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The winners and losers of Dave Rennie's 40-man Wallabies training squad
Wallabies boss Dave Rennie has given the first indication as to what his team will look like when England travel Down Under for a three-test tour of Australia in July.
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In an announcement on Sunday, Rennie revealed a 40-man training squad, made up of domestically-based players, that will come together on the Gold Coast next month in preparation of their mid-year fixtures.
The squad isn’t the final product as not all 40 players will feature against the English in three months’ time, nor does it feature any of Australia’s offshore-based stars such as Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete, among others.
However, it is indicative of who has, and hasn’t, impressed Rennie thus far in Super Rugby Pacific, with some player movement evident from last year’s season-ending tour of Japan and the United Kingdom.
With that in mind, here is a list of winners and losers following the announcement of Rennie’s enlarged preliminary training squad.
Winners:
Ben Donaldson
Arguably the biggest bolter of the new Wallabies squad, first-five Ben Donaldson is rewarded for an impressive start to Super Rugby Pacific, where he has been key in helping guide the Waratahs out of last year’s winless campaign and into a top four spot.
Jock Campbell
A regular for the Reds since his debut three years ago, Jock Campbell joins a healthy contingent of outside backs at the Wallabies. Preferred as a fullback by Rennie, the 26-year-old faces competition from Tom Banks, Jordan Petaia and Reece Hodge for the green-and-gold No 15 jersey.
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Jed Holloway
Returning to the Waratahs after a one-season spell at Toyota Verblitz, Jed Holloway has been named in his first Wallabies squad at the age of 29 due to his ability as a lock, a weak spot for Australia, as well as his experience, versatility and broad skillset.
Toni Pulu
Another veteran player included in his first Wallabies squad, Force wing Toni Pulu reunites with Rennie after having worked under him at the Chiefs. Qualified for Australia via his mother, the 32-year-old played sevens for Niue more than a decade ago and has impressed Rennie with his athleticism and skillset.
Nick Frost
Long-touted as a top prospect ever since he moved to New Zealand to join Canterbury and the Crusaders as a youth player, Nick Frost has been picked by Rennie, despite his decision to sign with the Wild Knights in Japan. Perhaps that’s indicative of how highly the uncapped Brumbies lock is regarded by the Wallabies.
David Porecki
According to Rennie, uncapped Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki would have already played test rugby for the Wallabies had he not been injured last year. That’s a big tick of approval for the 29-year-old ex-Saracens and London Irish rake, who stood out to Rennie through his scrummaging.
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Cadeyrn Neville
Having been included in numerous Wallabies training camps under various coaches dating as far back as 2012, Cadeyrn Neville is back again as he continues his search for a long-awaited test cap. As a second rower, this looms as a promising chance for the Brumbies lock to put his hand up for future selection in a position the Wallabies aren’t blessed with depth in.
Ryan Lonergan
The only uncapped player of the four halfbacks named in the squad, Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Longergan has forced his way back into the national set-up after being included for last year’s Rugby Championship, only to then miss the end-of-year tour.
Lachlan Lonergan
The younger Lonergan brother has also been named by Rennie after also missing selection for last year’s tour of Japan and the United Kingdom. The Brumbies hooker, who debuted for the Wallabies last year and played four tests, will compete with fellow rakes Folau Fainga’a, Feleti Kaitu’u and Porecki for the No 2 jersey.
Noah Lolesio
One of a handful of players initially left behind and told to improve their game during Australia’s end-of-year tour, Brumbies first-five Noah Lolesio has played his way back into the Wallabies after bearing the fruits of his off-season work in Super Rugby Pacific.
Harry Wilson
Another who was omitted from the Wallabies squad for the end-of-year tour, the form of Reds No 8 Harry Wilson has been recognised by selection in Rennie’s latest roster.
