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Wallabies v Lions - 3rd Test, Accor Stadium, Saturday 2 August

TSR

TSR

Steve Williams (59)
I’m still not convinced on bringing in Tupou. He’s a shadow of his former self. I think Robertson did better than he is being given credit for and didn’t get any love from the refs - pretty sure that’ll get lots of attention in the Wallabies post game review with the refs.

Salakai-Loti has certainly been good in his games v the Lions and, I think, would balance the forward pack more than Williams currently is. However he isn’t in the squad is he? McReight seemed in a bit of discomfort before he came off so I wonder if he picked up an injury. Maybe Tizzano gets a start.

On board with Pietsch for Potter and wouldn’t mind seeing Hooper for Tizzano on the bench or just a return to 5-3 so Tate & Donno can do their thing at the end.

But the bulk of the team should be the same.

Looking ahead - is Skelton around for the RC? If not, I’d definitely like to get Salakai-Loto into the squad at least.
 
Drew

Drew

Desmond Connor (43)
The question is, how hasn’t LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) been involved? He was impressive in the Reds game early in the tour and in the subsequent matches. He really made the opposition uncomfortable, which should’ve been the blueprint on beating them all along. Is his set piece work inferior to the people in before him? Him, Pietsch and gamble have shown the way and been ignored. And yes, not sure if Gambles eligible and is down the pecking order at 7
 
TSR

TSR

Steve Williams (59)
Drew said:
The question is, how hasn’t LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) been involved? He was impressive in the Reds game early in the tour and in the subsequent matches. He really made the opposition uncomfortable, which should’ve been the blueprint on beating them all along. Is his set piece work inferior to the people in before him? Him, Pietsch and gamble have shown the way and been ignored. And yes, not sure if Gambles eligible and is down the pecking order at 7
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As a Reds fan I’ve always enjoyed watching Salakai-Loto at his best but I feel like he’s been consistently inconsistent.

At his best he is Courtney Lawes like, but he could be quite at times and both his body height & discipline could be problematic.

I was okay with him being left out originally.

But I think his response to that has been superb and he appears in career best form. Hopefully he hasn’t left his run too late.

I don’t think Gamble’s omission is surprising. McReight & Tizzano are both better players. To his credit he’s played well both games against the Lions though.
 
Drew

Drew

Desmond Connor (43)
TSR said:
As a Reds fan I’ve always enjoyed watching Salakai-Loto at his best but I feel like he’s been consistently inconsistent.

At his best he is Courtney Lawes like, but he could be quite at times and both his body height & discipline could be problematic.

I was okay with him being left out originally.

But I think his response to that has been superb and he appears in career best form. Hopefully he hasn’t left his run too late.

I don’t think Gamble’s omission is surprising. McReight & Tizzano are both better players. To his credit he’s played well both games against the Lions though.
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Agree on Gamble being down the pecking order. I think after the Reds game JS should’ve brought LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) into the squad as he showed that at his best he offers a combative edge that the other locks lack. I wasn’t sure if he wasn’t on par with the others in set piece situations.
 
TSR

TSR

Steve Williams (59)
Drew said:
Agree on Gamble being down the pecking order. I think after the Reds game JS should’ve brought LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) into the squad as he showed that at his best he offers a combative edge that the other locks lack. I wasn’t sure if he wasn’t on par with the others in set piece situations.
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I think the problem with bringing him straight in is that he then didnt get to play in the First Nations & Pasifika team. Listening to Schmidt it sounds like one of the concerns was his lack of match fitness coming back from injury. If you add him into a match day 23 at the same time as Valetini, Skelton & Gleeson then potentially 4 of your forwards are underdone. Just speculation on my part but maybe the thinking was that game time was more valuable for him at the moment.

Although it may also be worth noting that when asked about his form after the First Nations game Schmidt deflected somewhat by talking up that Darcy Swain also had a good game.
 
L

Linerunner2023

Ted Thorn (20)
Valetini and Skelton were easily the difference when they were on and when they were off
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) will make a huge difference compared to toilers like Williams
To beat a team like the lions you need a point of difference and shaking up their attack is all we can do
Valetini and Skelton were bossing the lions around and making the backs play on the front foot
If they can’t survive 80 then need replacements to continue like LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and tupou
Yes tupou has been out of form but Robertson got rolled anyway so just roll the dice
 
Drew

Drew

Desmond Connor (43)
you have to wonder if there’s an element to his game that Schmidt doesn’t like? As you said, he ran hot and cold during the Super Rugby season. Maybe his work rate stats weren’t up to scratch? But watching him v the Lions he appeared physically capable and certainly had gotten his match fitness up. Oh well
 
Ignoto

Ignoto

John Hipwell (52)
It's really hard to say that the bench players in game 2 should retain their spots. The 6-2 split should bugger off as well.

Joe and Les probably also need to sit down and discuss whether JAS needs to play in the centres for the 27 WC or if you shift him to wing. With Potter out you've got an opportunity to test him out on the wing with Hunter slotting in at 12 and Len going back to 13.

Lukhan and Tupou should be coming in for Williams and Robertson with Tizzano not making the bench. Hooper or Gleeson should be on the bench if Bobby V isn't up to a full 80 again.
 
