Mitchell leaves Lote in clubland wilderness
By David Beniuk, 24 Jun 2009
- Tagged:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, dean mumm, Drew Mitchell, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lachie Turner, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Super Rugby, wallabies, Wallabies coach
Winger Drew Mitchell has lived Lote Tuqiri’s dream – and extended the NSW No.11′s time in the wilderness – by fighting his way back into the Wallabies’ Test side from a stint in club rugby.
Mitchell has been named to replace Peter Hynes in Saturday’s Test against France, while Tuqiri’s time out of international rugby will now extend to a fourth straight game.
Mitchell played against Tuqiri in Sydney club rugby last Saturday and outshone the 67-Test veteran in Randwick’s 36-15 win over West Harbour, enough to earn a recall with Hynes to be rested after having his ear stitched during Australia’s win over Italy.
Tuqiri’s participation in the Tri-Nations series beginning next month must now be in serious doubt with a new Australian squad for that tournament to be named next week.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had a simple message for Tuqiri and fellow ex-NRL star Timana Tahu, who is the only other fit player in the current squad yet to play an international this winter.
“Keep going, just like any player whether you’re selected or not selected, keep going,” Deans said.
“The other guys are playing well.
“We’ve talked about some of the things we’re working on, seeking to improve, and they’re already good enough to be part of the squad, it’s just a matter of keep working at those things so that when the opportunity comes they thrive and do well.”
Mitchell, who with Lachie Turner and Hynes has been preferred to Tuqiri in 2009, said the shadow of the Waratahs No.11 was still playing on his mind.
“Yeah, definitely, he’s an imposing figure and he’s at training and he’s working hard every session,” Mitchell said.
“Although Lote hasn’t had his opportunity at Test level so far this year, you wouldn’t pick it by the way he’s training.
“Certainly his attitude’s up and he’s training very well and at the same time he’s also assisting us and testing us as well which is great.
“I played against Lote on the weekend and he’s getting involved and he played really well.”
Deans has reverted to his A-team for the clash with France, who are at close to full strength and have pushed the All Blacks all the way for a win and a narrow loss in two Tests in New Zealand.
Among nine changes to last weekend’s experimental line-up, Adam Ashley-Cooper has been named at fullback with teenage star James O’Connor dropping to the bench, while Dean Mumm will be the blindside flanker and Ryan Cross has won a spot in the 22.
Tuqiri may have been overlooked again, but 77-Test veteran openside flanker Phil Waugh backs up for his second Test of the winter, on the bench with another openside flanker in David Pocock.
“(Ashley-Cooper’s) playing really well, he’s accustomed to this level and clearly the French will be another notch up,” Deans said of his fullback selection.
“James (O’Connor) has made a great start … he’s played really well on both occasions.
“Sure he had a little aberration at the start of his game in terms of he coughed the ball up which was most unlike him, (but) he went on, he didn’t dwell on that, he pushed on and played really well and made a significant contribution to our game.”
O’Connor will now be expected to cover fullback and inside centre from the bench.
© AAP 2012WALLABIES:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor.
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June 24th 2009 @ 1:55am
Broken Knees said | June 24th 2009 @ 1:55am | Report comment
Simple reason for Lote staying out of the selections is his lack of try scoring ability, lack of pace, and lack of positioning. The others are just better and have been for a long time.
What he should be doing is watching were these current wingers position themselves to be in try scoring positions and sprinting back to support the fullback to give him more options than just kicking the ball back to the opposition or into touch. You cann’t have a running game if the players are not in position to receive the ball.
Lote seams to have lost his timing this year and maybe a few games at club level will help him gain his skills.
June 24th 2009 @ 9:36am
Even looser said | June 24th 2009 @ 9:36am | Report comment
I was hoping that the sting of a return to club footy & possibly playing at a lower level would give LT a chance to rejig his game and shine through. Sadly this doesn’t appear to be happening.
He knows that Robbie wants him to stop playing the role of the rover, looking for work (not his fault it was what he was asked to do at the Tahs) BUT………if he doesn’t get the ball?
