With the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad – plus a couple of extras – now in Japan, the tournament progression is about to get very, very real.
It’s been a long time coming, but suddenly we’re ten days out from the first game against Fiji in Sapporo.
And my goodness, where has that time gone?!
The Wallabies have set up Odawara, a little further down the western coast of central Japan from Yokohama and southwest of Tokyo, before they head north to the northern island of Hokkaido.
And they’ve taken a few extras, with Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks flying out, while Adam Coleman is already sitting out contact sessions nursing a thumb injury, and Luke Jones has been called into the squad as cover.
Injuries were always going to play a part in the campaign – Tevita Kuridrani was kept out of the Samoa Test in Sydney by a hamstring strain, though he is said to be running at full pace and on track to be available for the Fiji game next Saturday.
The news on Jordan Petaia remains as shaky as ever, though, with Michael Cheika conceding on the first day of training in Odawara that the outside back with massive expectations on him may not be right until the Wallabies’ third game of the tournament, against Uruguay.
Banks, Maddocks, and Jones are allowed to train with the ‘main’ squad until Saturday, though I’ve also heard suggestions that they can remain in Japan training after this, but just detached from the 31-man squad.
How detached that actually is – is it the hotel down the road and the training field next door, or is it a different city altogether? – I’m not so sure, and I’ll happily stand corrected.
What this highlights is how crucial it is to ensure the players on the fringe of the squad maintain some semblance of match fitness.
At this time of year, the obvious, best, and only real option is for them to be pulling on jerseys in the National Rugby Championship.
Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
The third round of the NRC is this weekend, and the remaining five rounds will coincide with the pool games of the World Cup.
The NRC semi-finals are on the same weekend as the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, while the NRC final is the same weekend as the Rugby World Cup semis.
So, from a game-time perspective, the timing is good.
I mentioned above the possibility of the three fringe players remaining Japan, but just to contradict myself within the space of five paragraphs, I also understand that Banks and Jones will be made available for Canberra and Melbourne, respectively, in the coming weeks.
The final three rounds of the NRC was the suggestion, which would seem to marry up with the prospect of them remaining Japan for another week yet.
I’m not sure of the NRC status of Maddocks, however. He spent time with the Australian sevens set-up after Super Rugby, and played a couple of games with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney.
But it’s also my understanding that several Rebels players are only contracted for the Super Rugby timeframe and not the NRC, which in theory leaves them available to chase short-term cover stints overseas, a la the two-month deal Waratahs lock Jed Holloway signed with Irish club Munster this week.
Jed Holloway goes up for the ball (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Flanker Liam Wright has been back at Ballymore this week training with Queensland Country after coming off the Wallabies bench on Saturday night, and will likely be named in their side to face Sydney later today.
Joe Powell and Rob Valetini are both expected to be named in the Canberra Vikings’ first home game of the season, when they host Brisbane City at Viking Park – home of the best steak in Australian rugby – on Saturday afternoon.
Pete Samu has played both of the Vikings’ games so far, and his performances have been as impressive as his tucked-in jersey.
Harry Johnson-Holmes is expected to suit up for NSW Country against the Fijian Drua this weekend in Wollongong, and front-row counterpart Tom Robinson is in line for a return from injury in the next few weeks.
Nick Phipps is the only one I’m not sure about. He’s due to depart for London Irish of course, but the fact that he jumped ahead of Powell to play off the Aussie bench against Samoa surely means that he’s still in the frame?
If that’s the case, you do wonder if he might pop up in a Sydney or NSW Country (who he played for last season) jersey over the next few weeks, even though he wasn’t named for either.
Unless of course, the Samoa Test was a thanks-for-the-memories farewell gift?
Either way, the NRC is already setting itself for a fascinating run home over the final five rounds, and the addition of the fringe Wallabies players can only add to that.