Hogie

Hogie

Herbert Moran (7)
For me, Sua'ali'i is a must-pick in the centres. He’s a powerful ball carrier who doesn’t get dominated in contact. With Wright locked in at fullback, it was frustrating to see Sua'ali'i not given more time at centre for the Waratahs this season — he needs that exposure. Heading into the international season, he should stay in that centre role. Yes, he’s still developing and might make some mistakes, but I believe he offers more than Paisami in that position. While a Flook–Ikitau combination is skilful and experienced, it lacks the go-forward we desperately need in the backline. Identifying some strong ball carriers in the midfield is essential. Henry needs a good run with injuries, and Daugunu is better suited as a winger or a bench option at 23.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
Aiden Ross plays LH side, doesn't he? That's not really where the problem with the front row lies. We need a stronger THP and the only one available seems to be Tupou, who has had a very poor year but showed signs of form in the Indigenous/Pacific Islander game during the week. At Hooker, I would personally bring Faessler back in at the expense of Porecki who has least effectiveness of the three hookers in the squad.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) should be added to the squad and should be at least on the bench next week. But if Ross has been added and there's no mention of LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), or Tupou for that matter, then it looks rather bleak for the latter two. Hooper also should be added to the XXIII for his physicality and workrate, at the expense of Tizzano, unless McReight is out with injury. The only way to make all that happen is for Wilson to drop out. Start Gleeson at 8, and add LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Hooper on the bench to cover Lock and Backrow respectively. That would be a forward pack to match and probably dominate the Lions'pack.

In the backs, Pietsch straight in for Potter as he should have been all along, and please Donaldson to start in place of Lynagh. Not sure about the centres but would much prefer to have Ikitau back at 13. Maybe Sua'ali'i out altogether or swap the two centres around.
 
KOB1987

KOB1987

John Eales (66)
Brumby Runner said:
Aiden Ross plays LH side, doesn't he? That's not really where the problem with the front row lies. We need a stronger THP and the only one available seems to be Tupou, who has had a very poor year but showed signs of form in the Indigenous/Pacific Islander game during the week. At Hooker, I would personally bring Faessler back in at the expense of Porecki who has least effectiveness of the three hookers in the squad.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) should be added to the squad and should be at least on the bench next week. But if Ross has been added and there's no mention of LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), or Tupou for that matter, then it looks rather bleak for the latter two. Hooper also should be added to the XXIII for his physicality and workrate, at the expense of Tizzano, unless McReight is out with injury. The only way to make all that happen is for Wilson to drop out. Start Gleeson at 8, and add LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Hooper on the bench to cover Lock and Backrow respectively. That would be a forward pack to match and probably dominate the Lions'pack.

In the backs, Pietsch straight in for Potter as he should have been all along, and please Donaldson to start in place of Lynagh. Not sure about the centres but would much prefer to have Ikitau back at 13. Maybe Sua'ali'i out altogether or swap the two centres around.
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Are you factoring in his 100% line out success to your effectiveness?
 
rugbyAU

rugbyAU

Chilla Wilson (44)
Brumby Runner said:
Aiden Ross plays LH side, doesn't he? That's not really where the problem with the front row lies. We need a stronger THP and the only one available seems to be Tupou, who has had a very poor year but showed signs of form in the Indigenous/Pacific Islander game during the week. At Hooker, I would personally bring Faessler back in at the expense of Porecki who has least effectiveness of the three hookers in the squad.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) should be added to the squad and should be at least on the bench next week. But if Ross has been added and there's no mention of LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), or Tupou for that matter, then it looks rather bleak for the latter two. Hooper also should be added to the XXIII for his physicality and workrate, at the expense of Tizzano, unless McReight is out with injury. The only way to make all that happen is for Wilson to drop out. Start Gleeson at 8, and add LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Hooper on the bench to cover Lock and Backrow respectively. That would be a forward pack to match and probably dominate the Lions'pack.

In the backs, Pietsch straight in for Potter as he should have been all along, and please Donaldson to start in place of Lynagh. Not sure about the centres but would much prefer to have Ikitau back at 13. Maybe Sua'ali'i out altogether or swap the two centres around.
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Ross is a welcome inclusion, crucially, he adds depth (we only have Slipper and Bell really as test quality in that position now) and nearly 100 Super Rugby games of experience from a successful club

Porecki was very good last night, much better than Faessler was in game 1
 
Slim 293

Slim 293

George Smith (75)
Drew said:
you have to wonder if there’s an element to his game that Schmidt doesn’t like? As you said, he ran hot and cold during the Super Rugby season. Maybe his work rate stats weren’t up to scratch? But watching him v the Lions he appeared physically capable and certainly had gotten his match fitness up. Oh well
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Nah, he slipped down in the pecking order during the test season last year after some mixed performances, and then another rung or so with the likes of Tom Hooper having a great year...

He missed a bunch of rugby through injury this year and was originally left out to get some match fitness and show his worth, and he wasn't that great in the Reds match agains the Lions.

Much of the hype as come off the back of the FNP game, and he'll likely be deservedly selected in the squad for next week.
 
Slim 293

Slim 293

George Smith (75)
I think the only change to the starting lineup will be a forced one, with either a new winger to come in, or Ikitau and JAS to slip one out and Paisai starts at inside centre.

As the game went on last night JAS really looked more lost out there defensively in the centres.
 
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