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'Clearly we rate him highly': Rennie seriously considering 20-year-old for Bledisloe debut
New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is considering Noah Lolesio for a Test debut at No.10 in New Zealand next month after the Brumbies playmaker’s eye-catching return from injury in Saturday’s Super Rugby AU finale.
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Rennie has played match-maker in his first Wallabies camp, pairing 20-year-old Lolesio with Queensland Reds No.10 and experienced international James O’Connor as roommates in the Hunter Valley.
O’Connor – Once the bad boy of Australian rugby – debuted for Australia as an 18-year-old and can provide unique insight as a 30-year-old now back in favour.
Lolesio and O’Connor could be competing for game time in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Wellington on October 11, with fellow playmaking option Matt Toomua still recovering from a groin injury suffered in the Super Rugby semi-final.
Toomua and Melbourne Rebels teammates Dane Haylett-Petty (groin) and Jordan Uelese (shoulder) are rehabilitating injuries while Reds backline gun Jordan Petaia (hip) is another injury concern before the Wallabies’ eight-Test stretch across 10 weeks.
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Rennie said all four were still in the mix to play against the All Blacks next month, and will travel to New Zealand on Friday, but that Lolesio had done everything in his power regardless to demand a debut.
“Clearly we rate him highly, that’s the reason we picked him prior to that final and he hadn’t played for 10 weeks,” Rennie said.
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“He’s courageous, confident and he made a real difference to the Brumbies.
“It’s another step up here isn’t it.
“He’s impressive though, he’s asking plenty of questions and is rooming with James O’Connor.
“They’ve been talking a lot about the game, about the role and yep, he’s got a chance of starting that first Test and we’ll see how things pan out.”
With time of short supply and a 44-man squad in camp, Rennie selected who shared rooms this week.
He’s also matched captain Michael Hooper with fellow No.7 and former Junior Wallabies skipper Fraser McReight, who impressed in his rookie professional season.
“We always wanted young guys with the older guys, to get a chance to get to know them better, get an arm around them,” Rennie said.
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“It’s a big side, easy to go two or three days without speaking to each other, so we’re making an effort and the old boys are getting their arm around the young fellas and showing them the way.”
– Murray Wenzel
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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