Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has revealed the thinking behind the make up of his 35-man squad for the series against England, including some major injury news, his plans for Suli Vunivalu and the decision to drop a Test stalwart.
Rennie said there were plenty of tight decisions as Reds’ flanker Fraser McReight and Rebels Mr Fixit Reece Hodge missed out and will feature for the Australia A team instead.
“We spent a lot of time looking at the squad and balance,” Rennie told reporters on Sunday. “There were some tight decisions and some disappointed guys.
“That’s a reflection on the depth in the squad now, we’re certainly getting competition for places.
“For some of those guys there’s an Australian A program to push their case.”
On McReight missing out
“Fraser, our thinking around him, is we’re unlikely to have a specialist No.7 on the bench when you’ve got someone like a Pete Samu who can give you more cover,” said Rennie.
“If Hoops was to go down we know we could bring Fraser back. Him playing week in week out in the Pacific Nations will be good for him. That’s the thinking there.
“Likewise, with a few other guys they’re going to get their chance to push their case.”
On Izack Rodda’s prognosis
It is only nine days since Rodda gave an upbeat assessment of his foot injury, saying he was suffering from foot bruising and would be right to play against England.
Rennie delivered a surprise update on Sunday.
“It’s worse [than thought]. He could be out for as much as three months,” Rennie said. “It’s so disappointing for him. We’ve got a clear plan around rehab and we’ll get him back as quick as we can.”
On if he was tempted to bring back Rory Arnold or Will Skelton with Rodda out
Rennie is allowed three overseas based players for each series and he opted for the Japan-based trio of Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi.
Asked if he might have opted for France-based Skelton or Arnold, Rennie replied: “The issue with the French guys is they played quarterfinals overnight. It’s easier to leave those guys out of the England series and have a look at it post that.”
On his plans for NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu
While Rennie might have sent the former Melbourne Storm star for more game time in the Pacific Nations series, Rennie was keen to keep him around. It appears that might be more for his development than as a member of the match day 23.
Vunivalu missed Rennie’s 40 man squad earlier this year because of hamstring injuries and it was reported he was considering a return to rugby league if not capped.
“It’s not so much about capping Suli,” said Rennie.
“We’ve picked him because he has massive potential. We think we can accelerate his development within the camp rather than leaving him outside of that. He’s had his troubles with injury, we’ve seen glimpses of real quality and we’re just keen to get our hands on him and accelerate that.
“We’re going to have 14 Tests this year so there’s a lot of footy to be played. We genuinely believe he’s good enough to play at that level. That’s the decision we made – have him in the group and have our eye on him day after day.”
On the decision to leave out Reece Hodge
Hodge had a poor start to the Super Rugby season and misses out despite his backline versatility.
“It’s tough on Hodgey because he’s such a good man,” said Rennie.
“He’s as professional as you get, a guy who even regardless of how he plays for the Rebels, he puts on a Wallabies jersey and always fronts, regardless of what position you play him.
“He had a pretty scratchy start to the season. His form’s been mixed, we know what he brings. He’ll get a chance to go into the A program and get a bit more footy under the belt and put the pressure on. He covers so many spots that he’s likely to force his way in at some stage in some position.”
On if Kurtley Beale was a chance of featuring
Beale is due back from France and will play for the Waratahs next season but injury has cost him the chance of playing against England.
“Kurtley had a serious hamstring injury that kept him out for a couple of months and coming back tweaked it,” said Rennie.
“The plan will be when he comes home he won’t be in either of those programs it will be around rehabbing him and trying to get the body right so he’s an option beyond the England series.”
On the battle between Quade Cooper and James O’Connor for the No.10 jersey
Rennie said he had a starting 23 in mind but was coy on who might start at 10.
“We’ll play it as we see it,” said Rennie. “James, had the Reds been in the semis, he would have played, so he’s ready to go.
“We had him in Sydney for a couple of days last week training and he looks really good. Noah [Lolesio] has been playing some good footy in a side that’s been going really well so there’s competition for places and we’ll make those decisions.”
On if it’s the most significant series of his tenure
“I would say so,” said Rennie. “The French series was fantastic for us last year but we’re a lot more experience now. We’ve got a lot of boys who have a lot more Tests under their belt and I think we’ve added a little bit of steel to the group as well.
“It’s a big series, we know that we’re excited about it but we’ve got a great year beyond this. We play all the best sides in the world, 14 really strong Tests against tier one nations, it’s great prep heading into next year.
“We’re trying to win tests along the way that’s our focus. But we’ve done a fair bit of World Cup planning as well as planning for this season, while there are details often around the logistical stuff it’s also about the group we think we’ll need and the flexibility of positions because we’ll pick a couple less for the World Cup.”
On the matchday 23
Rennie confirmed that Len Ikitau would be available for selection in the first Test with the final game of his ban to be “served” via club rugby.
“We’ve talked about a starting group a lot,” Rennie said. “We’ve got a reasonably good idea of the 23 that will play in the first Test and there’s a couple of injury question marks we need to sort out and some of those will have a knock-on effect in other spots. We’re reasonably clear.
“Obviously it was great to see Bobby [Valetini] play 40 minutes for the Brumbies last night. It gives us confidence that he’s ready to go. Guys like James O’Connor and Izaia Perese would have been available this weekend. [Taniela Tupou] is going to be a lot tighter to the start line and we’ll see how it goes.
“Harry Johnson-Holmes will join us on Thursday and train with us but we want him to go away with the As and play and the thinking was if Nela is no good we’ll still push Harry into the A program knowing we can bring him back if we need him.”
On Scott Sio, who has left the Brumbies but is yet to announce his next move, Rennie said: “His future’s with us at the moment, he’s been very good. Credit to him, he found his mojo, he’s carried really well. He’s in a position where he’s going to keep pushing for a spot and we’ll see what happens then.”
