Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has challenged Taqele Naiyaravoro to command a Test call-up now that he’s free to tour South Africa with the NSW Waratahs.
After being grounded for months, Naiyaravoro was on Thursday granted an Australian sports visa that frees the Fiji-born excitement machine to travel internationally with the Super Rugby champions.
The removal of his restrictions means Naiyaravoro – who’s been drawing comparisons with Jonah Lomu following his tackle-busting try against the Western Force last week – can play in the Waratahs’ key upcoming matches against the Lions and Cheetahs.
Despite missing two matches in New Zealand, 195cm, 120kg tackle-shedder is the Waratahs’ equal leading tryscorer in 2015 – and fast emerging as a cult hero who the titleholders will be desperate to retain next season.
The 23-year-old has a deal with the Scottish Rugby Union to join Edinburgh but is believed to have a get-out clause should he be capped by the Wallabies.
On current form, he is every chance of earning a Test debut, with Cheika admitting he’d be crazy not to consider the Wallabies bolter for the Rugby Championship.
“It would be naive of me not to have a look at him,” Cheika said on FoxSports’ Rugby HQ on Thursday night.
“You’d have to say he’s right up there. He’s a profile that we don’t have, that big type of winger.
“So he’s right up there challenging with the other wingers that have been performing and who have performed for Australia already on last year’s spring tour.”
Cheika said Naiyaravoro’s performances for the Waratahs over the last five rounds of Super Rugby and then hopefully the finals would determine if the former Wests Tigers lower-grade rugby league player was up to Test standard.
“You can see by the way he’s been playing that he takes his opportunities when they’re presented,” Cheika said.
“He’s still got a lot to learn in rugby at the top level and the requirements in both attack and defence.
“But when he’s got the ball in his hands with a bit of room to move, he’s a pretty devastating player.
“But like anyone too, he’s going to get marked heavier and teams are going to go after him, so it’s how he grows from that.”
Former Wallabies captain George Gregan was among the commentators to marvel at his awesome firepower after he bumped off three defenders to score a spectacular five-pointer against the Force.
“He’s a great finisher,” Gregan said.
“He’s someone who can create something out of nothing.
“He’s got a turn of pace for a big man too.”
The official visa granted to Naiyaravoro by the Department of Immigration is an Australian Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa (subclass 401).
Such a visa is for professional and amateur sportspeople, judges and adjudicators who want to participate in their field of sport in Australia and frees the winger to play the Lions and Cheetahs in rounds 16 and 17 – pending approval of entry visa by the South African government.
The visa is valid for two years and allows Naiyaravoro to come and go as he pleases during that time.
Jerry
Guest
The NZRU rechristened NZA as the Junior All Blacks about 8 years ago, seeking to tap into nostalgia (as the Junior All Blacks was the name traditionally given to the B side that would play touring sides). The NZ U21 side always used to be called NZ Colts, but that seemed to go out of favour and the U20's are just called NZ U20's.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Jerry, are the U20s not the same team as the Junior All Blacks? If so, that explains why I've been confused. Also, I'm pretty sure Aus A is still Australia's 2nd team, not the U20s team.
Rugby stu
Guest
Hell yeah if he is eligible PICK HIM, even if only against Argentina or USA. I would love to see a backline with 12. Kerevi, 13. Kurindrani 14. Naiyaravoro 15. Folau. Some serious island power and speed.
Jerry
Guest
Savea isn't as big or Lomu and is probably a hair slower than Lomu was in his younger days. The only wing as big as Lomu is Nadolo and he's not as quick as Lomu was either.
Jerry
Guest
The Junior All Blacks are still NZ's designated 2nd team, despite them not playing for the last 5 years or so.
moaman
Guest
44bottles--I would be extremely surprised if the 'Maori All Blacks' were NZ's designated 2nd team! Pretty confident that is not the case....likely to still be the U20s. The MABs are racially-selective and therefore not inclusive.Just wouldn't wash.
moaman
Guest
What is it with sailors and hookers? ;-)
Buk
Guest
Thanks Rob & Mike, I needed to do the maths as well - I did not know he had been resident in Australia since 2011, I just took the 'mega commentaries he is not available until 2016' as fact
Rob G
Guest
Considering TN has been playing in Aus since April 2011, and you need to live here for 36 months to become eligible, I'll let you do the maths ZG. Yet another example of your real worth as a rugby pundit.
Mike Julz
Guest
Ill be very surprise if this guy is not in the world cup squad. The Wallabies lacks a great winger. Their last great winger was Digby Ioane, and before him, Lote Tuqiri. They gotta get this guy in the squad, he resembles a lot of Julian Savea, strong runner, bumping off tackles. Imagine him running off Israel Folau's offloads, it'll be try time.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Yes, I believe the U20s is the designated team. Sekope Kepu played for the U21 team (think it's the same thing, just changed age group when they made the world cup), yet was still eligible for Australia A and Wallabies.
James
Guest
If he can't meet our visa requirements then how is going to the IRB requirements? Don't worry he would be eligible to play for the Wallabies even if he arrived six months ago. We have done for other sportsmen before.
Groucho Jones
Roar Rookie
Surely they were wrong last time, or Chieka is right now?
Mike
Guest
The ARU/IRB don't stop him playing against the Highlanders, its Australian visa rules that did that. And yes, our visa rules can be odd.
Mike
Guest
Apologies, I see this point has already been covered below.
Mike
Guest
"I honestly don’t know why this hasn’t been properly confirmed and announced by now – it could save a lot of column inches..." My apologies Brett, I see now further down the thread that you and others did find the relevant reports. Here is another example of him listed playing in August 2012: http://www.tigers.org.au/index.php/nsw-cup-tigers-team-to-play-wentworthville/ And this indicating that 2012 was his second year with Balmain Tigers lower division: http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/topic/7325566/1/
Mike
Guest
"Yeah either he does not know it, which would be pretty incredible given he is in his own team and all the visa issues, or he does know it, and he is simply making these noises to do all he can to keep Naiyaravoro at the Waratahs and in Australian rugby." Or he knows (as apparently many others do not) that Naiyavoro has been resident in Australia since at least 2011.
Mike
Guest
"This is the Wallabies coach. And he’s talking about one of his own Tahs players. How has Cheika got to this point without knowing this? Absolutely surreal. Do people not discuss such things in his circle? Or have I missed something?" You have. So have several other people on this thread. Thank goodness they are not coaching the Wallabies.
Mike
Guest
Why would he not be eligible until 2016?
Mike
Guest
Taqele Naiyaravoro was playing for Balmain Ryde Eastwood in 2012 (that's league). And I believe that was his second year with the club. So I really don't know what the Roarers above are going on about. Perhaps they think it was someone else of the same name.. ;)