I think it would be / is a mistake to not take Quade or only take 2 half backs. All for Carter Gordon being first choice 10, but imagine this scenario. CG gets concussion or minor injury v Fiji and unavailable for Wales game 7 days later. That means Donaldson is running on in crucial game v Wales and has no back if he was injured.
Similar applies to half back and hooker. You need 2 of each in the 23 and therefore you need an extra if you lose one for a week or two.
Then there is the Suli v Wright. Wright has frustrated the bejeezus out of me at times, but if we needed someone in our 23 to come on an potentially win a game, he’s the man. Not if we want to hold on to a lead perhaps.

I think you’re pretty close Christy. The timing of our games means we don’t need to give main team a break (and can’t afford to rest players for Fiji or Wales). You could for last game v Portugal but that leaves a large break to QF.
Personally I would always take Wright over Suli and Pietsch – as frustrating as he can be at times, but if something happened to the starting back 3, I’d prefer him in the 23 than those two.
Backup LHP, why Schoupp over Gibbon? I would prefer Sio, but might be pushing the overseas limit.
Hooker – Can accept that. Would like to have seen Pollard or Lonergan get a run in warm ups.
Back row – Eddie seemingly not a Samu fan, which I don’t get. Perfect squad player and I would definitely have him.
Utility – if we need one, then 50/50 Donaldson / Hodge.
Captaincy – Tate (c), with Kellaway and Bell/Slipper vc’s

The relative position of players (depth chart as they say in the US) has been a game of snakes and ladders in line with the inconsistent selection and results. Looking from end of season toward RWC 2023, I’d make the following comments:
Top draw: Slipper, Tupou*, Samu (bench), Hooper, Valentini, White, Koroibete, Kerevi*, Ikitau,
Up: Marky mark, Porecki, Frost, Holloway
RWC probables: Kellaway, Wright, Petaia, Paisami*, McDermott, AAA, Bell*, Cooper*, Foley, McReight, Hodge
Possibles: Gleeson, Neville, Wilson, Leota*, Robertson, Lolesio, Arnold, Sio
On the slide: Gordon, Faingai’a, Swain,
Like to see more of: Campbell, Donaldson, Foketi, L Lonergan, Uelese, Mafi, Swinton*, Rodda
Smokies who deserve a look: R Lonergan, Pollard, Hoopert, Ryan Smith

My three observations this year are (and sorry not particularly positive ones) – playing in the wet, kicking and stoppages.
Have seen some excellent 6 Nations games recently, some played in pretty rough weather. SRP – rains=too hard. Little understanding of how to play the conditions or consideration for changing the way they play – particularly passing.
Sort of related, kicking. I can only presume general play kicking is neither coached nor practiced. Look at the Henry Slade sublime 40:20 and compare that with the high number of kicks out on the full, uncontested kicks, thumps down the middle hoping for space I have seen in Oz SRP. Add that to an almost NRL level lack of attention for kicking to touch for penalties.
Lastly, having attended on the weekend, I was astonished about the number of time taken for stoppages. I would love to see that stat. Guessing a dozen at least and minutes at a time. Nick Berry just let it happen. Maybe he was jet lagged. I favour one of – play on (unless a scrum), “get up or get off” policy, or maybe the soccer approach, if you go down and stop play, you leave the field until the next stoppage. Any solutions welcome as it was terrible.

Hi GP, been going for a decade or so to Rebels games, and I always try to be optimistic, but I don’t recall a poorer performance. Sure, there has been mismatches along the way, but this was just limp and technically terrible.
Re Carter Gordon though, I presume they built their pre-season and back-line around having him at 10; then after one game (admittedly a poor one, although it was very wet), they shelve the idea. They obviously needed some punch in midfield, but there were surely other options.

thanks GP. Hadn’t heard of Maiava, but Rugpypass schools world xv.

