Happy Rugby New Year!
Personally, I don’t think rugby is in as dire a position as many would have us believe.
First, recall that Dave Rennie left 12 injured squad members behind when the Wallabies toured and sent 11 home, injured from the tour.
Not quite the exact match day 23, but close, yet we managed to finish on a relative high with a gritty win over Wales.
One of the tries of the year scored against World No 1 Ireland, and a couple of close results versus Ireland, France and Scotland. Italy, much improved and we deserved what we got, with that many changes.
Quade Cooper and the Wallabies (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
The strength and conditioning review has had its first casualty with a top-level resignation, and I’m sure that there is more to it than that.
Four Achilles injuries in one team in one season should ring alarm bells.
We unearthed some great talent in Mark Nawaqanitawase, Nick Frost and Langi Gleeson. Most of the wingers and fullbacks survived intact. Jordan Petaia continued to improve and remained injury free. Jock Campbell was pretty sound at the back and only made one real defensive error, that I can recall.
We are in pretty good shape for most positions in the forwards. When you have a guy like Pete Samu playing off the bench, you are in a good position. Will Skelton improved with each performance and, can hopefully slot in fairly seamlessly at WC time.
The likes of Harry Wilson and others left behind, would have made them hungry for next year.
Coaching and recent coaching changes at all five franchises.
Queensland stepping up with the introduction of Phil Blake and Mick Heenan, who should allow Brad Thorn a bit more leeway, Bernie Larkham at the Brumbies, with Munster experience under his belt, (and Lord Laurie back).
Simon Cron at the Force, with a highly impressive CV, Kevin Foote at the Rebels and, of course, Darren Coleman at the Waratahs, looking to launch from the solid platform of last year.
First challenge for those coaches will be managing everyone back to full fitness, and losing star players through the compulsory resting policy, but you would think that they have had a reasonably long pre-season, the benefit of seeing the Australia A program in action, and time to plan and co-ordinate and, co-ordination should be the mantra from the top down.
I’ve put my spreadsheet together with all positions – a column for each of the 15 positions – each in order of current merit. It will be interesting to see how it develops. I just hope that Rennie, in consultation with the franchises builds his and sticks to it, rigidly.
The time for experimenting is now over and you would hope that the franchises meet with the Wallabies every couple of weeks to firm up that order of merit.
I wrote an article here in October of 2021 entitled Why I am a glass half full rugby fan, and I stick by that mantra.
Can’t wait for Feb 24.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I did... But playing against under strength PI teams is one thing... and he looked way off the pace on the NH tour last year. He is young.. let him grow and develop. We dump huge amounts of pressure on these young lads to be the next best thing.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Did you watch his Australia A performances?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If we beat Wales and Fiji and win our group, we play Argentina (or England) in a QF. That feels like reason for optimism around a deep run. In the semi we need to take on somebody from the other side of the draw so it gets much tougher but a SF spot means we're one top performance away from the final.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Nawaqa improved his defence out of sight. Don't judge him on 2021 form. Paisami is a good defender and a brave runner. Foketi is a proper rugby player. No comparison for a test 12. Gleeson didn't pick himself. No BS from him. He went from club player to test starter in a season. He's worth watching.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
Happy New Year Gatesy, I love your positivity and I'm with you. I'd have loved more wins in 2022 (as I would in every year), but at least we can say we were competitive in most games, particularly the Northern tour. I'm also looking forward to the 2023 season - Super Rugby as well as the World Cup. Bring it on.
Wigeye
Guest
Can't see quade playing at wc
Reg
Guest
It doesn`t matter how well players from three of the other franchises players go. Dungo Dave, Gandalf and Mckillar want an entirely Brumby Waratah 23. QC Kerevi Koro Leota Pone Philip and Thor wont make it for various reasons injury and Gitaeu picks. This is how i reckon it will go. 1 Bell ( 18 tests) 2 Porecki ( 11 tests ) 3 Alaalatoa 64 tests) 4 Skelton ( 22 tests) Gitaeu pick 5 Holloway (10 tests) 6 Swinton/Hanigan (toss a coin) 7 Hooper (123 tests) 8 Valetini ( 26 tests) 9 White ( 55 tests) 10 Foley ( 76 tests) Gitaeu pick 11 Marky Mark (5 tests) 12 Foketi ( 7 tests) 13 Ikitau ( 22 tests) 14 Wright ( 22 tests ) 15 Beale ( 97 tests ) 16 Latu ( 21 tests) 17 Slipper ( 125 tests) 18 HJH ( 1 test) 19 Frost ( 5 tests) 20 Samu (27 tests) 21 Gordon ( 16 tests) 22 Donaldson ( 2 tests) 23 Perese ( 2 tests)
David Robertson
Roar Rookie
Absolute dark horses for the world cup. If Foley or Quade or whoever is at 10 can just be a solid performer and with the good draw they will go deep. I think the team Rennie is building is well suited to the current state of the game as well.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I just believe you cant play enough games if you are a bench player to show a selector why you are better than someone else who is starting for their club. Match fitness also becomes an issue in the short seasons we have. If you are not playing week in week out it is hard to get that match fitness where it needs to be to play at an international level. And we have heard Rennie talk about players coming into camp not at fitness levels they should be at.
