End-of-year player grades: How the Wallabies debutants rated in 2020
The Wallabies’ season came to a disappointing end on Saturday, drawing 16-all with Los Pumas in Sydney. It was their third draw of the year too, from six matches played.
But the Wallabies can still take plenty of positives out of the test season, with new coach Dave Rennie selecting 16-uncapped players in his first test squad, with 10 going on to make their debuts. While there was a varying success from each debutant, here’s how each player rated after their first season in green and gold.
Filipo Daugunu: B-
Appearances: 5
Wallaby number: 931
Throughout Super Rugby AU, Daugunu went from strength to strength. His form simply couldn’t be ignored, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him selected in the squad and then handed his debut in the opening test of the year.
Against the All Blacks in Wellington, Daugunu ran for a game-high 138 metres off 14 carries, having beaten three defenders and made four-line breaks.
Wow.
But a poor performance in Sydney saw him lose his grasp on the starting spot, which would go to Tom Wright for the remainder of the test season.
Still, his impact off the bench is intriguing, and he’s no doubt a player who’ll be a useful part of the Wallabies backline moving forward.
Hunter Paisami: B
Appearances: 6
Wallaby number: 932
Paisami’s journey to Wallaby gold hasn’t always been easy, but may be one of the best stories of persistence that the sport has seen.
It’s been some year for Wallabies hopeful and former Auckland schoolboy Hunter Paisami, who only made his Super Rugby debut in January.https://t.co/oBa3g3gSwl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 31, 2020
After moving to Brisbane from Melbourne in 2019, Paisami spent some time living in his agents’ office.
Now he’s a Wallaby.
Paisami was a standout in attack throughout the Tri Nations, and stepped up as a playmaker in the 15-all draw with the Pumas in Newcastle. But his tackle accuracy is an issue, having missed nine throughout the competition.
It’s worth noting that his combination with Jordan Petaia has to be seen as a long-term option for the national side.
Harry Wilson: A-
Appearances: 6
Wallaby number: 933
Wilson has been among the standouts for the Wallabies this year, seemingly securing his hold on the golden number eight jersey for the foreseeable future.
Fans and pundits alike have been singing Wilson’s praises since his Reds debut, going onto have a standout Super Rugby campaign this year.
The up-and-comer was a standout for his State for his work rate, and that’s carried over into the test arena. In the Tri Nations, he was among the leaders for the most carries in the competition with 36. While it would be wrong to not mention his physicality and toughness in defence as well, he did come under scrutiny in the first two Bledisloe Cup tests in New Zealand for late hits on Richie Mo’unga and then Beauden Barrett.
The rendition of the anthem in a First Nations language has largely been met with support on Twitter, with people wanting to see it become a regular part of Australian sport. #TriNations #AUSvARGhttps://t.co/EvlcK1uhDD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 6, 2020
Still, having only turned 21 last month, Wilson has quickly become much more than a player ofthe future, and is instead a key part of the Wallabies already.
Noah Lolesio: C
Appearances: 2
Wallaby number: 934
Lolesio had one of the toughest debuts that I’ve ever seen, having been named to start against an increasingly confident All Blacks outfit in Sydney.
While that match didn’t go to plan, we know the 20-year-old can play.
He was a standout in the Super Rugby AU final, and his cameo off the bench in the Brisbane test helped the Wallabies close out the match.
It’d be fair to say that Lolesio probably got his first start earlier than he expected, but he had been named to come off the bench in the opening Bledisloe as well. While he didn’t shine in the Wallabies jersey during his rookie international season, trust me when I say that those performances are coming.
Irae Simone: C
Appearances: 2
Wallaby number: 935
Simone was one of the more impressive players in Super Rugby AU, really stepping up as a playmaker and as a leader once Noah Lolesio went down injured early on in the tournament.
Named to make his test debut against the All Blacks in Sydney, the Inside Centre failed to really control the match like he had for the Brumbies. He was selected off the bench for his second cap against the Pumas in Sydney, but he struggled to make an impact then as well.
He’s a player who could potentially add some depth to the Wallabies setup moving forward, and he would be useful, but it would seem that Matt To’omua and Hunter Paisami have control over the 12 jersey.
Tate McDermott: B-
Appearances: 2
Wallaby number: 936
McDermott is simply a generational talent, and it’s a shame we didn’t see more of him for the Wallabies this year.
In his two tests, he came on and really brought a unique skillset to close test matches. He’s known for his pace and ability to snipe around the ruck, but his work rate and Rugby IQ was also impressive.
It may not be next year but I fully expect McDermott to be the starting scrumhalf for the Wallabies going, certainly in time for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Fraser McReight: N/A
Appearances: 1
Wallaby number: 937
When McReight came off the bench for his test debut, he played with plenty of passion and enthusiasm, which caught my eye. But his limited minutes off the bench, as well as the lopsided scoreline, meant there wasn’t enough time to give him a fair rating.
The two-time Australian under-20s player of the year is certainly one for the future, so if he can have another strong season with the Queensland Reds, expect to see more of Fraser McReight in the Wallabies setup.
Lachlan Swinton: N/A
Appearances: 1
Wallaby number: 938
Swinton was actually really impressive in test debut, before he became the first debutant in Australian rugby history to be sent off. He’s a physical player and he brought that to the test arena, making sure that every opponent felt each of his tackles.
Considering he only played 35-minutes and got sent off, he showed that he belongs in international rugby. Still, I didn’t think it was fair to give him a rating.
Tom Wright: B
Appearances: 3
Wallaby number: 939
After watching the first three tests of the year from the sideline, Wright took his opportunity to debut in Brisbane with both hands. The former NRL player scored two-minutes into his test debut, and was generally effective in that match as well.
