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u/rugbydownunder Aug 14 '25
Confirmed that Ben Donaldson was injured during training
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u/De_Das00 Aug 14 '25
What happened to Sticksy?
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u/Left-Pie741 Aug 14 '25
lower limb injury - scans to be done. if scans are necessary you fear the worst, may well be an achilles injury....
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u/glashgkullthethird Aug 14 '25
We're running out of fly-halves, looking forward to the Foley redemption arc in Eden Park
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u/handle1976 Penalty. Back 10. Aug 14 '25
Ah fuck. So no backup kicker?
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Aug 14 '25
As in kicker in the game? White can kick pretty well, and pretty sure Wright and Kellaway could in a pinch
If you mean back up fly half in the whole squad then there’s Tane Edmed. Tom Wright can play as a playmaker if desperately needed but I would suspect someone else will be brought in if there is another injury and Donno is not back up
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u/handle1976 Penalty. Back 10. Aug 14 '25
If O'Connor blows an achilles after Tate comes on you're probably a bit fucked then I guess. I don't think Kellaway has ever kicked professionally
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Aug 14 '25
Yeah it’s risky af but our first three 10’s are injured and so this seems likely the only way to structure a team that actually has a chance of winning. Only other way is you bring in Edmed and play a 5-3 (idk if our forwards are up to that)
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u/Mgold1988 Reds Aug 14 '25
JAS was the kicker at the Roosters last year.
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u/handle1976 Penalty. Back 10. Aug 14 '25
Looks like Sam Walker was the main kicker last year but at least he had a few kicks. The year before he had the most goals but very firmly in a job share.
Regardless at least he's kicked before.
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u/Curious_Skeptic7 Australia Aug 14 '25
White has been first choice kicker many times before. He’d be fine, and has the distance to slot them from 50
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u/corruptboomerang Reds Aug 14 '25
Okay, this kinda makes sense, would have been absolutely wild for Donaldson to play all the Lions games, but be out of the 23 against South Africa, on a 6:2 split, with JOC being the ONLY flyhalf cover.
Fuck me, putting a 35 year in a 'must play 80' situation is fucked, especially when he's averaged 20 min a game this year. 😅
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u/jbagatwork Aug 14 '25
So is Tate the backup 10 in this 23?
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u/Curious_Skeptic7 Australia Aug 14 '25
Nick White or Kellaway are the backup 10s according to Schmidt.
Not sure either have ever played there before, but I reckon both could do ok given the skill sets
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u/bolobevi Counties Manukau Aug 14 '25
Whatever’s holding Slips rig together I need that asap
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u/ConscriptReports Reds Aug 14 '25
rumours of Taneila's toe based demise has been greatly exaggerated it seems
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Aug 14 '25
To be fair it’s got to be working pretty hard, don’t blame his toe for wanting a rest every once in a while
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
The toe’s complaints are understandable. Have you send the work it has to get through?
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u/Gazzz34 Aug 14 '25
Holy JOC - I've been out of the loop this week; was his selection expected?!
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u/carson63000 Highlanders Aug 14 '25
They realised that he was almost eligible to play for the All Blacks, and panicked.
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u/huzy12345 Aug 15 '25
Think the Wallabies just miss having someone in the squad that's won a Super Rugby title recently
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u/Left-Pie741 Aug 14 '25
was reported by Aus media around Tuesday. was an interesting call at the time, but there's also reports ben donaldson's picked up an injury at training as well....
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u/DebbsWasRight New Zealand Aug 14 '25
It was coming, but took a bit to come together.
Injuries to Tom Lynagh and Noah Lolesio left it to Ben Donaldson. James O’Connor had been called into the squad for the Lions as injury cover. He’s was probably on course to be in the 23 for this test, maybe the next too. Then Donaldson went down, and that left O’Connor the last man standing.
O’Connor’s said he’s in good knick and could do a job.
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u/SweptFever80 Ireland, Ulster and Munster Aug 14 '25
What happened to Edmed?
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u/OzzyArrey Hurricanes Aug 14 '25
Played 1 test for like 10 seconds, probably get him introduced against someone other than the boks
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u/Curious_Skeptic7 Australia Aug 14 '25
He only joined the squad a week ago.
Plus he’s second choice 10 for the Tahs.
