The physicality of Queensland Reds forward Adam Korczyk has won him a fan in Wallabies’ coach Michael Cheika and a potential shot at world champions New Zealand later this month.
Korczyk was one of seven uncapped players Cheika named in his 34-man squad for the opening Cup and Rugby Championship game against the All Blacks.in Sydney on August 19.
Skipper and openside flanker Michael Hooper appears the only certain back row starter for the game, with Korczyk a contender for the other two spots, or a place on the bench.
With long-serving blindside flanker Scott Fardy going overseas and No.8 Scott Higginbotham out of favour after starting in two of the three June Tests, Cheika has named a clutch of young back rowers.
That group comprises the Rebels’ Sean McMahon and Lopeti Timani and the Waratahs’ Ned Hanigan and Jack Dempsey.
Of that group, only McMahon has won more than eight Test caps, with Hanigan and Dempsey just blooded in the June Test campaign
Cheika is renowned for favouring tough robust players with a hard edge and 22-year-old Korczyk appears to fit that bill.
“He told me he enjoyed my physicality, I think that’s a big thing with Cheik, he enjoys the physical play,” Korczyk said at the Wallabies training camp at Cessnock in the NSW Hunter region.
‘Being a lineout jumping back rower probably helps as well, so you’ve obviously got more options in the lineout.”
He said Cheika told him he was looking at him as either a blindside flanker or No.8, with the former Korczyk’s preferred position.
“I’ve played most of my footy at blindside, obviously six and eight go hand in hand sometimes,” said Korczyk, who came to Australia at the age of 12 after being born in New Zealand, where he primarily played football.
Korczyk’s progress was stalled by a knee injury that wiped out his 2016 campaign, but he managed to turn that enforced layoff to his advantage..
“I had time to hit the gym a bit more and sort of get my body prepared,” he said.
“When I made my (Super Rugby) debut in 2015, I was probably s bit skinny but with that year under my belt, thats probably enhanced it a bit more.” has won him a fan in Wallabies’ coach Michael Cheika and a potential shot at world champions New Zealand later this month.
Korczyk was one of seven uncapped players Cheika named in his 34-man squad for the opening Cup and Rugby Championship game against the All Blacks.in Sydney on August 19.
Skipper and openside flanker Michael Hooper appears the only certain back row starter for the game, with Korczyk a contender for the other two spots, or a place on the bench.
With long-serving blindside flanker Scott Fardy going overseas and No.8 Scott Higginbotham out of favour after starting in two of the three June Tests, Cheika has named a clutch of young back rowers.
That group comprises the Rebels’ Sean McMahon and Lopeti Timani and the Waratahs’ Ned Hanigan and Jack Dempsey.
Of that group, only McMahon has won more than eight Test caps, with Hanigan and Dempsey just blooded in the June Test campaign
Cheika is renowned for favouring tough robust players with a hard edge and 22-year-old Korczyk appears to fit that bill.
“He told me he enjoyed my physicality, I think that’s a big thing with Cheik, he enjoys the physical play,” Korczyk said at the Wallabies training camp at Cessnock in the NSW Hunter region.
‘Being a lineout jumping back rower probably helps as well, so you’ve obviously got more options in the lineout.”
He said Cheika told him he was looking at him as either a blindside flanker or No.8, with the former Korczyk’s preferred position.
“I’ve played most of my footy at blindside, obviously six and eight go hand in hand sometimes,” said Korczyk, who came to Australia at the age of 12 after being born in New Zealand, where he primarily played football.
Korczyk’s progress was stalled by a knee injury that wiped out his 2016 campaign, but he managed to turn that enforced layoff to his advantage..
“I had time to hit the gym a bit more and sort of get my body prepared,” he said.
“When I made my (Super Rugby) debut in 2015, I was probably s bit skinny but with that year under my belt, thats probably enhanced it a bit more.”
Riddler
Guest
All good matey.. Just spot checking on you.. Looking forward to our completely different views on the no. 10 over the rugby championship. . I warn you in advance.. i am going to have my pen and paper ready to do stats live.. That is if in fact I wake up in time and remember to do the stats ;)
cuw
Guest
" The Force were thrashed by every NZ Super Team and all Meakes did in those games was tackle." i suggest it will be very welcome with the oz team also - ability to tackle :)
piru
Roar Rookie
He also played two years at Gloucester, he's hardly brand new
Waxhead
Guest
@ Paul Leo Will you guys cut the crap on these promising players on L plates. Meakes might have what it takes in 2 years but he's only played 1 season of Super Rugby in a poor team. Force came 12th or close to - and their backs did nothing all season. He's got no international experience so throwing him in against the ABs is like a lamb to the slaughter. Give the guy some time to harden up and develop skills and experience. The Force were thrashed by every NZ Super Team and all Meakes did in those games was tackle.
Paul Leo
Guest
Billy Meakes has to be in. He's tough and he's got a great set of hands. Put him in at no. 10. He could put Kurtley and Co. through holes!
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
I got deja vu reading it.
Selector
Guest
Agreed James, defensively I would need Hodge in the front line. But I like Beale in the line for attack and Hodge's boot at the back.
mailman
Guest
lazy editing on this one.
Fionn
Guest
I'd say Timani is on par with RHP actually. The others selected at 6 and 8. Pfft.
Fionn
Guest
Or Ross Haylett-Petty for that matter.
bib
Guest
There is no way any of the selected 6 or 8s are better than Higgers ( or Fardy for that matter).
jameswm
Roar Guru
Good team, except I am not sold on Hodge in the centres. Beale comes in as 2nd receiver in attack.
Dave_S
Guest
Yes there is no way he was better than Higgs for the Reds
Selector
Guest
Based on the squad, I will go with Sio TPN Ala'altoa Coleman Arnold McMahon Hooper Timani Genia Foley Speight Hodge Kerevi Folau Beale Robertson (if there is anyway Faulkner can play the other side, I would put him in over this mess) Kepu Rodda Dempsey Powell Kurindrani Haylett Petty
Tooly
Roar Rookie
A new strong man joins the circus . Ten comments and they sum it up a bloke who did bugger all at game time during the season has become a physicality legend on the training paddock . Douglas was the same when Chekko brought him back . He even tried to get the mild mannered Mumm into cheap shots . I remember when Higgenbotham had all this as well as ability at the Reds he toned it down with the responsibility of the Captaincy at the Rebels . Chekko has far too many drones and L platers in key positions . Hannigan has shown very little all year for the Tut Tahs and even less at test level RHP is a far better player .
Fionn
Guest
'As a Reds fan, I have no idea why he is in the Wallabies.' We could say that about quite a few blokes unfortunately. And on the flip side there is an awful lot of people who I don't understand how they can not be in the Wallabies.
bib
Guest
As a Reds fan, I have no idea why he is in the Wallabies. Then again I have no idea why blokes like Hannigan and Robertson are in the Wallabies...
Charlie Turner
Guest
I know he didn't really say much but I still wish he'd said nothing. When I read the Wallabies talking up their own physicality I hear Olivia Newton John singing in my head. Having purged the cynicism I would prefer to see him play rather than Hanigan who was average in the June tests. RHP would be my first choice but he's playing club rugby.
PeterK
Roar Guru
and on the flip side if your attitude is not what he like at training i.e Cooper, Higginbotham, Timani you don't get a fair go regardless of actual game performance.
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Not ready. Play the best in each position and let the young guys learn from them.