Definitely interested to see how W Force go. Excited about Pasitoa and Kuenzle. Pack looks strong with Rodda, FLW, and Stander at 6. Kaitu’u will grow with WB experience. Surprised no McGregor, Lacey, Ralston in the 14/15 spot, although Strachan looked okay on occasion in ’21. Would think McDonald knocking on the door. Where has Mataele come from?

Would struggle even at full strength v Reds in Brissie. Get Kellaway, Leota and Hardwick back next week and would expect they’re reasonable chances against Force in Melb, then Drua in Sydney.

Hi Geoff, what’s your depth chart for Rebels #13 options eg Ili, Vaihu, Nu’u, Tonumamaipea, Jeral Skelton, Lukas Ripley? What has happened to Campbell Magnay, what do you know about youngster Ripley?
I suspect when Kellaway back, Hodge may push up to 13 initially.

Felt like I have seen this wallaby performance many times. Not one individual, but everybody seems to make at least one mistake that just start to compound and give us no continuity. Some skill, some decision making. Not enough focus on retaining the ball – still on the training paddock and going to the next pattern assuming the ball is available. Even in those last few crazy minutes; the first Lolesio FG attempt seemed premature; the Paisami cross kick seemed low odds, and there were better options particularly given their defensive line was splintered; calling Lonergan’s first ever line out throw in a test after barely getting on the field is to the back (again inviting error).
I think the errors can be fixed, forwards were okay (clear outs and ball control aside) but our backline lacked any sort of fluidity or collective threat. Felt we need a bigger body in the centres.

I 100% agree with the (belated) crack down. Given the concussion profile and spotlight in other sports, it amazed me that high tackles in NRL were basically ignored and commentators just brush it off. I get the litigation aspect as much appealing to younger generations (and their mums).
However, I have this lingering thought. What if the players are fully aware of the risks and still sign up accordingly.
Crazy, you may say. I will point to the UFC. It has never been more popular.
I suspect the animal within us loves to see heavy collision, a good punch on even, and someone standing over a prone player.

Thanks for another excellent article Geoff and your follow up responses are appreciated. You have some good insights, and some questions I have are (and more player error than ref) – why are there so many scrum collapses in SR AU? Is it skill or experience or just how they are coached? It is frustrating both as a spectacle and a fan with the often random way penalties go. Why risk it?
Also, the number of offside penalties always amazes me. I get line speed, but the easiest way to get scored against is give away a penalty as you’ll be defending a lineout 5m out. Are players unaware of the consequences of their actions? or so focussed on their coaching point (ie line speed pressure).

Some really challenging choices there – sometimes because too many good options, some cases not enough. 4 Props are locked in, only question is who starts. 7A’s experience and leadership, but Tupou deserves a spot. Can either swing over to LHP? Bit of a drop in quality after these 4 though. Hooker seems right. Don’t know why Chek didn’t like Fainga’a.
Locks is the question. Time to move past Simmons. LSL one, and the other a younger player – Hosea (underrated), Swain, Blyth or Frost. Philip is an option, but off to France, so invest in someone else.
Back row has to have balance. All players in good form. Wilson was fantastic early, but has tapered a bit I feel, whilst Samu and Isi have continued. 7 Hooper / Wright / McReight. I genuinely don’t know which way to go. I want Valentini to take 6 by the scruff, can look good, but often don’t notice him.
Backs look about right until 14/15. Again no easy answer. Daugunu has been in great form, but for balance don’t think you can have him and Marika in same team. Want Banks to step up, just taking longer than expected. Hodge is probably a bench spot at best (particularly if you want a 6-2 split). Tom Wright has been good, as has Ramm. DHP has been injured. I like Stewart, but don’t think he offers much off the bench and isn’t in the XV. Simone, I’d like to see more of first.

Whilst obviously an attacking genius, one thing I will always remember about Mark Ella (although may have dreamed it), is defending our line against AB’s (in NZ I think), Mexted was charging for the line, Ella hit him front on, and somehow kept his feet and came away with the ball. Brilliant.

