The Brumbies have re-signed young gun Tom Wright on a one-year extension, keeping him in the capital until at least the end of the 2021 season.
The 23-year-old outside back has had an excellent 2020 season so far, crossing the line six times in his nine appearances for the Brumbies in Super Rugby and Super Rugby AU.
It’s led to calls for him to feature in the gold jersey and new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is reportedly a fan, although there’s likely only one winger’s jersey up for grabs with reigning John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete set to take a starting spot later in the year should Test rugby be played.
Had it not been for the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and what it means for Super Rugby’s future structure, a longer deal to keep Wright in Australian rugby long-term – potentially up until the next World Cup – may have been on the cards. However, the league convert said he has no plans to leave the 15-man code.
“I’m really happy to be staying at the Brumbies and in Canberra next season,” Wright said.
“I’ve loved every minute with the club so far and I’ve formed some special relationships with my teammates, so to know I’ll be here next season is awesome.
“Beyond next year will take care of itself, but I certainly plan to be in Canberra for a long time.”
Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson had praise for the winger but tempered his Wallabies potential.
“Tom is part of a very exciting and young group of talent and his commitment is just another sign of a bright future for Australian Rugby.
“Tom has been in terrific form for the Brumbies in the last 18 months and it certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by Wallaby selectors.
“Nothing is guaranteed around future honours, though, and Tom is fully aware he has to continue to knuckle down and work hard to earn that gold jersey.”
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was unsurprisingly pleased to have the young winger on his squad for at least one more year.
“He’s a genuine game-changer, someone who can cut open a defence at any time and, for a young man, his communication on the field and just how he conducts himself in our environment is a real positive,” McKellar said.
“Off the field, he’s a really popular member of the squad and we hope to see him in a Brumbies jersey and even potentially Wallaby gold for years to come.”
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
tom wright plays like ben tune..
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Reece Hodge played schools at 10. We know how that worked out. But I’m happy to reserve judgement till he actually plays it at a decent level
PeterK
Roar Guru
he played all his junior days including national school boys as a f/b, he has all the required skills for f/b.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
He did a few times in the last game. He has a great boot on him. Mainly from watching him in his school days. I hope he gets a chance an FB but more than that I just hope he can stay fit and on the park.
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
Plus Koro smashed that Irish halfback when they last visited.
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
Ramm rates highly on my "o sh*t!" meter, in that when he gets the ball, as a Red's supporter, he creates a strong sense of foreboding. Compare with someone like, say, Bernard Foley, who did not have the same "o sh*t!" meter rating.
soapit
Roar Guru
i see where ur coming from but koro grew a lot in the wallabies last year so id be giving him first shot. especially as we’re fairly likely to have a new winger and fullback around him (not to mention the rest of the backline) the growth might even continue which would mean something pretty special. i do think one of koros strength last year was how much effort he was putting in and making good decision and just by doing that and being professional and not stuffing up was enough to have him one of our best. i hope that there will be a bit more competition to be a top player in the new regime
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I like Ramm. A lot. I think all that gymnastics made him super strong and he has a massive boot. He’s got stuff to work on but he’s a keeper.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I don’t think I recall Petaia putting boot to ball much. We lamented Folau’s limited skill set at the back. I expect Petaia at 15 would be Folau 2.0.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Just because 1 player is made an exception of by Cheika doesn't justify another player to be though of as ready to be chosen on very few games. Also Petaia had traveled with the wallabies squad prior to this.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Hodge for fullback over petaia. You can't tgrow someone in there without them playing super rugby in that position or you have teams running out like Cheikas musical chairs wallabies. But for me it has to be DHP as long as he recovers fully from the PCL rupture
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Absolutely tests are a level above and should be considered as such. But Petaia went to the RWC off 11 SR games. 2 of them were incomplete games because he got injured.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Petaia has played tests and played well and that ranks well above super rugby Also considering Petaia played 11 games for the red before this year I doubt it very much.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
TWAS: I don't think I've seen Kellaway play badly yet. He was on fire before the Kovid break. He seems to have a good footy brain and good winger's skills. It's great to see so many up and coming wingers after the period 2015 - 2019. I like the way Koroboite keeps developing his skills and seems to improve all the time. He is developing a kicking game, too, apart from being the hardest working winger you'll ever see. It has also been great to see Petaia step up. His goose step reminds me of Campo, and he does seem to have a knack of making a deft contribution.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think they both make a good combo. Wright is probably competing with a lot of players like Ramm, Daugunu, Ralston and Kellway (not so much any more on Kellaway). Petaia probably fits in here too. Koroibete doesn't really have as much. Kata is a somewhat similar player and unavailable while CFS would be a similar type but struggling to get on the park due to injury.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Even as a Tahs supporter I have a lot of time for Tom Wright, he has footy skills and also footy smarts, a great combo. At the same time I'm also a Koroibete fan, very different skillset he brings to a team, he mightnt have the footy nous yet but he makes up for it with 100% effort in everything he does, he would be in my team.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Giddy up :thumbup:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Wouldn’t Manly love to have him back. :crying:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Yep!
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Wright, Ramm, Dangunu have been the top wingers running round this year for sure. MK has the best pick and go game I have seen in a back (absolutley love seeing him get around the rucks). But he has many flaws; mainly a high error rate and poor defensive decisions. He is one of those wingers that really doesnt play like a winger and very rarely makes a break out wide as most come from the base of the ruck. He might be most effective to bring off the bench for the last 10 or 15 to change the source of the attack.