This weekend (all times AEST):
Saturday
12 midday: Sydney vs Queensland Country, Woollahra Oval, Sydney
2pm: Canberra vs Brisbane City, Viking Park, Canberra
4pm: NSW Country vs Fiji, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Sunday
5pm: Western Force vs Melbourne, McGillivray Oval, Perth
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. Games have been good. Though I think the can pickup the pace
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Nicely said Brett, it's a bit of a mystery with Melbourne Rising interest in the NRC. Are they using it as a trial to see if players from the lukewarm Dwyer Shield can cut the mustard? which is fair enough or are they just fulfilling the contract? They have some SR talent in the team but loads have departed or in Japan with the WB. Compare them to the Canberra Vikings, loaded every week with SR talent with every intention to win the competition. I love the NRC, look how well F.McReight, W.Harrison and H.Wilson are showing their class and let's not forget players such as T.Tupou, T.McDermott and F.Daugunu who showed they are up to it in the NRC. Some top games last week and definitely the Qld Country vs Vikings was a top-notch match. Onto this week and teams and how they are going are as below: Saturday, September 14 All times AEST 12pm - Sydney vs Queensland Country, Woollahra Oval, Rose Bay, Sydney, LIVE on RUGBY.com.au, Fox Sports and Kayo. Sydney 1. Rory O'Connor, 2. Ed Craig, 3. Charles Abel, 4. Ryan McCauley, 5. Tu'itakau Kioa, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Joshua Kemeny, 9. Jacob Abel, 10. Will Harrison, 11. James Ramm, 12. Harry Burey, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Cameron Clark, 15. Jaline Graham. Reserves: 16. Declan Moore, 17. Tom Osborne, 18. Wayne Borsak, 19. Jack Digby, 20. Jordan Goddard, 21. Christian Poidevin, 22. Mitch Short, 23. Tyson Davis. Queensland Country 1. George Francis, 2. Matt Faessler, 3. Gavin Luka, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Harry Hockings, 6. Jeremiah Lynch, 7. Angus Scott-Young, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Rohan Saifoloi, 11. Joey Fittock, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Jock Campbell. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Carter Ozanne, 18. Bronson Fotualii, 19. Dillon Wihongi, 20. Connor Pritchard, 21. Liam Dillon, 22. Daniel Boardman, 23. Tom Lucas Sydney have a host of Randwick players, including 5/8th Will Harrison, returning from last week's fun-run against the Pumas. In addition block busting Tah's centre Lalakai Foketi strengthens the midfield. Queensland Country also have some SR talent back into the side that beat the Brumbies, including CFS thus ensuring a nice Battle of the Centres in the match. Harry Wilson was all over the much vaunted Brumbies forwards last week, he is only 20 but already looks a gun. 2pm - Canberra Vikings vs Brisbane City, Viking Park, Canberra, LIVE on RUGBY.com.au and Kayo. Canberra 1. Fred Kaihea, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Tom Ross, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Darcy Swain (c), 6. Pete Samu, 7. Luke Gersekowski, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Mack Hansen, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tom Wright, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Andy Muirhead. Reserves: 16. TP Luteru, 17. Bo Abra, 18. Jake Simeon, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Angus Allen, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. George Morseu. Brisbane 1. Ruan Smith, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Josh Nasser, 4. Brad Kapa, 5. Adam Korczyk, 6. Michael Wood, 7. Fraser McReight (c), 8. Sam Wallis, 9. Moses Sorovi, 10. Isaac Lucas, 11. Jordan Luke, 12. Teti Tela, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Ashton Watson, 15. Lawson Creighton. Reserves: 16. Sean Farrell, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Rhys van Nek, 19. Tuaina Tualima, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Connor Anderson, 22. Nick Chapman, 23. Isaac Henry. Canberra welcomes back its new Wallaby in R.Valetini after he inflicted a few bruises to the Manu Samoa. Joe Powell also returns via the bench. Canberra has a backline to die for but their front row is the weakness at this level. Conversely Brissie City have a front row to fear with some quality beef behind them and top halves, but the rest of the backs look inexperienced. 4pm - NSW Country Eagles vs Fijian Drua, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, LIVE on RUGBY.com.au and Kayo. NSW Country 1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Tom Horton, 3. Chris Talakai, 4. Pat Tafa, 5. Tom Staniforth, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Icely, 8. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Mack Mason, 11. James Kane, 12. Ofa Manuofetoa, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15. Tim Clements. Reserves: 16. David Vea, 17. Archer Hall, 18. Matthew Sandell, 19. Nathan Den Hoedt, 20. Will Harris, 21. Jack Grant, 22. Connor O'Shea, 23. Joey Walton. Fijian Drua 1. Joeli Veitayaki, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Mosese Ducivaki, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5. TBC, 6. Eremasi Radrodro, 7. Rusiate Nasova, 8. Johnny Dyer, 9. Peni Matawalu, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Nacanieli Narequva,, 12. Cyril Reece, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14. Aporosa Tabulawaki, 15. TBC. Reserves: 16. Ratunaisa Navuma, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Jone Koroiduadua, 19. Necani Nawaqadau, 20. Jone Navori, 21. Seru Vularika, 22. Peceli Nacebe, 23. Jiuta Wainiqolo. Another new Wallaby HJH comes into the NSW Country side as does everyone's hero, our Ned. The backline remains the same from last week against the Rising. The Drua have between 7-8 changes from the starting side of last week who were flogged by the Force. Hope to get to WIN Stadium just to see some good rugby. Sunday, September 15 5pm - Western Force vs Melbourne Rising, UWA Sports Park, Perth. LIVE on RUGBY.com.au and Kayo. Western Force 1. Cameron Orr, 2. Heath Tessman, 3. Chris Heiberg, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner. 5. Johan Bardoul, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior (c), 10. Andrew Deegan, 11. Byron Ralston, 12. Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 13. Nick Jooste, 14. Leon Feke, 15. Jonah Placid. Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready 17. Harrison Lloyd, 18. Dominic Hardman, 19. Jeremy Thrush, 20. Tevin Ferris, 21. Issak Fines, 22. Jake Strachan, 23. Kitione Ratu. Melbourne Rising 1. Matt Gibbon, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Vaauli Faamausili, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 5. Esei Haangana, 6. Ikapote Tupai, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Rob Leota, 9. Theo Strang, 10. Rodney Iona, 11. Lolohea Loco, 12. James Sooialo, 13. Semisi Tupou, 14. Nailati Ukalele, 15. Justin Marsters. Reserves: 16. Moli Sooaemalelagi, 17. Fereti Sa'aga, 18.Tetera Faulkner, 19. William Clift, 20. Maciu Nabolakasi, 21. Pat Morrey, 22. Reece Fuller, 23. William Lewesi. Force have heaps of changes from the starters who beat the Drua, including the return of their captain I.Prior to strengthen the halves. After losing to NSW Country the Rising have a team with some quality forwards but mixed with P-platers and their whole SR backline is up North learning whether to say Doumo arigatou or Sumimasen. Results Round 2: Drua 15 - Force 38 Rising 19 - NSW Country 29 Brisbane City 52 - Sydney 26 Qld Country 36 - Vikings 23. NRC Table after Round Two Force 2W 0D 0L 1bp 9 NSW Country 2W 0D 0L 0bp 8 Brisbane City 1W 1D 0L 1bp 7 Qld Country 1W 0D 1L 2bp 6 Canberra 1W 0D 1L 1bp 5 Drua 0W 1D 1L 0bp 2 Sydney 0W 0D 2L 1bp 1 Rising 0W 0D 2L 0bp 0
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or he won’t he as good as Hooper, who at his age had achieved the same as McReight and more already.
