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Roar Rookie
Joined September 2021
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Cant argue with this squad at all. Its almost entirely form based with a clear nod towards physical maturity and experience. Perese looks to me the most interesting selection – a genuine crash ball option at 12 and one of the few that could emulate SK’s physicality. If fit, I suspect he gets a shot v Japan.
WALLABIES SQUAD: Skelton returns, Perese gets another shot, Noah left behind
I think this is a good, brave call. For years these “development tours” have meant those with real promise – Lolesio, McReight, Wilson, Paisami – would have been expected to get picked. All should be very good test Wallabies but all have signficant work ons that havent conistently held up at test level. Not convinced there is anything scientific about standing round, and maybe play a few mid week games etc. Better to stay home and prepare etc. This changes the game and picks players more on form, or at least the ability to deliver here and now – “You want it, come and get it” sort of stuff. It what NZ has done forever, and its what the Aus Cricket team does v well – Hussey , Hodge, Voges etc. In short, stop the obsession with putting everything into next gen/tmrw and pick your best available team or squad.
Lolesio to miss northern tour after slipping behind Quade, JOC
Faith he hasn’t dropped a high ball, missed a tackle and consistently beats the first 1-2 defenders. As you rightly point out, hes consistently in the right place to finish. I was a big sceptic but hes been a revelation IMO.
Will there be two sets of slippers under the table at number 10?
I’m not suggesting NL is flaky, just maybe not the attacking maestro hes been marketed as at this stage in his career. Harrison is an elite kicker (none of the others are) and certainly a stronger front on defender (he didnt look out of place at 12 for Tahs). Have a look at some junior footage and you will see he is no shoveller – he was also effective for the Tahs when attacking the line on many occasions this year and last. Donaldson is a fair point – he took his opportunities this year – but IMO he’s VERY flat with even less attacking flair (albeit well suited to the simplified game plan of the Tahs in the 2H). The good news – this debate highlights we have options..
Will there be two sets of slippers under the table at number 10?
That’s my sense Peter. Don’t wan’t to get too far ahead but it just strikes me that the two could be interchangeable depending on game plans etc. The thing I can’t get my head around is Harrison – behind a back that was constantly under pressure, he actually more advanced to me than NL.
Will there be two sets of slippers under the table at number 10?
Hi Nick
Thanks again for all that you do for us Roarers. Always a lot in these – will try and keep the questions to what on the surface looks like a world class backline.
1. Re 10 succession planning – Lolesio and Harrison (forgotten man?) Contrasting styles, but surely Harrison is the more balanced and arguably more advanced based on his kicking and tackling alone. Nothwistanding, both could be viable post 2023 options in a similar format to QC/JOC.
2. How important are Kellaway and Ikitau in the successes of recent weeks? Kellaway in particualr has a Conrad Smith air about him – low error rate and does the basics very well – Ikitau looks to be oustanding defensively with his positioning often enabling MK to “roam” in the way he does so effectively. Not forgetting of course that 13 is probably the hardest channel to defend in.
Yours in Rugby,
Will there be two sets of slippers under the table at number 10?
Good Morning Nick
First time caller and long time admirer. Thank you for your consistently fantastic insights.
A couple from me:
1. “Tacklers were asked to clear out more quickly, defenders wanting to contest the ball were required to stay on their feet, and there was zero tolerance for cynical play.”
The above clearly makes for a better spectacle – isn’t it also entirely consistent with how everyone but SA want the game played (and talks to the obvious inertia and implicit flaws of its game plan).
2. Did you notice anything tangible in the past 2 weeks vs the AB’s games specifically relating to the above? Put another way, with more rigorous application to the Premeirship interpretations at the breakdown would the ABs games have been closer?? My gut feeling is yes, which inevitably lead to the Wallabies getting “sucked in” to an unstructured play pattern, and on which basis our inferior skill level was ruthelessly exposed (intercepts etc).
Yours in Rugby,
How the Springboks hit an English speed bump at Suncorp
Well said Mulgair.
I think if we’ve learn’t anything in the past week its that success and experience are often linked and both are vital cogs – we can have all the bottom up plans in place etc but if you are not producing consistent international wins its a lot harder to start that positive feedback loop – grassroots investment, club and school participation levels, junior represenitive success, international player production, cohesion of style etc. NZ is the abberation due to structural factors (lack of competition) but IMO even they won’t be able to resist the commercial winds of change. To these ends, NZ rugby needs an AU partnership a lot more than an American made sub and the “hollowing out” that Geoff is alluding to with SA starts to resemble what Football has been for years.
The Wrap: Wallabies rocket ahead while the Springboks are lost in space
Agreed. The nuance here is that this is also his first year of starting with the Reds. Hence there is probably a fitness/base argument which is now relevant. Expect similar incremental gains from Bell as he matures.
The Wrap: Wallabies rocket ahead while the Springboks are lost in space
Well said Geoff.
One of your best.
Surely TT has demonstrated (again) that you leave your best players on the field for as long as possible. Why have 20mins of impact when you can have 80 etc. I
I’m worried by Hodge. I had him dropped after 2 errors in 2 mins which wasn’t lost on him either as he probably redeemed himself with desperation and aggression thereafter. Nonethless his versatility is as much a curse..
Also noteworthy was another very solid game from Ikitau – strong in defence and being a lefty is another point of difference (the step created his first try, kicking).
The Wrap: Wallabies rocket ahead while the Springboks are lost in space
Hi Nick
Great article – the highlight of my week apart from escaping 108 days of lockdown!!
On TT specifically, its that mobility and ability to play in the wider channels that has me most excited – feels to have added an additional attacking dimension that we’ve been lacking, not disimilar to what Dane Coles has provided for years. Feels like we are getting a similar go forward benefit from Valentini. On a related note, i’d be interested in a similar analysis of our second row – how competitive it is – and whether there is latent upside here i.e. a third ball carrying/line bending threat in the pack.
Many thanks as always for your insights.
Is Taniela Tupou top of the props?