The winners and losers from the first Wallabies squad of 2021
Dave Rennie has named his first Wallabies squad of 2021, which includes 14-uncapped players from the group of 40.
This follows Rennie having named 16 uncapped players in his first Wallabies squad of last year, with 10 having gone on to make their test debuts.
This squad will assemble for a three-day camp on the Gold Coast in April. Here are the 14 winners (all the uncapped players) and a few of the players who were unlucky not to make the squad.
Winners
Alex Mafi (Queensland Reds)
Mafi has been one of the best performing players in Super Rugby AU this season, and his selection should really excite fans. Earlier this month, I mentioned my surprise that he hadn’t played test rugby before – he’s just been that good for the Reds
All you have to do is look at his most recent match too, where he scored a hat-trick against the Waratahs.
While it’s only an initial squad for a three-day camp, I’d be surprised not to see him go on to make his Wallabies debut later this year.
Andy Muirhead (ACT Brumbies)
The winger has been a reliable option for the Brumbies for years now, but he’s finally earned a call-up into the national squad for this camp.
Winger Andy Muirhead has continued to impress for the Brumbies at Super Rugby level, crossing for a double against the Western Force on Friday.#SuperRugbyAUhttps://t.co/8QzqIiYXOB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 27, 2021
In the Brumbies most recent match against the Force, Muirhead crossed for a double. But throughout this season, he’s really impressed me for what he’s done even when he hasn’t scored tries.
Dave Rennie certainly has plenty of depth to fill up the back three now, but Muirhead would be a great option moving forward.
Cadeyrn Neville (ACT Brumbies)
The second of five uncapped Brumbies on this list, Cadeyrn Neville can bring some useful depth to the Wallabies in the second row.
The 32-year-old has been a quality performer for the Brumbies, and it’ll be interesting to see where his career goes as a result of this callup.
Darcy Swain (ACT Brumbies)
Another uncapped lock from the Brumbies who has the potential to star for the Wallabies going forward.
His work rate is great, but his prowess at the set-piece is also worth noting. Swain never looks out of place when he plays Super Rugby, so in my opinion, it’s a great time for him to get a taste of the next step up.
David Porecki (NSW Waratahs)
Porecki has started the last three Super Rugby AU matches for the Waratahs, ahead of Tom Horton who was involved in the Wallabies last year (but didn’t make his debut).
CONFIRMED: Tahs swing the axe in Sydney. https://t.co/2X2BhMvuMY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 28, 2021
The 28-year-old is the only uncapped Waratah to be included in the first squad of 2021, and one of just four in the squad altogether. It’ll be interesting to see how much he can develop on the back of this experience in the Wallabies camp.
Feleti Kaitu’u (Western Force)
The Western Force didn’t have any players involved in the Wallabies last year, but now with the first squad of 2021, they have two uncapped players involved with hooker Feleti Kaitu’u being one of them.
As one of four uncapped hookers named in the squad, he’ll face plenty of competition as he looks to push on for a test debut later this year.
Josh Kemeny (Melbourne Rebels)
As one of the standouts for the Melbourne Rebels, Kemeny has definitely earned his selection in this Wallabies squad.
Through his first four matches played in Super Rugby AU this year, the flanker has missed just one tackle from 34 attempts according to our stats at RugbyPass. As well as his defensive efforts, I’ve also been quite impressed with his work around the breakdown – where he’s won four turnovers.
Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Lonergan first caught my eye as a player for the future when he was playing for the Junior Wallabies a few years ago. He’s another player to have graduated from the under-20s level and into the national setup which is exciting in itself.
The hooker started against France in the 2019 World Championship Final, where they lost by an agonising one-point. More recently though, Lonergan really impressed alongside his brother Ryan in the win over the Rebels in round three.
Lachlan Lonergan is definitely one for the future.
Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies)
Ikitau has taken his opportunity at the Brumbies this year with both hands, with some impressive performances this year already.
The centre was regarded as arguably the biggest bolter heading into Dave Rennie’s first Wallabies squad last year, considering he only played five Super Rugby matches, all off the bench.
But since he’s replaced the long-term holder of the Brumbies 13 jersey in Tevita Kuridrani, who is now with the Force, he’s well and truly proven himself as one of the premier centres in the country in my opinion.
Pone Fa’amausili (Melbourne Rebels)
It almost goes without saying that Pone Fa’amausili is an uncapped player to watch.
He’s been simply a standout for the Rebels in both last year and this year’s Super Rugby AU seasons, but we’re still yet to see him don Wallaby gold.
But that could all change soon.
With a solid three days in camp, and a strong finish to the Super Rugby AU season, there’s no reason why he can’t be a test debutant in 2021, in my opinion.
Seru Uru (Queensland Reds)
Uru has been sensational for the Reds this season, and has made an already strong forward pack even better with his performances.
Last Saturday against the Waratahs, the 24-year-old even started ahead of Wallaby Harry Wilson at Number Eight.
Rennie has named the squad ahead of a three-day camp on the Gold Coast next month.https://t.co/UliPgi6LsV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 28, 2021
Of all the players on this list, he’d be one of the players I’m most excited see develop on the back of his exposure to a test rugby environment next month.
Suliasi Vunivalu (Queensland Reds)
When it was announced that the NRL star would be switching codes, he was rightly considered a marquee signing for not just the Reds but also the future of Wallabies rugby.
As a prolific try-scorer in Rugby League, there was plenty expected of him, and that was pretty clear from when he was called into the Wallabies squad during last year’s Tri Nations.
The winger so nearly had an immediate impact on the sport on his debut for the Reds, chasing down a James O’Connor kick-off and coming within inches of dotting the ball down within the in-goal. He has scored one try for the Reds though, in his first start in the win over the Brumbies in Canberra. But arguably his standout play was his massive fend on Force back Jack McGregor.
Tim Anstee (Western Force)
The former Australian Sevens representative has been called into the Wallabies squad for the first time after impressing with the Western Force in Super Rugby AU so far this year.
Anstee was arguably the best performer in round three of the competition, where he had one try assist, as well as crossing for one of his own. According to our stats at RugbyPass, he’d also made 95% of his tackles heading into the most recent round of the competition, having missed just one from 20 attempts.
Trevor Hosea (Melbourne Rebels)
He’s the future of the Wallabies second-row in my opinion. It’s as simple as that.
Hosea is someone who has impressed pretty well every time he’s taken the field with the Melbourne Rebels, since making his debut in Super Rugby AU last year.
At just 21-years-old, he already seems like a leader at the lineout for the Rebels, and he also knows how to make his mark around the field.
On the back of his experience in the Wallabies last year, after this camp, I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t go on to make his test debut soon.
Losers
Fergus Lee-Warner (Western Force)
Considering his form this season, I’m personally a bit surprised that Lee-Warner isn’t involved in this three-day camp.
He’s been quite impressive for the Force so far this year, notably, one of the standouts in round three alongside Tim Anstee. Just like Anstee, he had a try and a try assist – actually setting up Anstee’s try, just as he set up Lee-Warner’s.
Will Harrison (NSW Waratahs)
As a player who has been touted as one of the future prospects of Australian rugby at the fly-half position, his non-selection in this camp surprised me.
With Jack Maddocks also not being selected, it seems like a result of the Waratahs winless run so far in Super Rugby AU.
Folau Fainga’a (ACT Brumbies)
Fainga’a has played two matches with the Brumbies, both since returning from injury. But for this camp, he was overlooked, with Dave Rennie instead naming four uncapped hookers in the squad.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments