Andrew Kellaway scored a hat-trick, produced a try-saver and continued his brilliant first campaign in the gold jersey. In fact he only made one small misstep in Australia’s defeat of Argentina and it made no difference at all.
After scoring his third try, Kellaway tossed the ball into the stands straight to an All Blacks fan. It may have brought back some brief, bitter memories of the intercept ridden Bledisloe Cup blowouts, but Kellaway was outstanding as Australia won a fourth straight TRC game for the first time ever.
Kellaway was left on the bench for the start of the season’s commitments against France but has emerged thanks partially to the broken arm suffered by Filipo Daugunu in that series.
The former schoolboys star has shown excellent finishing prowess, with eight tries in the three Tests against NZ and two each against South Africa and Argentina. Only Israel Folau, with 10 tries, has scored more in a debut season.
“For the first 50 percent of the games this season I was starstruck,” said Kellaway. “I’m starting to feel more comfortable. But let’s be honest two of the three were pretty much falling over the line.”
Kellaway was as restrained as ever in the post-match interview, as he reflected on his stints in England with Northampton, as well as playing in New Zealand and Japan.
“You leave home and gain a bit of perspective,” he said. “I’m really happy at the moment and maybe it’s showing in how I’m playing. There are some pretty special people over there in Northampton that I owe a lot to.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is clearly excited about the gem he’s uncovered this season.
“He knows how to find the line, doesn’t he?” said Rennie. “He’s been fantastic, and very flexible – he finished the game at No.15 and we think he can play 13. He’s found his feet very quickly and has been excellent for us.”
Rennie acknowledged Kellaway “wasn’t in our plans about a month before we named the squad.
“But he came back to the Rebels and played really well and we didn’t have an option who could be a 14, 13, 15 and once he’s got his opportunity he’s impressed and is a consistent part of the starting lineup now.
“It’s a real credit to Kels, he’s been really impressive and keeps getting better.”
The experts praised Kellaway’s simplicity.
“One of the things about sport and particularly professional sport is they’re never going to ask you to do something you can’t do and if you can front up with a clear mindset on what your two or three skill sets are and play inside those as well as you can every time that’s exactly what Andrew Kellaway is doing,” said former Wallaby Justin Harrison on Stan Sport.
“It’s great finishing by the Wallabies number 11,” said Morgan Turinui. “What more can you say about a man who is now at home at Test level and does his job in every little bit of the game, but especially in scoring tries?”
Drew Mitchell added: “I spoke to Andrew and he thought his role in the side was just to do the simple things well, but what he’s doing really well is finishing.”
Aside from Kellaway’s continuing rise, there were some struggles for the Wallabies as the understrength Argentina fought to the finish.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were sitting in Perth unsure of where we were going to head and what was going to happen from there so it’s been fantastic,” Rennie said of the four wins from four.
“We made a pretty good shift in our game over the last month and we’ve kick a bit more. There was some real smart kicking tonight and you know we turned that sort of territory and pressure into points.”
He was a little disappointed as Argentina came back into the contest as Samu Kerevi was forced off with and ankle injury that could place him in jeopardy for the spring tour.
Kerevi was on crutches after the game, and although Rennie tried to make light of it, he faces a nervous wait over the man who has been one of Australia’s best in their resurgence.
“[There are] question marks around Samu,” Rennie said. “It used to be called a sprained ankle in my day. It’s now called syndesmosis, which is much worse evidently. We’re hoping it’s not too long.”
Syndesmosis generally take six to eight weeks to heal.
On the late fade, Rennie said: “We lacked a little bit accuracy and discipline and gave them some soft position and territory and we just didn’t defend well from there either.
“I thought our defence was excellent for the majority of the game but disappointing in that last stage. The positive thing is we’re grumpy after wins so you know we’ve certainly raised expectations – we still think we have a lot more in us.”
Rhys
Roar Rookie
The subs were largely enforced. Kerevi, Swain and Petaia off injured or with severe cramp in short succession. Not much DR could do about that
PeterK
Roar Guru
good post
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
No I was at the game so I didn't see that. JOC would no doubt be frustrated that after so much effort at the Reds to nail down the 10 spot, he has been gazumpt this season, but that is life. I think he has the brains to see a move off the bench to starting at 12 as an opportunity rather than a problem though, if he gets selected there as I think he will.
