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Wallabies' Alaalatoa shares toll of tour as he looks to win back starting role
Having kissed goodbye his own newborn baby daughter to go on the Wallabies tour, prop Allan Alaalatoa can empathise with star winger Marika Koroibete’s shock decision to stay home.
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In a blow to Australia’s hopes as they take on Japan, Scotland, England and Wales over the next five weeks, workhorse Koroibete opted to remain with his Melbourne-based family, who welcomed a third son in July.
The Wallabies open their tour against the Brave Blossoms at Oita’s indoor stadium on Saturday.
Koroibete missed his son’s birth while playing for Australia against France in July and with the blessing of the Wallabies this time chose to put family first.
Linking with Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights next season on a lucrative multi-year contract, it’s uncertain when – or if – the 2019 John Eales Medallist will play for the Wallabies again.
Jordan Petaia, who replaced Koroibete in the last Rugby Championship win over Argentina, or Tom Wright, are set to start against Japan.
Alaalatoa shared Koroibete’s pain and said it was heart-breaking to leave his daughter, Niah, who was born late last month.
“Jumping on a plane on Wednesday was probably one of the hardest (things),” the Brumbies captain said.
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“Being with our newborn daughter for two weeks was definitely really special and it was sad to know that you will probably be away for five to six weeks.
“But that flicks into a sense of motivation and making sure that I make the most of this opportunity while I’m away from my family.”
Alaalatoa left the Wallabies camp after their first Rugby Championship win over South Africa and now must work to reclaim his starting tighthead jersey from tackle-busting Taniela Tupou.
“I was sitting back at home and watching Nela (Tupou) probably play some of his best footy and guys like Tom Robinson coming off the bench and performing as well,” he said.
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“It’s great for the Wallabies to have that competition and for me coming back into the squad, I’ve got to make sure that I earn the right to play and to wear the jersey again.”
Alaalatoa said he saw plenty of growth in the pack in his absence as they adjust to demands of Wallabies forwards coach and Brumbies boss Dan McKellar.
“Our set piece has definitely grown … I think Dan’s involvement has really helped,” the 28-year-old said.
“I know that a lot of the boys in the squad respect him and what he has to say so I think definitely there’s been a huge improvement around our set piece.”
The last time the Wallabies were in Japan they made a disappointing quarter-final exit from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
With a new coach in Dave Rennie and a large change in personnel, Alaalatoa said they were only focused “on the now”.
“Our focus is on us getting better and how we can improve from our last game,” he said.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments