Wallabies backrower Pete Samu doesn’t know why he fell out of favour with coach Michael Cheika before last year’s World Cup, admitting it was a frustrating time.
The Brumbies No.8 played nine Tests in 2018 but couldn’t crack an Australian jumper last year and was overlooked for the showpiece tournament in Japan.
But Samu appears to be in the good books of incoming Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, named earlier this year in an unofficial “players of national interest” squad, which was due reward for his barnstorming start to the Super Rugby season.
He will be up against incumbent, Rebels No.8 Isi Naisarani, as well as young Reds forward Harry Wilson for selection.
Rennie contacted Samu through the opening seven rounds of this year’s competition, with the Brumbies leading the Australian conference and sitting second overall with just one loss.
“It was pretty positive (hearing from Dave Rennie), the 28-year-old said on Thursday.
“Being in that group gave me massive confidence that what I was doing on the field was being rewarded.
“He was happy with the way I was playing and gave me just a few work-ons but it was pretty positive messaging which is good.”
Rennie is set to shift from his Scotland base to Australia early next month and will keep a close eye on the five-team domestic Super competition set to start July 3.
Samu said being snubbed for the World Cup was the “big driver” for this year, although he remains clueless why he wasn’t in the selection mix after such a promising year in 2018 when he made his Test debut.
“It’s a good question … I couldn’t tell you to be honest,” Samu said.
“It was quite frustrating at the time but I knew I just had to keep moving forward.”
Brumbies assistant coach and former Waratahs star Peter Hewat said he hoped many of the Canberra crew, including Samu, would be rewarded for their start to the year.
“His chances are very high – we were playing some good footy and were at the head of the Australian conference so hopefully he would be in the top couple of backrowers in the country,” Hewat said.
“Pete’s speed, finesse and skill really suits the way we were playing and I’d love to see him get another crack.
“He’s put on a bit of weight so hopefully he’s a bit more combative in those contact areas – it’s something he’s been working hard on.”
stillmissit
Roar Guru
OOP: you are right but the fight wasn't in them after they were flanked. The French General in charge would not use radio as he thought the Germans would be listening in, so the organisation was totally chaotic with runners and motorbikes. The Germans were also on ICE so that they could keep going for 48 hours. Saw a doco on the Germans running over France and it was brutal but effective. A bit like the Pommies v Australia during Cheika's time. You could add the AB's but we did beat them in Perth.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I know what he did at world cups, Zado. There was also what he did between world cups.
Nigel
Guest
Cheika was a head case and had no idea how to select a rugby team, he’s in the right place at the moment with rugby league, as a helper with Easts!!
Zado
Guest
KCOL Cheiks dudded Quade in two world cups. Played him once in 2015 RWC pool game v Uruguay then never to seen again in the tournament. 2019 RWC he didn't even select him in a 50 man train on squad.
Matt
Guest
Cheika is an absolute disgrace.This guy should have been on the plane for 2019 RWC. Not that bum Dempsey.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I’ll need to watch Valetini a bit closer. I was impressed by him a few times in terms of his breakdown efforts. Could easily be mistaken though. I suspect he will be replaced by McCaffrey though.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I fully agree that the BR should all be ruck warriors but we don't really have many of them floating around our Super teams. Wright and McCaffrey probably the two standouts across the four sides (in that space). I can see all of Naisarani, Swinton and Valetini trying to add to their game in that space but it isn't coming naturally to them.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
OOP: sorry mate but I don't want to see that combo as the W backrow. I am hoping that Rennie brings a focus on the breakdown in what to attack and what to let go. I am also expecting that he gets the backrow operating as part of a plan with the right player doing what we expect from a br. That's all I hope for ie #8/#6 taking ball up over ad line and also doing hard tackling in close, I am also looking for Hooper to be more of a link man and less of the last man, if you know what I mean. I am assuming Hooper will be there but the only one of the three that I want to see on the paddock is Naisarani. I would like Liam Gill (assuming he is on his way back) at 7 with Hooper off the bench, 6? I have seen no one who looks remotely like an excellent 6 so far. The backrow may look very different after Rennie is the coach and I am still hopeful that the 2 x 7's gets its page torn out of the playbook.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Can’t agree that Naisarani does most of the b/r work. Samu can play 6-8, works hard at the breakdown and in the D. I hope Rennie uses Hooper in the narrow channels as that’s where I see him as being most effective. Ditto Naisarani. Of the three, Samu is the guy that I see as being really effective in the wider channels.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
SMI, he’s one of my favourite players. However, part of why I love him so much was that he wasn’t blessed with incredible speed or athleticism. He was super cunning, smart, hard working and powerful. But I wouldn’t call him ‘dynamic’ in the way that I see Hooper
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
From memory the French and German militaries were pretty evenly matched. However, the French didn't really understand how much warfare had changed since 1920, but the Germans did. The French put the overwhelming majority of its forces along the Maginot Line and the Germans simply went around them and flanked them. Germans had better strategy and much more effective middle level officers. Harrison may have a touch more pace but seems less well balanced and strong through contact. Slightly better long pass perhaps but less developed short passing and offloading game in traffic. For me the boot (off the tee and in field) is Harrison's main advantage over Lolesio. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't end up the better player. Having grown up as a 12, Lolesio looks so much more comfortable with the physical aspects of the game. He's not afraid of contact at all.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jez: I never played backrow but the best BR'ers I played with always seemed up for the fight for the ball. Who do we have at international level who are always up for the fight in the current group? Fardy was without a doubt, McCaffery is but is not an international IMO, Hodgson was but a better version of McCaffery.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
OOP: Did you mean Fardy had a lock of dynamism? I saw him as one of the best and most dynamic #6s we have had over the last 30 years.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Agree Jez, talent ain't everything but it takes you a long way. Harrison will learn a lot from his time with one of the poorest teams in SR. I am just reading a book about the end of Capitalism and one quote that stuck was that the French did not get run over due to lack of numbers in manpower or machines, which was vastly superior to Germany in WW2, but by lack of heart for the war. I would put the Waratahs in the same category, they play like they expect to beat the Brumbies and can't understand why they can't.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think Harrison has the greater potential of the two, he's got the bigger boot, stronger pass and a bit more pace. That said Lolesio is slightly ahead for me right now for two reasons. Firstly he's a bit more physically developed, he is naturally a stockier frame. Secondly he's been playing in successful systems, with other players he could expect to run out alongside for the Wallabies so he has something he can fall back on if called to do so at a higher level. Harrison might blossom given better quality players around him but we'd have to find out how he went in camp rather than it being something we already know.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Indeed my criticism is for the selectors not for Pat's performance that day.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jez that was a stupid thing for selectors to do but he showed a bucket of courage.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Mitch: Dan Carter was 21 when he first played 10 for the AB's.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
CT: I Hope your right but I am also hoping Liam Gill makes a return next year.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jez: I think all of the backrow need to be ruck focussed as well as capable ball in hand. We can’t afford another unbalanced backrow. After thinking about it, all players need to be focused on winning or retaining ball.