Son of famous Wallaby ready for Japan debut against the British & Irish Lions after 'natural progression'
Jack Cornelsen is heir to a major piece of Australian rugby history. He bears a famous name that for Wallaby fans evokes pride and warm reminiscence.
On September 9, 1978 Greg Cornelsen, Jack’s father, scored four tries in Australia’s 30-16 win over the All Blacks at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Jack was on the stage in 2017 when his father was inducted into Australian rugby’s Hall of Fame.
But when Jack Cornelsen likely makes his Test debut on Saturday, it will be far away from Australia – in Edinburgh, Scotland – and in the red and white jersey of Japan, not Wallaby gold.
He’s in the Japan squad preparing to take on the British and Irish Lions at Murrayfield.
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph is yet to announce the match day squad, although Cornelsen is widely expected to be among the backrow replacements.
Greg Cornelsen will be cheering him on from a distance enforced by COVID-19 border restrictions and with the pride of any parent whose child excels in their chosen sport.
Jack Cornelsen has followed in the footsteps of his father into rugby and into his preferred position at the back of the scrum.
He won’t now take that final step into the Australian team and Greg Cornelsen fully supports Jack’s decision to pledge his future to Japan.
Jack Cornelsen has spent the past three years in Japan, playing for the Panasonic club in Japan’s Top League.
He completed his residential qualification this year and was immediately included by Joseph in his Japan squad for the tour which includes the historic match against the Lions and a Test against Ireland in Dublin the following weekend.
Cornelsen first travelled to Japan at the invitation of Panasonic’s former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for a brief trial.
But even when he returned on a one-year contract, he had no thoughts of eventually playing for Japan.
But as he became immersed in Japanese culture and the environment of the Panasonic Wild Knights, he saw a future he hadn’t previously imagined.
“I think by the time I’d spent a year or two and had made it known I was trying to become eligible for Japan, that was just the natural progression,” Cornelsen said.
“There were definitely no regrets on the decision I had made to pursue this path.
“And even Dad, he’s so supportive. I think he loves the path I’ve taken. I haven’t been back home in a couple of years now because of COVID but we’re always on the phone talking, just getting his thoughts on things.”
Despite his famous name, his size and athleticism, Cornelsen didn’t seem to be able to attract the eye of Australian selectors, even at Super Rugby level.
That eventually led to his decision to follow a new course in Japan.
“I was playing some NRC with Queensland Country and just club rugby in Brisbane while I was finishing my university degree,” he said.
“Then, at the end of 2017, I got an opportunity to come over and do a two-week trial through Robbie Deans.”
He has become a key member of the Panasonic team and led the Wild Knights twice this season when Japan Test hooker Atsuhi Sakate was injured.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments