'All on a level playing field': Tahs enforcer eager to impress Eddie Jones
Waratahs enforcer Lachlan Swinton has a point to prove to himself and Wallabies selectors in Super Rugby Pacific ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
Touted as a superstar of tomorrow, Swinton entered the fray of international rugby against the All Blacks in Brisbane just over two years ago.
While the flankers debut was marred by unwanted history – as he came the first Wallaby to be red carded on debut – Swinton was set for a long Test career in gold.
But the rising star sustained a cruel injury blow in the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific last year, which has seemingly seen him fall down the pecking order at Blindside Flanker.
After almost a year on the sidelines, Swinton continued to battle through a gruelling pre-season with the Tahs as he eyed a return to competitive rugby.
Meanwhile, former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie named a 44-player squad for a camp on the Gold Coast in January – include 10 loose forwards.
Swinton wasn’t one of them.
But Rugby Australia’s stunning decision to replace Rennie with legendary coach Eddie Jones ahead of the World Cup may work in Swinton’s favour.
The hard-hitting No. 6 believes everyone is “on a level playing field” now that Jones is at the helm.
“Everyone’s on a level playing field now,” Swinton told RugbyPass. “You’ve got lads who were playing and getting connections together within the team and building rapport within the squad.
“The fact I haven’t played with the Wallabies for a year or so now, so I guess we’re all on a level playing field in a sense.
“Obviously a bit of everything got turned on its head at the top end there, so it’ll be interesting to see.
“It’s also exciting in way, he does bring excitement Eddie.
“I’ve heard about some yarns and that about him before and he seems like an intense dude in the best possible way when it comes to training and games.
“Very, very keen to push my bill forward and I know I’ve got to put good performances together and show him what I’m made of because I haven’t played for a while so I’m keen do that.
“If he wants me, I’m keen to lace up and put that Wallabies jersey on.”
The Wallaby was sidelined after a devastating injury against the Fijian Drua last year. Five months later, Swinton decided to undergo surgery for nerve damage in his right shoulder.
Swinton had been off his feet for two months at one stage, having never experienced “a big injury” like this before.
Before the injury, Swinton was playing with the mindset that he’d do “whatever I can to make it on that plane” to France for the World Cup.
But his focus quickly began to shift towards the longevity of his career.
With the World Cup now just around the corner, the NSW Waratahs star made his successful return to rugby in last weekend’s pre-season clash with the Brumbies.
While there’s still plenty of rugby to be played and work to be done, Swinton reaffirmed his desire to represent his country on the sport’s biggest stage.
“It’d be massive. A World Cup comes around once every four years. Especially based off the year I had last year, you never know what can happen,” he added.
“It’d be massive for me to go over to France and play in an atmosphere where they really do love rugby and it’s thriving over there.
“To play in a World Cup, in such an atmosphere, and then also on the other end of things just be able to pull my countries jersey on again which I don’t take lightly and I really do love doing.
“To be able to do that again really drives me and is something really special to be able to do that. Just thinking about it now, it’s something I really want to do.
“Fair few hurdles to get over before then but my main priority here is to play with the boys (at the Waratahs) again and push to win that Super title.”
The opening round of the new Super Rugby Pacific campaign is just a matter of weeks away, with the Waratahs set to host the Brumbies in week one.
The Australian heavyweights will look to deliver the knockout blow at Allianz Stadium on February 24.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments