Over the last year I’ve read a lot of Roarers express worry about what the next generation of Wallabies players and coaches are going to be like. Are enough talented players coming through?
Australia has never had a problem producing enough talented rugby players, except maybe at prop – the only possible problem is retaining them.
I don’t have any ideas today about how to retain them, but here are my thoughts on some talent that’s coming through. This is my future Wallabies squad of 23, plus some other names as extra options.
My criteria were that the players have to either be uncapped and look like future Wallabies or have less than five caps and be good enough to be in the Wallabies now. I was expecting those criteria to lead to a list of players who were mostly young and who weren’t established 2018 Wallabies.
Here’s my list.
1. Jean-Pierre Smith, zero caps
if you’ve got the Smith twins at prop, you should be safe at scrum time. I think he’s about to become eligible for Australia. Or you could go for Harry Johnson-Holmes or Harry Hoopert, both without a cap.
2. Anaru Rangi, zero caps
Maybe not a third prop like Tatafu Polota-Nau, but about the same weight as Dane Coles. He throws very well into the lineout. He’s like having an extra dynamic, gutsy loose forward around the field.
3. Ruan Smith, zero caps
He’s a rock. See above about his twin. Australia has struggled over the years to produce top-quality props. In New Zealand or England, if a young athlete has a frame like Carl Hayman, he’s probably going to be a rugby union prop, yet in Australia he’s probably going to be a league forward – think Paul Gallen. But at the moment I reckon there are more good props coming through than ever before.
4. Harry Hocking, zero caps
A string-bean lock. He’s very tall, plus he seems to have the skills and the attitude. Hopefully he’ll bulk up a bit, and who better as a coach but Brad Thorn to help him with that. Mind you, there have been some pretty good string-bean locks. Thinks John Eales, Ian Jones et cetera.
5. Jed Holloway, zero caps
He’s a strong ball-running lock or a tall No. 8. You could also pick Matt Phillips (three caps) or Blake Enever (two caps). Australia has always produced world-class locks, like Steve Cutler. Maybe the league scouts don’t want to sign skinny six-foot-seven teenagers.
Waratahs player Jed Holloway. (NSW Rugby/Amanda Allen)
6. Luke Jones, three caps
He should have been taken on the 2018 end-of-year tour and should be playing at this year’s World Cup. He’s big, fast, hard-hitting and a genuine lineout target.
7. Liam Wright, zero caps
Maybe the Reds don’t need Liam Gill back after all. Wright would not be out of place in a Wallabies jersey.
8. Isi Naisarani, zero caps
He’s about to become eligible and should be playing at this year’s World Cup. He will bend the opposition line. You could also name Angus Scott-Young or Angus Cottrell as your No. 6 or No. 8.
9. Tate McDermott, zero caps
Ken Catchpole, Nick Farr-Jones, George Gregan, Will Genia, Tate McDermott. What a revelation this little guy has been!
10. Isaac Lucas, zero caps
This is a position where Australia does lack depth, and that’s a problem. However, there are a few young guns who show promise, and most of them are in the Reds squad. It’s a bit early to know which of them will go on to consistently deliver at the top level, but I’ll take a punt and say I think Isaac Lucas looks like he might be a very good Wallabies No. 10 in a year or two.
11. Jordan Petaia, zero caps
He’s a very special talent! Watch this space. He’s destined for the midfield, but it might be better to start his international career from the wing.
Reds player Jordan Petaia (AAP Image/Albert Perez)
12. Billy Meakes, zero caps
He’s a hard-running and accurate No. 12 and the most underrated player in the country.
13. Tom English, zero caps
He’s a very good all-round outside centre. This guy would be my pick for Wallabies No. 13 now. But Jordan Petaia’s time as the Wallabies No. 13 is not far away either.
14. Toni Pulu, zero caps
He’s an older late developer, so he’s probably not a long-term prospect, but he’s a real speed merchant and could be a World Cup star. He recently became available for Australia. I was tempted to name Jack Maddocks, who is a very promising young player, but he’s had six caps.
15. Tom Banks, four caps
He should be the Wallabies No. 15 now. Pace to burn.
16. Jordan Uelese, two caps
He’s the obvious choice – he’s strong and dynamic and might turn out to be a real star in the future. He would bring impact if he came off the bench, but lineout throwing accuracy is a must-have for an international hooker. I hope Uelese has been polishing his during his injury break. Damien Fitzpatrick (zero caps) or Andrew Ready (zero caps) would also be options. Neither of these two are superstars but both can throw straight into the lineout and both have a solid all-round game.
17. Harry Johnson-Holmes, zero caps
This guy looks really promising and could be the full package, but he needs another year or two to hopefully put a bit more meat on his bones. Ditto Harry Hoopert.