On the Wallabies’ point of difference
“We’re going to have a really good scrum and we want that to be a point of difference in this series,” Rennie said, adding it was the best squad he had mustered during his time as Wallabies coach.
“From a lineout perspective and maul we know that’s going to be huge. They’re going to put a lot of ball up in the air. We’ve spent so much time studying them, we know what’s coming. Our challenge is to be good enough to deal with that and apply pressure ourselves.”
On the inclusions of Jed Holloway and Dave Porecki
The Waratahs forwards are both in line for Test debuts in the series and Rennie said he was impressed by their “excellent” Super Rugby campaigns.
“Jed is a big man, excellent skill set, and a good athlete,” Rennie said. “His ability to break the line, create space for others. First four weeks he spent a fair bit of time on the ground, gave him a call and pointed that out and from that week on he was in the 90s in his ability to get back on his feet and get back in the game.
“He’s been excellent. We think he’s more a 6-8 but as we’ve seen he’s played lock all year and he’s been a great for them, dominated their line out ball.
“They’ve both taken the long journey here. [Porecki] spent a lot of time at London Irish and a lot of time injured. He would have made our squad last year but unfortunately got injured prior to that so he’s probably got a bit of relief in his mind. He’s been excellent, very good at set piece, his physicality – ticks a lot of boxes for us.”
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Te_Nug is a big fan of Mick the Kick. My memory no longer the best, but I reckon Nonu gained, or, was encouraged to use latent skills. His first RWC was a "rip/tear/bust" #13 NZ did not win. Ma'a was "coachable" in all the right senses of the word. NZ better with Mick around (if nothing else than Te_Nug). Pity Cheika couldnt/wouldnt want kick coaching.
Check-side for the boundary
Roar Rookie
I'm looking at the coach, for that mistake ...
moaman
Roar Guru
No offence taken mate.Btw, have you ever played netball? I played a season for a mixed team–brutal game! The women use a lot of dirty tricks, standing on (my ) feet, elbows etc. Lot of fun! :stoked:
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Amen and lets hope they do - still unsure what it might be vs other outside backs who all have latent talent.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Yes. Sorry, didn't mean to offend. Great to have kids playing some sport. As a short slow Victorian, at a Christian Brothers' College, I had to learn Hockey - great being part of a team etc. However, eyeballs and $ are scarce. Oz Soccer has been pushing it uphill for years.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't argue. I can see sometimes how he has brilliant finishing skills but I also see so much lacking. What I do not accept is that Rennie and the coaching group pick him because Qld pi55ed away a lot of money to get him. If he had nothing, they wouldn't pick him. They see a chance to get something very good out of him
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Rob Edgerton was understated, but a crucial part of winning Test teams
Tim J
Roar Rookie
You understand why kiwis do not like England. I will back anyone against England, English fans are arrogant just like the media.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
A limited player with no Rugby nouse. Can take a high ball, but general positioning, defence, support lines in attack - NAH
moaman
Roar Guru
I care. My daughter used to play, and I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the women's game. Each to his/her own, eh?
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Who cares? Why do women want to play a game based on body mass and physical collisions? Happy to watch soccer, netball and cricket. ARU and ARL should stay well away.
numpty
Roar Rookie
He timed the tackles that I have in mind perfectly and when compared to his competitor in banks, he did a whole lot better in making those tackles. Petaia would probably be top 3 choice wing with Marika and Kellaway based on balance, game plan etc. Kellaway and koro the incumbents, but Petaia has the edge in the high ball if Rennie wants to go that way. His playmaking also improved.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
He may not be a poor choice, he just wouldn’t be the best choice or in his best position. There were some “spectacular” try saving tackles but I thought they looked spectacular because he started out of position and had to cover more ground than an instinctive 15 would.
numpty
Roar Rookie
He failed??? Jp played very well at 15 and if I remember correctly made a number of try saving tackles bundling players over the sideline while Tom banks headbutt them instead. I don't think he should start at 15 for wallabies, but I also don't think he would be a poor choice either.
James584
Roar Rookie
Slipper will be dominated in the early scrums, again, if he is selected against England. He has struggled against strong tight heads. In the semi-final, he lost the battle of strength. He isn’t strong enough. Easy to spot, his body is being moved around by his opponent and he can’t stop it. If we are to win, we must have at least scrum parity.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
No, the ‘North’ don’t have the same feeling. I’ve always disliked the ABs (including fans and media) so would struggle to EVER cheer for them, but would just as likely cheer for Oz or SA as, say, Wales, Scotland, Ireland or France. It depends on the context and my mood.
Chopper
Roar Rookie
The old saying about the first person picked is the tight head and second person is the reserve tight head is 100% correct for the Wallabies. The Reds destroyed the NSW and Brumbies scrums at the start of the season, mainly due to Tupo and without him we loose.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
In your opinion
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I live your optimism Muzzo, Smith and Henry would not be involved if they did not have the belief. After the debacle with the previous coach, having these two icons will give the women genuine belief. Also they are in a professional environment now, so hopefully they can play with freedom and be a cohesive unit which I am sure they will be.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Tim, the girls are the current RWC champs, & have been several times, & I'm really not worried about those NH teams as they've never won that title. Yeh, I know there's a first time, & I know they gave our girls a towelling last year, but one must realise, that, that was not a full strength team we had there as that one too, had quite a few debutants. Now with both Wayne Smith & Ted Henry, along with Shags daughter there, in running the show, they will get better. Like even the gold medalist Seven's star Ruby Tui, showed how good she was against Canada, & there's more Seven's girl coming aboard, as in Sara Hirini, Portia Woodman, possibly Michaela Blyde, etc etc.