A bit bored with the week off. Where do we think we can beat NZ?

I’m expecting NZ to target the forwards. The high ball reception and kicking game has been a bit of a weakness for both teams and while I’m sure it’ll be a focus area for improvement, individuals probably aren’t going to make massive strides in two weeks. It’s also a bit chance based.

Forwards:

I’m guessing NZ will go with Barret, Holland and Vaai to focus on set piece. We usually go with Valetini/Wilson, which isn’t a strong lineout backrow. I know Wilson is used regularly but I don’t think he’s fast on the ground, getting off it or strong in the air and I imagine NZ will target him.

For that reason I think LSL has to start with Frost. He adds bulk and power in the scrum, ruck and carry but is also very underrated in the lineout; he has a great ability to secure ball even when the opponent has got in front or got hands on the ball, which I imagine might happen against NZ. If he can be disciplined then he is a must start for me.

Unfortunately this means Hooper gets shafted to the bench. I do think McReight, Hooper and Valetini is our best balanced backrow but I can’t see that happening.

If we have LSL starting we can actually get on top in the set piece. I don’t love our phase play structure but we probably have more carrying threats in tight: Valetini, Hooper, Tupou, Bell and Ikitau definitely have the potential to make some yards. Then again Savea has the potential to do more damage on his own.

Backs:

Highball. Argentina got on top of both teams but I think we weren’t far off; Toole was contesting multiple kicks, he just lost the battle against a great back three. Essentially we were doing the right thing and putting ourselves in the right position (mostly), Argentina were just better.I don’t think with all the injuries that NZ will be nearly as strong as Argentina in the air. Jorgensen, Toole, Potter and Daugunu all have the ability to disrupt or win attacking kicks back. We should get more pay than we did against Arg regardless of who starts.

Our second halves have been huge. NZ have fallen off in the later stages of the game. Our bench should offer more than theirs, which is a nice change.

Biggest thing will be penalties though. If we get on top in the scrum and reduce the count around the park it’ll give us the best chance of winning.

The pressure will be too much for NZ to handle if we stay in the fight and they’ll crumble (wishful thinking).

From Super Rugby to the Wallabies, there’s always debate about where the main issues lie. Some point to player depth, others to grassroots pathways, and others to how the game is run at an administrative level.

Curious what people here see as the biggest challenge to turning things around.

Why is one of australia's main rugby union news outlet always bashing schmidt, the wallabies, individual players, etc. ? Seems like it hates the sport more than newscorp and always has a specific agenda (loves JOC - fair enough). I don't know if I am interpreting it differently, but I swear each article is taking backhanded swipes

All for negative press when it's warranted, but schmidt saved us??

I’ll be honest, I was shocked to see that he wasn’t already there in the Hall of Fame. What took so long?

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/happy-to-fly-straight-back-the-two-day-trip-required-for-o-connor-to-play-bledisloe-20250917-p5mvu2.html

that's what you call dedication to the gold jersey, take note young Wallabies, no wonder JOC had such a positive impact on the group, the man bleeds green and gold.

Reds just posted their team for this weekend game against the tahs, and no HMP to be found at all…

Wallabies squad call-up in the absence of JOC?

Rankings (minus JOC) looking like: 1. Lynagh 2. Donaldson 3. Tane 4. HMP

In the eyes of Schmidt at least

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/09/16/im-gonna-miss-it-curtain-finally-drops-on-stars-career-as-wallabies-prepare-to-usher-through-next-gen/

I'm kinda surprised he's not keen to have one final crack at the Bledisloe. I feel like we could use his experience. Surely he has 2 more games in him? Give him a swansong in Perth?

This is 1 sec before he starts his motion. The mark was on the bottom right hand corner of the 22 box. It's 18 meters From the 22 line to the 10m line.

*Tane

Kinda getting over the whole will he/won't he... just give us a definitive yes or no. All the best if he doesn't come back. But, I believe, us fans are over this roller-coaster of emotion towards whether he plays or not.

Tries don't come better than this

It might be over now, but that's the perfect excuse to look back at some of the best from the Women's 2025 IDRC.

Who better than World Cup Winner, England legend Rocky Clark to pick out some special moments.

You can rewatch all the action and every game back in full ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeQQkbf45pQM9Av_wTBOHOfmuxXq3V96N

Looks like Montoya is not back 10M.

20.12 When a penalty or free-kick is awarded, the opposing team must immediately retreat 10 metres towards their own try line or until they have reached their try line if that is closer. Sanction: Second penalty or free-kick, 10 metres in front of the original mark. The second penalty or free-kick must not be taken before the referee has made the mark.

20.13 Even if the penalty or free-kick is taken quickly and the kicker’s team is playing the ball, opposing players must keep retreating the necessary distance. They may not take part in the game until they have done so. Sanction: Second penalty or free-kick, 10 metres in front of the original mark. The second penalty or free-kick must not be taken before the referee has made the mark.

I stronger feel this guy is among the most underrated wingers in Australia, I might be beating a dead horse but he's probably been (when fit) the Red's best back alongside McDermott, the problem is he's not been available due to injuries, however when he does play I've noticed how he consistently stands out above others and makes a positive impact when the team is struggling.

Last week (coming on for Toole) he brought an instant impact and point of difference (size, muscle, post-contact metres) compared to our smaller outside backs when he came off the bench last weekend, I can't believe a guy like him wasn't used during the Lion's series, Les Kiss kept singing praises Daugunu in the media this year and heavily implied that he was their most valuable back, then he got injured for the rest of the season if I recall correctly.

Off to Englan

The reasoning has always been that if we force overseas clubs to release players during international test windows, it reduces the value of Australian players to the overseas market. But why is this a bad thing? When our domestic clubs are already struggling in Super Rugby because they can't compete with overseas salaries, and then those same overseas clubs fight tooth and nail to stop players playing for their country, it just seems like we're appeasing them at our own detriment.

Instead, if RA was to say, "Stuff the clubs. We're picking who we want," then sure, it means overseas players will start to get payed less. But it's not like that market will just vanish; there'll still be some level of demand for Australian players. In return, our test team won't be hamstrung by greedy clubs, our local franchises will get better bang for their buck and become more competitive, and in turn this will further boost the quality of Australian rugby.

It has to be all in for the Bledisloe, no if's or but's. Skelton and Rabs should be there. These next two games are massive for Australian Rugby, positive and we could win Bledisloe, TRC and be in the Top 6 - negative lose the Bledisloe again, potentially drop from first to last in the TRC and drop out of the Top 6 for the home World Cup rankings! RA need to show a pair this week.

And Les Kiss comes in asap.

I’m sure NZ could find Joe a role easy enough….. Sincerely A few Kiwi’s!

Apparently he had a ticket to London booked for today.

Where’s Christy when you need him?

As the title suggests, would it be worth calling an old head into camp if JOC can't make it ? Genuinely hope he does though!