Several contenders for places on the Wallabies’ upcoming spring tour go on display in Saturday’s Sydney club rugby grand final, when Test lock Dean Mumm hopes to complete a special family achievement.
The Sydney University stalwart will be one of several Wallabies on show in the Sydney season decider against old rivals Randwick at Concord Oval.
University, who will be striving for their sixth-straight premiership and fourth grand final win in five years over Randwick, will field a starting side consisting entirely of Super-contracted players.
Their side includes Mumm, fellow Test forward Ben McCalman and Test backs Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes and Julian Huxley.
Injuries have deprived Randwick of Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom and Test winger Drew Mitchell, but still have international representatives in incumbent fullback Kurtley Beale and prop Sekope Kepu and halfback Josh Valentine, both of whom haven’t played for Australia since last year.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will be among the crowd as he takes one final look at spring tour hopefuls before naming a 40-man training squad on Monday.
Last year’s training squad included five uncapped players who subsequently graduated to Wallabies status – McCalman, Beale, back-rower Matt Hodgson, centre Rob Horne and prop Salasi Ma’afu.
“It (the grand final) is a wonderful opportunity for everyone, from established to up-and-coming players, to put up their hand,” Munn told AAP on Friday.
“Ben McCalman has certainly gone from strength-to-strength from last year and he was starting at the end of (the 2010) Tri-Nations.
“I think there’s a couple of guys, from both Randwick and Sydney University, that are pushing for selection.
“I think someone like (University centres) Tom Carter and Mitch Inman and also Sekope Kepu or Ben Mowen from Randwick, are capable of pushing for selection.”
Mumm and captain Tim Davidson are the only members of the University side who will be playing in their sixth-straight grand final.
For Mumm, victory would be particularly significant as it will be the first premiership as head coach for his brother Greg.
“He was forwards coach last year, but it would be particularly special for me to see him get the success,” Mumm said.
“It hasn’t been the (most) straightforward of years for us. We were languishing around ninth or 10 there for a little while.”
Randwick beat University in both their regular season encounters, but the students have embarked on a 12-match winning streak since their second defeat by the Galloping Greens.
They were 10 points off sixth spot at the time of their last loss, but ultimately finished fourth with Randwick qualifying sixth.
Randwick still holds the record of 28 Sydney premierships but University can close to within one of that tally by winning on Saturday.
Randwick coach Mark Giacheri said his team needed to remain composed in attack against University’s traditionally tough defence and he wasn’t overly concerned by the high-profile withdrawals from his team.
“We’re used to it, we’ve been battling a lot of injuries week-to-week for about half of the season, so this situation isn’t new to us,” Giacheri told AAP.
Rockin Rod
Guest
He didnt play in the GF but Van Humphries deserves to be named in the squad. Who is the oldest wallaby to debut?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
It was total rubbish as the replay showed. If that Ref won the best award what's it say for the rest of them?
Rockin Rod
Guest
Was this really an achievement for Greg Mumm??????? I would say relief. Anyone could have coached that side to a win in the GF. The coach of the year went to the Penrith coach, and well done to that lad. Uni were coming 10th until their S14 players came back and their team at that time was way better than the likes of penrith,norths, wests etc.
jameswm
Guest
How was that sin bin? Ruined any slim chance Randwick had of catching Uni.
crashy
Guest
It was good fun ptah. One of the guys I was with sauid it felt right to be at Concord again, especially as he was at the semi in 87 against the frebch. Kind of hard to believe over 20k to that game. You are right about the western stand though, it looked very full until the rain came- a pity the tv cameras point at the eastern stand where we were.
p.Tah
Guest
.... I hit 'add comment' before finishing and it wouldn't let me edit... We arrived at half time during second grade and were surprised that the western grade stand only had a few seats available. We drank beer out of cans and not bloody plastic cups... That doesn't happen often these days. We watched the rats take out the game and en settled in for first grade. The crowd was very vocal and knowledgable and filled will grisly old guys who looked as if they'd eat the person beside them if they couldn't be bothered to get up and get a steak sandwich. I didn't care who played or who won, but enjoyed watching the wallabies and super players run out. It was a great day. Sydney rugby union take note: always use concord (or a ground of similar size) for the finals. The sfs is too large. Concord brings atmosphere and intimacy. Sure it's a bit rough round the edges but perfect for community rugby.
p.Tah
Guest
I'm not a Uni or Randwick fan but headed out to Concord today and thoroughly enjoyed the game. The weather was crap and the game wasn't close but it and the semi final last week at uni reminded how good club rugby can be. I enjoy attending super rugby and test matches but sometimes it's nice not to battle traffic, queue for food or toilets and spend $100 on a ticket. I sat
RickG
Guest
Uni supporter eh?I assume you watched it. Great advertisement for the clubs comp really.
bennalong
Guest
That's a dummy spit, eh? I'm with crashy.You're just spreading your own crap around.
RickG
Guest
Well crashy, let me explain. I've been a club rugby fan for 12 years or so, and like many I'm just a bit tired of the predictability. It does nothing for the game. I don't believe Uni do anything but exist for their own benefit. NSWRU could save themselves a lot of cash and scrap the Shute Shield and Uni and Randwick could just play a one-off game each year.
crashy
Guest
Um I care Rickg. And the point of your post is??? I oukdnt care less about the afl but do you see me posting that on the afl site?
RickG
Guest
Who bloody cares?
Realist
Guest
Wicks to win in a close one
Rockin Rod
Guest
Uni should win this by atleast 30 with all Wicks players out. They should have let Eastwood play to make it an interesting GF. Good luck wicks, put an end to this uni streak for the good of club rugby