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'Shocked' Kiwi on verge of making Wallabies switch after All Black dream
Former Crusaders academy product and current Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble is on the verge of completing an eligibility switch to represent Australia after a call-up to the Wallabies training camp on the Gold Coast.
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The 26-year-old flanker had a breakout Super Rugby Pacific campaign last season which caught the eye of Dave Rennie and his Wallabies coaching staff and the Canterbury-raised forward is eligible to debut in April this year.
His journey to become a potential Wallabies debutant in 2023 has ‘shocked’ him after receiving a phone call from the Wallabies head coach to join the squad for a World Cup training camp.
“I come from a rugby-mad Canterbury, Crusaders, All Black supporting family,” Gamble told 1News Sport.
“The dream for me, like any Kiwi kid, was to wear ABs colours.”
“I was out in the city with my missus and had a missed call from [Wallabies head coach] Dave [Rennie].
“Not gonna lie – I was freaking out.”
A student of St Bede’s in Christchurch, Gamble was on the New Zealand rugby pathway through the Crusaders academy before making a move to Australia five years ago, a bold switch which he since has reflected on.
“Looking back, I could’ve been more mature, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t reflect on that but at the end of the day,” he said.
“That can’t be changed, and I’ve always wanted to reach the highest level possible and I am proud to be doing that with the Wallabies – one of the best teams in the world.”
He debuted for the Waratahs in 2021 after being picked up from local club rugby with Petersham and has been a key player in the club’s rebuild under head coach Darren Coleman.
The Tahs announced their arrival as a Super Rugby contender once again with a gritty upset win over the Crusaders last season at Leichhardt Oval.
After his breakout second season, the flanker revealed he contacted Rennie to see where he stood with the national side.
“I had a phone call with Dave at the end of last year, I just wanted some clarity if they [Rugby Australia] were even interested,” said Gamble.
Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan is the only other two uncapped players in the extended squad, while Gamble will have to battle off with a loose forward contingent that includes Michael Hooper, Pete Samu, Langi Gleeson, Ned Hanigan, Rob Leota, Rob Valetini, Jed Holloway, and reds pair Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.
Comments on RugbyPass
Hats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to commentsNice piece Nick. I haven’t seen much of the brumbies this year so will keep my powder dry on charlie, but clearly has the speed and footwork to be damaging in space. Similar to Samu, I’d worry about the size of our pack if the likes of Mcreight and Cale were in the b/row together. Maybe Cale could play a similar finisher role like Samu did for Rennie’s wallabies. Has Cale leapfrogged wilson in your eyes? He obviously has the lineout, but harry probably better (although not great) in the physical stuff and also has great hands in the loose. You’d have to say mcreight and valetini are shoe-ins at 7/8, so the question becomes who matches best with them at 6 and on the bench. I don’t know if he has a high enough ceiling, but id love to see wright given a shot based on how much bad luck he has had with injuries. He may also fit that no-nonsense graft/work rate irish approach…? If schmidt wants size and a 4/6 tweener then I’d probably pick Uru. On the bench I’d have no idea, Wilson if you want to give valetini a rest, and maybe hanigan/wright/uru as 6 replacements.
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