Scotland v Australia 24/11/2024 - (13.40)

[AlRums]

You mean the countries that spent all the resources developing them?

Seems to me NZ do just fine developing talent with a small pop.

Then why does NZ go out of their way to raid the Pacific Islands for talent?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They don't, go look at their squad and see how many players didn't come through their development systems

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

They don't, go look at their squad and see how many players didn't come through their development systems.

That's a myth yes but they still benefit massively from immigration. They have a Scot in their squad like.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They have a Scot in their squad like.

Pretty similar to Scotland then

 

[AlRums]

Tuipulotu brothers reunited with their 'Greenock granny' - Scottish Rugby

Sione believed his grandmother would never be able to see him play rugby at Scottish Gas Murrayfield due to her age and health, however, with Skyscanner and Scottish Rugby’s help Jaqueline Thomson was able to fly ‘home’ for the first time in 12 years and surprise her grandsons ahead of this...

scottishrugby.org

 

[Derpus]

Then why does NZ go out of their way to raid the Pacific Islands for talent?

This is a myth. Their pacifika population is almost as big as the Islands themselves (e.g. Tonga has a population of about 100k and NZ has a Tongan population of about 80k according to google) and to the extent they do end up with Island born and raised talent its still 99% of the time developed in their systems.

Its the same with Australia and Fijians (although credit where its due - sometimes our talent is developed in NRL systems which **** on any Union development program the world over).

 

[Derpus]

Tuipulotu brothers reunited with their 'Greenock granny' - Scottish Rugby

Sione believed his grandmother would never be able to see him play rugby at Scottish Gas Murrayfield due to her age and health, however, with Skyscanner and Scottish Rugby’s help Jaqueline Thomson was able to fly ‘home’ for the first time in 12 years and surprise her grandsons ahead of this...

scottishrugby.org

I mean don't get me wrong I'm happy for the lad. You go where the opportunity is.

 

[Jaguares]

Wallabies starting XV:

1.⁠ ⁠Angus Bell (34 Tests)
2.⁠ ⁠Matt Faessler (14 Tests)
3.⁠ ⁠Allan Alaalatoa (78 Tests)
4.⁠ ⁠Jeremy Williams (9 Tests)
5.⁠ ⁠Will Skelton (31 Tests)
6.⁠ ⁠Rob Valetini (50 Tests)
7.⁠ ⁠Carlo Tizzano (4 Tests)
8.⁠ ⁠Harry Wilson (c) (20 Tests)
9.⁠ ⁠Jake Gordon (27 Tests)
10.⁠ Noah Lolesio (27 Tests)
11.⁠ Harry Potter*
12.⁠ ⁠Len Ikitau (37 Tests)
13.⁠ ⁠Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (2 Tests)
14.⁠ ⁠Andrew Kellaway (37 Tests)
15.⁠ ⁠Tom Wright (35 Tests)

Substitutes

16.⁠ ⁠Brandon Paenga-Amosa (18 Tests)
17.⁠ ⁠Isaac Kailea (6 Tests)
18.⁠ ⁠Zane Nonggorr (9 Tests)
19.⁠ ⁠Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (39 Tests)
20.⁠ ⁠Langi Gleeson (12 Tests)
21.⁠ ⁠Tate McDermott (39 Tests)
22.⁠ ⁠Ben Donaldson (15 Tests)
23.⁠ ⁠Max Jorgensen (5 Tests)

 

[Jaguares]

Edited, sorry

 

[AlRums]

 

[General Melchett]

Dempsey's carrying and footwork will be missed. Bit concerned we lack carrying options now although Ritchie and Darge suggests a targeting of the breakdown. Bench looks decent and Jordan should provide some impact. Fascinating contest and a real barometer to see where both sides are at.

 

[IT157]

Surprised ⁠Will Skelton only has 31 caps.

 

[Derpus]

Surprised ⁠Will Skelton only has 31 caps.

Why?

 

[TopTen2003]

Harry Potter making his debut for Australia on the wing wasn't the post-Quidditch career I had in mind for him.

Opportunities endless with this one.

 

[TopTen2003]

Surprised ⁠Will Skelton only has 31 caps.

Likewise, surprising - some player on his day.

I'm starting to look at this Aussie squad now and you can see this Lions tour being a real tougher tussle than we would have thought 6-12 months ago.

 

[IT157]

Why?

Because he's 32 and I thought he would have more.

Strange question.

 

[OllyM97]

Was thinking France/Argentina would be the game of the weekend but I think this will surpass it. Still can't pick a winner for definite. This would be a huge win for Schmidt if he could get over the line here. My gut feeling is Scotland will just about do it but it's so close. Just think Scotland are a step up in quality in the backs from Wales and England.

 

[Booboobang]

They don't, go look at their squad and see how many players didn't come through their development systems

Ehhhh, dunno about their current squad, but historically the only reason this is true is because the movement happens at a younger age due to parents moving their kids for opportunity in a richer country. Sevu reece is a current example I think, grew up in fiji, but moved to newzealand when he popped as a great athletic prospect with his family and attended high school there so technically came through new zealands pathways.

France will have a few of these examples in coming years as well since they went through a phase of recruiting 14/15 yearold pacific islanders ina. similiar mold.

If the argument about development just comes down to it being fine if they got to your parents on the move at a young age with most doing it to better your opportunities it gets pretty grey morally imo.

In general though the ones I only really have an issue with are where it is clear cut there to get elegibility and into the international game, like van der merwe or Jordan where as soon as the qualification happened they bolted, looks pretty cynical.

 

[AlRums]

Was thinking France/Argentina would be the game of the weekend but I think this will surpass it. Still can't pick a winner for definite. This would be a huge win for Schmidt if he could get over the line here. My gut feeling is Scotland will just about do it but it's so close. Just think Scotland are a step up in quality in the backs from Wales and England.

I think that probably the strongest set of Scots backs this year, hoping Graham doesn't get injured.