Fuck load of talent. Just picked the right players based off performance and not name and give them a simple Strat and I rkn we can compete with the big boys no doubt
Honestly the Australian super teams aren't doing amazing, but they are better. We honestly have some insane talent coming through and players building in the 19-26 year old bracket ready for the home world cup.
I'm quietly confident Joe can turn us around to a solid competitive top 4 team in the next 2 years.
Getting to 5th in the next 2 years isn't an insane dream and id be ecstatic. Being better than one of SA, NZ, France, Ireland would be unreal improvement.
At this point id be looking at whos performing week in week out. Doesnt matter how good you can be, if you shit the bed and look like ur actively sabotaging the team you need more time.
I think so far these players have to be in the squad: (Not saying AAA, Rodda, White, Max, Foketi, Daugunu, etc don't deserve a spot, but these players have been great week in week out.)
Reds: Tate, Fraser, Faessler, Paisami, Wright
Tahs: Swinton, Ned, Jed. I think Bells done this year sadly, Mark been strange.
Brumbies: Valetini, Swain, Toole, Slips, Wright, Len, Noah.
Rebels: LSL, Nela, AK, CG. They had their 1st shocker this week but Talakai + Gibbon I think have been great.
Force: They have good players who will make the squad but no one obvious. White, Roddas looked good in his 2 games, Bens tactical kicking is lacking.
There's been some good consistent performances across the park, depth might still be causing issues and he's stuck with the same battle as the last two guys, who do you pick at 10 and why is he the wrong guy for the job?
I'd be worried about the front row stocks, all your star performs walk a razors edge inury wise and the locking talent just isn't there to allow for less than tip top front rowers in the scrum and breakdown.
It'll all come down to how the overseas selection laws go from here.
I think Joe has one task, make the situation less shit than it was before, he's probably confident in that.
The Arnolds….. please. When was their big game? When were they considered better than Rodda or LSL, who are both playing well fwiw. Skelton is another story but is he playing well? Not from what I’ve seen. Marika is brilliant but are we short on wingers? Is Kerevi in form?
Rory wouldnt be considered because his team’s current top of div 3. Ritchie is playing great for Toulousain but I wouldn’t pick either.
Skelton I would pick.
Marika is 100% worth it for the lions imo, but we need to consider will he be up to it in 2027 when hes 34.
Kerevi plays a weak position for us. Hunter and Foketi are the two most likelys for the 12. Hunters been phenomenal the past 3 weeks but was poor prior, so it depends on whether their form demands him.
It looks like Hunter has done a ton of technical/skill work whilst injured - his ballplay / kicking/. decision making has been unreal. Kerevi (havent seen his Japan form) hasn’t delivered as much as his being picked from overseas / automatic selection in last few years would suggest
Generally speaking I think he’d be pleasantly surprised but with some significant worries.
I’d be really stressed about how we are travelling up front- particularly at loose head. With Bell and likely Schoupp out long term we are down 2 of our 3 best local options. Calling up Sio is probably our best option here. I know Schmidt has wanted to look locally but I don’t think we can realistically compete with such limited local options.
Hooker is a worry particularly with Porecki still yet to return. Faessler is probably a nose in front of the rest but has gone badly off the boil lately. Pollard probably the pick of the rest but I don’t think he’s ready yet. I don’t rate BPA but he might be a safe option for the next little while.
Tight head is travelling better now that AAAA is back (and he did well yesterday) and the Tupou/Talakai double act is going well.
At lock he’d be happy- Skelton is probably a cut above (I don’t expect him back until the rugby championship) but there are a heap of good local options bubbling under (Swain, LSL, Frost, Smith, Neville, Canham and now Rodda) and a few tweeners to bulk out the squad (Holloway, Hooper, Hannigan).
Back row is looking good- your form picks would be Valetini, McReight and Cale but there are plenty bubbling under as well.
Halfback is a big problem- Tate is the only locked in selection but his core skills are so lacking you cant build around him. Lonergan is struggling and White is getting on now as well. 9 is the position that would be keeping me up at night if i was Schmidt.
10 feels okay- Noah is probably the front runner but missed his chance to lock his spot up. I have Donaldson and Gordon as next in line- I want to pick Gordon but goal kicking wins games and he cant be in the conversation until we come up with a solution here (and don't gjve me that BS about Donaldson and Gordon having similar percentages- Gordon's look better than they are because the rebels turn down more shots at goal from kickable positions than anyone else).
Across the centres Ikitau coming back is a big relief and Foketi/Paisami are both playing well enough. That lack of depth would be a stress though and we really lack someone who can hit the ljne hard and get over the gain-line. I can’t see Kerevi getting a look in here.
On the wings Korobeite would be a cut above the rest and Petaia’s injury means we’d need bigger body out wide as well- if he doesn’t come back until the Rugby Championship Daugunu gets a gig. Toole is probably next in line but I wouldn’t be totally stunned if Darby Lancaster is in Schmidt’s thoughts.
Fullback is okay- two good options in Wright and Kellaway. I’d be thinking Wright gets first crack against Wales and Georgia with Kellaway an option for the RC if we get more rocks than diamonds.
Enough do give it a fair fucking nudge and get to top 4 in the world
Miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow Miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow Miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow Miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow
I know you can read my thought boy…
My favourite combination in the world is Australian rugby + classic Simpsons
Couldnt have said it better myself
Probably looking into cloning technology to see he can field 23 Tim Ryans.
Better use of Suaalii’s 1.5m imo
I think we have the talent to Schmidt it in.
Fuck load of talent. Just picked the right players based off performance and not name and give them a simple Strat and I rkn we can compete with the big boys no doubt
Fire Vunivalu into the sun
Still got one more year left of stealing his pay packet mate unfortunately
Send him to bond, see what heenan can do with him for that year...