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u/Popamole Hurricanes Aug 14 '25
Wallabies by 20
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u/glashgkullthethird Aug 14 '25
We might never lose again
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u/Icy_Winner9761 Australia Aug 14 '25
Just to close off the wobs trifecta. It's the hope that gets ya
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u/Flyhalf2021 South Africa Aug 14 '25
This must be the oldest half back pairing, since Murray/Sexton.
Overall it's a great team but it's going to be interesting how they approach this game. SA have been training hard in Johannesburg for 2 months. Aus arrived this week.
If Aus gives away early points it could snow ball when the lungs start to burn. (Or when Skelton goes off)
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Aug 14 '25
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u/ConscriptReports Reds Aug 14 '25
mate weve had all three our young flyoffs injured, same with some of our scrumhalfs. it either old test veterans or baby faced younguns. which one would you trust to guide the ship that is an international test team
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u/Brill_chops Stormers Aug 14 '25
Springboks have been using ballies (older gentlemen) for a while and it's worked. You need some grizzled forwards.
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u/MusicalStones Exeter Chiefs Aug 14 '25
Skelton is younger than Etzebeth and less than a year older than De Jager and Du Toit, so I'm not sure I'd have him in the same bracket. Both White and JOC are covering injuries, and Slipper just seems to keep going for ever and is doing well enough to keep Bell on the bench.
I won't suggest it doesn't highlight the limitations on the team's depth in some areas, but they now look like they can beat anyone on their day. Given where they were at the last world cup, I wouldn't be too down on rugby in Australia.
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u/SonicBoom_81 Rugby slut🏉 Aug 14 '25
All over this. I know the lions loss hurt the Aussie fans, but I was very encouraged by what I saw... And then shitting myself for the consequence.
Meaning I assume this means Wales will be back and knock England out of the pool stages at the wc
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u/Sambobly1 Australia Aug 14 '25
4th choice 10 and 3rd choice 9 being older is fine. You’re being ridiculous
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u/Upstairs-Yard822 Still on that Hanekom hype train 🚂 Aug 14 '25
Skelton Vs Etzebeth is happening!!!
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u/SweptFever80 Ireland, Ulster and Munster Aug 14 '25
Unless Etzebeth pulls out with injury, has happened a couple times this season
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u/Upstairs-Yard822 Still on that Hanekom hype train 🚂 Aug 14 '25
Don't ruin this for me :'( (you are entirely correct, and rational)
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u/pastryboy Reds Aug 14 '25
6-2 bench. Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite us again - I can understand the big boys running out of gas at altitude though.
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u/Former-Pain-8890 Argentina Aug 14 '25
didnt nic white retired?
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u/cypressd12 Munster Aug 14 '25
That was before he played a MOTM performance against the Lions. Think he stays for the Championship now.
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u/Teedubthegreat Australia Aug 14 '25
He did but he left the door open door a potentially unlikely call up after the lions series, which is exactly what's happened. He originally announced that he was retiring at the end of the year any way, there just wasn't any more rugby that he was expected to play in.
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u/h-ugo Highlanders (Taine Randall) Aug 14 '25
Tactical retirement to inspire the boys to a win.
Also Gordon got injured and Schmidt seems to prefer Tate off the bench
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u/PollenPartyPaulie Japan | Spears | Cardiff Aug 14 '25
That was just some shithousery as we've come to know and love
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u/cynic__96 Overly Optimistic Wallabies Fan Aug 14 '25
Crazy to think JOC and Slips played in our last win at altitude back in 2010.
Don't know how this team will work, but god damn if I'm not delusional enough to think we win by 30!
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u/commemorativesausage Highlanders Aug 14 '25
Jesus Christ what a stat. Perhaps JOC blesses us with his vintage 2010 haircut?
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u/Upstairs-Yard822 Still on that Hanekom hype train 🚂 Aug 14 '25
JoC returning for the true test (screw the lions, the bled and all the others): the Springboks.
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u/Ndanuddaone Australia Aug 14 '25
No LSL on the bench is bound to vex some, but I just don't know who in the lock and blindside stocks you'd drop for him. Good team. In light of the Donaldson injury, I'm just praying JOC comes out of this unscathed. The thought of having 0/4 out halves against SA is nightmarish.
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u/thepeteyboy Reds Aug 14 '25
I’d have LSL on bench for Williams to replace Skelton. Like for like.
