When Cooper Vuna was asked yesterday who it was that gave him the good news he had made the Wallabies squad, he wasn’t sure. “Err… I’m not sure who it was on the phone. I think his name was Bob.”
The former Newcastle Knight is likely to make his Test debut on Tuesday against Six Nations strugglers Scotland, and he doesn’t yet know the names of the playing group, let alone the staff.
It’s the same with fellow league convert Joe Tomane. I asked the 22-year-old if he knew everyone’s names yet.
“Nah, I just call them all bro. Or maybe cuz.”
With 15 uncapped players, Robbie Deans has a group of men with comparatively little experience, but enthusiasm seeping through their pores. For many of them, Scotland may as well be New Zealand, and Hunter Stadium looms as large as any ground in world rugby.
It’s a squad with a lot to learn, and a wide expanse of blue sky on the horizon.
What we will most likely see on Tuesday night in the Steel City is a group getting to know each other, and providing flashes of individual brilliance while failing to produce a solid team effort.
The side won’t be the first string Wallabies outfit, with the three-Test series against Wales a much tougher prospect, and a four-day turnaround before the opener in Brisbane.
Many will arrive in Newcastle having played a Super Rugby match over the weekend. For the Brumbies and the Rebels, it will be against each other. When I asked Tomane about his anticipation of a Test cap, he said he was simply looking for a win over the Rebels, and he meant it.
With the competition as finely balanced as it is, a local derby means enough to put the idea of a green and gold jumper momentarily in the shadows, and with just a few days in between, there will be precious little time to prepare mentally.
The ‘camp’ in Sydney began on Tuesday night and is already over, the players with Super commitments returning to their respective home bases.
Before yesterday’s rushed media session, a frantic few hours were spent on the paddock learning the moves, memorising the lineout calls, and trying to develop some form of cohesion while calling out, ‘Cuz, I’m open’.
It’s no kind of preparation for a national side, particularly one with such little experience.
Despite that, the win will probably come, but it won’t be as emphatic as we hope, or as ruthless as we expect. The inevitable criticism will follow, but withhold your judgment until after the final Test against Wales on June 23.
Perhaps with four Tests under their belt, this side will give us hope as well as moments of stunning rugby.
Lorry
Guest
noone has gone to league since the mid 90s, that's why!
Lorry
Guest
IMO Brett either channels will mcloy or, sometimes, shane mcgowan with all teeth (as in the current photo!)
S T Rineestee.rine@gmail.com
Guest
Rather Dingo plays some new boys, irrespective of experience & Test outcome, than some "has too many Caps to fail" players like England did in RWC with Wilko, et al. Look what happened there? So, we'll see mistakes & some ineptitude, BUT.....maybe something bonzer might shine through. S T
Disgraceful
Guest
Cooper Vuna is probably 2 to 3 seasons of playing consistently good rugby, meaning in attack and defense, from earning a crack at a gold jersey. If the quotes in this article are in fact true, this thick-head league convert is an embarassment to the sport. I'm utterly apalled at the poltiics that have led to his inclusion.
Brett McKay
Expert
you and me both, Tristo..
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Now I've seen everything.
Will McCloy
Guest
wow this got out of hand.
Johnno
Guest
Your welcome Brett lol.
Brett McKay
Expert
um .... thanks? :shock:
Johnno
Guest
Brett you are more masculine and handsome than Will.
Brett McKay
Expert
well there's a compliment I don't get evey day..
Bellringer
Guest
Big Tommy, I don't mind that line but you have to look at the other struggling rugby union players that have done the same. Taniela Tuiaki went from 2nd grade manly to a NZ league international in 18 months. Junior Sau and Jared w-h went from the waratahs academy to nz internationals in a short time. And I'm not sure if they were average league players. Vuna debuted for the Warriors at 17 and represented his country in a world cup and Joe Tomane scored 26 points in a match as an 18 year. I undestand that it may give you some type of satisfaction but it's lame and embarrassing. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Albo
Guest
Haha... Oh WNM... I was so close to making that joke but it's been a cold last few nights as it is
Will McCloy
Guest
I wish I could grow facial hair like Mr McKay. There is some merit to your argument – the Wallaby jumper is something to be earnt, and respected. It was a bit bizarre at the camp during the week – so many young faces and wide eyes. Still, there is nothing like the experience of a test match to bring players on, and some of these youngsters who may not seem to have earnt a jersey may become mainstays of the side for the next decade.
Will McCloy
Guest
I wish I could grow facial hair like Mr McKay. There is some merit to your argument - the Wallaby jumper is something to be earnt, and respected. It was a bit bizarre at the camp during the week - so many young faces and wide eyes. Still, there is nothing like the experience of a test match to bring players on, and some of these youngsters who may not seem to have earnt a jersey may become mainstays of the side for the next decade.
Big Tommy
Guest
Another average league player about to play test match rugby in no time at all. Says it all really.
Boris
Guest
Agree. When a leaguie plays rugby they are constantly referred to as 'ex league player Tomane' or whatever, but when a rugby player goes to league you never hear them referred to as 'ex union player Warea-Hargreaves'. Some sections of the media like to make out that rugby players in the NRL are born & bred leaguies but always make it known that a rugby player who has played league before is 'ex league', like as though the best rugby players are leaguies anyway.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
That's nice of her! So who are you taking?
Ben S
Roar Guru
To be fair, I think Elsom's status as a deity resides solely in Dublin, Farmer.
Steve
Guest
Gary, it's unfortunate and boring but unfortunately that's the sporting environment we live in. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.