@KiwiMurph said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
@booboo said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
I didn't look at Gordon and think future superstar. Wonder why they think he's worth so much.
I think it's more of a case of look at the alternatives
JOC may not even make 2027
Quade and presumably Foley are done.
Lynagh has serious injury concerns
Lolesio had a very serious long term injury this year
They dont rate Donaldson/He has never knocked down the door
Edmed has shown very little.
In the other words the cupboard is bare - Carter Gordon was the best realistic option available to them.
So the Wallabies clearly identify their first 5s as an area of concern, yet in Super Rugby they have allowed Carter Gordon to return to the Reds to compete for gametime with other Wallabies First 5 Tom Lynagh while they both probably limit the playing time and development of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips who was looking like being one for the future. To add to it with other signing rumours, Ben Volavola is set to join this group. I can only assume they sought after him as a third first 5 and completed the signing before the news of Carter Gordons return began and when those conversations came they wouldn't say no to signing Gordon.
The problem I see here for Australia rugby is the distribution. Tane Edmed has gone to Brumbies to replace Lolesio and get a fresh start. Declan Meredith will be behind him with potential. Ben Dono is at the force with Max Burey showing exciting from in the recent Super Rugby AU comp. The team that could benefit from any of the four Reds First 5s are the Waratahs. Jack Bowen has potential but not there yet. I don't see much in giving Lawson Creighton minutes when this could be used to give one of the quality Reds boys playing time. I see Debreczeni starting which is again a shame because despite the fact that I rate him as an handy experienced first 5 option in your squad, ideally the four starting super rugby first 5s in Australia should be the four best players competing for that Wallabies jersey. I see these players for 2026 being Gordon, Lynagh, Donaldson, and Edmed, with Burey and McLaughlin-Phillips being the next cabs. None of these players will be taking a share of the 80 minutes played at first 5 for the Waratahs each week, with at least one of these 6 not even featuring in a match day 23.
