Brumbies flyers Joe Tomane and Henry Speight say they’ve made it their goal to push each other into the Wallabies’ two starting wing spots at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
But with their competition including James O’Connor, Rob Horne, Nick Cummins and possibly Adam Ashley-Cooper, they admit there might only be room for one of them come September.
And while those six players look most likely to jag the No.11 and No.14 jerseys, there’s also bolters such as Waratahs winger and former rugby league player Taqele Naiyaravoro to keep an eye on.
“It’s safe to say it’s our goal to play on opposite wings,” Tomane said.
“Our job is to nail down both spots. We have a good chance.
“But there’s healthy competition around the country.”
Speight and Tomane might play on opposite wings, but with some of their competition versatile enough to play on both, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika may have to choose one over the other.
Speight, who made his Test debut while Tomane was being rested during last year’s Spring Tour, admitted that scenario would feel a little weird.
“But all we can do is push each other to the best of our abilities,” Speight said.
“And if we do fight for the same spot, then whoever gets chosen, we’ll both be happy for eachother.”
The two don’t just push each other on the training paddock, but continually try and one-up the other in the banter stakes.
Speight jokingly accused Tomane of robbing him of a try in Super Rugby round one, then dissed his teammate’s failure to grow a proper afro.
“I think he misses the tag ‘Fro Bros’,” Speight said.
“Mine’s gone now. But he really shouldn’t have taken the tag anyway because his is actually not decent.”
Says Tomane: “Yeah mine was just a fuzzy sort of weird growth and now it’s turned into a bit of a man bun.
“Geez he said a lot about me aye? I’ll have to chat to him about that.”
The wing duo now turn their attention to Saturday night’s battle against Melbourne Rebels wingers Tom English and Dom Shipperley, both of whom have been previously called up to the Wallabies squad.
“The Rebels have really stepped up their physicality this year,” Speight said.
“It will be up to us to match that this weekend.”
44bottles
Roar Guru
What did the injury list end up looking like? I had: 1. Moore (OUT) 2. TPN (OUT) 3. Charles (OUT) 4. Hanson 5. Latu (OUT) 6. Siliva (OUT) 7. Faingaa 8. Mann-rea But then Faingaa leaped all the way up to at least 3rd spot. Who was the 9th hooker though?
Joe
Guest
Yeah. you have a better chance of being selected for the Wallabies if you are born outside Australia. Even the Tahs new winger is being touted as a future Wallaby yet only had a couple of games but born in Fiji.
Birdy
Guest
Where’s the Joe Roffs and Ben Tunes of yesteryear? I imagine they're sitting in New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji or Tonga waiting for the 'Aussies' to call them up.
ethan
Guest
We're fine at 2. Nine test quality hookers in this country!
Squirrel
Guest
I agree the ab backs are nothing special.
Chivas
Guest
There are plenty with kick chase, who then fail when the chips are down. Joeli Vidiri beautiful running forwards chasing the ball. THe FB picks up the ball and takes off stepping Vidiri, Vidiri drops to the ground like he is shot feigning a slip (rather than turning and chasing) and then a minute later gets up and jogs back to his spot. Has Speight got the fortitude and attitude to play hard eighty minutes seeking out involvement in attack and defence. It is not just playing what is directly in front of you but taking responsibility for everything that travels up and down your wing, then if you are making easy yards looking for more work on the inside. The comment about how he goes against every other winger... isn't so much a factor as what he offers his side. I think these head to heads are all marketing hype. Shutting down Savea is one thing, but Savea is rarely taking on just his opposite wing in a game. As I say he has looked good in SR, but that is not the same as how you perform against the best on the big stage. Frank Bunce often looked average in SR, but was one of the greatest centres the AB's have ever produced. I am yet to be convinced of the case for either, but I am sure the case for them being world class will be well prosecuted on the pages of this forum. JOC, Cummins, AAC and to a lesser extent Horne have at least has earned their bragging rights :-).
PeterK
Roar Guru
especially since he is going to Scotland after super rugby
Joe
Guest
Agree. Lots of journeymen but no standouts. Therefore plenty of competition. Seems to be plenty of onus on size and comparisons with Lomu but he was one of a kind. Where's the Joe Roffs and Ben Tunes of yesteryear?
jameswm
Guest
We're ok at 7, and to an extent 2.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I think the cleanout will come after the WC. Smith and Nonu will play a huge roll in the WC experience in those tight games is crucial.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Messam has been one of the most mediocre Chiefs forwards for 18 months. He was outstanding in the Chiefs first title and very good in the second, then he went off the boil. To loose, to many handling errors, not hitting enough rucks.
Combesy
Roar Guru
probably good for him Brett, IMO I don't think he is anywhere near ready for international rugby. I do get that he is a big man but he's still way to raw and doesn't possess anywhere near the natural talents of the likes of folau
dahl
Guest
I agree. He needs to maintain focus and fitness. But he has the potential for sure.
Joe
Roar Rookie
It's true that injury excuses shouldn't be a factor but I can only judge Speight at Super 15 level when fully fit and against every other winger including Savea he has more than held his own. Tomane has had several opportunities at international level and I don't think he has made his case, attack, ball return is great but defence isn't that good. I also factor in Speight's kick chase ability which is a big part of winger play that seems to go unnoticed (especially those pushing Taqele's case). Considering the fact that we seem to have kick happy halves combinations it would be useful having someone who actually chases the kicks more than half the time.
Brett McKay
Expert
He can't be picked this year anyway Combesy, so it's a moot point (that unfortunately I didn't discover until after I named him as a bolter this week..)
Joe
Roar Rookie
No Fekitoa? Reckon C. Smith might be on his last legs, been making a few defensive misreads lately.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Like a Dingo.
Combesy
Roar Guru
yeah AAC will be there for experience and cover. We have enough specialist wingers not to need him out of form on the wing
Combesy
Roar Guru
What is the obsession over Taqele? Please tell me, because im yet to see anything that would warrant him being picked over the current crop of wallaby wingers.
Markus
Guest
To be fair Horne really isn't that great a defender either. He is good front-on, but was caught out pretty regularly last test season being stuck between the outside centre and opposing winger and not committing to either. In his time as an outside centre Horne was the worst defender in Super Rugby (by missed tackle count for season), so reading defense clearly isn't his strong point.