Fumbles
Roar Rookie
Agree. He has potential, but needs more game time in Grade to get his skill set up to standard and his confidence. Petaia is also not a winger, He is always looking to put someone away. Pick specialists, not just because he has potential.
Fumbles
Roar Rookie
The statistician has a low bar as what constitutes a completed tackle
cookie
Roar Guru
Did you see JOC in the change room at half time. Cooper was as cool as a cucumber, everyone listening intently to him. JOC looked peeved, like his limelight had been stolen, like he should have been the one they were listening too and he knew he was irrelevant. When the talk finished JOC was desperate to advise an uninterested Cooper.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Great debate isn’t it. To be honest I don’t think Joc could play 12 behind Quade, they just don’t compliment one another thus Quade doing the job by himself. Ironically the only time I can recall Joc and Quade working together effectively was when Joc was playing wing. That’s going back some years. Joc had a licence to be a floater…ha ha but true, he was good, plus quick in the day. The only ball playing 12 I have ever seen work well with Quade at 10, when I think of it even with Joc at 10 and we are talking wallaby teams only……it’s two cows Toomua. Last year he was great, don’t know what’s going on with him this year but he could be the smokie if he can regain his confidence.
Northlander
Roar Rookie
Yep, kerevi would be a big loss. Fingers crossed he makes a speedy recovery. But what's with the doubters??? Won't beat England, struggle against Wales and Scotland?? WTF! Seriously, have these boys not left enough out there on the park for the Aussie supporters too finally get behind them and back them?? Come on!! Rennie is creating depth and he is backing players that for some reason a lot of you have no faith in?? Hunter paisami was playing good rugby, and I'm sure is coming on in very well. Kerevi has been outstanding and there has simply been no spot for him. But give him an opportunity and some support, he will do the job and some. JC isn't the saviour or the man to be put in as a short stop for an injury. He is playing awesome at 10, so leave him there. Copper is playing better, so he starts. This is how you build depth. Not try fix holes from injuries with an exceptional player who is on the bench in another position. You use the guys who are in the team for a reason and you back them to do the job!! And you back your team to beat anyone on anyday!!! Regardless of what injuries you may have. Be proud of the boys. I personally think they didn't play that bad against the all blacks. They made some stupid mistakes, intercept passes, kicks out on full, lineout throws and that cost them. They were the better team for long periods of all the games, but against a team like NZ, you have to do the basics right. Or they punish you. Passes need to go to hand and be held, lineout throws have to hit the target and kicks need to find there target or put the opposition under pressure. Not just gift them the ball in open play. Anyways, time to stop with the doubting. Back your team, back the coaches, and back the players who are there for a reason, regardless of they are a star player, or are not in the starting team. They are in the squad, they are there because they got selected to represent Australia! It's up to them to show they deserve it, and some times, when the player ahead of you is playing amazing, you need to keep grinding, training and doing what's best for the team until an opportunity comes. When it does, you know you have done the work and deserve your spot. And we should too.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Kerevi is injured, that is the point of my suggestion that JOC would be the next best option at 12 if the injury excludes Kerevi from the matches to come.
