I first took notice of Kyle Godwin in the Australian squad at the 2012 IRB Junior World Cup in South Africa.
Liam Gill skippered the side that finished a very disappointing eighth, even though there were some promising players like Allan Ala’alatoa, Seam McMahon, Jed Holloway, Nick Frisby, and Godwin in the lineup.
Zinbabwe-born inside centre Godwin made his presence felt so much in South Africa the Force signed him, and he’s been there ever since with 52 games to his credit.
Rumour has it Godwin’s about to become a Brumbie, and with respect for the Force, Godwin playing with far better teammates in Canberra will do his career a power of good – he is very talented but lost in a losing side like the Force.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika thought so early in his career by naming Godwin among the 13 backs he selected for the 2014 end-of-year tour.
The other 12 backs were Israel Folau, Adan Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, and Nick White.
The side beat Wales 33-26, but lost to France 29-26, Ireland 26-23, and England 26-17 – and all of those 12 backs got a run.
But Godwin didn’t get one minute, even among the three losses.
Was he invisible?
Cheika named Godwin in the current Wallaby squad, but he didn’t get a run against the Springboks.
Drew Mitchell did and what was the point of that selection when Mitchell hadn’t played for months through injury?
It was an ideal time to blood Godwin, but the moment was lost, he’s still invisible.
Godwin’s still there for the Puma game in Perth on Saturday night and another chance of his long-overdue first cap.
Michael Cheika, tell Kyle Godwin he’s now visible, his bridesmaid status has been lost and he’s part of the real world.
The relief will be palpable to the 24-year-old, there’s only so many games you can sit in the stands, selected but seemingly unwanted where it counts.
Cheika’s not likely to make any changes to the 23-man squad after beating the Springboks last week following six straight losses.
But slotting in Godwin and Lopeti Timani onto the bench will make a stronger squad with the Pumas a far tougher proposition than the Boks. (Click to Tweet)
Timani will add power to the pack, Godwin more thrust in the backline – and both will be first cappers looking to the future.
The Wallabies could then start looking more positive, and settled.
And that would be a welcome change.
Upfromdown
Guest
AndSavea was in a queue behind one of the greatest players ever.
Jesse langley
Guest
Oh my LORD! GODWIN Your kidding aren't you? He is invisible in the NRC, invisible for the last 2 years in super rugby and you want to swap him out for foley/kerivi/hodge. Let's see if the brumbieS CAN FIX HIM.
Val
Guest
Kyle Godwin played in the NRC last weekend and reallyyou wonder how good he really is. In a one on one situation he couldn't beat the covering player. Backs really should have a greater skill set than just 'trucking' it up. Maybe it just shows the shortage of quality players in Australia that he makes the squad! Certainly not his fault!
Val
Guest
Timani is another example of a over hyped non jumpimg lock. Yes he is powerful but even at Super rugby only delivers in spurts. I read in one article he is cover for the backrow but since moving to the Rebels I haven't seen him play there and that's two years. So sayng he will add power to the pack is a very optimistic statement.
AndyS
Guest
True, but he is playing NRC in NSW...he kind of is a local player.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Unless you have a direct line to Cheika, your supposed 'expert' post, McCwon, is pure speculation and nothing more. Godwin was in the WBs squad on the 2014 EOYT and is reported to have trained with the WBs squad in the test series in June "despite not being an official member of the squad". This is in fact the 3rd time he's been part of the team. He should be left out if he's not up to standard as you suggest. @Andy S - it is not unknown for coaches to recruit players from local clubs to assist in training if required. You don't necessarily need to select a player in the squad for that purpose.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Regardless of the 6, this is the 2nd time that Godwin was selected and this can only mean he is up to the standard required.
Norths Rugby Rules
Guest
David, Cheika did not pick that side to travel to Europe - it was already selected by McKenzie and then he resigned. Cheika had zero pressure on him that tour as he inherited a basket case. Cheik still has a chip on his shoulder that Timani left the Tahs when he was coaching, apparently he was a lazy trainer however has turned it around down at the Rebels. Wallabies aren't picking the right side in my eyes.
Jack Mallick
Guest
Yeah he's had a few solid outings in a row for the Eagles, even though he's been pushed out to 13. He's definately willing to have a go in defense and attack, just some silly errors let him down at the tahs and took away from some of the good stuff (in his debut season, certainly not the first rookie to have that issue!)
Markus
Guest
How could you have possibly come to that conclusion with Foley? His 100% with the boot sounds good on paper, but only the conversion of the Coleman try from the sideline was a difficult attempt. The try he scored was a given for any player in that line at the time, and the pass he threw straight to Strauss with a 3 man overlap waiting outside him cost the Wallabies 14 points alone.
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Kyle Godwin was only brought in as injury cover, so you might say that Cheika actually didn't think he was good enough to include in the squad. I'll back the continuation of the policy of selecting players only after they deserve to be selected though, rather than to get them experience.
Verisimilitude
Guest
Hi David, I'm curious what your take on the polar opposite scenario of Koroboite with a grand total of ZERO professional Rugby Union games under his belt gets to go on this year's end of year Wallaby tour. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/marika-koroibete-to-be-fasttracked-by-wallabies-for-spring-tour-of-europe-20160906-gr9z83.html One might start to wonder whether the Gold Jersey is losing its status or value.
Boz the Younger
Guest
Well on Saturday the Wallabies had three bloke who could play 10 or 12 on the park, so Cheika probably didn't see the need for another on the bench. I suspect giving a bit more zip in the outsides was a greater priority, hence Mitchell.
jameswm
Roar Guru
The only three ahead of Godwin are Toomua, Beale and Kerevi, and two are injured and the other plays 13.
Bakkies
Guest
'The other 12 backs were Israel Folau, Adan Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, and Nick White.' Beale wasn't originally named. Tom English was and he didn't even get a game. There was a Barbarians game on that tour as well and neither Godwin and English were selected for that match. http://www.redsrugby.com.au/news/newsarticles/tabid/581/articleid/14202/seven-reds-named-in-wallabies-squad-for-2014-spring-tour.aspx.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Heh, heh - too right Richard!
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
I don't even think he deserves a call up. He has regressed unfortunately
McCaw was onside?
Guest
True but not all of the time.
Bring Back...?
Guest
Nicely put Simon & Phil. To suggest we didn't win the RWC or Bledisloe because Foley is/was at 10 is absurd.
Dave_S
Guest
Good post Simon