Brumbies fullback Tom Banks was one of the unluckiest players to miss Michael Cheika’s Wallabies World Cup squad last year.
Banks admits his “bitterly disappointing” World Cup snubbing is motivation to force his way back into Wallaby gold this year.
Banks has been in scintillating form for the 3-1 Brumbies who sit top of the Australian conference heading into their Super Rugby bye this week.
The speedster has played every minute, scored three tries, made five line breaks and 314 run metres, while his precision kicks for touch have set up five maul tries.
The calls are growing louder for Banks to add to his six Tests and wear the No. 15 jersey for Australia when they host Ireland and Fiji in July.
Banks was one of the unluckiest players to miss Michael Cheika’s World Cup squad last year but has a renewed focus thanks to a promise from new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
Rennie vowed a clean slate at the selection table during his tenure and that form would trump reputation.
“I was bitterly disappointed to miss that squad but the key was to try and get back and play some good footy,” Banks said.
“It’s going to be picked on form and how you do during the year so I think that gives everyone confidence, you need to play well to get that gold jersey.
“But it definitely helps to play on a winning team.”
Banks praised Brumbies coach Dan McKellar for allowing him the attacking freedom this season to force his way back into the international arena.
“The biggest thing for me was to try and get involved more, the coaches have been really good with that, getting me to be more effective,” Banks said.
“They’ve allowed me to pop up when I want to and inject myself in the backline. They’ve really given me the confidence to attack the way I want.
“Whether that’s coming closer to the ball or coming into playmaker, there’s a few ways and they’ve really allowed me to open up.”
Hoges
Roar Rookie
DHP is the better option at the moment. Banks has the potential to make the 15 jersey his own but he has to improve a few areas of his game. He looks for the big play but doesn’t treasure possession enough. He is often left isolated and turns the ball over. DHP isn’t as explosive an attacking threat but almost always beats the first and usually second defender while always looking to put himself in position to recycle the ball. DHP has a good kicking game, not as long as Banks but reliable and both have issues in defence though neither is anywhere near as bad in defence as the former wallabies fullback whose name shall never be mentioned again. At the moment I’d be picking DHP at 15 and Banks and Hodge in the squad - one at 14 and the other on the bench. The wallabies slide down the ranking started a long time ago, I would argue it goes back to the days of selecting the likes of Sailor and Tuquiri over far superior options. And the continued tradition of picking players in the back three with no kicking game.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
It's all a bit here and there, but I don't see Wright having the mental game for test rugby. Granted he is playing better this year, but i believe it is mainly due to the reduced defensive requirements and ball playing as a winger compared to a center role. When he is playing you can tell he is still trying to adjust himself to union. In his first two seasons he was having multiple brain explosions per game. I hope he proves me wrong this season but i could see top tier teams taking advantage of him.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
yeh its all speculation. I would love if all teams released their stats - 40m sprint, 100m sprint, 3km time trial, bench press, squat, dead lift etc.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
That was my perception, Bourkos, although I’d love to be mistaken
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
To me he doesn't look as quick as the other wingers highlighted. Definitely not in the banks/pulu tier
gatesy
Roar Guru
An absolute travesty last year and just reinforced why Cheika had to go - imagine if he was coaching this year with all the new talent - would they get a run? Anyway, as they say - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Tommy only has Dane Haylett-Petty as his most serious challenger and even though I am a one-eyed rusted on Brumby fan, you cannot deny that DHP has probably shaded Tom in the last couple of weeks. What will be telling is how Noah Lolesio organises his backline and how Tom's new found freedom to "pop up" (which I think was always there) will work.
soapit
Roar Guru
not a century ago but take your other point. i think its been more the calibre of player thats caused any failure. i also think the failre has been exaggerated, our wingers havent been the biggest reason we've been losing games
MonkeyBoy
Roar Rookie
He is quick, may even be the quickest in the Brums over 40m
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I think the games changed since then and with the way the game is going we need specialists
SteveG
Guest
All a century ago. The games moved on and we need to work on what will work in today’s game. You can’t go forward by looking backwards
Brian
Guest
We can only hope that Rennie will prefer a team of players that are the best in their position rather than a team of the “best” players in their “best” positions.
soapit
Roar Guru
do it every game now tom
soapit
Roar Guru
it works fairly often roff latham campese
Brian
Guest
Every single kicker in rugby takes the kick 2-3 meters in front of the mark. Would love to see one get pulled up
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Koribete still lacks defence skills. he’s good on attack but misses out on defence a lot
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Why would you put a 15 at wing? This never ceases to amaze me and I think has been such a failure over the last 5 years. If he’s not good enough to be the No1 15 then he should work on his skills until he is. Pick a winger to be wing and a fullback to be 15 FFS
TC
Roar Rookie
Bobby..He is Not The Lone Ranger..Now if the Refs start to keep players behind the line at Kick Off?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Cool James, agree then. Good call.
Azza
Guest
It wasn't just Banks that was dudded by Cheika. One of Valentini Wright or Samu should have been there over Dempsey and QC over Foley.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
TC, his touch finders are generally very good. However Banks often cheats and kicks the ball 2 or 3 metres further on than the mark. It will only be a matter of time until he gets penalised for the deliberate cheat. Just keep your eyes open.