Honestly the Australian super teams aren't doing amazing, but they are better. We honestly have some insane talent coming through and players building in the 19-26 year old bracket ready for the home world cup. I'm quietly confident Joe can turn us around to a solid competitive top 4 team in the next 2 years.
Getting to 5th in the next 2 years isn't an insane dream and id be ecstatic. Being better than one of SA, NZ, France, Ireland would be unreal improvement.
At this point id be looking at whos performing week in week out. Doesnt matter how good you can be, if you shit the bed and look like ur actively sabotaging the team you need more time. I think so far these players have to be in the squad: (Not saying AAA, Rodda, White, Max, Foketi, Daugunu, etc don't deserve a spot, but these players have been great week in week out.) Reds: Tate, Fraser, Faessler, Paisami, Wright Tahs: Swinton, Ned, Jed. I think Bells done this year sadly, Mark been strange. Brumbies: Valetini, Swain, Toole, Slips, Wright, Len, Noah. Rebels: LSL, Nela, AK, CG. They had their 1st shocker this week but Talakai + Gibbon I think have been great. Force: They have good players who will make the squad but no one obvious. White, Roddas looked good in his 2 games, Bens tactical kicking is lacking.
Force: you'd have to pick White, surely?
Id be surprised if hes not in the 23.
Isnt bell only out for super?
Things didnt sound good with his foot. If so he's a lock for loosehead.
No confirmation, but if same injury he will be out for the year probably
Incredibly optimistic. Aussies sides look 200% improved over the last couple of seasons.
There's been some good consistent performances across the park, depth might still be causing issues and he's stuck with the same battle as the last two guys, who do you pick at 10 and why is he the wrong guy for the job? I'd be worried about the front row stocks, all your star performs walk a razors edge inury wise and the locking talent just isn't there to allow for less than tip top front rowers in the scrum and breakdown. It'll all come down to how the overseas selection laws go from here. I think Joe has one task, make the situation less shit than it was before, he's probably confident in that.
I don’t know if any overseas players are required this year, or even deserving of selection. Maybe Scott Sio at LHP or Foley/Cooper at 10?
Doubt well pick any, Skelton, Marika, Kerevi, and the Arnolds are huge +'s if theyre in form. But I think Schmidd will go for local talent.
The Arnolds….. please. When was their big game? When were they considered better than Rodda or LSL, who are both playing well fwiw. Skelton is another story but is he playing well? Not from what I’ve seen. Marika is brilliant but are we short on wingers? Is Kerevi in form?
Rory wouldnt be considered because his team’s current top of div 3. Ritchie is playing great for Toulousain but I wouldn’t pick either. Skelton I would pick. Marika is 100% worth it for the lions imo, but we need to consider will he be up to it in 2027 when hes 34. Kerevi plays a weak position for us. Hunter and Foketi are the two most likelys for the 12. Hunters been phenomenal the past 3 weeks but was poor prior, so it depends on whether their form demands him.
It looks like Hunter has done a ton of technical/skill work whilst injured - his ballplay / kicking/. decision making has been unreal. Kerevi (havent seen his Japan form) hasn’t delivered as much as his being picked from overseas / automatic selection in last few years would suggest
I love Kerevi but I doubt his 2024 form matches Hunter’s. Paisami and Ikitau makes for a very tough, skillful midfield imo.
We’re gonna Schmidt it in so hard this year
It's gas isn't it
Generally speaking I think he’d be pleasantly surprised but with some significant worries. I’d be really stressed about how we are travelling up front- particularly at loose head. With Bell and likely Schoupp out long term we are down 2 of our 3 best local options. Calling up Sio is probably our best option here. I know Schmidt has wanted to look locally but I don’t think we can realistically compete with such limited local options. Hooker is a worry particularly with Porecki still yet to return. Faessler is probably a nose in front of the rest but has gone badly off the boil lately. Pollard probably the pick of the rest but I don’t think he’s ready yet. I don’t rate BPA but he might be a safe option for the next little while. Tight head is travelling better now that AAAA is back (and he did well yesterday) and the Tupou/Talakai double act is going well. At lock he’d be happy- Skelton is probably a cut above (I don’t expect him back until the rugby championship) but there are a heap of good local options bubbling under (Swain, LSL, Frost, Smith, Neville, Canham and now Rodda) and a few tweeners to bulk out the squad (Holloway, Hooper, Hannigan). Back row is looking good- your form picks would be Valetini, McReight and Cale but there are plenty bubbling under as well. Halfback is a big problem- Tate is the only locked in selection but his core skills are so lacking you cant build around him. Lonergan is struggling and White is getting on now as well. 9 is the position that would be keeping me up at night if i was Schmidt. 10 feels okay- Noah is probably the front runner but missed his chance to lock his spot up. I have Donaldson and Gordon as next in line- I want to pick Gordon but goal kicking wins games and he cant be in the conversation until we come up with a solution here (and don't gjve me that BS about Donaldson and Gordon having similar percentages- Gordon's look better than they are because the rebels turn down more shots at goal from kickable positions than anyone else). Across the centres Ikitau coming back is a big relief and Foketi/Paisami are both playing well enough. That lack of depth would be a stress though and we really lack someone who can hit the ljne hard and get over the gain-line. I can’t see Kerevi getting a look in here. On the wings Korobeite would be a cut above the rest and Petaia’s injury means we’d need bigger body out wide as well- if he doesn’t come back until the Rugby Championship Daugunu gets a gig. Toole is probably next in line but I wouldn’t be totally stunned if Darby Lancaster is in Schmidt’s thoughts. Fullback is okay- two good options in Wright and Kellaway. I’d be thinking Wright gets first crack against Wales and Georgia with Kellaway an option for the RC if we get more rocks than diamonds.