Emerging forward and impact player Lukhan Tui wouldn’t mind muscling his way into the Wallabies’ mosquito fleet back row in addition to adding oomph to the second row.
Test rookie Tui played a vital role off the bench in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup win over New Zealand at the Suncorp Stadium home base of his Queensland Super Rugby team.
He won a vital restart late in the game, claimed lineout ball and added aggression and zest, as Australia held on to end a seven-match losing streak against the world champions and the country of Tui’s birth.
Although he’s primarily a lock, the 21-year-old Tui can also play blindside flanker as he did when he came off the bench against Argentina in Mendoza.
At 198 cms, he has the height as well as the aggression to play in the back row.
“I’m pretty keen to play six or lock,” Tui told AAP.
“It helps my case to be in the 23.
“But in saying that, the way that (the back row of) Jack (Dempsey), Hoops (Michael Hooper) and Seany (Sean McMahon) played on the weekend, they all played really well and were outstanding.
“A lot of people might talk about size but they kind of showed on the weekend it wasn’t all about size.”
A mid-year knee injury delayed Tui’s rise to Test ranks, but it proved just a temporary setback after a strong Super Rugby campaign.
With three caps off the bench to his name, Tui will be hoping for more time in Saturday’s clash with the Barbarians in Sydney.
The Baa Baas have been hit by injuries and former NSW Waratahs favourite and Springbok lock Jacques Potgieter is among those to withdraw from their squad.
Tui came to Australia when he was four and Saturday’s Test was his first against his former country.
“It was a big game for me, a big occasion obviously being born in New Zealand. I was just pretty excited to get the opportunity to play against them,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a funny one. My family were in the stands, wearing All Black jerseys – they all support New Zealand.
“But first and foremost, they all support me and I think they are just happy for myself and happy that the team could get a win.”
While several of their more-experienced teammates have accumulated many losses to New Zealand, Tui, Dempsey and winger Marika Koroibete all enjoyed a confidence-boosting win in their first clash with the All Blacks.
piru
Roar Rookie
What the ARU should have done is compensate players that were signed for 2018 and beyond who are “dead wood” so that the franchise can replace that player by a better prospect from the Force. What they should have done is found a way to keep the five sides But that argument is dead
Nigel
Guest
Does it matter where you were born?? If you qualify via the requirements then u are eligible to play for your new country!!!
Nigel
Guest
There was an argument that supported too many Duper Rugby teams and not enough depth in Australian rugby to to maintain a good roster at each franchise!! Interesting to hear you mention that some players may miss out on a contract and be forced overseas, was this not the cornerstone argument to shedding a team??? Financial or one too many teams??? No simple answer but we are going to see like in the past the player migration continuing!!! Perhaps the ARU is guilty of smoke and mirrors and whichever way the toss ends up players are going to pay the price!!
Terry Tavita
Guest
it don't really matter..it's just migration patterns..parents from samoa..born in nz..moved to australia..plays for the wallabies..
blahblah
Guest
are there any wallabies that were born in Australia?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Paul D - Yes very good idea, no chance that the ARU are that creative or helpful. Why hasn't this been well settled, they are still haggling over squad sizes and salary caps. ARU is not moving and the teams other than Rebels who kept a lot of spots open, think it is not right that they can't afford to sign these players or don't have room in squad sizes.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Good idea, Paul. I think that if you offered that player both compensation + the ability for them to get a contract in Europe then they would accept it pretty readily. Let's face it, if you're not going to get consistent game-time in Aus you'd rather get the double salary from the compensation and playing overseas.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
What the ARU should have done is compensate players that were signed for 2018 and beyond who are "dead wood" so that the franchise can replace that player by a better prospect from the Force.
AlBo
Guest
Sorry mate, didn't see this before I posted my comment above. Agree obviously :)
AlBo
Guest
It's just so nice to see some depth in the 2nd row. Both Arnolds, Coleman, Tui, Rodda, RHP, Simmons. Second rowers have greater potential for injury due to their frames, however I think that any of these players could step up (some better than others) if needs be. They're not all world beaters, but they have something to offer and it's a position I don't think we've been in for a while.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Well, I really hope your pessimism is unfounded in this. Given that one of the justifications used for cutting the Force was increasing the depth in Aussie rugby then IU really, really hope that all of the good Force players are signed.
PeterK
Roar Guru
believe it when I see it ARU doesn't have a good record in managing any aspect of this mess. It will annoy me greatly if good players like Rona, Ruru, Philips guys with potential to be in the wallabies or at least put real pressure on incumbents etc don't get signed anywhere yet quite poor players in squads are since they were already signed.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I said most of the 'good' players. Some of the players will miss out, sure. But there is room for most of the top guys like Phillips (Tahs), Lance (Rebels), Meakes (Tahs-Rebels-Brumbies), TPN (Brumbies-Rebels), Louwrens (Brumbies).
PeterK
Roar Guru
not true it also has to increase the allowed squad sizes which it hasn't. Teams other than Rebels had all their spots full.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think most of the good Force players will be offered spots. The ARU simply has to relax the salary cap so that we can give these guys offers good enough that they don't want to go overseas.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Main issue yet to be resolved is that the 4 super rugby teams don't have enough squad spots left to sign the better force players. Some quite good players will be forced o/s if they can find a team or sit out a year.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
It looks to me like all of the Aussie teams will be stronger next year than this year. Hopefully 2017 was the nadir and it becomes to pick up now. I think the players will have more belief next year also.
PeterK
Roar Guru
For a long time the wallabies have struggled at lock and fans (mainly outside qld) have wanted more powerful locks to oust the need for Simmons. With Coleman, Tui, Arnold and Phillips, RHP in super rugby that may be a possibility except out of those only Coleman manages the lineouts. If Phillips or RHP want to jump the line they need to start calling lineouts. However RHP will probably join Coleman at the rebels so that won't happen. Phillips who think is better if the 2 doesn't have a super rugby contract in the offing as far as I am aware. He really should go to the Tahs. Yes I know he won't call the lineout there but the competition for a starting spot is less , it is a weak pack at lock / 6 compared to Brumbies, Reds or Rebels.
The Sheriff
Guest
Both he and Rodda look the goods. The Reds will have a strong pack next year as the Tongan Thor is developing nicely too from the evidence of his game last Saturday.
jameswm
Roar Guru
1. Mobile. 2. Can do the core functions of a 5 or 6. 3. Strong in contact. 4. Good hands/offloaad. That is what I want from all our forwards, and he ticks all 4. Many others don't. Game sense is the 5th asset, but it is very subjective.