Whist there is no doubt there is a systemic issue with Australian rugby, what also is in no doubt is how the failure of this World Cup campaign was down to coaching. To compare the France and Wales games in 2022 to just 10 months later in 2023, it is hugely apparent that the drop off in standards was due to the chaotic nature of Jones’s reign including multiple captains, inconsistent selections and being out coached in every game from a tactical point of view. Jones was the one who was quoting Bob Dwyer ‘if you can’t change a team in a week, you can’t coach’ so I am afraid this is completely on him. To blame the system, or Carter Gordon for not catching the high ball, or players ‘not being the right role models’, is disingenuous and not taking the responsibility for a year of mayhem in what was a lost opportunity given the draw that we were in. He had to go. The Chairman who made the call to install him really should resign with him.

Bringing an injured player back for a run-on start against the AB’s and out of position is risky at best. Petaia hasn’t been playing 13 for the Reds so not sure why Jones thinks he can nail it against one of the best sides in the world. Also not having on-baller gives them a free hit at rucks – McReight deserved another go, especially as T. Hooper struggled against the Springboks. I hope I’m wrong.

Ned has been selected by Cheika, Rennie and now Jones (into the squad). He is respected by the people who ultimately make the decisions. Obviously a tremendous bloke as well.

This a not a good decision.
So financially they will have to pay out a coach this year in exchange for a 5 year contract to a very experienced coach but has been sacked by England, the Reds and the Wallabies. Jones gets a free hit at this World Cup, as they can blame Rennie, whereas Rennie would have been fully accountable. If subsequent results following the World Cup are similar to England’s over the past 12 months, what then? If the Lions tour is a disaster for Australia, then there is another 2 years to the next World Cup, which we host, so RA face another very expensive payout or continue on in what could be a very toxic environment (as this type of environment has happened before).
Another concern is that every potential up and coming coach, like Darren Coleman, will not see an opportunity in Australia for the next 5 years so will potentially look for opportunities elsewhere.
I saw England play this year and they were not impressive at all, even with a very exciting number 10, so I don’t see why we have gone weak at the knees for his services whilst st the same time knifing a coach who had been honourable, committed, respected (by the players), accountable and capable of going all the way at this World Cup.
Instead we have put ourselves in a very expensive predicament.

Why are they (Porecki and Paisami) getting concussion at training? Surely they should be managed better than that.

A good squad based on who they have available.
Just feel that Timani would good coming off the bench.

I know that they are injured but the team would look a lot more threatening with Petaia and Vunivalu included. Agree that Kellaway, whilst safe, doesn’t seem to add a lot of spark. Hope To’omua plays better than he has with the Rebels. Forwards look strong

The only players from last night who would make it to the Wallabies are Trbojevic, Mitchell and Tedesco. The are others who are possibilities or just don’t have the physical attributes or skills to make it.

Big mistake having Flook at outside centre instead of Petaia. He with Daugunu on the wing would have been much more potent.

Also with Simmons, Philip and Hanigan all going overseas next year, you would think they would want to blood Hosea as the first game next year is potentially against the AB’s.

Would have preferred Maddocks as cover instead of Daugunu who was excellent in game 1 but found wanting ever since. Maddocks deserved a go as did Valenti so glad he has another opportunity.

A very good team though and looking forward to seeing the two Toms in the back 3.

Interesting team – Hodge was trialed at 10 for the Rebels and his passing wasn’t up to it. Potentially he could be a Larkham as strong runner, defender and kicker.
Simone unlucky as brings more nuance and experience to 12 than what Paisami will.
Swinton will bring mongrel and they need that though hopefully Naisarani will be considered again.
Predict Tom Wright will go well.
If they were going to give everyone a go would have liked Hosea and Maddocks on the bench.

He is not quick enough for wing – fullback is his best position and DHP/Banks haven’t fired yet.
Wright to the wing.
Give Simone another shot.

With regards to the back, they didn’t have much choice given the injuries.
But with the forwards, I just don’t get Naisarani not being there. If he’s not fit, then get him fit as he has every other attribute. He and Wilson in the back row would be as strong a back row pairing we’ve had for years.
With regards to 7, I just think they need to experiment with someone else (Wright) there with Hooper coming off the bench. His had the role now for 5-6 years, even with Pocock on the scene, and is the only role that hasnt changed but we are still getting the same results. He is a brilliant player and competitor but if they really want to build depth, then he has to make way, at least for a few games.

This is too big a game to experiment and as good as McReight is going to be, we need the experience of Samu as he is the form backrower for Super Rugby and can cover 6, 7 and 8. I really thought (hoping) that Naisarani will be picked ahead of Simmons on the bench (Hanigan can cover second row) as we need more impact in the last quarter.
Another big call is no back up for Lolesio who in his first test now has to play 80 unless they bring on Hodge who isn’t the best passer (or goal kicker). In the last 20 minutes they might have two debutants at 9 and 10 which can’t be ideal.
I hope they know what they are doing as this game is it for the year. Win in and it will catapult the sport to the next level as everyone will watch Bledisloe 4 in Brisbane.

Brave call with Hanigan but hope he goes well. Petaia off the bench is strong as is Wright. Simmons will have to do better than he did last week.
Samu unfortunately has been quiet the last 2 times he has started a test, the last one in late 2018. He’ll get another chance as he is a class player.
Banks was solid last week but he will need to get more involved in attack because B Barrett sure will!

Why have 3 play makers in the squad?
Would have preferred Kuridrani for his defence, for his offence and for his experience – a big ask for Paisami.
Really not sure about Daugumu as feel that Wright has more to offer as can come in at second receiver to either take them on or distribute.
A big surprise about McDermott though Gordon does offer a lot.
Glad about O’Connor get the 10 though I feel that Simone will bring more to the 12 role in time.
Slipper over Sio is surprising but fair enough.
I like Valenti off the bench and would have been good to give Hosea a go but Simmons has the experience which will hopefully be needed late in the second half.

