Aussie Pro Rugby

[Mauss]

@Mr-Fish said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

Schmidt has already said he's preferred to select local players where possible and I would be surprised if Kiss operated any differently.

A lot will depend on what happens after the 2027 home Rugby World Cup. Several crucial Wallaby players – Rob Valetini, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Len Ikitau, Nick Frost, Tate McDermott, Jake Gordon, Carlo Tizzano, Billy Pollard – all have contracts that expire in 2027, with the Lions series and home World Cup some of the main reasons for them staying in the country. We've already seen that the Wallabies have issues with player depth.

What happens if even half of these players take overseas deals? Tupou, Skelton, Gleeson, and Hooper are already gone. Jorgensen and Lynagh are signed to 2026 and still need to agree to new deals. What is Rugby Australia’s negotiation leverage, an unwritten rule that local players will be preferred? The extra money from the Lions and home World Cup?

Again, I'm not saying that there's necessarily going to be a mass exodus, as overseas clubs aren't exactly flush with cash. But I do think scrapping the Giteau law is going to be impactful, especially after 2027.

[ACT Crusader]

Thought this was funny

250K views · 2.8K reactions | Nic White wins ‘Best Ref’ award -...

Nic White wins ‘Best Ref’ award - presented by Angus Gardner for outstanding backchat contributions 😉 #Rugby #NicWhite #Wallabies #RugbyAustralia #AngusGardner #WorldRugby #RugbyUnion #Lions2025.

[mohikamo]

@Mauss

It will be interesting to see what happens.
I think the situation in Australia is a lot different to SA.

The Perth Force wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for a private benefactor; they are surviving, but sure aint thriving.
They can't even sign Australian contracted players right now, without paying a large premium.

And . . . then there is a behemoth NRL in the back ground.
The next few seasons in Perth will probably tell us what the long term outcome for rugby (union) is in Australia.
Although still small when compared to Aussie rules; rugby union is actually a much larger sport (on the field) in Western Australia than rugby league,
This is the only state in Australia where this is the case.
So if the new Perth NRL franchise eclipses the Force, then the outlook for a quality domestic comp in Australia for Wallaby players to even play in wont be good.
This is not the case in SA,. SA will always have some sort of quality domestic comp.

[NTA]

Wallabies squad for the first part of TRC named

[NTA]

Breakdown - * = uncapped

Hookers
Josh Nasser, BPA, Billy Pollard

Props
Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross*, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou

Locks
Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, LSL, Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams

Loose Forwards
Nick CdC, Langi Gleeson, Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson

Scrumhalves
Ryan Lonergan*, Tate McDermott, Nic White

Flyhalves
Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, James O'Connor

Centres
Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, JAS

Wings
Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole*

Fullbacks
Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright

[booboo]

@NTA said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

Nic White

Didn't he retire?

[Trig]

@booboo He has made himself available for the Rugby Championship following Jake Gordons injury. Would be saving the Wallabies from having to bring in a second uncapped halfback alongside Ryan Lonergan. The only other capped halfback is Issak Fines-Leleiwasa but he seems to have switched his focus to Fiji having signed with the Drua. Expecting to see Lonergan get a decent shot this Rugby Championship

[NTA]

@Trig it'll either be a revelation - I personally think Lonergan is a good player - or it'll get Brumbies fans to STFU

Win-win

[pakman]

@NTA Nick Frost?

[pakman]

Squad largely strong. Fragile at TH and five eighths rather plodding.

[NTA]

@pakman said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@NTA Nick Frost?

Oops. He's there. Edited

[pakman]

Frost is an exceptional athlete. Assume he’ll play 80. Personally I’d like to see LSL take over from Big Will at say 55, to keep the physicality coming.

[MajorRage]

@barbarian said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

I am 37. Maybe slightly pessimistic. But I'd peg it at maybe 20% chance? We weren't that far away in 2015, if you get a good draw and the bounce of the ball you never know.

Your at home in the next one, and have an way above average 1st XV right at the moment, so a short term approach and build to 2027 gives the Wallbies a real shot, IMHO. I'm not saying they are favourites, but there is a lot of draw luck that goes into it (especially to get to the final) & then that basically just gives you a one off game against the best team in the tournament. At home.

The future will be what it is, but the next 2 years are firmly within control to have a real shot at taking out the big one.

@MiketheSnow said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

I’m 59 this year and still think Wales can do it in my lifetime

Seismic changes required in Welsh rugby for this.

I think even if you and and Barb's swapped ages, I'd still put the money on him.

[pakman]

@NTA How do you rate this young Massimo De Lutiis fella?

[NTA]

@pakman said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@NTA How do you rate this young Massimo De Lutiis fella?

Seems to be a proper tight head. Needs a few years to learn his trade but I'm told he's strong as an ox.