Fraser McReight
Reds flanker Fraser McReight joined Lolesio and Wilson in the scrapheap late last year as Rennie called on the youngster to “accelerate his game” to challenge Michael Hooper for the national No 7 jersey. It will still take a herculean effort to usurp the Wallabies skipper, but McReight has thrust himself back into the mix with some strong Super Rugby Pacific showings.
Harry Johnson-Holmes
It’s been some time since Harry Johnson-Holmes was last involved in the Wallabies, having not featured for the national side since his test debut against the Springboks in 2019. However, the Waratahs prop has clearly impressed Rennie to put himself back into contention.
Tom Banks
He was always going to be a selection certainty, but the inclusion of Brumbies fullback Tom Banks must be seen as a positive after he missed last year’s tour of Japan and the United Kingdom due to injury.
Reece Hodge
Possibly the most fortunate player to make the cut after enduring a horror start to Super Rugby Pacific, but the selection of Reece Hodge in spite of his lack of form indicates Rennie has faith in the experienced Rebels utility back.
Losers:
Matt To’omua
Could this be the end of Matt To’omua’s test career? The Rebels first-five, who has’t played for the Wallabies since their heavy Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks last August, is the biggest name missing from Rennie’s latest squad. Rennie wants To’omua to play at second-five, but the ongoing exclusion of the 32-year-old doesn’t bode well for his future.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Maybe Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s imminent departure to Northampton played a part in his omission from this squad, but that didn’t stop Rennie from picking the Japan-bound Frost. Perhaps injury influenced the Reds lock’s exclusion, but Tate McDermott, Jake Gordon, Lachlan Swinton and Rob Leota have still be selected. Either way, Salakaia-Loto’s future as a Wallaby looks uncertain.
Filipo Daugunu
Little has been made of Filipo Daugunu’s exclusion in the aftermath of this squad announcement, but he is available and still didn’t make the cut. That’s reflective of the wing’s continual omissions from the Reds in recent weeks, having not played since late last month.
Tom Robertson
A mainstay of the Wallabies squad throughout last year’s Rugby Championship and end-of-year tour, Force prop Tom Robertson misses out on this squad shortly after having injured his calf in the lead-up to his side’s win over the Fijian Drua on Saturday.
Scott Sio
Like To’omua, veteran Brumbies prop Scott Sio hasn’t played for the Wallabies since their back-to-back losses to the All Blacks at Eden Park last August. The 30-year-old was then excluded from last November’s touring squad, and he appears to have lost his place to the likes of Johnson-Holmes and Angus Bell in the national pecking order.
Pone Fa’amausili
Part of the Wallabies squad for the last two years, Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili hasn’t taken to the field in Super Rugby Pacific this season due to a calf injury, leading to his exclusion from Rennie’s latest team.
Jordan Uelese
Another whose last Wallabies appearance came in their losing efforts to the All Blacks last August, Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese has a long ahead of him if he wants to play test rugby again. Rennie currently prefers Fainga’a, Kaitu’u, Lonergan and Porecki ahead of Uelese, who also trails behind France-based duo Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Tolu Latu.
Connal McInerney
Similarly, Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney finds himself well down the national pecking order after having impressed enough to earn a test debut last year. The 27-year-old may need to find a new franchise if he is win a re-call given his Super Rugby Pacific teammates Fainga’a and Lonergan were both picked by Rennie.
Reesjan Pasitoa
Wallabies legend Tim Horan has been a vocal advocate for young Force playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa, but Rennie outlined that current first-fives Lolesio, Donaldson and James O’Connor are all ahead of the 20-year-old in the race for the No 10 jersey.
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Among the standout players from the Australian teams in the opening rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa can consider himself unfortunate to have missed out on selection to the older Lonergan brother.
Andy Muirhead
Included for the mid-year tests against France and the Rugby Championship, Brumbies wing Andy Muirhead missed out Australia’s end-of-year tour side and hasn’t regained his place after having seemingly fallen behind Pulu on Rennie’s list.
