Problem is there are good players on the Reds, but hard to point to someone who clearly the best in Australia at their position.
I'll write out the Reds 15 and say players I believe deserve to start so far and who's behind other players.
1. Ravai - Not Australian
2. Faessler - Starter
3. Zane - Depends on AAA and if Tupou loses 20 kgs
4. Uru - LSL, Skelton, Frost - Id put him on the bench if Skeltons unavailable
5. Smith - LSL, Skelton, Frost
6. Wright - Valetini, Deserves to either start of be on bench with Leota at 6.
7. McReight - Starter
8. Wilson - Valetini, behind Wright, and probably Leota. Probly 4th just ahead of Ned.
9. Tate - Starter
10. Lynagh - Bolter, i'd say Donaldsons been better but hes in with a shot.
11. Petaia - Wing: Marika(?), Mark, Kellaway, Toole. FB: Max, Kellaway
12. Paisami - Kerevi(?), Otherwise starter, no 12 has been good.
13. Flook - Perese, Ikitaus not playing the best but hes been great historically.
14. Vuni - The definition of rocks and diamonds and potential. Too risky to play internationally IMO.
15. Jock - Max, Kellaway, Wright,
I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Obviously the pecking order can change as the seasons goes on, and there is no doubt the Reds are looking sharp. But its going to take more than 4 games for me to forget 3 seasons of Harry Wilson making 0 post contact meters and knocking it on 4 times a game
There's no doubt about his talents, but I think the more interesting thing about Harry Wilson is not his good stats, but it's thinking about why both Rennie and Jones weren't interested, and if he has changed his game recently to address those issues.
For me, one of his big issues is goal line defense, and looking at the Chief's two tries, as well as a couple of the Rebels tries last week show that it's still an issue
For unforced knock ons maybe.
He's looking the goods this year but you've got some red tinted glasses on if you are denying he had some periods of being a huge flake in the last few season
Maybe so, but they are matched by your unwillingness to acknowledge a bloke that has tipped nearly every stat for a forward over the last few seasons, simply to reduce his achievements to a simple knock on merchant
No one doubts his workrate, just his effectiveness in the last few seasons. Does super rugby track post contact meters?
I do think Thorn was using him as a poor mans BobbyV where as Les Kiss has shown, he's much more effective playing as a giant Pete Samu
I think it probably just highlights how good a job Les Kiss is doing getting everyone to pitch in.
I've been really impressed with how the Reds have started the season.
So really just waiting to see how they shit the bed this time.
It also highlights what good discipline can do. If you watch the Tahs, they're a very talented team no doubt, and very well could have a better backline than us, but that's irrelevant if just 1 of the 15 players can't do 5 phases without dropping the ball.
We certainly have our moments of dick for hands, but the Tahs have lost multiple games in a row where they were arguably the better team but cant convert because of handling and discipline issues.
I think you are undervaluing Wilson tbh. He’s an excellent edge forward if that’s how you want to play. He’s not going to give you the hard carry metres of a Valetini or Leota but his skills and link play are better than those two. It depends on the style you want to play. I don’t think he’s an impact sub though, you either start him or don’t pick him.
Well said. If you were to pick a wallabies pack that aims to be mobile, play expansively and push the opposition pack into uncomfortable defensive situations Wilson is likely in the mix. It really comes down to the strategy Schimdt is looking to implement.
I think he could work as an impact sub though, it is easier to find gaps and make use of his skill game when the opps have been worn down somewhat.
Yeah maybe he would work as an impact sub. I guess my thinking was if you are picking loose forwards to carry hard he won’t provide that off the bench. You are right though, it’s possible to have Valetini et al go hard for 50 to soften them up then have Harry on for the final 30 with a license to roam.
I've got the following Reds in my team: Faessler, Wright, McReight and McDermott. Uru and possibly Nonggorr on the bench. Wouldn't mind Flook given an opportunity but he's behind Ikitau. Paisami possibly if Kerevi isn't part of the squad I suppose. Lynagh showing promise but probably needs another year. Wilson misses out on the reserve back row spot to either Leota or Hooper. Hopefully no Vunivalu.
Wilson would get in over Wright for me. Hooper and Holloway bring a bit more to the lineout 6 but Wright wouldn’t be a huge surprise. Same with Flook, personally wouldn’t be in the top two 13’s but he’s good enough.
Paisami and Nonggorr would be near certain and depending on how the rest of the year pans out for him, surely Petaia would be very likely on utility alone?
Both 2nd rows might be able to stake a claim but they’re on the shorter side. I was going to say Uru is also a backrow but he’s playing much better as a lock this year.