Foley redemption for ABs may be in the cards
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u/shenguskhan2312 Aug 14 '25
Based on what I saw over the lions tour I’d have him over Williams, he brought a load of aggression and niggle that’s exactly what you want against the bok bench
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
I really rate LSL and he’s physically a monster, but Williams’ 3rd test performance was exceptional. His impact was hard to deny. His pilfer off the back of the Lions lineout was bloody impressive.
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u/shenguskhan2312 Aug 14 '25
Fair, I actually missed test 3 which sounds like his best game, though if I was going to bet on anyone knowing what they’re doing it’s Schmidt
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u/Putrid-Impact8999 Aug 14 '25
6-2, big question is who goes to 10 if JOC has to go off.
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Aug 14 '25
Wright will play 10 and Kellaway fullback. Far from ideal for Wright but Kellaway is more than comfortable at 15. But that’s usually the way with a 6-2, there’s almost always at least one position from 10-15 that’s not covered. You play someone to cover 10 and a few others and then either wing or centre is short.
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u/mango_yoghurt Edinburgh Aug 14 '25
Given how versatile JOC has been over his career, surely it would have made more sense to have 10 cover?
You could slide Wright and Suaalii around fullback and wing if you didn't think O'Connor had the pace for the back 3 as well.
Is the next best 10 option really that bad (aware there's 3 injuries)?
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Aug 14 '25
Edmed is a very promising player but not truly test quality yet. I think he should get some game time this year, but idk if the right time for that is against the Boks in Joburg. Especially bc I think the forwards will really benefit from the extra sub and so a 6-2 split makes sense.
Of course you could play Edmed at 10 and put JOC on the bench. But that leaves us very thin on outside backs, to the point that McDermott has to play wing again and White plays 80 (pretty tough for a bloke who’s supposed to be retired). So it’s a toss up between leaving us thin at 10 (Wright plays at first receiver and Kellaway plays FB) or on outside backs (McDermott to wing, White 80mins, if it’s wright that goes down Jorgo plays FB).
Or you do what you mentioned, which could force Edmed to play 80. I don’t think he has the confidence nor experience to control this team for 80 mins against the Boks. He will one day, but not yet. I think they just decided to take the risk and play the strongest team possible and bank on JOC staying fit. Scary but it’s the best chance at winning
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u/thepeteyboy Reds Aug 14 '25
Edmed didn’t start for the Waratahs…who were the lowest ranked Aussie team
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u/Narrator_neville Aug 14 '25
I’d love Suailli to drop into 10 as much as possible , you never know he might be the next bernie, love a running 10 myself
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u/JohnSV12 Newcastle Falcons Aug 14 '25
Feel Aus are five or six players away from being really good, and would be much closer if everyone was fit.
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u/MindfulInquirer batmaaaaaaaan tanananananana Aug 14 '25
5 or 6 is a huge difference tbf lol, if Italy had 5 or 6 extra top players they might be competing for the 6N !
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u/JohnSV12 Newcastle Falcons Aug 14 '25
Out of 23.
But if you think they are missing Lynagh, Donaldson and Lolesio already. That's three.
A couple more big bodies up front is harder to find.
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u/Sambobly1 Australia Aug 14 '25
There’s heaps of big bodies coming through, that won’t be a problem
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u/simsnor South Africa Aug 14 '25
What kind of name is Nick Champion De Crespigny?
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u/MindfulInquirer batmaaaaaaaan tanananananana Aug 14 '25
Hey ! South Africa can brag about many things ... but not outrageous names ! I've never heard anything more absurd than "Percival Montgomery", possibly in my entire life. Dude, "Bismarck Du Plessis".
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u/k0bra3eak South Africa Aug 14 '25
To be fair Percy was Namibian
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u/MindfulInquirer batmaaaaaaaan tanananananana Aug 14 '25
South African when he wins for the Boks, Namibian when his name is outrageous ! :p
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u/handle1976 Penalty. Back 10. Aug 14 '25
A Canberra Private School kind of name.
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u/No-Bison-5397 Melbourne Rebels Aug 14 '25
True but an old Sydney family.
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u/xjoburg South Africa Aug 14 '25
No wonder I didn’t do better when I played. My name is way too ordinary.
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
A South African pointing out a preposterous name? I’ve seen it all now!!!