Suliasi Vunivalu
Another Wallabies squad and still no sight of cross-code star Suliasi Vunivalu, who hasn’t played for the Reds this year because of his pesky hamstring injury. Rennie is still keen on the off-contract ex-NRL flyer, though, confirming that Vunivalu will join the camp for one of their three training days.
Comments on RugbyPass
Coin flip between Ardie and Scott Barrett. Both have their pros and cons, and both would probably be decent. Ardie has way more passion on the field, but that hasn’t always translated into the best decisions. They will both turn 34 at the next World Cup, so both will most likely have their best days a few years behind them. It’s hard to imagine now, but looking at young players coming through Ardie will probably be under the most pressure to retain his place in the team. Beauden Barrett also an outside chance if Razor sees him as the first choice 10.
3 Go to commentsQuality stuff from Flats. Rugby can’t replace football nor should we want it to. I think the ‘product’ (awful term sorry) now is absolutely fantastic. Growing the game shouldn’t be at the expense of losing its brutal beauty.
1 Go to commentsI think they’ll choose Scott Barret as captain, Ardie 7, Hoskins 8, Finau at 6.
3 Go to commentsSo what were saying is if you make it through to the play offs in Europe you’re likely to suffer at the tail end of the prem. No extra cash for playing in Europe, more chance of injury, fatiguing the team…while others not through rest up. whats the point??
1 Go to commentsClaims that Finau is a risky proposition are hyperbole. His tackles have been mostly perfectly timed and executed except for the Lynach one and that was a split-second out, certainly not 2 seconds. Social media criticism shows opposition fans are nervous about Finau’s impact. I see Jacobson and Blackadder as no.7s, they don’t have the power, size or dynamism to be 6 or 8 at Test level. Akira has shown he lacks the intuition and technique to play Tests. If he learnt to bend his back more and hit breakdowns and tackles low and hard, it would do wonders for his game. Finau is the standout option for 6 with Grace or Shields as his backup. I’d like to see Finau, Sotutu and Jacobson as an experimental back-row combo; lineout nous, dynamic ball carrying, hard defence, etc.
41 Go to commentsI find these articles so very interesting, giving a much more in depth series of insights than one can ever gain from “desktop” research. It is very significant that it is this English man that Joe Schmidt has turned to build the basement stability and reliability from the WB forwards that was so shredded during the Jones debacle. With his long period in Ireland, with both Leinster and Ireland, Schmidt will know Geoff Parling’s qualities as a player well, and he will have gone over, with a fine tooth comb, the mans time in Australia. This, one feels, will prove to be a shrewd decision. I’m particularly interested in Parling’s comments about the lineout, especially the differences in approach between the hemispheres. He talks about the impact of weather conditions on the type of lineout tactics employed. He is the right man to have preparing for a wet and windy game at Eden Park, the “Cake Tin”, or in Christchuch, or for that matter in Capetown. I must confess to being surprised by this comment though re Will Skelton: “ Is he a lineout jumper? No. But the lineout starts on the ground – contact work, lifting, utilising that massive body at the maul.” Geoff is spot on about the work Will does on the ground. But I would contest the view that he is not a lineout jumper. I think I have commented before on this one, so won’t go further than referring to the end of the last Cup Final in Dublin, LAR using Will on maybe 3 occasions at No 2 in the lineout. And I have seen him used by LAR in Top 14, and never seen him beaten to the catch…but in reality that would only be a total of 10 times max.
72 Go to commentsDaltons a great guy and can lead at any level with that humility
3 Go to commentsWell if Parling is an Australian citizen then I suppose that’s OK. It’s more than can be said for The Hobbit in Absentia. I’m guessing Jordan Useless won’t be getting a call up to the Wallabies then because the Melbourne Rebels lineout coached by Parling has been a complete disaster. Parling had better prove himself or it’s out. He’ll be flattered by having one of the best lineout operators in world rugby in Rodda hopefully. If Parling can teach the Wallabies one thing it would be to also teach Australian players to make a serious effort on charge downs. Only Frost and Rodda make an effort. The rest are half hearted and lazy, bar Harry Wilson’s effort last week. There are lots of big missed opportunities.
