Aussie Pro Rugby
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@African-Monkey none of those are bad shouts BUT
Bell: small bone injury. Needs the rest of the year off or he's just going to do it again.
Gamble: good call. He might be a better option than Tizzano and I think he's just reached qualified.
Salakia-Loto: nope. Too much like Swain in the peanut-brain department. Gets Tough Guy syndrome.
Tupou: perhaps. He's not the worst option but injury prone lately and he'll have to meet Joe's hard work requirements.
Donaldson: backup utility at best. Can attack the line and is getting better at managing a game but defence? Hmmm...
Leota: we have several backrowers who can do his job.
Uelese: maybe by default he gets the bench spot. Concerns over his lineout work. Maybe he's in a pool of second stringers with Horton and Pollard. Would have like Julian Heaven to stay uninjured as he showed promise and had overseas experience. -
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@Mr-Fish said in Reds v Force:
I can see Donaldson being used at fullback.
I don't think Wright is up for it. Kellaway on form is probably the best option. Wouldn't actually mind seeing Carter Gordon given a run there in July...
That would leave Lolesio as five-eighth.
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@antipodean said in Reds v Force:
@Mr-Fish said in Reds v Force:
I can see Donaldson being used at fullback.
I don't think Wright is up for it. Kellaway on form is probably the best option. Wouldn't actually mind seeing Carter Gordon given a run there in July...
That would leave Lolesio as five-eighth.
As opposed to who, Gordon? You really need Ryan Lonergan, Lolesio or Donaldson on the field to kick goals (there might be an option or two I'm missing), it's a bit of a pickle.
Lonergan at halfback over McDermott (or White)? I think that's a decent option. Do you then opt for the Brumbies combo and run Lolesio at 10? I don't think Gordon has shown enough consistency to necessarily lead the team around the park from 10 but I'm certainly not sold on Lolesio either (who's had quite a few chances but never quite taken to Test rugby, nor bossed the Brumbies around regularly in Super Rugby games against top opposition).
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Wouldn't mind seeing Tom Lynagh at 10 but not sure he's quite ready for it. Then again, not much is likely to change between now and November and you don't really want him debuting against the Lions next year...
Can't see Schmidt bringing in a Foley or a Cooper to help ease Lynagh in and mentor him until he's ready, you really need to entrust the keys to a player on day dot and let them find their way. Donaldson might actually be the safest bet...
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Only three men have played for both the Wallabies and All Blacks. A fourth is set to join them
Kiwi-turned-Queenslander Alex Hodgman is on track to become one of the rarest things in trans-Tasman sport: a Wallablack.
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@NTA this will make it very hard for them to get up on Saturday knowing they won't be in the comp next year.
I've already heard the Canes are in talks with Matt Proctor so there's that rumour already.
I hope most of the players stick around in Super Rugby to make the rest of the Aus teams stronger.
Guys like Leota, Tupou, Lancaster, Uelese, Daugunu, Salakaia-Loto and Gordon will be hot property noting that Kellaway has already signed with the Tahs. Tupou and Loto might return to the Reds.
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i still think there is something to be said for MP and the rebels to merge and try and tap into the expat community in Melbourne...its a hell of a lot bigger than the Australian old boys rugby network here
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i always use the term "pull the trigger" as more of a positive thing, going to start something...rather than the more literal "kill it"
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@NTA without seeing their business case i can only assume it didn;t hold up long term...and only hope RA did enough due diligence to work that out
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Rugby Australia statement regarding Melbourne Rebels
Rugby Australia (RA) advises that the application from a Consortium seeking a Participation Agreement for the Melbourne Rebels to participate in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition has been unsuccessful.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
@NTA without seeing their business case i can only assume it didn;t hold up long term...and only hope RA did enough due diligence to work that out
Why would they start now?
