Roy51

Roar Rookie

Joined July 2023

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I’m not sure that I follow what you’re saying here Doctordbx. Why should Mark N be quicker than Beauden B?

Wallabies player ratings: Halves taught Bledisloe Cup lesson as star prop steps up

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Rugby

Jul

I admit that I’m not a fan of Eddie Jones’ coaching style, but ultimately, it’s the players who are on the field and they should be the ones subjected to critical evaluation, even more so than Jones himself. However, I do believe that Jones has made it more challenging for everyone by not selecting the best “team.” What I mean by this is that he may have chosen individuals he considers the most talented, but they are not necessarily the best team players. If he were to prioritize team cohesion, perhaps he would achieve greater success. If I were in his position (thankfully, I’m not), I would focus on identifying the core group of players that could form the foundation of such a team.

To start this process, I would look no further than the Brumbies, as no Australian team has been more successful in the Super Rugby competition. I would thoroughly assess all the players from that side and only replace individuals who I know would strengthen the team through their individual skills. Since the majority of the squad would come from an existing Super Rugby franchise, the players would already have a good understanding of each other’s abilities, resulting in a more cohesive team. Additionally, this approach would allow Jones to select an incredibly powerful bench, which has proven crucial for the success of many rival teams. Ireland and Argentina have successfully implemented this strategy in the past, building their teams around Munster and San Isidro, respectively. I don’t see any reason why we can’t do the same.

Assuming all players were available, here’s an indication of the squad that might be picked. I understand that not everyone will agree with my choices, but I’m comfortable with that as this is merely an illustration of the concept of the proven benefit of using successful combinations in team selections.

Starting XV:
15 Andrew Kellaway
14 Marika Koroibete
12 Len Ikitau
11 Izaia Perese
13 Dylan Pietsch
10 Carter Gordon
9 Nic White (c)
8 Rob Valetini
7 Pete Samu
6 Tom Hooper
5 Richard Arnold
4 Nick Frost
3 Sefo Kautai
2 Lachlan Lonergan
1 James Slipper

Reserves:
16 Taniela Tupou
17 Allan Alaalatoa
18 Ryan Lonergan
19 Tom Hooper
20 Fraser McReight
21 Tate McDermott
22 Reece Hodge
23 Sam Kerevi

'Look out': Eddie puts All Blacks on notice despite 'broken car' Wallabies' loss to Argentina

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Rugby

Jul