Is 2019 the Wallabies' year?

Short answer - NO...!

Will be watching Farrell and Sexton tomorrow with interest. Two potentially critical players come world cup finals time.

Have to agree to disagree. I don't think the ABs would have a bar of a wing or FB that can't pass, can't kick, can't tackle and needs tries handed to him

2017 had a win against the All Blacks and a close loss. That's a step up from being nowhere near across all 3 games in 2016.

"The thread is about Wallaby results…" Only looking at W/L 2016 didn't have wins against Fiji, Italy and Japan to lift the Win / Loss ratio. Making 2017 look far better than it actually was.

he named an existing squad with a few extra names thrown in which most people would have assumed would be swapped out for players in the 23 he named or, alternatively, he felt that there were a few players in there that would be 50/50 selections with the extra four players and couldnt be bothered making a call. allowing you to compare to either given that his call would be subjective. neither presents a problem for his argument. i'm sure he would have had no problem with you throwing up alternatives outside your comparison 23. however you werent willing or able to make the leap to either of those alternative and refused to consider the point without having your hand held through the process above. bluesfan doesnt need my help and youre right, at this point i dont seem to be helping you see the pointlessness of your bizarre insistence. the details regarding this basic block in your logic process is the only current unknown in this discussion. that said its definitely not one that has any remaining interest in resolving so please dont feel you need to fill it in for me. for my part i certainly wont be clogging the thread up with more discussion of the very crucial number 23. for the record i think the number of aussies youve picked from your comparison is, unsurprisingly to most, lower than an objective assessment would produce but i will bow out with my usual grace.

You’re quite correct. You not only don’t see my point, you’re missing several. 23 was Bluesfan’s original premise. 23 is a match day squad. Naming more Australian players does the complete opposite of strengthening any point about current quality in depth in relation to a comparable number of English options. If that needs explaining to you, there really is no hope. You’re really not helping anyone here.

Well, T-man, There are two players in the current Ireland squad of 35 who have played professional rugby in the SH (Aki and Stander) both of whom are battling for their places. There are also two in the current England squad of 35 who’ve played professional rugby union in the SH (Shields and Hughes) and they’re battling for their places in the squad as well, so not sure the impact is as huge as you say. Regarding this ‘century if mediocrity’ the Lions gave the SH a lesson or two in the 1970’s; France have been known to dish out the odd kicking from time to time; England won 12 straight against the SH ‘giants’ in the early 2000s; and Ireland seem to be dishing out some punishment now. So, all in all, up to your usual standard.

His last 4-5 super rugby games were great. His final game against the Waratahs was, and I’m not exaggerating, the best match I’ve ever seen him play. Unfortunately, he was injured in the last 5 mins of that game and missed the last 6 months of last year.

Lol. Yeah, I was showing my age there.

I think Kuridrani is one of those players that seems to have gone backwards. 18 months ago I would have agreed. I haven’t seen him have a good game for a while, though, including SR.

The ABs have historically been the biggest thugs in world rugby, so I’m not sure you should go down that line.

Bluesfan, thank you for finally expanding your original assertion at my fifth time of requesting. Unfortunately, your debating style in getting there demonstrates all the traits of a sulking teenager; throwing out every irrelevant and hackneyed issue and insult you can think of as a distraction to facing up to a simple question posed to a proposition I suspect you wish you hadn't made. However, having now done so, your 23, unsurprisingly to me at least, offers up just three Australian prospects for inclusion to the current English setup. Folau would make a case for a wing birth. However, with May, there is already a slightly faster man with an equal nose for a try and a better positional appreciation and (the B&I Lion) Watson's all-around wing skills would be a challenge to him, as would (the B&I Lion) Nowell who also offers a whole different set of skills to Folau and most international wingers, then of course there's (the B&I Lion) Daley who's versatility and intelligence make him very difficult to ignore. And of course there's also Cokanasiga who is as tall and as fast as Folau and with 15 kilos of extra muscle - but he's still just an international prospect. However, a bit crowded with talent isn't it? Maybe at FB? Personally, I'd say no. Not only do I think he has too many flaws to be a true international FB, but Watson and Daly also offer more versatility covering that position and wing, and in Daly's case he has the added bonus of offering centre cover given he plays there for Wasps. Pocock has a case as a traditional fetching 7 Imperious over the ball, there's few currently match him. But a lot of his value to the Australian team is the beef he offers to a generally underpowered set of forwards. England has no such issues with proper 8's available, and corresponding loosies that dwarf Hooper. Personally, I think I'd prefer someone more versatile like Tom Curry in that shirt but it's a moot point. Genia may still have it in him. Love Genia when he's playing at his pomp and when doing so, he'd threaten the English 9 shirt. However, I fear the lack of that pomp of late is less a dip in form and more natural degradation. With Youngs (equally on the wane from his very best I fear), Care and now the excellent Robson on the scene (long overdue his chance in my opinion), Genia is no certainty to even make the bench. Considering you placed this Australian 23 amongst the top three match days in the world, with teams like England trailing them, I'm now dying to hear who else you think pushes out an English player, either as a starter or a bench option. No really, I'm all ears.

neil given the point is about the amount of quality players, naming more strengthens bluesfan's point. he is exceeding your test requirement. i (and others i assume) dont see what it is about your point that it matters so much that he takes the time to specifically name precisely a maximum of 23 players. anyway he's done it now but i suspect the moment has passed

Presumably you mean Genia not Gregan.

NO

In answer to your question. No. I think only Castle and that ex banker guy thinks we're a chance

Yip must be embarrasing right - having foreign coaches and having to import Teo, Shields and Hughes - you can keep Hartley though. However English rugby shows it's true face when they picked as a captain a player who had eye gouged, punched, elbowed, bitten and abused a ref and who has being banned from playing for 60 odd weeks. That really is reflective of how England perceive themselves really - OK that they can pick a thug as Captain and not care about the message it delivers to kids etc. If you wonder about the likes of Naholo etc - little piece of advice, go into Wikipedia and check NZ's demographic's. Simple thing really but feel free to educate yourself - interesting thought given the % of polynesian players in Englands team must assume that they form a large % of England's population right?

I actually agree with a lot of your side. There are a few line ones I’d be tempted to opt for - that is Tupou or Ala’alatoa at 3, Sio at 17, Banks > May. However, I absolutely think that Kuridrani is a better player than Joseph. In my mind, that isn’t even a competition. I know what you mean though, it’s difficult to determine the quality of Aussie players given how badly they are coached.

I think things have changed, slightly, Fionn. A number of players who would have made the side have really gone off the boil. If I was picking a combined England-Oz side now it would read: M. Vunipola George Sinckler Itoje Launchbury Lawes Pocock Vunipola Gregan (mostly on reputation) Farrell Kerevi Joseph May Daly Folau Genge, Hartley, Kepu, Beale, Hooper, Wilson, Youngs That’s seven out of the 23 and Gregan and Kepu are there on assumption that their current form (over 12 months) is a blip. I accept that the WBs are a much better side than they’ve looked lately, and I think they’ll be dangerous at the RWC, but on pure individual selection that’s the way I’d go at this moment.