Australia’s chances of medalling at next year’s Tokyo Olympics have received a boost with Wallabies rookie Tom Wright expressing interest at playing at next year’s Games. #Wallabies #TokyoOlympics https://t.co/6p7SHLD25K
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 28, 2020
Wright has impressed with his pace and Rugby IQ in his three tests, running for four clean breaks in the Tri Nations. His work rate has also been quite impressive, and hasn’t done his chances of retaining his spot week-to-week any harm with his performances.
Angus Bell: B-
Appearances: 3
Wallaby number: 940
Angus Bell might just be one of the more promising talents to have made his debut for the national side.
In his three tests of the bench, the 20-year-old was reliable at the set-piece and did what was asked of him in attack, defence and around the breakdown. There was plenty of passion shown by the youngster, and it’ll be exciting to see just how much he can improve in the years ahead.
Comments on RugbyPass
Christie is not Sottish, like the majority of the Scotland team.
2 Go to commentsHold the phone, decline over-rated. Is it a one game, dead cat bounce or the real thing? Has the Penney dropped? Stay tuned.
41 Go to commentsTotally deserved win for the Crusaders Far smarter than the Chiefs who seem to be avoiding the basics when it matters Hotham showed them what was missing and Hannah seems a real find - a tad light but that can be fixed over time
8 Go to commentsGreat insight into the performance culture with Sarries and I predict Christie will be a fixture in the Scotland team now for some time to come. However, he is slightly missing his own point around Scotland “being soft” when he cites physicality examples in defence of that slight. The issue is much closer to the example he referenced around feeling off before a game but being told “it doesn’t matter, you can still play well” by Farrell. Until Scotland can get their psyche in that square, they will carry on folding under extreme pressure…
2 Go to comments> We are having to adapt, evolve and innovate more than when we were in Super Rugby where there was only really one style that everybody had to play to gain the most success. Have = able to? Interesting what that one style might be? I thought SA sides still had bad tours now, or at least bad schedule, months away? Those extra few hours flights have to be a killer though, no surprise to see their sides doing so badly at the start of the season each year. I wouldn’t enjoy that unfairness as a supporter.
5 Go to commentsThe problem for NZ, and Aus, is they ripped up the SR model and lost a massive chunk of revenue that hasn’t been replaced. Don’t forget SA clubs went North because they were left with no choice, Argy unceremoniously binned and Japan cast adrift. Now SR wasn’t perfect, far from it, but they’ve jumped into something without an effective plan, so far, to replace what they’ve lost. The biggest revenue potential now lies in Japan but it won’t be easy or quick to unlock, they are incredibly insular in culture as a nation. In the meantime, there is a serious time bomb sitting under SH rugby and if it happens then the current financial challenges will look like a picnic. IF the Boks follow their provincial teams and head north then it’s revenue meltdown. Not guaranteed to happen but the status quo is a very odd hybrid, with the Boks pointing one way and the clubs pointing the other way. And for as long as that remains then the threat is real.
41 Go to commentsI think Etene has had some good tuition, likely while at the Warriors to be a professional that helped his rugby jump, but he was certainly thrown in the deep end way too early. Should have arguably 20 less SR caps, and therefor a way better record that he does at his age, but his development would have been fast tracked by the need to satiate his signing away from league. Again, credit to him and others that he has done it so well. Easy to fall over under that pressure in the big leagues like that but he kept at it when I myself wasn’t sure he was good enough.
1 Go to commentsAwesome story. I wonder what a bigger American (SA) scene might have mean for Brex.
1 Go to comments“Johnny McNicholl and the Crusaders” save a Penney. Who has been in camp this week and showed them how to play?
8 Go to commentsSo, reports of the Crusaders’ demise / terminal decline are perhaps just - slightly - premature/exaggerated…? 🤔 Will we see a deep-dive into that by the estimable Rugbypass scribes, and maybe one or two mea culpas? Thought not.
8 Go to comments1. The Chiefs are rudderless without DMac, which enhances his AB chances 2. Chiefs pack are powderpuffs. The hard men arent there anymore 3. They had their golden title chance last yr and wont threaten this yr. Gone in second round of playoffs.
8 Go to commentsHonestly, why did you have to publish such a foolish article the day they play us? 😂
41 Go to comments> They are not standalone entities. They are linked to an amateur association which holds the FFR licence that allows the professional side to compete in the league. That’s a great rule. This looks like the chicken or egg professional scenario. How long is it going to be before the club can break even (if that is even a thing in French rugby)? If the locals aren’t into well it would be good to se them drop to amateur level (is it that far?). Hope they can reset from this level and be more practical, there will be a time when they can rebuild (if France has there setup right).
1 Go to commentsWhat about changing the ball? To something heavier and more pointed that bounces unpredictably. Not this almost round football used these days.
35 Go to commentsThis is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?
35 Go to commentsWow, didn’t realise there was such apathy to URC in SA, or by Champions Cup teams. Just read Nick’s article on Crusaders, are Sharks a similar circumstance? I think SA rugby has been far more balanced than NZs, no?
4 Go to commentsBut here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.
41 Go to commentsIt could be coincidental or prescient that the All Blacks most dominant period under Steve Hansen was when the Crusaders had their least successful period under Todd Blackadder and then the positions reversed when Razor took over the Crusaders.
41 Go to commentsDefinitely sound read everybodyexpects immediate results these days, I don't think any team would travel well at all having lost three of the most important game changers in the game,compiled with the massive injury list they are now carrying, good to see a different more in depth perspective of a coaches history.
3 Go to commentsSinckler is a really big loss for English rugby.
2 Go to comments