1
'He's been excellent' - Rennie name checks potential Wallaby bolters
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie says spots for next month’s France series remain up for grabs with one round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman remaining.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rennie will name his players next Sunday for the series, which opens in Sydney on July 7, with three Tests played in 11 days, and says there will be some changes to the 40-man training squad he named in March.
“We’ve got the spine of a team … there’s certainly positions that we’re unsure of and the next couple of weeks are going to be important for those individuals,” Rennie told Stan Sport.
After leaving out all three of the hookers he used in 2020, Rennie said the No.2 jersey still remained wide open, as did spots in the second row.
World Cup hookers Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies), Jordan Uelese (Rebels) and Brandon Paenga-Amosa missed the March cut but Rennie made mention of the departing Red.
He was hopeful Waratahs rake David Porecki and Queenslander Alex Mafi would overcome injury to be available for selection.
“We’re going to pick three hookers but it’s wide open,” Rennie said. “Brandon Paenga-Amosa is heading overseas but he’s been really strong over last four to five weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Long-term Lachlan Lonergan’s a really good athlete, similar to the Kiwis, where he’s got a real presence over the ball and he’s good in wide channels and aggressive; a good thrower, but from a scrummaging point of view he’s got a bit of work to do.
“(Feleti) Kaitu’u has had an excellent season.”
Rennie said that Brumbies lock Cadeyrn Neville was set for his Test debut until a shoulder injury stalled his season but he hoped to call on the veteran later in the year.
Melbourne second-rower Trevor Hosea is in the mix for a maiden Test cap and performed strongly against the Chiefs on Sunday, with Rennie in the stands, as did No.8 Isi Naisarani.
In the backs, he saw Rebel Matt Toomua as a No.12 rather than five-eighth, preferring James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio.
ADVERTISEMENT
He’d said been impressed with Waratahs centre Izaia Perese, who has been a shining light in a season of gloom.
“He’s been excellent,” Rennie said. “Prior to that March camp, he’d had a 20 minute cameo and was red-carded and then one game so we were never going to bring him in.
“We wanted him to earn the right and play well and he’s done that.
“We’re excited by that and whether he’s a 12 or 13 depends on how we use Toomua or Hunter Paisami.”
Rennie was pleased with the growth of the Australian teams through the series, despite only banking two wins from four rounds.
“I think it’s been awesome for us. It’s certainly given our guys an indication of the intensity of the Kiwi teams play (with) and I think we’ve gotten better and better,” he said.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments