He could well be the biggest selection gamble in the Wallabies squad, but Kane Douglas couldn’t care less and is ready to repay the enormous faith shown in him by coach Michael Cheika.
Douglas was one of four locks named in the Wallabies’ 31-man squad on Friday for next month’s Rugby World Cup, completing quite a journey for the new Queensland Reds signing this year.
While his selection was widely expected, it’s still sure to raise a few eyebrows given his limited game time since a three-month layoff due to back surgery in April.
The 26-year-old made his first and only appearance of the Wallabies’ winter campaign last weekend when he played just under 20 minutes in the heavy loss to the All Blacks.
Douglas, who is one of 13 Rugby World Cup rookies in the squad, admits to struggling in his first few training sessions back with the Wallabies and said it was great to get back on the field against the Kiwis.
“I was just excited to get a go. I only got about 17 minutes and we were already down a bit already. It was hard, you want to do everything you can at 100 miles an hour but you don’t want to throw yourself out the line trying to do something fancy,” he said.
His selection comes at the expense of 2011 Wallabies’ World Cup captain James Horwill, who had an impressive Rugby Championship campaign.
Douglas will only have the Wallabies’ clash with the United States in Chicago on September 5 under his belt before their World Cup opener against Fiji a couple of weeks later.
The giant lock started the year at Irish club Leinster before cutting ties with them just one year into a three-year deal to return home and reunite with Cheika who coached him in the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby title win in 2014.
His move back to Australia followed several chats over the phone with Cheika.
“It was good to know that I was wanted, so I’m happy to be back in the set up,” Douglas said.
“It was an awesome feeling knowing Cheik wanted me.”
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Well where is the wisdom in selecting Beale? At least Cooper can rely on a couple of Bledisloe encounters in 2012/13 + 2013 EOYST whereas this clown has done nothing but urinate on the jersey since 2010. Oh, that's right - apparently he is the only player able to unleash Folau despite failing to do this in an entire super rugby season this year
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Gee Peter, Don't give up your day job to be a rugby analyst. Just make sure that blue jersey is washed and pressed for tomorrow morning ;)
kombiutedriver
Guest
Everyone here who talk up Douglas seem to forget the fact that the 2014 Tah pack had a few other players who were known for their physicality, offensively and defensively. Cheika also had some depth in his squad to rotate his forwards throughout the season particularly his locks and back row. He obviously has a plan to have some physicality and mongrel in his forward pack. The front row starters and finishers seem set. The locks were not quite meeting his plan. Starting Skelton did not work so he is looking to use him off the bench. He thinks Dennis is that physical lock to partner Simmons. The back row is Fardy and Pooper with Mumm and McCalman as backup. It is a big gamble on the fitness and durability of Dennis, especially his back. The hard call was leaving Horwill out of the 31. I have a feeling that we may still see Horwill at this RWC yet as injury to any of the locks can mean a change of plan. I would have loved to heard what Cheika said in his phone call to Horwill last Thursday. I reckon there was still some carrot dangled in front of him.
Dave form Mt Druitt
Guest
The Highlanders won the S15 title with 3 All Blacks on their rooster. Yet how many of the Highlanders will be picked in the All Blacks squad. Point is the best team does not necessarily consist of the best players. The opinion of some people is that because the tahs won the Australian conference they are the best players. That is their opinion but not necessarily mine!
Sammy
Guest
"How did the tahs win the comp and top the conference again" Easy - The winner of the Australian conference was ever going to out of two teams. A good team with the number of Wallaby representatives as the tahs have will make even the ordinary journeyman look good. Doesn't mean they are the best players in Australia. Put Folau in a Rebels jumper next year and see if he shines like he does in the Tahs jumper. Beale and JóC are prime examples.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Indeed and NZ had 5 options.
Mike
Guest
Peter I am not saying you are wrong, but isn't it then rather strange that Douglas is being taken into this squad with less than 20 minutes test time?
Mike
Guest
Didn't you know? He has threatened the whole Roar and we are all enthusiastically putting in for the blackmail money. We do not want to see those polaroids... :P
Mike
Guest
Fair points. I don't blame him for any of that.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Thrilled is he? I can't tell you what I'm feeling.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I never said Mumm is better in the lineout. I said he is the back up lineout caller, and backup 6, he is the utility lock / 6 which means he is not competing directly with Horwill. Horwill clearly does not fit the physicality Cheika wants, he is gambling he can get that from Douglas as he has before. Horwill had 3 lineout options in himself, Mumm and Fardy and still it faltered. Bottom line Horwill and Simmons are too similar to take both. If Simmons gets injured sure Horwill will get it.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Cliff, I was referring to Douglas in that instance. The type of player Cheika wanted to turn Skelton into. Atleast on Douglas' 2014 form. Whether that has been achieved or not is open to debate, but at his age he is certainly worth persisting with.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Except last time they actually played in the same team in the same game (lions tour) it was the opposite.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Worked well for him against the highlanders this year I guess...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's it good in all of them. He has actually been poor in them in almost every test he played. At least every test he played in 2013.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Peter firstly, when did Mumm show to be superior in the line out. Secondly, you don't think him playing a poor line out 8 in Pocock and lock in Skelton impacted the performance of the line out? Thirdly, Douglas does not hit the line hard. He has been criticised by many for his lack of impact ball in hand. His Waratah defends rightly cite his work off the ball. He does do good work on attacking break downs. Or more importantly he did after Cheika got 2 seasons with him. I'd imagine he was at his peak fitness in 2014. After a poor season in Ireland and a long injury lay off, is this the player we will see in England? I doubt it. If it was, we would have seen that player during the Lions Tour.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes. As an international rugby player, the bloke is a bigger myth than the Loch Ness monster.
Bakkies
Guest
What game plan is that exactly?
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
EJ - delusional - Skelton - "hard hitter in defence and bit of mongrel in attack" - what games have you been watching - or what do you have in your coffee???
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Skelton is 6'8" and built like the lightning house". Yes but plays like Tinker Bell and Goes missing like a Policeman when you want one! The man has no aggression and is weak - Palu number 2. Palu was absolutely useless until his Mother lambasted him as being too weak!! Skelton - good ofr 15 mins only - and that is not much done either.