Australia’s former Sydney Roosters player Charlie Savala has found himself homing in on a dream of playing rugby union for Scotland against the Wallabies after switching rugby codes and moving to Edinburgh.
The 21-year-old Sydneysider Savala is included in Scotland coach Gregor Townsend’s 36-man training squad, one of four new faces chosen ahead of their autumn international series which will feature a Test against Australia at Murrayfield.
Though it’s still a serious long shot that this novice flyhalf could make his Test debut against the Wallabies on November 7, Savala’s promotion has been meteoric considering he only played his first match for Edinburgh Rugby in March after an injury-disrupted first season.
Savala, who qualifies through his Ayr-born father Scott, switched codes and joined Edinburgh last year after making the move from the Roosters, where he felt he wasn’t getting enough playing time.
A fine sporting allrounder at cricket, basketball and soccer in his youth, Savala focused on both rugby codes and AFL as he progressed through the age grades while growing up in Sydney.
He attended the Scots College where, under the guidance of former Ireland and Australia international Brian Smith, he began to concentrate largely on rugby, ultimately earning selection for New South Wales.
Savala then switched to join the Roosters on a two-year deal in 2018-19 where he was promoted to the senior squad before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet when his opportunities dried up in the pandemic, he was spotted by a Scottish scout after returning briefly to Union with Eastern Suburbs and took the gamble of a new career in Scotland, where he still has strong family links.
Savala has been compared to Scotland’s gifted British and Irish Lions’ flyhalf Finn Russell for his attacking flair, telling the Scotsman newspaper: “I do love the way he plays.
“He’s been the man I’ve looked up to the last couple of years. Going back it would have been Quade Cooper but moving over the years, Finn’s the man.”
In April, Savala told his Edinburgh club website: “It’s been a really rewarding but different experience for myself over the past six months.
“This time last year I was working part-time as a labourer, playing rugby league and fitting my training in during the evenings.
“Moving across the world to chase my dream would have been the last thing on my mind, but I am so grateful I’ve been able to experience this.”
Townsend has also named two South African-born players – flanker Dylan Richardson, who qualifies through his Edinburgh-born father, and prop Pierre Schoeman, who qualifies through residency – in the squad as well as England-born lock Marshall Sykes, who has a Scottish grandmother.
Scotland will face Tonga on October 30, before fixtures against Australia, South Africa and Japan on successive weekends.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I said longer for a forward. Koroibete took longer than 1 year before he was of sufficient quality. His defense and positioning was poor in the first year. Vinuvalu was only better than the tah wingers in his first year. By the end of the year his positioning was finally ok. Neither were value for money in their first year.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
This is so frustrating on so many levels Pete...
Dionysus
Guest
Or like Koriobete or vunivalue ? They pretty much hit the ground running. I know they played Rugby as juniors but most of their senior experience was in League. On a slightly side note, do we think that the NRL addition of 2 extra sides is going to impact Rugby talent ? With a sudden new demand of 60 top grade players within the next couple of years, I think Rugby could feel some pressure.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Dylan Riley getting picked for Japan a great example
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Malo you never listen to anyone.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
perhaps he could have given it more than 6 games.
Brett McKay
Expert
He played in the original ARC Peter, played blindside for the Central Coast Rays, but had already signed with Manly at that point..
Brett McKay
Expert
Yep, because that's exactly what we say... :roll:
Malo
Guest
Maybe if RA spent less on retired leagues and put that money into the club comps they maybe able to develop the depth and keep players as well as getting spectators. Promote the Shute shield and increase your wallaby and super viewership . Ostracise the Shute shield you reduce your spectators. But if you listen to Geoff and Brett and Twas you will make the game a further elitist segregated niche sport
James584
Roar Rookie
EG, Sam Burgess.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
There are 10, perhaps 15 spots for professional fly-halves in Australia. We can’t sign them all. And some, rated beneath those signed, may turn out to be better after some time in a professional setup. It’s inevitable
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
It’s not just SS! Every year there’s a new batch of Under 20s. The SR clubs can’t sign them all, so some of the better ones not contracted in Aus get spotted and are offered good contracts overseas. And it doesn’t mean because a young player gets an O/S contract that he is or will become a better player than the player/s who do stay and get signed. You’ve just got to hope that the talent ID personnel are up to and doing the job. It’s also very difficult to spot the late bloomer. Let us also hope that if there is a late bloomer, like an Andrew Kellaway, he doesn’t become disillusioned by having to leave and can be coaxed back when the time arrives.
SDHoneymonster
Guest
This is just a training squad that's falling outside of the international window, so no players from outside Scotland (with the exception of Dylan Richardson, for some reason) have been picked for it. I suspect a few of these players will drop out once the official squad is named and the likes of Russell, Gray and Hogg come back in.
Malo
Guest
All these Shute shield being missed by RA
ethan
Guest
That's true. Benji couldn't cut it in rugby despite being a great league player.
MO
Guest
Tahs don't need another backrower. They have Holloway, Hanigan and a guy named Hooper who didn't play last season. If they had room for another they should keep Wells.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Finn Russell injured or something? This is the matchup I am looking for. Finn vs. Quade. Will be like that scene from Logan where young wolverine clone takes on old wolverine.
Chester B
Roar Rookie
Background in rugby. Let’s wait and see, trust Coleman knows what his team needs to compete next year.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree RUGBY experience, an NRL player is learning the ropes and is a detriment for at least 1 year and longer for a forward
Chester B
Roar Rookie
Always handy to have experience as long as they don’t overpay. The tahs were horribly young and lacked physicality this year which is probably the thinking behind it.