Who doesn’t love a list? Great concept. Horan is first picked for mine and loved your other options. Personally would throw Larkham into that mix too. Just loved the way he moved with the ball out front and looking to challenge the line. Latham was an amazing player and I always felt Eddie erred not playing him more in RWC’03. Also, I recently watched some old games of Matt Burke – I had forgotten how good he was. So cool and calm, goal kicking was top draw and scored one of the best tries I saw live (v AB’s ~’96 at Lang Park). Also for a single super rugby season, some of the stuff Quade did in 2011 was outstanding – if often not advisable.

Rebels changes in the backs appear more balanced this week. Magnay is their best 13 and was good v Paisami. Meakes has been unconvincing recently, although has a habit of pulling off an important play. Louwrens will be missed, and hopefully Lomani can show some RWC form. Last week he kicked out on full and had another charged down, which killed momentum. I probably would have stuck with To’omua/Meakes given the relatively inexperienced 10-12 at brumbies. Know nothing about Orr, but looked like he has some skills. Not as handsome as some.
Re Brums, Wright went down a couple of times last week and probably needs the break. Interesting Fines is not back-up 9. Their bench looks less menacing without Slipper & McCaffery.

Thanks Geoff.
I thought the Bru v Reds game was a cracker and a great contest.
Whilst I am not a big fan of rolling maul tries, I take more exception to the officiating of them. Ref appears to give all benefit of doubt to the attacking team and looks to ping the defence. Compare to a maul midfield, inevitably collapses, rarely a penalty. for collapsing a maul. In this instance the benefit of the doubt goes to the defending team. Only exception to this was Gardiner pinging Rebels.
Anyway, one question I have is why when a new hooker comes onto the field, they often call 6 or over the back first up, and he often missed the mark. Shouldn’t they let him get some feel and confidence first?

Two key challenges which have been called out – 1) the step up from a club team to national is too big, and 2) I don’t think supporters of club in one comp (eg Syd) would care about a full season comp including say Brisbane clubs – not too dissimilar to many super rugby games. No real history or rivalry. The issue of travel costs would also be significant.
If we continue with the premise there is no Super rugby, it might just be back to 2 main comps (Syd & Bris), with rep / state / origin games intertwined as the prep for Wallabies.
I would think that a champions league type approach might be a possible addition ie top x teams from comps play off for a national champion (in addition / not replacing main comps). Similar to the European club set up. Definitely less travel, with one possible issue is the flight of players to the top clubs to get access to that additional comp / revenue.
All that being said, without Super Rugby, it is highly likely our top 100 players will be playing overseas (Japan, Europe) and we will be picking the wallabies like they do the socceroos.

Really interesting article and discussion. A couple of points and questions I have are;
> I like TWAS analysis of rugby. Depending on how long this goes etc, we may end up with a near death / phoenix from the ashes and re-base back to just the major city club comps in the first instance and go from there. Strangely they have been one of the few positive growths in rugby in Australia. I know this will make some traditionalists happy at least.
> Re Football player and digital engagement, from my experience in Aust, player numbers fall away from ~12yo, and the digital is almost exclusively European competitions (including me).
Using digital engagement as a strength, you would say Basketball is smashing all other sports in the younger groups. Also, very easy to play / organise and likely to be a massive threat to all the footy codes. Unfortunately, I can’t get into it.
Questions for the smarter/commercial/legal minds out there – of the player salaries & contracts, what rights do they have; how much of their income is set, how much bonus or game / win / rep team related? This is to the question of who wears the pain. If games aren’t playing and isn’t generating revenue, do they still have to pay? Can players demand payment? Can a comp eg NRL declare bankruptcy, voiding all player contracts, and then set up a new comp RLN and start again?
I suspect they will all survive – even if it take a few years, although there may be some re-ordering of hierarchy. AFL will bounce back. NBL will grow. NRL will take longer. Rugby & Football, a little bit back to grassroots before rebuilding (strong international bodies) A-League & Super League might go, but eventually return in a different format.