Australia won't win 2022 WC

[Gobsmacked]

The day has come that Australia doesn't have all the best players. We have arguably the third best pack behind NZ and Tonga. The combinations are going to be a problem also with the likely pairing of Cleary and Munster.
The emergence of the Island nations has diluted the numbers of available Aussies and this trend isn't slowing down.
This is the dawn on a new era of more competitive international contests.
The best players on show in competition will no longer be origin but on the international stage.
So buckle up , this will become evident when Australia fails to hoist the WC trophy later this year.

 

[Iamback]

The day has come that Australia doesn't have all the best players. We have arguably the third best pack behind NZ and Tonga. The combinations are going to be a problem also with the likely pairing of Cleary and Munster.
The emergence of the Island nations has diluted the numbers of available Aussies and this trend isn't slowing down.
This is the dawn on a new era of more competitive international contests.
The best players on show in competition will no longer be origin but on the international stage.
So buckle up , this will become evident when Australia fails to hoist the WC trophy later this year.

Still have the best spine players. Would be good if it happened but lack of spine players hurt those teams

 

[Bobby DIGital]

I agree, and have felt this way since 2018. The Kangaroos haven't done themselves any favours by arrogantly not wanting to play anymore, and the situation has gotten progressively worse for them in the last 4 years.

The Kiwis are the best RL team in the world.

 

[Iamback]

I agree, and have felt this way since 2018. The Kangaroos haven't done themselves any favours by arrogantly not wanting to play anymore, and the situation has gotten progressively worse for them in the last 4 years.

The Kiwis are the best RL team in the world.

Manu v Teddy/Ponga - Australia better
Brown v Munster - Australia better
Smith v Grant/Cook - Australia better
Hughes v Cleary - Australia better

That is where games get one. Have to see the squads but Australia's pack will still be decent

 

[Gobsmacked]

Manu v Teddy/Ponga - Australia better
Brown v Munster - Australia better
Smith v Grant/Cook - Australia better
Hughes v Cleary - Australia better

That is where games get one. Have to see the squads but Australia's pack will still be decent

They are debatable.
The combinations are weak too.
Look at the NZ combinations... outstanding! Perfectly compliment each other

 

[Perth Red]

Australia has the game winners, those unique players that can turn a game. NZ are dependable and wont have hot and cold games. IF Australia's stars have an off day like they can at times then NZ are more than capable of winning it. If it is absolutely throwing it down with rain when they meet that may also tip it in NZ's favour. Best backs against best forwards. Will be interesting.
Thats presuming Tonga or england dont have blinders and knock either of them out! Samoa may be dark horses as well depending who nominates for them.
Should be a good tournament.

 

[Iamback]

They are debatable.
The combinations are weak too.
Look at the NZ combinations... outstanding! Perfectly compliment each other

I don't rate Brandon Smith as a hooker and they ran with a forward at centre in the last test.

It should be a great tournament regardless

 

[Coastbloke]

There's a 99.9% chance Australia will be in the final.
But instead of just being NZ or possibly England, there's a good chance Tonga could be there.
Also, I suspect Samoa, Fiji, PNG and hopefully France to be much improved..

 

[jim_57]

There's a 99.9% chance Australia will be in the final.
But instead of just being NZ or possibly England, there's a good chance Tonga could be there.
Also, I suspect Samoa, Fiji, PNG and hopefully France to be much improved..

If NZ & Aus top their group and win their quarters they play each other in the semi final. Better chance than ever before of Australia missing the final.

 

[Iamback]

There's a 99.9% chance Australia will be in the final.
But instead of just being NZ or possibly England, there's a good chance Tonga could be there.
Also, I suspect Samoa, Fiji, PNG and hopefully France to be much improved..

Samoa will have Luai. Gives them a big chance but the halves is where those sides usually struggle

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Manu v Teddy/Ponga - Australia better
Brown v Munster - Australia better
Smith v Grant/Cook - Australia better
Hughes v Cleary - Australia better

That is where games get one. Have to see the squads but Australia's pack will still be decent

It's not as clear cut as you think.

Cleary is slightly better than Hughes, but not by much. Hughes outplayed him in the 2020 GF, and can easily do it again especially behind our superior pack. It's probably a moot point anyway as Mal will likely pick DCE who isn't as good as Hughes.

Munster is better than Brown but not by much on current form. Brown is an outstanding player, and on his day can get the better of Munster who's prone to the odd brain explosion.