Waratahs player Harry Johnson-Holmes. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
18. Feao Fotuaika, zero caps
He looks like a powerhouse as long as coaches and a nutritionist look after him. The Reds have him at loosehead, but he can apparently play either side. Jermaine Ainsley (one cap) also has potential.
19. Matt Phillips, three caps
Either Phillips or Blake Enever (two caps) can play here. Or, if you wanted a specialist lineout target, Angus Blyth (zero caps), another very tall and skinny Queenslander. See my comments about Hockling above.
20. Lachlan McCaffrey, zero caps
He’s dynamic, uncompromising and can play all three loose forward positions. He’s the form loosie in Australian Super Rugby. He’s arguably a bit small for an international starting No. 8, but what a guy to bring off the bench!
21. Jake Gordon, one cap
He’s a very good player and unlucky not to have more capss. Also, look out for Moses Sorovi (zero caps).
22. Tom Wright, zero caps
Let’s finish by naming a couple of promising league converts for the backs reserves, which shows young players switching codes isn’t all one-way traffic. Also, keep an eye on Matt McGahan (zero caps).
23. John Folau, zero 0 caps
He’d have to be pretty good, wouldn’t he?
John Folau in his NRL days playing for the Eels (Naparazzi / Flickr)
What about coaches?
Australia needs a triumvirate, not another single ‘cult of personality’ type.
Head coach: Scott Johnson
This bloke could do the job if well supported. In a perfect world it shouldn’t matter if the next coach is an Aussie, Kiwi, Saffa or Martian, but the reality is that if he’s not an Aussie, then the likes of Alan Jones will be putting the knife in at every opportunity.
Assistant coach, backs: Dave Wessels
I’m not sure if this guy is the real deal or not, but he seems smart and dedicated. He might be a future Wallabies head coach, but at the moment he could at least do a good job as an assistant coach.
Assistant coach, forwards: Brad Thorn
I can understand why some people don’t like how he treated some previous players, and I’m not sure he was what it takes to ever be a really good international head coach, but he absolutely could do the job as Wallabies forwards coach. I pity the fool who turns up unfit for Brad’s preseason training.
In summary, how would this future Wallabies team go against the 2018 Wallabies? First, the future Wallabies team would need time to develop combination, so we’d have to assume that.
David Pocock would pilfer a bit of pill off them and Israel Folau would steal a couple of high balls.
The future Wallabies scrum would hold its own, though Harry Johnson-Holmes might struggle against Taniela Tupou a bit when replacements came on the second half. This proposed lineout would work better than the 2018 Wallabies lineout, and with good coaching they’d be smart enough to make that a weapon. In the loose, Michael Hooper and Ned Hanigan would struggle to contain players like Naisarani and Luke Jones.
The backlines would be fairly evenly matched. A lot would depend on whether the future Wallabies halves turn out to be as good as I think they might be. Apart from that, I think the future Wallabies could have an edge.
Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale would not enjoy having the likes of Jones, Naisarani, Holloway and Meakes run at them all day, and the future Wallabies outside backs would have a bit more pace and a higher work rate than the 2018 Wallabies.
I’d be putting my cash on the future Wallabies winning by under 12.
The Wallabies have had golden eras in the past, and they’ll have them again. Who knows if one is just around the corner? The future looks bright!
Don
Roar Rookie
Wright is a far better player and overall prospect than McReight. Ultimately Fraser is going to be limited by his height. He’s a slow Michael Hooper.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Agree Fionn and your comment about White picking outsiders and developing them is what the Brumbies proved when they started. The talent is there in all areas apart from coaching and talent spotting....
stillmissit
Roar Guru
I agree Bluesfan: I would point the finger at Cheika for not developing any talent at 10 and 9 two key positions for any team. No back row 6's or 8's and although we have a possible 15 in Jack Maddox what's the chances of his getting a run. Others here would know more about backs who have been overlooked but to me, Cheika has been a total fail in terms of the next generation. Is it self centredness or is it that he is too conservative to take a chance and stick with the call for a couple of games (Hannigan being the exception that proves the rule!) Why was this not one of his KPI's?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I like what you are thinking, has a bit of a Reds lean to it but thought provoking none-the least..
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Jed Holloway picked a nice day to visit Yamba.
Bluesfan
You might not put much importance on the U20 Progamm, but the NZRFU do - and it's not only in the playing ranks, they utilize it to also bring through promising coaches - Scott Robinson. Players do change basis physical development, so a player like McCaw can always come through and thankfully by tradional methods like coming up via NPC because they are late developers etc. However I can guarantee you that the 2015 & 17 NZ U20 side, which won the U20 WC, will be the basis of the AB team moving forward in the next 5 years - you just need to see the names coming through in Super Rugby now. In regards England - you highlight the 6 nations - well because of the depth they have developed they just about beat the AB's, have beaten Oz last 6 times running, beaten Ireland in Ireland (something NZ couldn't do) and lost to Wales away - all with major injury issues. So the U20 Progamm does not guarantee success - but it helps a hell of a lot in building depth/talent spotting. In actual fact - to show how important the U20 Progamm is treated by the Northern Unions - whilst the 6 nations has being going, they concurently have also being running a 6 nations U20 Comp - which Ireland has just run, with France 2nd. Accordingly if a National Union doesn't put correct amount of resources into it's youth progamm, it's going to be pretty difficult to win vs Unions, which have put time/money into identifying talent and bringing it through.
