New Zealand's unluckiest player lands Super Rugby gig in Australian capital
James Tucker was earmarked for great things when he left high school.
The St Bede’s College alumnus headed north to Hamilton and earned selection in the New Zealand Under 20s side before being signed by Waikato for that year’s provincial competition.
Tucker, however, wasn’t able to take the field for the Mooloos, thanks to a slew of injuries. In fact, despite being in or around the side for the past seven seasons, Tucker has amassed just 42 games for Waikato.
Despite his lack of provincial minutes, Tucker still managed to earn selection for the Chiefs in 2016 and 2017 but accumulated just five appearances.
Strong seasons for Waikato in 2017 and 2018 weren’t enough for Tucker to retain his spot with the Chiefs, however, and the big lock headed to Italy in the provincial off-season to continue his rugby development.
Following Waikato’s return to the premiership division of the Mitre 10 Cup in 2019, Tucker was picked up by the Blues for Super Rugby 2020 but a knee injury suffered in the pre-season prevented him from taking the field. It also curtailed his provincial season, and Tucker will now enter 2021 without any professional rugby under his belt for a whole year.
Tucker’s luck may be about to turn, however, with the Brumbies today announcing that the Australian-born 26-year-old has signed with the Super Rugby AU champions for the year ahead.
Tucker joins the team as a replacement for Murray Douglas and Blake Enever, who have both headed offshore following the 2020 season, and is one of three players in the side recruited from outside the region, alongside outside back Reece Tapine and tighthead prop Archer Holz. Five academy players have also been promoted in the top team.
14 members of the 2021 squad spent time with the Wallabies during this year’s Tri-Nations tournament, with 11 of those men pulling on the gold jersey at some stage during the competition, including debutants Noah Lolesio, Irae Simone and Tom Wright.
On the other end of the experience spectrum, 19 of the 2021 group are 23-years-old or younger.
“We’re excited about the makeup of our squad for next season,” said head coach Dan McKellar.
“With the age profile of the group, the number of Wallabies we had this year and the fact that the majority of the guys are returning from last season, we’re in a good place to give ourselves a chance to compete again next year.
“The exciting thing for the coaching staff and I is that after a good season last year, there is still a lot of improving we can do, both for the boys individually but as a collective as well.
“We’re proud of what we achieved last season, particularly through the adversity we faced but we have to look forward now, and with this group, our only goal is to just get better and better every day.”
The Brumbies kick off their season in the opening week of Super Rugby AU with a match against the Western Force on February 20. The game marks the Force’s first home match played in Perth since March 2020.
2021 Brumbies squad:
Hookers
Folau Fainga’a
Lachlan Lonergan
Connal McInerney
Billy Pollard
Props
Allan Alaalatoa
Archer Holz
Harry Lloyd
Tom Ross
Scott Sio
James Slipper
Locks
Tom Hooper
Nick Frost
Caderyn Neville
Darcy Swain
James Tucker
Backrows
Jahrome Brown
Tom Cusack
Luke Reimer
Pete Samu
Rory Scott
Rob Valetini
Scrumhalf
Lachie Albert
Issak Fines
Ryan Lonergan
Nic White
Flyhalf
Bayley Kuenzle
Noah Lolesio
Reesjan Pasitoa
Midfield/Outside backs
Tom Banks
Mack Hansen
Len Ikitau
Solomone Kata
Andy Muirhead
Irae Simone
Reece Tapine
Tom Wright
Comments on RugbyPass
A poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
114 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
114 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to comments