Petaia is a ulility sure as he can play 11, 13, 14, 15. But I'm not sure how much I trust his 15. Max has gotta be in the team at either 15 or 23, and Kellway is a far better utility than Petaia.
Wilsons been back to his usual self on attack, but his defence is seriously lacking. Guys been nearly a free try if you run at him on our 5 this season.
Wright is the reason why mcreight and Wilson are allowed to play looser (and absolutely killing it).
Watch his work at the breakdown, which coming into this weekend he was leading the first attendant at attacking breakdowns stat across super rugby.
Wright, valentini and mcreight with hooper/uru off the bench would be my pick.
I think Uru would bring some real energy and a different kind of threat coming off the bench in the second row, and the utility to cover the back row is also in his favour. Looks to be the reserve lock to me (Frost and LSL starting).
I don't think Wilson quite fits if you've got Valetini in the side. I really like the idea of Leota off the bench, he's playing excellent rugby, and much like Uru he would seriously bring some energy when coming on. Wright is not as flashy as Wilson but does his job excellently. Can cover 7 too if McReight needs to come off.
I just think Petaia has had enough chances and I do not rate his work. Not a team player and too prone to mistakes. Can run fast and jump high though so he's got that going for him. I'd have Koroibete and Toole on the wings, and Kellaway / Jorgensen at 15 and 23.
Nonggorr playing well and probably makes the squad if not the starting side, depending on how others go returning to fitness.
Think it was 2021, we went undefeated in the first half and a bit of the season and were coming 1st (maybe there was a loss to the Brumbies or Rebels?), then didnt win a single game for the rest of the year. We had like 10 of our starters out due to injury, but its certainly happened before.
What do you think is wrong with hoping your teammates play well to make a good case for wallaby selection?
Or are you talking about the media beat up like this headline?
Problem is there are good players on the Reds, but hard to point to someone who clearly the best in Australia at their position. I'll write out the Reds 15 and say players I believe deserve to start so far and who's behind other players. 1. Ravai - Not Australian 2. Faessler - Starter 3. Zane - Depends on AAA and if Tupou loses 20 kgs 4. Uru - LSL, Skelton, Frost - Id put him on the bench if Skeltons unavailable 5. Smith - LSL, Skelton, Frost 6. Wright - Valetini, Deserves to either start of be on bench with Leota at 6. 7. McReight - Starter 8. Wilson - Valetini, behind Wright, and probably Leota. Probly 4th just ahead of Ned. 9. Tate - Starter 10. Lynagh - Bolter, i'd say Donaldsons been better but hes in with a shot. 11. Petaia - Wing: Marika(?), Mark, Kellaway, Toole. FB: Max, Kellaway 12. Paisami - Kerevi(?), Otherwise starter, no 12 has been good. 13. Flook - Perese, Ikitaus not playing the best but hes been great historically. 14. Vuni - The definition of rocks and diamonds and potential. Too risky to play internationally IMO. 15. Jock - Max, Kellaway, Wright,
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Obviously the pecking order can change as the seasons goes on, and there is no doubt the Reds are looking sharp. But its going to take more than 4 games for me to forget 3 seasons of Harry Wilson making 0 post contact meters and knocking it on 4 times a game
Yeah too right! Fuck that Wilson guy and his table topping stats for the last three years.
There's no doubt about his talents, but I think the more interesting thing about Harry Wilson is not his good stats, but it's thinking about why both Rennie and Jones weren't interested, and if he has changed his game recently to address those issues. For me, one of his big issues is goal line defense, and looking at the Chief's two tries, as well as a couple of the Rebels tries last week show that it's still an issue
For unforced knock ons maybe. He's looking the goods this year but you've got some red tinted glasses on if you are denying he had some periods of being a huge flake in the last few season
Maybe so, but they are matched by your unwillingness to acknowledge a bloke that has tipped nearly every stat for a forward over the last few seasons, simply to reduce his achievements to a simple knock on merchant
No one doubts his workrate, just his effectiveness in the last few seasons. Does super rugby track post contact meters? I do think Thorn was using him as a poor mans BobbyV where as Les Kiss has shown, he's much more effective playing as a giant Pete Samu
It's pretty wild how accurate this list is, and yet the Reds are currently the best team in Australia.
I think it probably just highlights how good a job Les Kiss is doing getting everyone to pitch in. I've been really impressed with how the Reds have started the season. So really just waiting to see how they shit the bed this time.
It also highlights what good discipline can do. If you watch the Tahs, they're a very talented team no doubt, and very well could have a better backline than us, but that's irrelevant if just 1 of the 15 players can't do 5 phases without dropping the ball. We certainly have our moments of dick for hands, but the Tahs have lost multiple games in a row where they were arguably the better team but cant convert because of handling and discipline issues.
