Sean McMahon will play his first Wallabies Test since 2017 when he takes a spot on the bench for The Rugby Championship clash with Argentina on Saturday.
McMahon, who was brought back by Dave Rennie under relaxation of the Giteau Law this season, missed out on selection last week but will be given his chance in the return match on the Gold Coast as Pete Samu moves off the bench into the starting lineup.
Rob Leota, who made his debut last weekend, is left out of the squad altogether with Samu joining Rob Valetini and Michael Hooper in the back row.
Sean McMahon. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Rennie has also rewarded 38-year-old prop Greg Holmes with a call to the bench as reward for his efforts on the training paddock.
If he gets on the field, five years after his 27th appearance, Holmes will surpass Radike Samo as the oldest player to represent the Wallabies in the professional era.
Holmes at 38 and 113 days would also become the oldest Wallabies player since the second World War, one day older than Tony Miller, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Wikipedia puts Miller and Holmes at exactly the same age.
“If I can come in and add anything, any of my experience and help out at all, that’s what I’m looking to do,” Holmes said when he was called up by Rennie.
Rennie said: “Pete’s been outstanding for us coming on as a replacement in the past few Tests and has earned his opportunity to show what he’s capable of from the kick off this weekend.”
“Both Greg and Sean have worked extremely hard on the field and around their detail off the field and they’re both super excited to represent their country again on Saturday evening.
“We’ve felt really well supported during all of our Tests in Australia this year and we’re looking to finishing the Rugby Championship with a performance the team and the country can be proud of.”
Tate McDermott will be rested from action as Rennie takes another look at Jake Gordon as he considers his options for the northern hemisphere tour.
Gordon, who battled back from injury to start against France earlier this season, lost his place to McDermott for the third French Test with McDermott keeping the place through the Bledisloe Cup. Nic White’s form and the promise of Ryan Lonergan gives Rennie some headaches looking ahead to the spring tour.
Despite three disappointing results against the All Blacks, Rennie has enjoyed an otherwise successful campaign, and appears to be winning over fans with his no-nonsense language and approach in the selection room.
He’s on the verge of overseeing an unprecedented fourth successive Rugby Championship victory after just one win from six last season.
White said the team has been determined to produce for Rennie this season.
“Dave and Wisey (assistant coach Scott Wisemantel) are world-class and last year as a playing group we almost felt like we let them down,” White said this week.
“Their detail within the game is quite high and they drive really high standards.
“It’s almost a game of catch-up for us as a group to play at the level they want us to play at – the benchmark they have is quite high but we’re getting there.
“Certainly in the last month we’re showing we’re a lot more patient with the game plan and trying to build a game.”
One of Rennie’s biggest calls this season was to restore Quade Cooper, first as a mentor and then, after the All Blacks shutout, to the starting team against the Springboks.
White and Cooper have been the starting halves in the past two Tests.
“I haven’t played a huge amount with him but just from the last few games, the control he has over the game is probably the biggest thing,” White said.
“He’s really calm at 10 and he knows how to pull the right strings and manipulate the game plan to really suit the way we want to play the game.
“He has a really calm voice and just seems to have a lot of time so my job is easy – just get there and flip the ball to him.”