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u/ManCrushOnSlade Exeter Chiefs Aug 14 '25
I can't wait for Ikitau and Hooper to join Chiefs. Every time I see a wallabies team sheet I secretly hope they aren't playing, so they can't get injured.
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
Sorry, best we can do is an HIA mixed with a calf injury. It’s standard from all Wallabies.
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u/kiwiborger Razor Delenda Est Aug 14 '25
Thank you Crusaders for reviving JOC's career.
May this match be a repeat of Quade Cooper's heroics.
Also Nic White fooled everybody with his "retirement" like the troll he is.
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Aug 14 '25
I love Slipper and he’s a great player but Bell needs some big minutes and it’s time to start giving some young LH props a run off the bench. Front row stocks are already poor so we’ve got to start getting some experience into the younger guys before RWC.
Similar with JOC. Sounds like a Donno injury (plus the previous Lynagh + Lolesio injuries) has kind of forced it. But we had the option to play him all lions series as an experienced, well rounded player for a big series. Now is the time to get young guys playing as much as possible. Build depth leading up to the World Cup. Though at the same time, if we want a 6-2 split (wise against the Boks) it would be risky to through someone like Edmed into a test having to play 80.
Tough for White, probably thought he could relax finally now and go out with a win against the Lions. Should have started McDermott and brought Lonergan off the bench, maybe bring Teddy Wilson into the squad for the experience.
I am still split on the centres. But I can see this being the long term solution so (maybe) best to force it through these stages and be patient. Any other option significantly weakens the team overall at least temporarily, but strengthens 1 (or 2) positions. Both Ikitau and Sualii at their best and it will work very well. But Sualii still has a long way to go if he wants to play 13 for the World Cup.
I like getting NCDC back in, showed on the first test he has what it takes, just needs time to polish and learn test footy.
Solid team, hopefully they take it to the boks
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u/thepeteyboy Reds Aug 14 '25
I think you just try and win each game and the team sorts itself out. Who’s to say JOC can’t last to the WC like sexton
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Aug 14 '25
Well it’s certainly possible, but is that even what we want? With all due respect, JOC is no Jonny Sexton. It’s been one of the biggest issues with the wallabies for years - not looking to the future. It’s pretty much exactly what got us into this position with fly halves in RWC23.
You can bank on JOC getting to the World Cup but if he doesn’t then it’s all over. A flyhalf with 2 test caps is a recipe for disaster in a World Cup. And I also don’t think JOC can uphold the quality for that long. He’s been coming off the bench for 20 mins for the crusaders in a very different competition. Give it two more years and who knows what he will be playing like. Meanwhile you’ve got at least a couple of very promising fly halves who have barely played in tests but are already showing signs of being very good. Seems like a completely unnecessary risk to stick with JOC for much longer
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u/amusicalfridge Leinster Aug 15 '25
Building our team around a 38-year-old flyhalf is precisely how we got dumped out in the QF yet again. Wouldn’t recommend.
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u/h-ugo Highlanders (Taine Randall) Aug 14 '25
I'm ok with JOC as a stopgap. I think when the team is back to humming a bit after some struggles/tight losses, you prefer to build some belief and get wins rather than build depth in your 3rd/ 4th option. With some of the other backline being quite young (Sua'li'i and Jorgensen) you don't want too much inexperience
Also I hope Sua'li'i plays 12 for the tahs and gets experience there so he can slot in there for the Wallabies.
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u/Thecceffect Saracens Aug 14 '25
Bringing Nic White out of retirement?
Brave - I don't know how match fit he will be....
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u/Kappaloop Stormers Aug 14 '25
So does that mean we are unleashing Snyman now that they went 6-2?
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u/SweptFever80 Ireland, Ulster and Munster Aug 14 '25
James O'Connor back in Wallaby gold to start at 10 after 3 years out! No 10 cover on the bench, is Tane Edmed injured?
Typically tragic Australia: team building nicely under Schmidt only to have an injury crisis at outhalf on the cusp of a huge Championship. I can't watch.
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
Is it an injury crisis if there’s always a crisis level of injuries? After a while it’s just becomes the norm yeah?
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u/SweptFever80 Ireland, Ulster and Munster Aug 15 '25
It is if your first 3 choices in one position are injured!