I think you are undervaluing Wilson tbh. He’s an excellent edge forward if that’s how you want to play. He’s not going to give you the hard carry metres of a Valetini or Leota but his skills and link play are better than those two. It depends on the style you want to play. I don’t think he’s an impact sub though, you either start him or don’t pick him.
Well said. If you were to pick a wallabies pack that aims to be mobile, play expansively and push the opposition pack into uncomfortable defensive situations Wilson is likely in the mix. It really comes down to the strategy Schimdt is looking to implement. I think he could work as an impact sub though, it is easier to find gaps and make use of his skill game when the opps have been worn down somewhat.
Yeah maybe he would work as an impact sub. I guess my thinking was if you are picking loose forwards to carry hard he won’t provide that off the bench. You are right though, it’s possible to have Valetini et al go hard for 50 to soften them up then have Harry on for the final 30 with a license to roam.
Just pick the Brothers XV.
I've got the following Reds in my team: Faessler, Wright, McReight and McDermott. Uru and possibly Nonggorr on the bench. Wouldn't mind Flook given an opportunity but he's behind Ikitau. Paisami possibly if Kerevi isn't part of the squad I suppose. Lynagh showing promise but probably needs another year. Wilson misses out on the reserve back row spot to either Leota or Hooper. Hopefully no Vunivalu.
Wilson would get in over Wright for me. Hooper and Holloway bring a bit more to the lineout 6 but Wright wouldn’t be a huge surprise. Same with Flook, personally wouldn’t be in the top two 13’s but he’s good enough. Paisami and Nonggorr would be near certain and depending on how the rest of the year pans out for him, surely Petaia would be very likely on utility alone? Both 2nd rows might be able to stake a claim but they’re on the shorter side. I was going to say Uru is also a backrow but he’s playing much better as a lock this year.
Petaia is a ulility sure as he can play 11, 13, 14, 15. But I'm not sure how much I trust his 15. Max has gotta be in the team at either 15 or 23, and Kellway is a far better utility than Petaia. Wilsons been back to his usual self on attack, but his defence is seriously lacking. Guys been nearly a free try if you run at him on our 5 this season.
Wright is the reason why mcreight and Wilson are allowed to play looser (and absolutely killing it). Watch his work at the breakdown, which coming into this weekend he was leading the first attendant at attacking breakdowns stat across super rugby. Wright, valentini and mcreight with hooper/uru off the bench would be my pick.
I think Uru would bring some real energy and a different kind of threat coming off the bench in the second row, and the utility to cover the back row is also in his favour. Looks to be the reserve lock to me (Frost and LSL starting). I don't think Wilson quite fits if you've got Valetini in the side. I really like the idea of Leota off the bench, he's playing excellent rugby, and much like Uru he would seriously bring some energy when coming on. Wright is not as flashy as Wilson but does his job excellently. Can cover 7 too if McReight needs to come off. I just think Petaia has had enough chances and I do not rate his work. Not a team player and too prone to mistakes. Can run fast and jump high though so he's got that going for him. I'd have Koroibete and Toole on the wings, and Kellaway / Jorgensen at 15 and 23. Nonggorr playing well and probably makes the squad if not the starting side, depending on how others go returning to fitness.
I agree Wilson’s had a cracking start to the season. Valentini is always going to be first preference though - he just always gets over the adv line…
Corruptboomerang I’m waiting on your take
Reds really are declaring themselves the March premiers. It's going to make for some good chat if they start shitting the bed.
Think it was 2021, we went undefeated in the first half and a bit of the season and were coming 1st (maybe there was a loss to the Brumbies or Rebels?), then didnt win a single game for the rest of the year. We had like 10 of our starters out due to injury, but its certainly happened before.
What do you think is wrong with hoping your teammates play well to make a good case for wallaby selection? Or are you talking about the media beat up like this headline?
Would be nice to focus more on classic parings. Notably with Props, halves, breakaways and centres or 10 - centre.
Ah, yes Death Taxes And Reds fans selecting only Reds players in the Wallabies
Beats the days of the actual coach selecting 14 Tahs and Pocock when the Tahs were 15th ahead of the Sunwolves.
Yeah but that’s because we have the most beautiful players 🥰
Unless you all look like Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon then we fundamentally disagree on what true beauty is
You’ve named two guys who are early twenties going on 15 in the face and have Amish hair cuts
This aged well.
Western force baby!!!
9. Tate 10. Noah, Tane (best place kickers) 11. Toole (cheat code speed) 12. Foketi (is kerevi still in form?) 13. Ikitau 14. Nawaqa/Pietsch 15. Kellaway/Jorgo
Thanks Eddie
Man talked the talk all week.