Overall forwards look good and backs look concerning – hope I am wrong and Wallabies win by 10.

You can’t accuse the All Blacks as being as stoic as the Warriors who were here for months and didn’t complain once. The AB’s have now upended a perfect schedule because they just had to get their own way. The Argies and South Africans have to endure a lot worse than NZ, but like the Warriors, they also haven’t whinged one bit.
I really do hope they lose the Cup this year.

Obviously they didn’t want 60 put on them but they would have been happy to lose to the Rabbitohs to avoid flying to Queensland to play the Storm on the same day as the flight. They will go hell for leather to beat the Panthers, get a week’s rest and let the other teams belt each other before they play a recovered Rooster’s team.
Roosters to go 3 for 3 in 2020.

Interesting selections for Brumbies: Powell over White, McCaffery over Valenti, Lolesio over Kuenzle, Ikitau good enough for Wallabies but can’t get on the bench. I think Kuridrani will be well fired up – hopefully final not too defensive and they have a crack.

Why can’t selectors just pick the best players rather than play around and experiment. How is Naisarani not included as he is clearly one of the best number 8’s in the country as well as being experienced having played at the World Cup. The All Black back row is lethal so we need a ball running, hard hitting, line out jumping number 8 and from what we have seen of Samu in that position at international level (vs England Nov 2107), he just wasn’t up to it.
The same goes for Kuridrani as whilst accepting he wouldn’t be in the run on XV, if Petaia is injured, he has to be the next best option above Hodge.
Dempsey was always line ball but can consider himself unlucky being the incumbent number 6 whose form got better as the season went on.
A disappointing start to the Rennie era.

My pick:

1. Sio
2. Faniga’a
3. Tupou (he has to start)
4. Phillip (need experience at lock)
5. Salakaia-Loto (now has experience – always had go forward)
6. Valenti (need a proper 6 rather than going back to 2 x 7’s)
7. Wright (has to be chosen in his best position – captain)
8. Naisarani (Wilson needs more experience so off the bench)
9. White (for experience)
10. O’Connor (more attacking punch that Toomua – goal kicker – vice captain)
11. Wright (best winger in Aust this year – pace, step, pass, defends well)
12. Simone (can defend, kick, link, support and runs straight)
13. Petaia (hard to leave out Kuridrani)
14. Koriobete (based on last years form)
15. Banks (needs a few more games to get form but in for pace/kicking and deserves a chance)

16 Uelese (size, potential)
17 Allaalota (unlucky not to start)
18 Slipper (the rotation system at Brumbies has kept him going)
19 Wilson (picked on form so Naisarani to lock if 4 or 5 get injured which is not ideal)
20 Hooper (has always started – could be lethal in last 20)
21 McDermott (again would be more threatening than Powell in last 20)
22 Toomua (ideal back up for 10/12)
23 Maddocks (more on potential – just over Haylett-Petty – can go to wing or full back)

Great article Geoff as she was doing a great job in extremely challenging circumstances. She was relentlessly attacked for over a year by Alan Jones, was blamed by a petulant Michael Cheika and had to deal with the unprecedented impact of the self centered Israel Folau, to which she never her lost her composure and nor did she retaliate. Instead she has united the Sydney & Brisbane club competitions in the TV rights negotiations, has overseen the rise of the U20’s whilst also managing to keep those players in the game and has installed the best coaching structure the Wallabies have had since Rod McQueen.
It is a disgrace that the RA Board was so weak to let her go and to acquiesce to the pathetic letter from the Wallaby Captains. The game needs unity at times like these, rather than a twisted vendetta to get one of their own from the Mosman Mob to the CEO position, to which he does not have the experience nor the strategic nous for the role. The surprising name that stood out on the original list was Michael Lynagh, but then he pulled out. It was the names not on that list like Horan, Ella, Slack, Waugh, Eales etc that show how wrong that letter was.
So we now have Channel 10 and Optus annoyed, and probably Qantas, whilst they waste more money having to look for a new CEO whilst also paying out the existing CEO. The game deserves much better.

I was flicking between the Reds v Bulls and the Roosters v Panthers and just think rugby is so much better to watch. League has it moments but it can be very repetitive so hopefully Sanzar can find a solution otherwise it is going to put enormous pressure on the game in Oz.

I do agree with Spiro that they at least have to trial alternatives to Hooper at number 7. For of Cheika’s chaotic changes, the only position he stuck true with was Hooper’s even though he arguably had the best 7 (Pocock) that he continually played out of position.

With regards to those young players, it seems extraordinary that so many have come through so quickly who all seem to share similar traits of being highly skilled, are willing to back themselves and all seem to have a good head on their shoulders which is a welcome change. To be able have the quality of players such as Bell, Hoopert, Frost, Hockings, Blyth, Valenti, Swinton, McReight, Wright, Wilson, McDermott, Lonregan, Harrison, Lolesio, Stewart, Paisami, Pataia, Nawaqanitawase, Maddocks (who is wasted on the wing), Tom Wright, Lucas as well as others like Reesjan Pasitoa and Joseph Suaali (hopefully) coming through is beyond exciting so credit must go to RA for nurturing as well as keeping them.

They just have to work out a way to keep the show on the road.

Picking a rookie coach is a hard one, even for one like Thorn with his playing record. As the saying goes, ‘Can do, can’t teach’ so not sure yet if that applies to Thorn but he needs to be getting some results as the players are now definitely there. Nick Stiles must wonder why he wasn’t given a similar amount of patience.