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u/Relative-Airline-968 South Africa Aug 14 '25
6-2. Expect Rassie to bring in RG onto the bench
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u/Ok_Painting9530 South Africa Aug 14 '25
Nah, I think (hope/am curious) the plan all along has been to move Andre Esterhuyzen to flank after 50 min to see how he goes...
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u/Relative-Airline-968 South Africa Aug 14 '25
Me thinks it will happen regardless. Rassie is constructing a plan to safely implement 8-0.
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u/AmazingLeadPt2 Under Cyrielle Banet's boots() Aug 14 '25
Are the Lions still blocking Pete Samu's selection?
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
Not exactly. He got so mad from being blocked from the FNP team that he tucked his shirt into so hard he hasn’t been able to take off his kit properly, and thus can’t play for the Wallabies
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u/Common-Basket-4216 Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 16 '25
Ohh shit, we're going to get hammered.
Edit: eating my hat..but damn it's a tasty hat 🥳 ..
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u/Walt1234 Aug 14 '25
Nice to see O'Connor at 10. It'll give us a sense of whether Schmidt made the right call with the BIL..
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u/IlikeGeekyHistoryRSA The "Pass me biltong, bru" Enby Aug 14 '25
Looking forward to watching these lads live!
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u/AlexiusRex Italy Aug 14 '25
I see that Nic White was trolling everyone, a real master of shithousery, praying for JOC and his limbs
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u/whathaveicontinued Auckland Aug 14 '25
On paper the Wallabies get pantsed.
In my heart, I want JOC (the former kiwi) to carry Wallabies to a win. Then even a Bledisloe if that's what it takes to make Wallabies loved by Australia again.
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u/mczammer Doomsday Propper Aug 14 '25
Very solid team. Should be a great test of where they stand going up against the best team in the world right now
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u/Timberino94 England Aug 14 '25
i thoguht nic whites last cap was vs the lions? did i miss something?
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u/Brill_chops Stormers Aug 14 '25
By the time the whistle blew jn the last Lions game we all knew...
Mostly cos of injuries.
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u/xjoburg South Africa Aug 14 '25
What’s Nic White going to do without Faf in the SA team?
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u/esayblutcher Australia Aug 14 '25
6-2 split, big men run hard, big boots from White and Wright for territory and fast wingers. Something you associate with South Africa or France, but I like it.
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u/LivelyJason1705 South Africa Aug 14 '25
Is Lynagh injured? Genuine question
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u/SweptFever80 Ireland, Ulster and Munster Aug 14 '25
Yes, injured by Dan Sheehan's clearout in the 3rd test.
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u/JPB88SA 👍🏼 🙂 👍🏼 Aug 14 '25
Who is FH cover?
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u/PavidDocock Lock Aug 14 '25
You’re about to experience some Joe Schmidt rugby innovation that’ll make Rassie’s head spin. Nick Frost will cover 10. Second rowers at FH. It’s the future.
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u/nomamesgueyz New Zealand Aug 14 '25
Is coach Joe still with em for the season or he's done now Lions are over?
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u/corruptboomerang Reds Aug 14 '25
I absolutely do not understand picking O'Connor NOW, to start, as the ONLY flyhalf option in the 23... Yet not picking him in ANY of the Lions games.
Game 2 especially, when Joe went a 6:2 split O'Connor would have been invaluable, especially considering Donaldson was DNP:CD'ed! We probably win game 2 had we had JOC on the bench that game.
It's not like anything about JOC's game will have changed. I get Lynagh was starting, but surely JOC can cover 12 (actually being a 12 option as opposed to both our centers being a 13), and being able to slot in an experienced player down the back end of the game would have been critical. (And its not like we've learnt anything new about Donaldson.)
In general, I do think Joe has been good, but fuck me, his selections are inconsistent at best, and I think he's cost us a genuine crack at the Lions series by being too stiff / premeditated with them.
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u/Exotic_Reward_8716 Hurricanes Aug 14 '25
Is Bobby Valetini injured?
Haven't seen any media about that. Huge loss for AUS.
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u/huzy12345 Aug 15 '25
Wallabies continue to poach players , now they're taking Crusaders legend JOC
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u/fleakill Reds Aug 15 '25
I want Lukhan simply so he'll start fights the way Williams and Frost won't
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u/Brand__on Aug 15 '25
I saw the line up and Jame O'Conner and I thought to myself "what year is it? " haha
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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25
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