Aussie Pro Rugby

[game_film]

Good luck to the young lad, but Oz need to be looking for the league versions of Ardie, Kolisi, Furlong or Dupont.

They’ve always had good players in the back 3. Folau was the best in the world, practically. Would have got more love if he wore a black jersey.

Jeeez look at Ireland’s wingers now - Hansen and Lowe were merely JAGs in SR. Gotta build the foundations first. Good to have that kind of talent but it needs to be the icing on the cake.

[SBW1]

@game_film Saw a checky segment on Aussie tv tonight asking Nathan Clearly about whether he would give Rugby a crack. He reponded by saying he grew up in New Zealand and that rugby was huge over there. While there was nothing in the intervew he didn't rule it out. He is currently working with Dan Carter on his kicking game. Clearly came off as an All Black supporter, no mention of the Wallabies. New Zealand can poach league players as well was the message which was subtley conveyed.

[Tim]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/03/29/state-of-the-game-every-wallabys-contract-status-and-the-big-risks-to-head-overseas-revealed/

[Stargazer]

Rugby Australia  /  Apr 1, 2023

Wallabies name first squad in Formula One preparation for Rugby World Cup Year

Squad summary
Total Test caps: 733
Average Test caps: 22
Average age: 26
Uncapped players: 7
Most capped: James Slipper (127 Tests)
Youngest member: Max Jorgensen, 18
Oldest member: Cadeyrn Neville, 34

Wallabies camp squad (age, team, Tests played)
Allan Alaalatoa (29, ACT Brumbies, 64 Tests)

Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Pone Fa'amausili (26, Melbourne Rebels, 3 Tests)

Josh Flook (21, Queensland Reds, uncapped)

Lalakai Foketi (28, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests)

Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 9 Tests)

Langi Gleeson (21, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Carter Gordon (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)

Ned Hanigan (27, NSW Waratahs, 28 Tests)

Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests)

Michael Hooper (31, NSW Waratahs, 124 Tests)

Jed Holloway (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Len Ikitau (24, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests)

Max Jorgensen (18, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)

Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, 21 Tests)

Lachlan Lonergan (23, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)

Ryan Lonergan (24, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

Fraser McReight (24, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)

Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Cadeyrn Neville (34, ACT Brumbies, 8 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (23, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests)

David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests)

Tom Robertson (28, Western Force, 31 Tests)

Pete Samu (31, ACT Brumbies, 32 Tests)

Blake Schoupp (23, ACT Brumbies, uncapped)

James Slipper (33, ACT Brumbies, 127 Tests)

Darcy Swain (25, ACT Brumbies, 17 Tests)

Jordan Uelese (26, Melbourne Rebels, 15 Tests)

Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 30 Tests)

Suliasi Vunivalu (27, Queensland Reds, 1 Test)

Nic White (32, ACT Brumbies, 59 Tests)

Brad Wilkin (27, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)

Tom Wright (26, ACT Brumbies, 23 Tests)

Rehab group
Angus Bell

Rob Leota

Taniela Tupou

Overseas based players to join via Zoom
Richie Arnold

Tom Banks (TBC)

Quade Cooper

Bernard Foley

Marika Koroibete

Samu Kerevi (TBC)

Will Skelton

Not considered for selection due to injury
Folau Fainga'a

Tom Lynagh

Alex Mafi

Hunter Paisami

Matt Philip

Izack Rodda

[KiwiMurph]

Donaldson made the Wallabies squad. That is frankly, ridiculous.

Otherwise I can see Eddie's logic.

Some big names missing - JOC, Gordon, Tate, Wilson, Lolesio etc.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/04/02/wallabies-squad-confirmed-eddie-jones-shocks-with-big-name-omissions-from-first-training-camp/

[Bovidae]

Fa'amausili is so ordinary, so I'm surprised Jones rates him too.

[Stargazer]

Donaldson is a really strange selection. Not sure what Jones sees in him. Admittedly, JOC and Lolesio have not been at their best in SRP, but at least got some experience. Also, Vunivalu is in the squad, but not Muirhead. I'd swap the two. Toole probably also a better pick?

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer Jack Debreczeni would be a better pick than Donaldson. Of course Donaldson plays for Radwick.....

[antipodean]

@Stargazer said in Aussie Rugby:

Donaldson is a really strange selection. Not sure what Jones sees in him. Admittedly, JOC and Lolesio have not been at their best in SRP, but at least got some experience. Also, Vunivalu is in the squad, but not Muirhead. I'd swap the two. Toole probably also a better pick?

I've never understood how Lolesio managed to become a Wallaby. On form it's a no brainer to have Carter Gordon instead of him. What's baffling is Donaldson's inclusion. And Vunivalu who has done absolutely nothing on a rugby field.

A tremendous six months for Blake Schoupp. I played against him and a couple of other Brumbies wider training group late last year in a social game and had a chat with him afterwards. He's been rewarded for his consistency and hard work. Really nice guy so I'm pleased for him.

[Stargazer]

Nathan Williamson  /  Apr 3, 2023

Tom Lynagh signs long-term deal with Queensland Reds

The Queensland Reds have moved quickly to tie down flyhalf Tom Lynagh, confirming he has re-signed with the club until the end of 2025.

[SBW1]

@SBW1 Issaiya Katoa who is on a three deal at the Dolphins played with Suaalii and has himself not closed the door to going to Rugby Union, his desire being to be and All Black.

[ACT Crusader]

@Stargazer said in Aussie Rugby:

Overseas based players to join via Zoom

“via Zoom” haha get stuffed.

Virtual tackle bags coming to a screen near you.

[KiwiMurph]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/04/06/exclusive-better-than-suaalii-schoolboy-sensation-turns-down-nrl-to-sign-with-rugby-australia/

[antipodean]

@KiwiMurph That story has the shittest highlights package (I only watched ~35 seconds). If the rest of it is anything like that, then the author is smoking meth.

[voodoo]

@antipodean said in Aussie Rugby:

@KiwiMurph That story has the shittest highlights package (I only watched ~35 seconds). If the rest of it is anything like that, then the author is smoking meth.

You missed a sweet late tackle at about 1:30 then an awesome cut-out pass at about 2:20 (though to be fair, it was a teammate that threw it)

[Dan54]

That is good news if correct, RA signing good young talent is good for the game.

[voodoo]

159K views · 13K reactions | How Rugby Australia Signed Joseph...

How Rugby Australia Signed Joseph Sua’ali’i #rugby #nrl #rugbyleague.

[NTA]

@antipodean said in Aussie Rugby:

@KiwiMurph That story has the shittest highlights package (I only watched ~35 seconds). If the rest of it is anything like that, then the author is smoking meth.

It's Doran, who knows nothing about rugby.

[NTA]

@voodoo and it is funny because of those factors that are historical screwups in Rugby Australia's long timeline of historical screwups.

There's all this talk - mostly from people who are outside the system - about throwing $1.6M into the supposed "grassroots" to help develop players.

Firstly, that is fuck all in real dollar terms.

Secondly, the rugby development pathway is a pile of gibbering insanity, not even close to resembling a cohesive strategy for talent development. Juniors don't have a relationship with Schools don't have a relationship with Seniors, and it will continue to be so until someone pulls the rug out from under the Little Gods of GPS etc.

[NTA]

I also don't get the "nobody ever sees rugby because it's on Stan".

Rugby League shows some of its games on FTA, just like Rugby Union. The rest are behind a paywall. The cost is about the same for Kayo and Stan.

It is a bullshit argument, particularly for those rugby people complaining about it, yet who were happy to throw twice that at Foxtel for sport and fuck all else of value.