Big A
Roar Rookie
i thought that the second half substitutions and timing of subs, absolutely butchered that match – big negative for the coaching team – at 32-3 they all relaxed and thought they were going to romp it in after those last two brilliant wallaby tries – what followed was very dissapointing – JoC did nothing – Lonergan at breakway and Hoops to the wing – two hookers etc etc etc – it was schoolboy stuff – and it’s ok for DR to be grumpy but it was all his doing that turned a great performance into a sham all within the last 60 min due to poor substitutions and team management. There was also atelling moment with about 10 min to go after the Argie try – all the Wallaby team are huddled after the try to regroup abd commentator from Stan calls for Hooper to take charge and settle the team down – and what do we see – waterboy Wisemantel comes in – Hoops looks at him like he’s a schoolboy asking – what do we do sir ? and then Wisemantel completely takes over for the next 45 seconds with Hoops attentively knodding after his every word – leadership guys – that’s what the problem is the days – 100 test warriors like Hooper should know what to do in a crisis not need the assistant waterboy to do it for him – that to me is one of the biggest problems we face – and looking at the AB’s Ardie is n o captain either – he’s too nice a bloke and when the pressure came on Vermullen showed him up big time
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Like your thinking Peter but gees it shows how fickle our backline stocks truely are. Right now we have balance between 8 out to 13, but key to that balance being maintained is 10 and 12 & to a lesser extent 9. If Big Kev is gone 12 its suddenly a nightmare to fill or trying to get close to maintaining that balance. Like your options picked….but… Hunter @ 12 if Quade is 10 works. If Quade goes down in any of the next allotment of games gees. Joc is a ready replacement at 10 only if he has a second play maker at either 12 or 15. Crazy times with depth we have in the forwards and that’s including our overseas contingent. More thinking and work over the 12 months is needed to build our backline stocks. If one or two of the three wise men are injured (9 10 12) we’re a little thin on the right cattle. 15 is another sore point.
PeterK
Roar Guru
QC in 2013 played a lot different to the 2021 model. Also Toomua at 12 is quite different to JoC at 12. QC is good enough to combine well with virtually anyone. However I am talking about the best combo , AND to preserve the patterns they are used to playing so well with Kerevi at 12. The plays would have to be totally redesigned with JoC at 12.
Oblonsky's Other Pun
Guest
"A second playmsker is always needed, sometimes the 10 is caught in a ruck and a second set of eyes is always valuable. Kerevi plays that role now, he isn’t just a ball runner." As much as I think Kerevi is great I don't think he is performing the role of a second ball playing distributor
Oblonsky's Other Pun
Guest
"except a 2nd playmaker doesn’t add much for QC, he needs a strike runner and JoC is not that." Quade's best international period (until arguably this year) was in 2013 with Toomua outside him. I think he could combine well with either JOC, Hodge or Paisami.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Your right Rhys B. a second player maker is traditionally always needed, a good example was when Joc came on at 10. He craved for a second set of eyes thus the panic when options dried up. It was the same with young Noah at the helm. Traditionally we play our best rugby with two play makers. The exception to the rule is Quade. He is the only 10 in this country that has the skills to run a back line by himself. Proof is in the pudding x4 straight wins with the king at the helm. Remember when Cheika had Foley and Quade starting, disaster. It was lack of confidence or faith in Quades ability by wet checks. Those 2 together our backline play was clunky. To sound like a hypocrite now I will say we did see a guy step up and occasionally step into first receiver allowing Quade to drift into second receiver last night and that was Ikitau. Thats confidence and now combo. And it looked seamless which is what you want to see in combinations. This guy is a gem, like Kellaway his development has been a bonus and it shows the confidence he has from the likes of White, Quade, Big Kev to step in like that. And his a left footer. Right now I would not change 8 back to 13 we have the right core players there. The back three is still the talking point for me. More strike runner please, we don’t need another ball player…..well unless Quade and big Kev are injured then go back to tradition because no 10 or 12 in this country has the skills sets those guys have.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Kerevi is not a second playmaker at all. White is the second playmaker in fact.
Wobbly Knees
Roar Rookie
Wouldnt it be better to have JOC at fullback with a roving commission,can kick for position as well as anyone generally and I agree Paisami should be there . Liked QC’s cross field kicks but only needs one or two per game ,must say though he looked a bit off last night. Leave Hodge in back line hes strong and can run
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
A second playmsker is always needed, sometimes the 10 is caught in a ruck and a second set of eyes is always valuable. Kerevi plays that role now, he isn’t just a ball runner. JOC has a very handy running game in traffic since he beefed though and far better in all other aspects of the 12 role than Paisami.
PeterK
Roar Guru
except a 2nd playmaker doesn't add much for QC, he needs a strike runner and JoC is not that. Paisami would be a better combo.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
O’Connor is a genuine 12 who knows how to support a 10, Foley is not and was uncooperative, always getting under Cooper’s feet. JOC and Cooper are good mates, they’ll work it out if it happens and would be fine.