Eddie Jones' surprise 'utility' picks ready to take on the Springboks

Josh Kemeny and Dylan Pietsch were as surprised as anyone to be listed as utilities in the Wallabies squad to tackle South Africa but will happily wear any number on their back if it means a Test debut.

Coach Eddie Jones talked up the versatility of his players chosen for next month’s Pretoria Test, saying he wants “multi-dimensional” men in this year’s Rugby World Cup squad.

For Pietsch it’s not a stretch, with the 25-year-old saying he was always a flanker before being turned into a winger on joining the NSW Waratahs two years ago from the Olympic Sevens program.

“I’ve been a backrower my whole life, so it’s something I’m pretty comfortable with,” said Pietsch, who is aiming to be the 15th Indigenous Wallaby, and the first since 2010.

“Initially my reaction was ‘I don’t really know what utility is’, but I don’t really care because I was so happy I’m in the squad. Since I was a little kid I’ve always wanted to be Wallaby

“Eddie sat me down and said I was an option and to get my head around the line-outs.”

Jones has said Kemeny, normally a backrower, could be used on a wing if needed. The 194cm, 110kg Kemeny has never played as a winger, but has always topped the Melbourne Rebels forwards in fitness drills.

Sporting a black eye as he fronted the media on Monday, he didn’t quite have the look of an outside back.

“I was probably even more confused than Dyl (Pietsch) because we played back-row together a few years ago, so he’s more versed in that position than I am out on the wing,” said the 24-year-old, originally from Sydney.

“It’s news to me but to be part of the squad and add impact wherever I can is what I want to do.

“It’s not necessarily something that I’ve done as a junior or that I’ve been chasing to do, but if it’s going to add some value to the team I’m happy to do that.”

The pair were former teammates in a NSW schoolboys side in year 12, with Pietsch at open-side flanker and Kemeny blind-side.

While Kemeny was included in a Wallabies training squad in 2021 by then coach Dave Rennie, he didn’t feel time was on his side ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

He suffered a serious knee in July that year, which meant 16 months out following complications from a tendon graft after surgery.

Kemeny started the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season in round one but spent three weeks on the sidelines from round 11 with a dangerous tackle ban.

“It was a long rehab,” Kemeny said.

“To find some confidence and stay on the park this year was my goal and everything that’s come with it has been a massive bonus.

“I was absolutely gutted for Rebels (when suspended) but 100 per cent I was gutted (for myself). I thought I’d really knocked myself back a few pegs by missing those weeks but I just made sure that when I got back out there for the last few games I put my best foot forward.

“To get my foot through the door and my name on the list, that was all I cared about and I’m just going to work from there.”