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Opinion
The reintroduction of the Australian A program has been extremely beneficial for the development of fringe players.
It has highlighted some talents and perhaps, allowed provincial coaches to look at their squads and identify weaknesses, which could be adapted in the future, especially with Ben Darwin’s ‘Gain Line’ analytics model, but that’s for another day.
The Australian A program was developed many years ago to provide exposure and give up and comers a chance under higher pressure situations.
It was parked due to necessity, due to funding, which, from a commercial decision, needed to happen.
The new iteration, has certainly been welcomed and offered alternatives to current Wallabies squad. These are all great measures, however, there is no way certain calls will be made on the results from the current series in Japan.
Their are clear standouts in the rugby community that won’t be selected for the spring tour, as Dave Rennie and RA have a quota which some don’t deserve.
These include:
No. 1 good
Jock Campbell
Over three fullbacks went down and despite playing 40-50 minutes per game, caught almost every ball and made decisive runs.
He is the first full blown fullback with similar skills to Burke and Latham, but when three fullback options went down, Rennie kept them in the squad to train.
No 2. Good
Langi Gleeson
This guy has power. He is young and our back row are great, but none have gone to the next level.
Rob Valetini is the top choice, but he was probably an inch or two behind the English and All Blacks. Gleeson needs to tour.
Possibly Gleeson is to young and we do have depth, but maybe squeeze him in if he’s an option for the World Cup in 2023.
Please pick them and give them a start, it can only benefit.
So who didn’t crack it?
No 1 bad
Suliasi Vunivalu
Please RA, I beg and plead with you, release Vunivalu.
I have been a strong advocate of getting him time of the preceding two years, but he is completely out of sorts.
Like many rugby league players, they struggle to adapt.
Rugby league is very one dimensional, “stick within your channel”, rugby union is off the ball and clean outs etc.
Vunivalu, did some great things in the first 20, but he lost interest.
This is not to put his talents down, but compare the work ethic for Marika Koroibete and Semi Radrada who both successfully converted, it’s not there.
Please write off your $800k pa. It’s not going to work without a five-year investment and even then, I doubt it.
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
No. 2
Ned Hanigan
I’m really apologetic with this one. I reckon he seems like the nicest bloke in videos and recordings. But he is about five percent short .
I’m totally a keyboard warrior on this, but he could be so much better.
He is a player that plays “OK” every time.
He’s happy to be a mid level professional.
Compare that with Jed Holloway, he worked hard, but is struggling with the Wallabies.
Wants to perform. But needs more awareness.
Who can Rennie pick?
The two stand outs above means, someone has to give.
Rennie has plenty of options, but doesn’t have a team, and it’s under 12 months to a World Cup.
He should’ve taken risks earlier? And yes lock downs were encountered, but with injuries and lock downs, Rennie missed a chance.
For me, it’s about guts and glory.
1. Slipper
2. Porecki
3. Alaaladtoa
4. Frost
5. Neville
6. Samu
7. Hooper (McReight)
8. Valatini
9. McDermott
10. Foley (just)
11. (Korobeti isn’t there) Kellaway
12. Foketi/Ikitau
13. Hodge (hear me out) he is a Mortlock, he could nail this position, long range kicking will work.
14. Petaia (I’ll keep backing him, but time is running out, if not Pietsch deserves a crack)
15. Jock Campbell, (remember that elusive runners have won every World Cup since 1987)
Well that’s my team. Australia A provided some headaches, I’m certainly not anticipating a win.
But I think it’s enough to see what others can do.
I’m sure you’ll disagree, but do you reckon the team can beat Scotland and give the others a chance?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.