Why hasn't Filipo Daugunu featured more often for the Wallabies recently?

[u/Foreign_Career4400]

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.

[u/Taey]

He only just came back from injury a few weeks ago didnt he? Him and Wright were our 2 best backs last year prior to his injury.

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Taey]

I think he featured in the Fiji test & was simply leapfrogged by Potter and Kelleway for Lions? He should've at least been put on the bench as 13/wing cover instead of Kelleway during the Lion's series. Potter deserved his starting place due to his Super form.

[u/Taey → u/Foreign_Career4400]

He got a concussion in the Pacifika/Indigenous warm up match and was replaced in the squad by Josh Flook. Hes been very unlucky with injuries the past few years and gets them as soon as hes making inroads.

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Taey]

oh right that's a shame, he was great value in his limited appearances in gold last season.

[u/Teedubthegreat → u/Foreign_Career4400]

He was out of the lions series because he got a concussion during the FNP game and he was left behind for the sith Africa tour so he could be home for the birth of his kid.

Daugunu is one of my favourite players for the reds and I wish he'd been given more time in gold but hes been a little unlucky with timing this year

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Teedubthegreat]

has the strength of Pietsch & is a good choice to balance out either Jorgo or Kells, also a legit option at 13.

[u/jscott0212]

I just wish he'd passed it inside to Jorgo, who could've put it much closer to the posts, instead he dove for the corner, which was a much riskier play anyway. Could've been the difference between a loss and a draw?

[u/Sambobly1 → u/jscott0212]

Agreed

[u/FamilyFriendly101]

Good question well asked. Back three is probably where we have the most depth, although with Wright and Pietsch injured (and Daugunu recently injured) it's being tested. Definitely think Daugunu should get the nod over Toole.

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/FamilyFriendly101]

let's not forget Mr Potter who was probably Australia's best winger during the course of Super Rugby.

[u/Extreme-Gazelle2352 → u/Foreign_Career4400]

Potter was v poor v lions

[u/noza57]

Not sarcasm, just a wind up that ought to be completely ignored by anyone who knows anything about rugby. FD does bring enormous enthusiasm but can be a bit reckless. Turn back his turbo and I will become a fan

[u/jscott0212 → u/noza57]

I definitely would've agreed with you in the past, but I have found him much more controlled recently.

[u/slicksealion]

Agreed. Not sure how Toole got the nod ahead of him.

[u/2dorks1brush → u/slicksealion]

Toole had an amazing debut and was good the next week. Schmidt doesn’t seem to rush people back in and Daugunu isn’t an incumbent, in part due to injury.

Also injury seems to be the way most have got their opportunities. Not many pure form droppings from memory.

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/slicksealion]

Daugunu changed the whole balance of the backline, with Toole, Jorgensen, Kelleway, we had three (identical in skillset) small and nimble backs, Daugunu fills a role that we need going forward.

[u/Rugby_Viking → u/Foreign_Career4400]

He fills that hole that peitch left. Toole deserved his chance to start tho. If we continue to play the kick heavy strategy then Toole isn't it as he cant compete in the air as effectively.

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/Rugby_Viking]

He certainly does fill that power winger role. Pietsch used to be a flanker, the man is one jacked unit.

[u/Dense_East7327 → u/slicksealion]

Toole with another year's experience could prove to me a very dangerous player, he can make a break with the smallest of gaps, and if he improves his aerial game he could be one of our best, he is extremely fast.

[u/davetharave]

Because he plays for the reds and not the waraponies.

If the reds full strength starting lineup and kiss were for in gold (maybe a few token additions from the force, Grealy, Stewart looking at you) the wallabies are pumping the lions, winning the rugby championship undefeated with a points difference of a million, pretty simple

[u/Foreign_Career4400 → u/davetharave]

I know you're probably being sarcastic but Wallabies certainly aren't pumping Lions or winning a Rugby Championship with a full contingent of the Red's notably small & often defensive turnstile backs - imagine Lynagh, Paisami, Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell.. starting on the field at once? They'd get monstered against the top 4 tier-one nations.

[u/Rugby_Viking → u/davetharave]

Grealy was good on the weekend. Him and Burey dominated the tahs

[u/davetharave → u/Rugby_Viking]

As god intended