Wallaby 10 debate

[Yoda]

**disclaimer*, below comment is all with the aim of winning the home world cup in 2027.

A seperate discussion id like to hear the forum's view on is whether Aus. should be aiming to win in 2027 (and make the necessary changes in the team at flyhalf to do so, or whether we as supporters should be content with a knock-out stage exit i.e. top 8?).

Interested to hear what games / attributes you've seen of Donaldson that is deserving of this status as top 2 flyhalf in Aus?
I get we're short of 10's but I'd suggest that means RA need to source elsewhere rather than hammering away at players who will never cut it on the world stage. I dont think this mantra applies for every position, but interested to hear of examples where flyhalves who seriously underperformed at Super Rugby level (let alone internationally even against 2nd-tier nations (e.g. Georgia, Fiji, Wales) in the early stages of their career and went on to dominate later on?

I've said it before but if we want to have any hope of winning the world cup, donaldson will simply not cut it. We haven't seen enough of Carter in recent times but he is certainly the best we have but absolutely not Donaldson or Edmed.

Suggest Lynagh is number 2 option in Aus notwithstanding he has serious concerns surrounding his head knocks

I will just to wait to see how all fly halves perform next year, including young Meredith at the Brumbies. That is when we'll see who is the best performing, as no one has stood out as yet. Not one. I don't think it has helped playing a very predictable attack plan set by Schmidt though.

 

[Hogan]

None of our 10’s are world class. Although Lolesio has at times performed well at Test level. All our playmakers have displayed their class at Super Rugby level…but none consistently. It’s unlikely that other candidates will force their way into Wallabies contention over the next two years. So whoever performs the best in season 2026 and 2027 between Gordon, Lynagh, Donaldson, Edmed (and Lolesio and possibly O’Connor) will get the WC gig in ‘27. I expect them all to improve over the next 2 years as they gain more experience and consistency in the 10 jersey.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I will just to wait to see how all fly halves perform next year, including young Meredith at the Brumbies. That is when we'll see who is the best performing, as no one has stood out as yet. Not one. I don't think it has helped playing a very predictable attack plan set by Schmidt though.

Yoda, are you under a misapprehension about Declan Meredith? He is not a yougster coming through the pathways. He is older and more mature as a player than Donno, Edmed, Gordon, Lolesio and Lynagh. It is a black mark, imo, against the Brumbies coaching staff that he hasn't got more exposure over the past 2 - 3 years, but Bernie Larkham had almost absolute belief in Noah being a world class No 10. Meredith's extra maturity at this crucial time is just another positive in his armory.

 

[LeCheese]

He is older and more mature as a player than Donno, Edmed, Gordon, Lolesio and Lynagh.

Fact check wrt 'older' - Meredith, Lolesio, and Donno were all born in '99, with Donno in fact being 3mo older than Meredith.

Super keen to hear about how you're quantifying 'maturity', however.

 

[Yoda]

Yoda, are you under a misapprehension about Declan Meredith? He is not a yougster coming through the pathways. He is older and more mature as a player than Donno, Edmed, Gordon, Lolesio and Lynagh. It is a black mark, imo, against the Brumbies coaching staff that he hasn't got more exposure over the past 2 - 3 years, but Bernie Larkham had almost absolute belief in Noah being a world class No 10. Meredith's extra maturity at this crucial time is just another positive in his armory.

I actually didn't know his age BR. Le cheese has pointed out he's similar in age to Noah and Ben. I guess with Noah backed by Wallaby coaches, he was getting preferred at Brumby rugby but I have thought on the limited times I have seen him play that he is very capable and that Noah was definitely not streets ahead of him by any means. It's what I think about all our options including JOC (James O'Connor). No one is standing out on a consistent basis to be our first choice.

 

[Wobblies2027]

How did the brums perform when Meredith was at the helm? vs Noah starting at 10?
Agree he is pretty to watch and looks as though he has time with ball in hand (one of the great attributes of any strong flyhalf)

 

[Dctarget]

With the reporting at the Reds, I wouldn't be surprised to see our preferred flyhalf, Gordon, play Super at inside centre and our preferred outside play Super at fullback.

 

[Strewthcobber]

How did the brums perform when Meredith was at the helm? vs Noah starting at 10?
Agree he is pretty to watch and looks as though he has time with ball in hand (one of the great attributes of any strong flyhalf)

Just looking at the numbers.....

Meredith has only played significant minutes (> 30mins) 5 times at Super Rugby level, so very small sample size, but it included some good wins - Blues away and Reds at home, although they were losing by a couple of points when he went off against the Blues.

Lolesio has by far the best record of any 10 in consideration, having played 77 times for the Brumbies and won >70% of them over the years.

It's a good system at the Brums!

 

[Wobblies2027]

Yeah wow, those are some telling stats!