Don
Roar Rookie
Phil Blake has been signed as the Reds defence coach. How's he going to shake up their attack? Jim McKay is still the attack coach.
Don
Roar Rookie
My golden rule is if you can’t start for your super club you can’t be good enough to make a wallabies team This could pose an interesting scenario in the Hooker position this year. Porecki looks to be Rennie's first choice and, if he gets back to his best, Tolu Latu is our best hooker based in Aus. We could very well see both NSW hookers selected in a squad of 23. Particularly given how Folau Fainga'a showed ill discipline and poor throwing in 2022.
Jim
Guest
Whilst there is plenty of things to be optimistic about, I don't think a deep run at the RWC is on the cards this time. Teams that go the distance at the RWC tend to build rather than being sprinkled with fairy dust to make magic happen. There are always up and downs, but the average performance of the previous two seasons tends to offer the best guide to performance, IMO. There have been too many sticking plasters and testing of new combinations. Even when players return from injury, they won't have enough game time to develop the instinctive relationships that make an RWC-winning team. The forwards must get used to a new coach and his ideas six months or so out from the start gun. There are just too many variables to make a settled side. Next time, it will be different. I hope. I really bl(*y hope.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
We haven’t found much really . Nick Frost is the big find . Nawaqa and Campbell despite your tackle count don’t tackle . Petaia did actually play some footy and confirmed that he is test class . We need him . Paismi did well at 12 and will get better every time he plays there . Gleeson . More BS than substance so far . Skelton was far better than I expected. Good on him . Darren Coleman is one bloke who I think has done really well . He could be our Scott Robertson . Now Darren settle down son . I said could be . Cut the BS and don’t whatever you do get involved with Rennie . Keep doing your job with the TUT TAHS but travel and listen to the best coaches where ever they are . I think that next year might be too soon but if we are determined not to sign Razor , Darren is my pick with Laurie Fischer mentor . Phil Blake will also shake the Reds attack up .
Frankly
Roar Rookie
They will get a run this year.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Jock certainly has question marks on his ddfence as does Mark N. They both need to show that part of the game. The coming Super season is the pointy end for RWC selection and deficiencies in defence will determine some selections.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
>The time for experimenting is now over The Northern Tour certainly gave plenty by way of knowledge of each player, their combinations, and the Rennie game plan. It's all so close you can almost touch it... 2024 is shaping up nicely for the Wallabies for a deep run at the World Cup. Perhaps the greatest concern is the continued inability to close out the final five minutes. Let's see if that changes in 2024.
Rob9
Roar Guru
After a year where we dipped deeper in the well than we have in recent history to field our 23’s (as well as re-establishing the A program); hopefully 2022 will start to pay dividends in the form improved 2023 seasons across our 5 Super teams. That’s got to be the foundation of a successful 2023 for the Wallabies following a somewhat ‘experimental’ 2022. If there isn’t some evidence of a ‘bounce’ after suffering through a pretty lackluster international season where depth was put well and truly to the test- I think I’d be ready to call our fate in France by June.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
That’s my thoughts exactly. Same with Tom Hooper over at the Brumbies. The blokes are not even starters at their super clubs yet all we hear about is how they should be given a shot at the wallabies. My golden rule is if you can’t start for your super club you can’t be good enough to make a wallabies team.
Frankly
Roar Rookie
Langi was unearth as he came from a Waratahs fringe player to Wallabies squad. He showed a lot with Australia A. However, I agree he wasn't a standout on spring tour. He still has a lot of promise and I'm looking forward to see what he can do this year.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I do want to see players playing in positions at Super level translating into Wallaby positions. In that case Bobby read 15 - Campbell. He is good enough and he’s the only real 15 we’ve got running around in Aus SR. As gates said, one defensive error, we’ve all been there, but he brings plenty with him.