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
I place very little importance on U20s tbh. It just reflects how good players are at that age, and a lot of factors determine that. Most players have not reached their physical maturity and are only scratching the surface in terms of skill levels. Coaching at that level also varies greatly from country to country. Using your logic, Bluesfan, England should have won the last five Six Nations comps and Ireland and Wales should have both been a distant second and third. The Aussie U20s from 2016 that finished 6th is a great example of an underachieving team at that level still being able to produce many talented players down the track. Rodda, Maddocks, Magnay, Tyrel Lomax, Uelese, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Hocking, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright and Izaia Perese all came from that team. Not too shabby. From an NZ point of view, you have to remember that possibly our greatest ever player in Richie McCaw couldn’t make the starting u21s team and was behind Sam Harding that year. Harding went on to play one Test for the ABs and we all know what Richie ended up achieving.
Bluesfan
Serious - I can't recall Jake White being a coach who was known as a talent identifer.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Are you joking, or being serious?
Bluesfan
What players did Jake White discover?
Jock the sock
Guest
Yeah q.c should make way for Maddocks to get 5/8.
Rugby wizard
Guest
If there is a 7 who can be better than Gill or close too Smith its Fraser Mcreight,the kid is very good. There are some overseas players who are still young who possibly could return for a stint in AUS. 1.Browning 2.Placid 3.Kelleway 4.Godwin will be 31 RWC 2023 Rebels scrum half Harrison Goddard is probably the best goal kicker in AUS and former AUS under 20 captain Reece Hewatt is another that must not be forgotten.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
And yet coaches like Jake White have a history of picking obscure players that were ignored by ‘the system’ and developing them. I don’t think u/20s are the be all and end all, but I do concede you have a point. Part of the reason our u/20s are so poor is due to awful coaching and systems at that level. Not the players.
Bluesfan
The odd player will make it through without making Schoolboy or U20 Side, but they are quickly becoming the exception. All the national unions are utilizing the U20 Progamm to develop there players. NZ is a good example in how they are using the NZ U20 to talent ID players and then bring them through. Look at the U20 sides from 2015 and 2017 - People like Ioane, Goodhue, Ennor, Will Jordan etc - Oz effectively will have to beat those two World Champion teams with players that couldn't make the quarter finals. That's a pretty tough ask and not good for rugby. Daugunu is great in attack - but defence is poor, it's why he was dropped last year. However guess if Naivulu is leaving next year - so assume the Reds will give him more game time to get him ready for 2020.
TimO
Roar Rookie
I've been surprised Daugunu hasn't been given more gametime for the Reds this season. Giteau law to 50 caps? Would it make much difference? Once a player is based overseas, I sense of there's a reluctance to pick them even if you're allowed to.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I personally think it’s wrong to think that players that succeed at under 20 necessarily develop into the best ones later on. I’m not sure if Kerevi is moving to Japan short term or long term. I agree the Giteau law may be relaxed in the future - and it probably should be. I also think Daugunu is a special player in attack.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Don't forget Deegan from the Force, could also be added to the mix, as he is a very inventive and enterprising number 10, plus that winger, the young guy? Molloy?
Bluesfan
You include Kervei - but understand he is off to Japan post WC? It's being years since Oz U20 had any decent results e.g. best result since 2010 is 3rd place in 2011 - so all the players you list above - apart from Naisarani, in a Head to Head comp against there international peers - haven't being able to get to a semi final, let a final in their age group comp - and that's concerning. I mean look at that list - I can see potential World Class players at 2, 6, 13 and 15 and maybe 18 - though noting Tupou has being found out a bit with 2nd year syndrome and Uelese - basically just calling him on his potential. Otherwise I see a lot of Super quality level players (Powell, Daugunu?) but hard to see them dominating at Super let alone International level play. If the Wallabies lose Coleman, Genia, Foley, Cooper, Kervei, Carter, Pocock etc - think it could be a tough couple of years for the Wallabies. Personally think Rugby Oz should/will look at the Giteau rule closely in 2020/21 - because if Oz loses a lot of there top quality players and little to replace them - think they might be forced to jetson the rule and regain access to the likes of Coleman etc. And let's face it - if Oz selected players world wide with zero restriction - you could select a squad that could beat anyone in the world.
TimO
Roar Rookie
Get out there and have a surf Waxie. You know you'll feel better for it.
TimO
Roar Rookie
Hi Bluesfan. What exactly happens when you "hit the red alter button"?