72 Go to commentsGreat read thanks and glad he’s committed to Aus rugby! The comment from the no 8 saying he’s never done lineouts before doesn’t surprise me. There often isn’t the same upbringing with rugby here as there is in nz and parts of Europe. Seems like he’s doing a great job at the Rebels
72 Go to commentsScott Barrett. End of story.
2 Go to commentsDu Plessis Kirifi will not be selected by the All Blacks. He is nowhere near 6’0” tall. He looks good in Super Rugby in wide open , fast pace rugby. That is not Test rugby. He would be rag dolled by South Africa, Ireland, France, and England.
7 Go to commentsIt’s Razor so Blackadder and Grace for starters. Although on second thoughts K Read looked in great shape on TV the other day.
41 Go to commentsGreat piece Nick, plenty to chew on. Loved this ‘biases’ line from Geoff, shows he is a thinker - “If you asked me for a shortlist of coaches who appealed to my biases, he would be on it.” I think Schmidt is towing a similar line to Rennie in regards to OS players, he is publicly saying he prefers local talent, but almost certainly will be fighting to have the likes of skelton in the team. Interesting to hear the backroom on the rebels and what a cockup that is, just when you think RA admin has hit rock bottom it digs deeper. Other bit that caught my eye was his skills focus on things like passing from 7s at the base of the lineout, great little details. but also scary that a SR level 8 didn’t know how to operate within a lineout - telling!
72 Go to commentsThoroughly enjoyed this thanks Nick. ‘The lineout starts on the ground…’ wish I’d thought of that line when discussing Will’s place in the Wallabies.
72 Go to commentsShannon Frizell’s second year is optional is how I heard it. Given nothing has been confirmed yet it gets more and more likely he signs to return next year. Cant wait to see Finau doing more work on Internal players.
41 Go to commentsBlindside flankers should be hard hitting defenders, good lineout jumper with height, and a hard worker who hits and cleans rucks. If he can be a destructive ball carrier it’s a bonus but not a necessity. Samipeni Fineau and Cullen Grace are excellent at those core skills and my choice at blindside. Brad Shields is dismissed because he is 33 but not sure why that should be a consideration for this season. Shields too does these core roles well. Just don’t pick an 8 and shift him to 6 like the wingers on The Breakdown suggest, as if 6 and 8 are interchangeable. They are not. An 8 is first and foremost a dynamic ball carrier, not necessarily a destructive defender as a 6 should be. Devon Flanders and Akira Ioane are #8 s forced to play blindside because their teams have better options at 8 than them. Do not pick them at blindside
41 Go to commentsSaints obviously didn’t get the memo, or needed an ego boost?
1 Go to commentsReturning to the Chiefs would be another good change that could only put him into a better position to succeed in black
7 Go to commentsSimply outrageous and demonstrably false to say Finau’s tackle on Lynagh was “2 seconds late” In reality it was probably 0.5 seconds after he passed the ball. If you carry the ball at speed to within 5m of the defensive line you can expect to get tackled. Finau could have pulled out of it and not absolutely flattened him for sure, but there was going to be contact either way. He seems like a high risk selection at the moment, but there is no one else like him in NZ at the moment. His big tackles make the highlight reels but he is also a great athlete, very fast for such a big man, spent most of his days at lock so also very strong in the line out.
41 Go to commentsYes, Finau looks like the best option. Blackadder is not big enough for an international 6 - he should join the queue at 7. Frizzell had the power and heft and line-out height to play lock, so maybe that is where the ABs should be looking, not at a 7 who’s not big enough for 6, but at a lock who might have the agility to play 6, like Scott Barrett, or… Natai Ah Kuoi, who absolutely fits that bill, but seldom gets to play 6 because the Chiefs have so many loosies.
41 Go to comments