Wallabies v Argentina at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata on Sunday Sep 1

[Tazzmania]

Wallabies team to play Argentina at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata on Sunday September 1 at 8:00am AEST

1. Angus Bell (29 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2. Matt Faessler (8 Tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (52 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (17 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (34 Tests) – Randwick

6. Rob Valetini (44 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Carlo Tizzano (2 Tests) - University of Western Australia

8. Harry Wilson (15 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (23 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10. Noah Lolesio (21 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Marika Koroibete (60 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji

12. Hamish Stewart* - Toowoomba Bears

13. Len Ikitau (31 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

14. Andrew Kellaway (31 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (29 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Josh Nasser (4 Tests) - Easts Tigers

17. Isaac Kailea (4 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

18. Allan Alaalatoa (72 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Jeremy Williams (4 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

20. Langi Gleeson (6 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (33 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (10 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23. Max Jorgensen (1 Test) - Balmain Wolves

*denotes uncapped

[Tazzmania]

So stoked for Hamish and well deserved.

For those that followed the stats I posted after each Force match, it is great to see two of the Force's hardest workers are starting this week for the Wallabies.

Two of the top 10 tackles won in 2024 Super Rugby. Hamish 9th at 180 and Carlo 1st with 240.

[Burgs]

Delighted for Stewart, is reward for a lot of hard work and self belief.
Likewise pleasing to see Williams straight back in the mix, despite the inclusion of extra talls in the Tour Squad.
Am a little surprised of McDermott over White given Donaldson and Stewart.
Either Lolesio has been given a Golden Ticket for the whole Series or this is make or break time, either way, really need to see a commanding performance from him.
By taking on the Captaincy, Wilson will also attract extra scrutiny with the extra responsibility. His SR best will be good enough, but there are options at 6/8 that if he falters under the pressure may see him out yet again. I imagine, unless he has a stinker, Jumbuck Joe will have "given" him two matches to prove himself. My first pick alternative would be 6. Williams and 8. Valetini.
Am still not convinced with Kellaway, think I would have given Flook or Jorgensen a run and 23. Kellaway.
Hopefully next week we might see a bit of Paega-Amosa in action.

[shasta]

Hopefully next week we might see a bit of Paega-Amosa in action.

I wonder if Throbber will come under consideration & whether he got any game time post the varsity match in March. Hard to think a plane ticket was justified of not.

[Burgs]

I wonder if Throbber will come under consideration & whether he got any game time post the varsity match in March. Hard to think a plane ticket was justified of not.

Yes true, forgot about him, but as you say unlikely to be getting a free ticket in front of SR players unless in contention.

[chibi]

Estudiantes?? That's a bloody interesting ground to play a rugby test at!

[GIGS20]

Am a little surprised of McDermott over White

What are your feelings on Jake Gordon getting the #9?

I think that bloke's made of teflon, he hasn't done a single thing of note, yet the other two seem to be dropped for the smallest indiscretion.

I suspect White is sitting on the naughty chair because of his 80 minute long argument with Paul Williams last week.

[Leo86]

What are your feelings on Jake Gordon getting the #9?

I think that bloke's made of teflon, he hasn't done a single thing of note, yet the other two seem to be dropped for the smallest indiscretion.

I suspect White is sitting on the naughty chair because of his 80 minute long argument with Paul Williams last week.

I think Paul Williams came in with a pre-conceived intention, what White was penalised/chatted about Boks were not even noticed about. It's been a couple weeks but I can remember over the sports ears constant warning/coaching to boks to immediate penalty and card to Wallabies. White = Le Roux (or Kriel that game)... etc there is always someone gonna be givin lip service. Only problem is when one side is penalised.

My take on Gordon is akin to most NSW Tah Shute players, there is someone better but not NSW Tah Shute. He is slow to ruck and slow to pass. He was requesting to get out of his contract at Tahs.. now incumbent Wallaby. Tate plays a style that reminds me of Cubelli, problem is no one follows (supports). In time I expect to see Lonergan

[GIGS20]

I think Paul Williams came in with a pre-conceived intention, what White was penalised/chatted about Boks were not even noticed about.

