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The 'triple threat' that could see Hunter Paisami create one of the great Wallabies midfield pairings with Jordan Petaia

By AAP
Hunter Paisami (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Wallabies have high hopes for youngster Hunter Paisami emerging as a “triple threat” as he develops his test game.

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Wallabies attack coach Scott Wisemantel is excited by what Paisami can offer, saying there’s a lot more to the 22-year-old’s game than bash and barge.

Wisemantel says he’s not surprised by Paisami’s impact in the No. 12 jersey despite only making his Super Rugby debut this year with Queensland.

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While his hard-hitting defence is obvious, Wisemantel believes there’s a lot more to Paisami’s game.

“Certain players get pigeon-holed at certain times in their lives,” Wisemantel said.

“Hunter is aggressive and we know he can hit in defence and we know that he can run hard so people see that and then he gets pigeon-holed as a hard-running hitter.

“He’s actually got a lot of subtlety to his game – he can kick off both feet and has got a nice passing game, good tempo – so really we want to evolve him into a triple threat where he can run, pass, kick.

“That’s where we see Hunter’s future.”

Paisami’s partnership with another star talent, 20-year-old Jordan Petaia, is continuing to blossom and while they are no Tim Horan-Jason Little combination just yet, could become another great Reds centre pairing.

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“They are a combo but Matt (Toomua) will come back and let’s hope that next year with Super Rugby we find a couple of other shining lights,” Wisemantel added.

“It’s about competition … and we will pick whoever is in form, but they’re going really well as a centre pairing at the moment.”

Despite missing the past three games through injury James O’Connor is continuing to train with the team in Sydney, giving hope that he may return for the final match of the Tri Nations match against Argentina on December 5 at Bankwest Stadium.

With the three teams locked on six points and Australia last on points differential, the Wallabies will be hoping that there’s no blowout in Saturday’s clash between New Zealand and the Pumas in Newcastle.

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Reece Hodge has worn the No.10 jersey in the past two tests and despite his lack of previous game time there has been one of the Wallabies best performers as they’ve notched a win and a draw.

Despite Australia’s lack of depth Wisemantel said the Wallabies wouldn’t mandate that Melbourne coach Dave Wessels play Hodge at five-eighth.

“Dave and I will have a chat but at the end of the day that’s their decision,” he said.

“That’s his program and as the Wallabies staff, our job when Super Rugby is on is to support the Super Rugby franchises.

“We are a resource for them; we’re not going to be telling them that they must play Reece Hodge at 10.”

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Trevor 2 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 6 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.

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