Oh look I’m unable to fathom what’s up. He’s a big boy & will need to demonstrate to RD that he has what it takes. Robbie can’t be seen to reward failure.
Hats off to him though for his attitude at Wallaby training. I’m sure that would have been noted.
Come on Lote….speed, speed, speed. Safe hands, hands, hands. Run straight & hard…….well we all know the rest.
June 24th 2009 @ 9:40am
chris, syd Aust said | June 24th 2009 @ 9:40am | Report comment
lote was on fire at the start of last year tri nations – i think he plays better in wallabies than in nsw. no one can argue with drew mitchell or turner’s form though. if he gets his chance hopefully he will use it!
June 24th 2009 @ 11:00am
Dexter William said | June 24th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
I hope Deans has told LT to stop that “jig” that he does when he receieves the ball.
If he does not “jig” and run straight and fast, he would be a much better winger.
Hope he comes back as an improved player.
June 24th 2009 @ 11:08am
Justin said | June 24th 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
DW – I think you are right re the jig. On numerous occasions when other wingers would have spotted the hole they were going to run at Lote either hasnt seen it or changes his mind and out comes the jig. His movement isnt fluent and leads him to have to jig and cut back in through traffic.
June 24th 2009 @ 11:08am
Even looser said | June 24th 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
So are there a few of us then that are thinking Lote can and will return?
If so how can RD justify picking him based on performance? Has he done enough at club level? Will Robbie have viewed the S14 and wondered ‘what if Lote was playing for the Brumbies or Force’?
Perhaps he will just go with his gut and give him a crack on the big stage?
I’m at a loss.
June 24th 2009 @ 11:48am
Campbell said | June 24th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Lote won’t play another test.
Short of a rash of injuries to the 4 wingers prefered ahead of him he’s gone. Didn’t we all think he would carve up the club rugby scene when he got dropped?
Has he???
No!
Club players have been bettering him and RD will have seen that, so see ya!
June 24th 2009 @ 11:52am
Campbell said | June 24th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
My prediction is Lote and Phil will not make the 3N squad being announced shortly!
June 24th 2009 @ 12:44pm
Shahsan said | June 24th 2009 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
A long overdue demotion for Lote Tuqiri. He hasn’t played well since about 2003 and has been in the team mainly to keep borderline league fans interested in the Tahs and the Wallabies. That, after all, must be the only reason reporters go looking for him for quotes these past few years on any rugby issue. He probably knows less than those less experienced and younger but who have played through the junior ranks. Though he is a fantatsic specimen as a player, his lack of rugby union nous does show on the field.
I think the only way back for Lote now is do a Jim Williams — that is, convert himself to a No 6 or a No 8. He has the power, the strength, the size and the undeniable handling skills. He just needs to learn the nuances of forward play. As it is, he seems to prefer contact and retaining the ball anyway!
June 24th 2009 @ 3:23pm
Who Needs Melon said | June 24th 2009 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
Shahsan,
Dexter hit the nail on the head with the “jig” comment. Lote, despite apparent bulk, strength and speed, for some reason doesn’t seem to capitalise on any of those things. Instead he tries to be this twinkle toed stepper.
Even looser got it right too – he would have done a lot better recently picking good lines and running them straight, hard and as fast as he can. And use his shoulders and arms to shrug off tacklers rather than attempt to halt and skip and dance around them. If little guys like JoC can do it, Lote should be able to.
You lose pace quicker with age than you do strength. Sadly (if your a winger) this means you are always only holding onto your spot until some quicker younger guy comes along. Unless you are REALLY exceptional in picking your lines and with skills other than pace (Campese).
While the above paragraph might seem to support your argument to moving Lote to the forwards where strength is more important than pace, until Lote addresses these things he won’t be a good winger and would be an even WORSE 6 or 8.
I too think we’ve seen the last of Lote in Wallaby colours. I’m not sad about this. Not because I don’t like the guy but he’s had a good run and I’m looking forward to seeing some younger guys have a shot. There are far better wingers who have had far, FAR shorter careers than Lote has.