[Dctarget]

Joe has all but confirmed C. Gordon will feature against Japan. Sounds like Edmed will start with Gordon off the bench.

Also, JO'C is a decent chance to feature in the European games.

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

Is it true that Faessler came out injured from the Aus A match? Apparently he is still with the Wallabies squad in Japan but Ethan Dobbins has been called in as cover for Faessler.

 

[Dctarget]

Joe has also said that no player will play all five games. All the forwards have good replacements, not hard to see them getting rotated out.

Probably means that we'll see Kalani Thomas get a cap.

Weakest link is centres as we've been discussing. Wonder if we'll see Daugunu at 13 for Japan/Italy.

Other one is fullback. Jorgo can take give it a spin but means that his time on the wing will be limited. I think we'll see a decent amount of rotation between Jorgo/Kellaway/Pietsch/Daugunu/Toole.

Joe was fairly receptive to selecting OS based players but I can't really think of any who are in deserving form beyond the ones already selected. Perese would be a level above Stewart/Flook but he's recently injured, not sure for how long. Actually maybe Banks is worth a training squad position seeing as we're down a fullback. Really doubt it though.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Perfect game for a guy like Lonergan to get a start and preserve Gordon to in the coaches hopes be able to start 4 on the trot in Europe.

Surely this would also be a great game for a guy like CDC to get some bulk minutes and give Valetini a half at most then sit. Wallabies need him fit.

 

[rugbyAU]

Is it true that Faessler came out injured from the Aus A match? Apparently he is still with the Wallabies squad in Japan but Ethan Dobbins has been called in as cover for Faessler.

This hasn’t been reported anywhere

 

[PhilClinton]

We can't risk this being our Italy game. Any goodwill the Wallabies have built in 2025 will instantly be eroded if Eddie's team gets one over on us, or even if we need to snatch victory late.

Definitely an opportunity for some guys to play bigger minutes but I'd like to see our core intact where possible, considering we already have a number of blokes unavailable.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think the shine has come off them in the last month unfortunately. Feels like a back to standard operating.

I'd like the Wallabies to skewer them early and then keep the foot on the throat. Make it a no contest. Having said that it is the best chance to preserve some guys like Valetini. Cobweb game for him and then let CDC maul a bloke.

 

[Brumby Runner]

My memory Phil, is that for the Italy game, the bench wasn't the strongest we could put out. I think some first XV players were rested entirely and the less than ideal bench couldn't pull us out of the fire.

In any case, whether my memory is failing or not, I agree that we mustn't make too many changes and where we do, the best players available, even those being rested, have to be considered on the bench just in case things are going sour.

 

[Strewthcobber]

My memory Phil, is that for the Italy game, the bench wasn't the strongest we could put out. I think some first XV players were rested entirely and the less than ideal bench couldn't pull us out of the fire.

In any case, whether my memory is failing or not, I agree that we mustn't make too many changes and where we do, the best players available, even those being rested, have to be considered on the bench just in case things are going sour.

Australia was down by 10 at the 64th min.

I was surprised by the relative quality of the team albeit a young team and a few years ago now.
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1. Matt Gibbon (4 Tests)

2. Folau Fainga’a (35 Tests)

3. Allan Ala'alatoa (c) (61 Tests)

4. Nick Frost (7 Tests)

5. Will Skelton (22 Tests)

6. Ned Hanigan (26 Tests)


7. Fraser McReight (8 Tests)

8. Pete Samu (30 Tests)

9. Jake Gordon (17 Tests)

10. Noah Lolesio (15 Tests)

11. Tom Wright (20 Tests)

12. Hunter Paisami (22 Tests)


13. Len Ikitau (23 Tests)

14. Mark Nawaqanitawase*

15. Jock Campbell (2 Tests)

Replacements

16. Lachlan Lonergan (6 Tests)

17. Tom Robertson (28 Tests)


18. Taniela Tupou (45 Tests)

19. Darcy Swain (16 Tests)

20. Langi Gleeson (1 Test)

21. Tate McDermott (19 Tests)

22. Ben Donaldson*

23. Jordan Petaia (22 Tests)