Rhyno
Roar Rookie
Michael 'Iceman' Jones remains the only player to be in the same conversation as the GOAT Richie McCaw. Iceman had speed, athleticism and a ticker like no other. Arguably, a better pure 7 than McCaw.
Markus
Roar Rookie
"and they are flogging themselves needlessly prior to the Super season" From what I have garnered from a lot of professional rugby players, having an opportunity to get out of the monotony of training and gym work and actually play a game of rugby every now and then is a reward unto itself.
Realist
Guest
Agree with the title Brett. Joe Powell needs to play the house down in the NRC and Nick Phipps needs to sit at home with his thumb up his ‘you know where’ to get a RWC call-up.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Purdo, after considering your well thought out post, I have recanted my earlier position.
Brett McKay
Expert
Yeah, but for us, scrums don't start until the ball goes in! Everything that happens before that is irrelevant!! :laughing:
AndyS
Guest
...and refereeing ;)
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Dunno what you mean. Seems to me most scrumhalfs think themselves experts at scrums everytime the ref is in earshot! :laughing:
Brett McKay
Expert
Yeah, he's been going well Paul. I'm probably not the best judge of props (find me a former scrumhalf who is!! :laughing: ), and I even have to concede I was probably over-focussing on Connor Vest and Tom Staniforth on the weekend!
Brett McKay
Expert
The boat hasn't sailed for the RWC at all, Booby. There will be injuries, there always is. In 2015, Will Skelton and Wycliff Palu were ruled out after two weeks, with James Hanson and Sam Carter called up. Hanson had played for Brisbane City throughout the NRC season, and Carter came back from a knee injury himself via NSW Country. In 2011, Palu (again) and Drew Mitchell were ruled out, replaced by Matt Hodgson and Lachie Turner. Players will need to be called up, and so will need to maintain form and fitness. That's not flogging themselves needlessly, that's being a professional and putting yourself in the best possible position for a call up..
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Bobby, I think it’s a lower standard, but not a low standard. It’s good enough to be entertaining and there’s blokes really having a go. It might be the highest standard that they ever get to play at. Surely it’s meaningful that some blokes get to play in a better standard competition than they have been playing in, and for some it may be a pathway from club to professional. What would it take for a competition to be meaningful? When Noah and I were boys (and I followed Rugby League) the pathway from club to international was via inter district competitions – intrastate trials and competitions like the Bulimba Cup etc. I know it’s different. There seems to be a gap (how to bridge it?) between clubs (where they exist) and elite/professional level. AFL has that pathway with district based under 18 competition, and inter-league matches for seniors. People say that crowds and TV ratings are falling. People also bag Super Rugby because its irrelevant. Is SR meaningful? There needs to be something that spreads Rugby into the community, or brings the community to Rugby. If it’s not NRC, or Super Rugby, then what is it? Or is professional sport a circus like the wrestling where no-one in the community actually participates, but may come to watch the freaks who do.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I’d say the evidence of guys out there playing at the elite level with that kind of frame overrides any comments on here!
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Jeznez, it's the comments above on The Roar
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Thank you, BM
Purdo
Roar Rookie
JP – sort of true, but a bit of extra weight doesn’t go astray when playing against guys in the bush who are built like fridges, and really would be good in union, if it existed.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ken, dunno. Whitebaur population suffered a setback about 1945
AndyS
Guest
Mind goes to Cam Shepherd, pulled from the ARC in 2007 after Gerrard blew his knee. Also to Luke McAlister, who cracked the proverbial after the RWC boat sailed for him in 2011 and went off to Europe. So when the ABs crocked their third fly half and had to resort to the whitebaiting brigade, someone else gets the movie made of them...
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Quade’s ‘best years are behind him’ Bobby, but even his lesser self spins a pass both ways that beats two 10 covers in our WC squad. Do they have whitebait in Japan?