Melbourne Rebels locks Luke Jones and Cadeyrn Neville have a gilt-edged chance to demand Wallabies selection by cutting Queensland’s Test incumbents down to size on Saturday night.
The Rebels travel to Suncorp Stadium looking to record a first Super Rugby win over the Reds but the rewards can spread further with Test coach Ewen McKenzie to name his first squad of 2014 on Thursday.
Second-row is the area of most concern and least depth for McKenzie following the losses of Sitaleki Timani and Kane Douglas to European clubs, and the in-form Jones and sizey Neville are in the mix.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan revealed on Friday that Australia’s selectors had shown their interest in Jones, while he also talked up the 119kg Neville, who has added an important string to his bow this month by calling their lineout.
Lying in wait is Queensland’s Test second-row pairing of James Horwill and Rob Simmons, who appear certain Wallabies selections despite the Reds’ five-match losing streak.
“Luke has been terrific for us,” McGahan said.
“We had the Wallabies coaching staff down a few weeks ago and he was certainly someone they were keen to get more information on.
“I’m sure Luke will be trying to make his mark and that James and Rob are looking at him.”
Horwill, indeed, admitted the Reds were wary of the highly-mobile 20-year-old who is Melbourne’s chief ball-carrier behind skipper Scott Higginbotham.
But McGahan also warned against ignoring the claims of former rower Neville who has the extra size required for Test rugby and turned his form around since Hugh Pyle announced he was giving up a World Cup shot to head overseas next season.
Beyond the Reds clash is equally testing encounters against the NSW and Brumbies packs to show the Rebels’ abrasive yet unheralded forwards are up to the challenge.
“This is going to be a wonderful opportunity for our forward pack both individually and collectively over the next three weeks to show what they can do,” McGahan said.
“We’re not there to test ourselves anymore. We’re expecting to get over the opposition.”
The problem for the Rebels – competitive against allcomers this season, pushing both the Sharks and Hurricanes in the past fortnight – has been closing out results.
Queensland, thumped 57-29 by the Crusaders last weekend, are ripe for the picking but also braced for a physical affair in a fitting contest for workhorse flanker Beau Robinson’s 50th Reds appearance.
Shrek
Guest
Unfortuantely Douglas is already contracted O/S so don't think they pick him. Frankly, I think Horwill needs to go too. I hate to say it, but I think our second row should be Simmons plus either Jones or Caderyn Neville. I know Jones is undersized for test play, but with Fardy on the blind, we could probably cope. Also, I'm pretty sure Woodward is a Kiwi?
Chris
Guest
Bloody oath we have a lock problem. Sure we have blokes who can play lock - but how many are world class? Horwill and Simmons are average. Coleman is very promising - big, athletic and aggressive. They need to get him and Skelton involved as much as possible even if they are not ready to start now. Jones is too small to play lock but would make a great six. As the demise of the reds shows, we need a big forward pack that can bend the line. My team to play France looks like this (Horwill and Douglas get in as the best of the incumbents but the World Cup locks should be Coleman and Skelton): 1. Sio 2 Moore 3 Kepu 4 Douglas 5 Horwill 6 Jones 7 Hooper 8 Palu 9 Genia 10 Cooper 11 J Woodward 12 P Mcabe 13 Kuridrani 14 Mogg 15 Folau.
Justin3
Guest
Well said Ethan, calling is more important than just about anything else for a pack. You must have a good caller
Geoffwho
Guest
I am not sure Skelton has played 80 minutes yet? He can definitely bend the line and offload but there is a risk taking him into test matches if he is only good for 20-40 mins. Plus you can't lift the guy in a line out! That may not be such a big issue if you have got Higginbotham and Simmons in the line up as both are jumpers. Plus Fardy at 6 gives another target.... Hey maybe it might work. Still want him to keep building his fitness.
Ethan
Guest
We have a lot of promising depth at lock, the real question is - can anyone other than Simmons call a line out?
Ads
Guest
I'd start Simmons and Jones with Skelton on bench at the mo vs France to transition the new blood.
Hertryk
Guest
I wouldn't discount Adam Coleman..
messa
Guest
i like your thinking Louie but I'd take Jones over Simmons to start along side Skelton. it's time to move on from the Simmons/Horwill combo which has never been outstanding at test level. who'd be on my bench.... depends on whether Frady plays at 6 but if he does i'd go with Simmons and hopefully he'll know he needs to pick his game up starting on the training paddock. Horwill for the scrap heap I'm afraid. I've always rated him as completely over-rated. Capable of some good games but has not played consistently well for a couple of years.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Rebels will win comfortably as the red pack is soft
Magic Sponge
Guest
there is a tight 5 crisis if we go with the status quo, we need new blood.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Skelton is not ready to start a Test yet.
Louie
Guest
I like both Jones and Neville, Pyle for that matter also. I have been forced to eat me words on Simmons a few stupid penalties aside, i believe he has and is going better than Horwell. I have never been on the 'Horwell our inspirational lead, captain courageous' band wagon from up north that the media bang on with. I personally think he is average and was wrapped when he lost the test captaincy. How inspirational does he look for the Reds at thee moment? Horwell makes my makes my Wallabies squad on the bench, with Simmons and Skelton starting. I am excited to see if Jones and Neville can step up, my other roughy is Carter, like Fardy a late bloomer who seems to get better and better. There is something in the C'Berra water.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Enough of your "facts". Let's just stick to the hyperbole, okay? Jones is only 20? If the Rebels can hold onto him and McMahon, they'll have a pretty nasty forward pack over the next few years.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Wait a sec...there is a lock crisis in Aus? I think Aus would be best served with Jones in the 35 man squad but Aus have Fardy, Horwill, Simmons, Douglas and Skelton. No SOS required.