Wallabies squad
1. James Slipper (109 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (20 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (34 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (29 Tests)
5. Darcy Swain (8 Tests)
6. Pete Samu (14 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (114 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (13 Tests)
9. Nic White (42 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (73 Tests)
11. Andrew Kellaway (8 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (37 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (8 Tests)
14. Jordan Petaia (13 Tests)
15. Reece Hodge (52 Tests)
Replacements
16. Lachlan Lonergan (3 Tests)
17. Angus Bell (11 Tests)
18. Greg Holmes (27 Tests)
19. Matt Philip (18 Tests)
20. Sean McMahon (26 Tests)
21. Jake Gordon (9 Tests)
22. James O’Connor (56 Tests)
23. Tom Wright (5 Tests)
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I recall the smashing at Twickenham too Muglair but don’t remember the year. I was at the 2007 QF and we went into a scrum pissing contest and allowed England a foothold as it was the only area of a rugby game where they held sway against us. Terrible strategy and we, a far better side IMHO, went out on the back of it. I was depressed for days after
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I can't pick the year but after Foley came on board the Australian scrum and Baxter absolutely smashed England and Sheridan on an EOY tour. The 2007 QF was lost on that England assumed dominance. I declared we were gone after winning penalties in the first two scrums. I could not see a referee continuing to penalise them all game and after that the English scrum did what they liked for the rest of the game.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d challenge you to tell me where he played for the last 4 years as a star signing for a Japanese club without pesky Hooper dictating where he sticks his head. I think you’ll find it was 6/8
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Agreed Muglair, at the time (might still be so) Al Baxter was our most capped front rower ever. He was a loyal servant and, by all accounts I’ve ever heard, a fine bloke who also played >100 games for the Tahs. That period was also post 2003 WC when England were on a downward cycle and focused almost entirely on scrummaging as a point of difference. I recall James Slipper’s debut match, him coming on as TH aged 20/21 against a rampaging English scrum on our line in Perth and holding it up. I couldn’t imagine the toughness required to step into that breach at that time on the opposite side of the scrum to his preferred option and not merely survive. Props are different creatures and, given my own limitations in both physical and mental prowess, I respect anybody who survives there. I have English mates though who’s image of Australian front row play is of Anthony Sheridan forever sending us backwards and downwards. No amount of better scrummaging will ever change the picture
Muglair
Roar Rookie
In their defence, Baxter was fine in the 2003 final against a top quality front row and pack. The main problem was they played in the "scrums are restarts" era of the Wallabies where they were hardly even practiced. Overhead photos of the time more effectively shared the blame for our woes. This was largely turned around after Foley became scrum coach.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Was obviously a stopgap with TT playing 70+ and GH now back in. Probably relieved TT did not go down with a swollen calf
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Mine bounced :shocked:
Muglair
Roar Rookie
You have to wonder if Uelese will just disappear or be one of those players who nails the second half of his career.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Not how I remember it Thugby. The first French test was tentative, especially with the French continually rolling north south. Was better in the second test but Tate selected for the third, incidentally where the French were better controlled at the back of the breakdown. Neither are real starting options at the moment ahead of White. I don't have a problem with Tate but his game has shortcomings which were not issues at the Reds in SR. I still think his 'improvement' has been overdone. His rate of improvement over the first test was better than Gordon's and that started him in the third. He will need to improve his passing, less fussed about his kicking.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I look a little deeper into the story than simply 0-13, don’t pick any Tahs. Maybe opening your eyes and watching some games without preconceived bias would allow you to note how much better (albeit still poor) the Tahs were with Gordon playing.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’m OK with continuing to look for the best 6
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I don’t agree and am happy to accept we both think we’re right.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You mean like against the World Champions and number 1 ranked team in the world? Yeah, we’ll never win those games with Hooper in the backrow. Yeah, for sure. Yahoo, no way Oh, wait….
Matt
Guest
0-13 tah season. Jeez he was great mate, Your Baby blue tinted glasses and Baby blue tinfoil hat is firmly wedged on your noggin mate.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
Chris, the cover position for team captain will only be 20 mins at the most when the game is in the bank. We may get the Bargies there this week although I doubt it. So no-ops for the next lot just yet. Playing Japan is a strong potential of a 2o min cameo. It's always a tough jig covering the captain's role. Just ask Chris Wittiker good enough but never quite got the chance. The best hope is McMahon cause he covers 6,7&8. McWright I think will be Hooper cover for the RWC needs to get a ride on the EOYT. Depth comes at different rates within the squad. It's just the rugby way.
Chris
Guest
The best backrow is a winning backrow. He has a bad case case of musical chairs syndrome. It is not a good look in my book.
Chris
Guest
Depth ? i do not believe you. If DR wants depth he would be giving another young fellow a run at number 7 for half a game. Lets see if Rennie takes off Hooper and puts Sean McMahon on. If he doesn`t, he is not building depth.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
perhaps nothing EFF, He is a new bloke, and yet to confirm the decision to include him in the 23. I believe he will get another go and too go out on a limb. If he gets his throw spot on then he will start at RWC. But for now, most of our Hookers need to concentrate on hitting the ground with a rock let alone hit 6 at fast and low or looping over 2 & 4.
Geoff
Guest
No. he is a 7 not an 6 not an 8 . Just because you want him shoehorned into a 6 or 8 jersey doens`t make him one.
Paddy
Guest
Hanigan is also back Oz next year. I predict we will see a fair few class backrowers leave end of 2022.McReight will definitely leave as Hooper has the jersey for at least another 3 years Hooper ( unfairly) is the only one who is safe. Wright Wilson McMahon Samu Valetini Leota Swinton Hanigan will all be fighting for 2 spots in the Wallaby 23.