Tedesco is probably past his best, and Ponga is a complete non-factor. He's not better than Manu in any position. He's a coward in defence. Manu could easily have as big of an impact as either of them from fullback.

You may not rate Smith as a hooker, but f**k your opinion. Trent Robinson does and plenty of other good judges do as well. He grows an extra leg at international level. Cook is clearly past his best, and Grant doesn't have any test experience.

We are not worried about any of these players. Compared to the great Kangaroo spine players of the past, they're not in the same class. As stated above, there's not much in terms of combinations there. Munster and Cleary have never played together. Grant and Cleary have never played together etc. The Kangaroos have had ready-made combos in the spine for many years which is what troubled us at times. We still had our tournament wins though. This lot isn't intimidating.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Nailed it mate. The Aussie team could really lack direction imo. There's no stand out leader, so I could be a case of everyone standing back at critical stages or all their hands going up at once.

 

[Perth Red]

If Papa takes Storm to a premiership in second half of season, or Tedesco goes down injured, it could be Papa, Munster, Grant combination. That'd probably be better for the roos. Main concern for Kiwis is no real game changer and their wings are unusually weak.

It'll be DCE on bench, even though it should be Hunt based on SOO form imo.

 

[Gobsmacked]

The weak wings of of NZ ? I disagree watching Molutalo for the Sharks tonight, he's one of the best wingers in the game.

 

[Perth Red]

The weak wings of of NZ ? I disagree watching Molutalo for the Sharks tonight, he's one of the best wingers in the game.

I’d look good against that Storm defence!

 

[Gobsmacked]

I’d look good against that Storm defence!

Keep digging, you'll be out before you know it.

 

[Iamback]

It's not as clear cut as you think.

Cleary is slightly better than Hughes, but not by much. Hughes outplayed him in the 2020 GF, and can easily do it again especially behind our superior pack. It's probably a moot point anyway as Mal will likely pick DCE who isn't as good as Hughes.

Munster is better than Brown but not by much on current form. Brown is an outstanding player, and on his day can get the better of Munster who's prone to the odd brain explosion.

Tedesco is probably past his best, and Ponga is a complete non-factor. He's not better than Manu in any position. He's a coward in defence. Manu could easily have as big of an impact as either of them from fullback.

You may not rate Smith as a hooker, but f**k your opinion. Trent Robinson does and plenty of other good judges do as well. He grows an extra leg at international level. Cook is clearly past his best, and Grant doesn't have any test experience.

We are not worried about any of these players. Compared to the great Kangaroo spine players of the past, they're not in the same class. As stated above, there's not much in terms of combinations there. Munster and Cleary have never played together. Grant and Cleary have never played together etc. The Kangaroos have had ready-made combos in the spine for many years which is what troubled us at times. We still had our tournament wins though. This lot isn't intimidating.

Assuming Grant gets through Origin how much hooker would Smith of had leading into the WC?

So you have a hooker that hasn't played hooker for 3 months.

Barring injury to Tedesco. Manu won't be fullback for the same period. Manu is the best centre in the comp but assuming the Tonga squad was their top 17.
Replaced by a 2nd rower in the test side which probably makes Latrell the best centre that will be on the field.

As far as combinations. Across the squad in SOO there are 9 Cowboys players in the extended squad. 7 Panthers a few of those guys will choose the island sides ( Which is great for RL)

Still have some club combinations. Grant/Munster have had a few years and Origins together. IF DCE is picked he has Origin combinations with both.

Cleary has combinations with Teddy and He and Yeo have lost 3 games together in 3 years.

So while it will be a great game it is really a toss of the coin game this far out. Injuries will play a part no doubt

 

[Iamback]

If Papa takes Storm to a premiership in second half of season, or Tedesco goes down injured, it could be Papa, Munster, Grant combination. That'd probably be better for the roos. Main concern for Kiwis is no real game changer and their wings are unusually weak.

It'll be DCE on bench, even though it should be Hunt based on SOO form imo.

3/4 Origin wingers likely don't play for Australia. So I won't count them in the discussion yet until the player lists are known

 

[Smug Panther]

Yeo shits on any player NZ have

 

[Stinkfinger]

I agree, and have felt this way since 2018. The Kangaroos haven't done themselves any favours by arrogantly not wanting to play anymore, and the situation has gotten progressively worse for them in the last 4 years.

The Kiwis are the best RL team in the world.

The people whose livelihoods depend on it rate Australia 3 chances in 4 of winning the tournament. NZ are rated one in 7, England 1 in 8. Personally I hope someone other than Aus win it, for the good of the sport.