Rugby information, gossip and chat – Friday, 7 July 2023

TESTING POSITIVE

Let’s restart this complete shebang off with a bang: the primary Wallabies 23 of ’23.

Starters: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (c)

Finishers: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Samu Kerevi, 23 Carter Gordon

The most important and finest information is Quade Cooper being slot in July, accessible and forward of all different contenders for 10. I’ll be watching my favorite participant with equal measures of pleasure and concern (i.e. of one other critical damage).

Even earlier than the crew announcement, James Slipper was reported as having been injured at coaching and Blake Schoupp was derricked onto a airplane. If Slipper begins, Matt Gibbon ought to anticipate an extended shift.

Debuting at 6 is Tom Hooper, and with Michael Hooper chosen at 7, GAGR dubs the mix . . . um . . . the Atomic Dooper? Publish your higher solutions beneath. 

Additionally making their debuts, however through the bench, are Richie Arnold, Zane Nonggorr and Carter Gordon. Richie’s late-career first cap is a feather in his cap, whereas Gordon has a terrific alternative to point out what’s bought and what he can do with it. It’s an inexpensive shot to make enjoyable of a bloke’s title, however ‘Zane Nonggorr!!’ has all the time struck me as one thing Conan the Barbarian would bellow as he cut up an enemy’s cranium together with his broadsword. 

It appears to me that Reece Hodge is the substitute and Samu Kerevi the true inside centre – however Eddie Jones has sensibly scheduled Samu for a second-half function. I imply no disrespect to Hodge; he’s an ace utility and potential match-winner, and his title could be the primary I might pencil in for any Wallabies 23.

Jones has picked a number of favourites, and in so doing has posed a few questions that can be answered publicly. First, is Suliasi Vunivalu actuallu a Check-grade rugby wing, ok to fulfill and beat the established Mark Nawaqanitawase commonplace? Second, is Michael Hooper nonetheless bodily aggressive? His endurance might be wonderful and he’s nonetheless fast, however he’ll be taking part in in tight amongst a dozen a lot larger and stronger people . . . maybe he simply received’t make an impression within the collisions and contests over the ball. However no matter reply emerges this weekend, I anticipate Hooper can be Jones’s first-choice 7 all through The Rugby Championship and the World Cup.

Squad members who might and possibly ought to really feel a bit aggrieved this weekend embody Nawaqanitawase, Lalakai Foketi and Jed Holloway. There can be accidents, boys, so maintain your chins up.

If you happen to can see another questions which might be about to get publicly answered, or have to hold forth about Vunivalu, or simply need to wang on about something Wallabies, lower free within the feedback. And examine again right here tomorrow for the GAGR TRC 2023 preview.

DECKCHAIRS OVERBOARD

Right here’s a fast round-up of recruitment information and rumours. You received’t discover these items in your LinkedIn feed.

Former Wallaby, Brumby and Insurgent Joe Powell has reached protected harbour at Leicester Tigers, after swimming away from the sinking wreck of London Irish. The Tigers had been on the lookout for a spare halfback to cowl for Ben Youngs and Jack van Poortvliet through the World Cup. In presumably associated information, Dan McKellar took over as Leicester’s head coach this week.

Ex-Reds and Queensland Nation free ahead Caleb Timu has signed on at Clermont, after spending a 12 months at Bordeaux Bègles. For the remainder of 2023 he’ll practice alongside the very massive lock Miles Amatosero, who can be on the Waratahs in 2024. Caleb’s skilled growth in Australia was certainly one of Brad Thorn’s teaching successes.

Tana Umaga could quickly be introduced as Moana Pasifika’s 2024 coach (some sources are reporting his appointment as official). He doesn’t seem like an improve on Aaron Mauger. You would possibly recall that in Umaga’s final head teaching stint, he steered the Auckland Blues to the underside of Tremendous Rugby with the perfect piledriver seen since his job on Brian O’Driscoll. Maybe, just like the aforementioned Thorn, he’s not fairly brilliant sufficient to educate an expert franchise. He’ll even be an assistant to Manu Samoa’s head coach Seilala Mapusua for the World Cup. Ia manuia!

And in one other Thorn-adjacent growth, there’s discuss of Les Kiss (one other ex-London Irish refugee) speaking to the Reds. That’s thrilling.

Lastly, the Different Website (that’s the outdated Different Website, not the brand new, Different Different Website) reported yesterday that Noah Lolesio is about to signal a short-term contract with Toulon. That most likely means he’ll be onboarded for the Prime Quatorze 2023-24 season that begins across the similar time because the World Cup. Let’s hope Noah will get to take pleasure in a few World Cup matches with a beer in his hand.

Thanks for turning up see the Inexperienced and Gold Rugby weblog relaunched. We have been by no means going to let this grand outdated barge implode in a World Cup 12 months. Go the Wallabies!

Article courtesy of JusWal. Welcome again to the highest of the road, mate!