I hear ya, He was def targeted, however a player of his experience should have known to shut his pie hole.

[SNOB]

From the SMH! They just can’t say he plays for the Force.


So often, the Wallabies look to Valetini for inspiration with the ball in hand, but it was international rookie Carlos Tizzano on his third Test that stepped up,

[Burgs]

A lot to like by the Force contingent.
Tizzano arguably Man of the Match.
Stewart a very solid debut and, while maybe biased, I feel he offers far more variety than Paisami. One example of several being his stepping into two consecutive Rucks for Gordon, then hit a partially effective cleanout on the third.
Williams had an immediate impact, but will have to focus on Lock with the rise of Wilson stopping a potential 6. Williams- 8. Valetini for now.
Donaldson for the win, admittedly dead in front. Just near impossible for him to build a case with a couple of minutes per match.

Lolesio again gets 20 minutes longer than he should, hard to find someone to give a lower ranking, maybe Kellaway.
No doubt the win will save him for another week, but I fear for how exposed we are going into the Bledisloe.
Keep hearing this "he's young", "he needs time" rubbish.
He's been in the Test program for most of the last four seasons and now has 26 Test Caps, one more the Mark Ella!
Hell, Ella RETIRED at 25...

Bell wasn't as visible this week, but was possibly more influential. The rest of the Front Row & replacements were serviceable.
Aside from Tizzano, Valetini and occasionally Wilson, I'd suggest that you could sum up the rest of the Forwards in the 23 as "did their job", nothing amazing but nothing to get too carried away with.

There was some solid work from Ikitau and White and plenty of heart as usual from Koroibete, but not the same high level of gain line from him.
Like the balance of the Forwards, the rest of the Backs "did their job", but didn't star.

Am really keen to see them on a dry track next week, despite getting some extra experience in the wet through 2024, it isn't our natural environment.
Perhaps in the RA master plans we need to set Ballimore up with pitch wide rain sprinklers to practice under...

What are your feelings on Jake Gordon getting the #9?

I think that bloke's made of teflon, he hasn't done a single thing of note, yet the other two seem to be dropped for the smallest indiscretion.

I suspect White is sitting on the naughty chair because of his 80 minute long argument with Paul Williams last week.

I'd rank them-
White
McDermott
Gordon
And have no clue on merit how he is first pick.
He offers nothing around experience (in supporting Lolesio) that White doesn't give and I can't rank him above either in any aspect.
The ONLY thing may be he is more experienced behind a shit pack in 2024 than the other two.
No doubt White had a target on him before the ball was even kicked and I reckon you can thank Rassie for that, getting in the Ref's ear prematch.

Overall, a win is a win and should (and I am) be celebrated, but still a long way to go for Bledisloe 1 if you watched the earlier match.

[James]

Lolesio gets his chances off of Super Rugby form, but he is playing behind a strong pack, which has parity or dominance 95% of the time. I saw little of what he did well and 3-4 really dumb plays that led to turnovers.

[Tazzmania]

Good win by the wallabies and hopefully the start of better things to come.

First up a really solid 80 minute debut by Hamish Stewart he did what was asked and needed of him and did not look out of place. Top backline tackler and not surprising for those that have kept an eye on his super rugby stats this season.

80 minutes 4 carries for 8 metres, 1 defender beaten, 8 passes, 11 tackles and 2 missed tackles.

Man of the match has to be Carlo Tizzano, tackling machine extraordinary. No surprises just like super rugby gives 110% all the time.

74 minutes 7 carries for 4 metres, 1 defender beaten 1 offload and one pass. A massive 22 tackles and 2 turnovers won.

Jeremy Williams a solid outing did what was required of him.

32 minutes 1 carry for 1 metre 1 pass and 1 tackle, and 2 line outs won.

Ben Donaldson a ridiculous two minute stint, but at least he had the honour of kicking the winning penalty and the all important clock wind down.

I think we can all be proud of the showing from our Western Force boys

[shasta]

Lolesio again gets 20 minutes longer than he should, hard to find someone to give a lower ranking, maybe Kellaway.

If they give points for the number of hospital passes thrown he'll top the rankings in Cully's team of the weel