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String of Brumbies players banging on Eddie Jones' World Cup door

By AAP
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Dominant Super Rugby Pacific form is putting a string of Brumbies players into the Wallabies pipeline, with a number of lesser-known talents looking to feature at this year’s World Cup.

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Eleven Brumbies featured in Eddie Jones’ first 33-player Wallabies training squad earlier this year, with another four ruled out with injuries.

Among them were unheralded 23-year-old prop Rhys Van Nek, who’d only made 17 Super Rugby Pacific appearances before his call-up, replacing fellow Brumby Blake Schoupp, who’d earned his selection after just five games.

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There’s sure to be a strong Brumbies theme through Jones’ World Cup squad later this year, with young talents like five-eighth Noah Lolesio and winger Corey Toole both banging the door down for their own spots.

Van Nek said Brumbies culture meant teammates demand more from each other, driving form improvements that would help the side as well as catch the eye of national selectors.

“All those accolades, all those things don’t really matter, that’s gonna take care of itself,” he said.

“That’s where I want to be, and that stems from pushing myself and pushing my teammates to get into there and they’re doing the same to me.

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“Something I’ve found this year a lot is everyone’s pushing each other to be better, building consistent games off that and consistently training at a high level.”

Van Nek said his relationship with Jones was in its infancy, but he was another strong rugby mind to lean on as he develops.

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“He’s just gotten to know me and I’ve gotten to know him a bit, just the basics – ‘where you from? I like your game’,” he said.

“And then discussions of where we can grow my game. It’s been really good.

“At the start of the year I wasn’t thinking I’d get to here … I’m taking everything on, listening to everybody, just being a sponge.

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“I’ve got so many older guys here I can learn off, and the coaches are world-class as well … (I’m) just soaking up all that information.”

Another potential bolter – utility forward Tom Hooper – was also on Jones’ radar, although major shoulder and foot injuries have severely hurt his chances of a World Cup spot.

Just 22-years-old, Hooper has plenty of time for national team honours and says he’s simply focused on regaining fitness and form.

“I ran into Eddie Jones earlier in the year and I was scooting around (on a mobility scooter) … he obviously wasn’t picking me for anything and he didn’t even know my name,” he said.

“He said he was impressed with last year and it’s going show a lot of character depending on how I come back.

“I’m definitely not putting my name in any squads … realistically my goal this year is just to play … really, really well for the Brumbies.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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