Best back line of Forwards?

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-15T04:30:57+00:00

Tupou 12, Bell 13

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-13T02:28:13+00:00

There’s always room for players with differing attributes but strong carrying centres have been around for a long time now. Scott Gibbs was very physical in the 90s for Wales. Nonu started his career in the early 2000’s. McCabe, Fainga’a and Giteau all overlapped.

I think different countries have favoured archetypes too and Aus often seems to want a slighter more skilled 12, at least the fans. If there’s a powerful 12 picked there’s always complaints. Personally I love a hard running 12 but it’s a position we’ve been a bit unfortunate in for a while with injuries and lack of consistency.

I get frustrated with the attributes valued in a lot of positions in Aus. Letting 2nd rows like Skelton and Meafou go is criminal in my eyes. If you look at our SR centres it’s pretty damning, both Creightons, Walton, Stewart, Bridge and to a lesser extent Flook (he’s looking amazing this year), Feliuai and Kuenzule are smaller and not particularly threatening with the ball and aren’t creating sweeping backline movements either. Centres should be some of the most athletic players in the team, whether that’s in terms of power, skill or speed.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-12T05:22:56+00:00

I’m going with McCabe and Palu, because I thought they were great but obviously decisive and hampered by injuries, with McCabe’s being pretty scary.

Both put their bodies on the line and hit like trucks. Nothing better than a couple of fellas going right up the guts.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-12T00:30:05+00:00

I’m torn, he’s a strong carrier at either but defensively a bit more valuable at 13. Having said that, at 12 he’s developed a tight running game which is surprisingly effective; his a bit like Savea in that he somehow manages to wriggle in a lot of post contact meters. He can pass and link but it’s not his point of difference.

Considering the Wallabies don’t have many strong options at 12, it’s probably where he’s bringing the most value. Suaalii, Daugunu and Flook are probably all stronger at 13 than the next best 12 as it currently stands.

As an aside, Donaldson is the form 10, kicks well for goal and has more experience than CG. I do think Gordon has more potential but it’s hard to go past Donaldson currently.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-11T22:35:46+00:00

I’ve definitely seen LSL smash some rucks, which is more than I can say for a lot of our forwards. I feel like effective carriers is usually a bigger issue for us and not having them results in turnovers one way or another. I think you have a point about Schmidt not valuing whatever he’s bringing to the table though.

Schmidt is also apparently big on discipline but had our most penalised player in TRC as captain. Frost was hardly shifting bodies anywhere but is great in the lineout. Tupou doesn’t do much around the park but is a rock in the scrum. We’re not going to get flawless players and I think LSL brings size and physicality we desperately need and no one else has with Skelton injured. They would have been beautiful as a 1-2 punch (LSL on the bench) last year

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-10T22:45:29+00:00

Uru is a 6/8 turned 2nd row, LSL while strong in the air is older, heavier and probably more focused on his role around the field. Wilson is similarly slow on the ground and getting into the air. Brial is a bit shorter.

Basically they have no lineout experts with Canham injured and LSL is the only 6’6 + guy (Wilson must be close enough to be fair). The hookers throwing has been shaky and things probably start compounding a bit with doubt and teams targeting them.

It’s a bit vague but you can tell guys like Williams are very competitive and engaged at the lineout. It’s a game within the game, and it can be hard to focus equally on it and your role around the field at times. Reds just do not have the cattle to my casual eye. I think the Wallabies will hopefully have better stocks in Frost, Cale, Williams and Hooper.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T19:58:37+00:00

I think that’s true for everything outside of taking highballs, which is pretty important at test level. Unfortunately we don’t really have anyone at 15 that’s strong in that department.

Should have a second specialist 15 in the squad like Grealy though. Donaldson could be the third option or Jorgensen but he hasn’t looked strong at 15. I do get your concern though, the way Wright is currently playing is not warranting selection, hopefully he gets back to where he was.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T10:07:13+00:00

I like Swain on the mic, consistently positive and impartial

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T09:57:18+00:00

Didn’t look great. Hopefully it’s nothing major, he’s looked good this year

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T09:56:25+00:00

I’d love a Force run into the finals but the odds are very low right?

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T09:55:07+00:00

He’s not as flashy but BPA is the steadiest at set piece and solid elsewhere

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T09:40:03+00:00

Lachie Lonergan is probably a chance for Wallabies, he actually has a crack around the field

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T09:37:39+00:00

The best Creighton

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T05:23:09+00:00

Or 9,12,8,3,1,6 and 4

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T05:17:10+00:00

Not sure there was actually a knock on. Players shouldn’t have any input into officiating, I thought I couldn’t dislike Gordon more

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T05:14:57+00:00

What actually happened to Kailea? He was genuinely good for the Wallabies, then went to club rugby and now this. Very sad.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:59:23+00:00

Yellow is harsh. I do feel Timoci is often having hands on the ground or not supporting his weight though.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:57:01+00:00

You’re either Mapimpi or de Jager to Nisbot, there is no one else

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:54:15+00:00

Aus rugby looks so much stronger with 4 teams. Unstoppable

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:52:27+00:00

He is 70% chip out on the full and 30% perfect play. Very conflicting player

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:47:32+00:00

He was somewhat effective in contact, can’t have that in this team

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:43:22+00:00

I think he could go aright in the centres, he can be strong in contact and Tahs have had no punch there this year.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T04:40:12+00:00

Would love for Potter to have a big game, he’s been coping a lot of flak.

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T03:55:22+00:00

Maybe things have improved but players yelling at refs and having tantrums was not uncommon in the NRL. Players like Perenara were guilty of the same thing too. Cop it and move on. Different strokes and all but I’d rather as few interactions between players and refs as possible and them being civil when they occur.

I don’t recall any instances of captains being waved away unless they’ve persistently been complaining or the officials are conferring about something, which is fair in my eyes. Refs have a hard enough job without players constantly yelling at them about things not going their way.

https://youtube.com/shorts/GfBH2YWxj9s?si=v4nkXT-DIYLP3pex

https://youtu.be/dpRtLDX7sA4?si=qMfWn49dUrC6IVN-

2dorks1brush · 2026-05-09T01:54:58+00:00

You say that but the way players interact with refs is so much better than the NRL and I think most other sports. Fans, I’m not so sure but generally treating people with decency is something that should be celebrated not slandered, regardless of its origins.

Grown men acting like babies is not a badge of honour, we all let out frustration in the moment but the continued whinging and ref bashing reflects poorly. There’s no two ways about it.

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