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Opinion
While Australian rugby’s depth is getting better under Dave Rennie, there continues to be much improvement needed in basic skill execution.
By this I mean catching and passing the ball, tackling and stopping simple errors.
A lot can be learned from rugby league in the way their players execute the basic skills and the intensity at which they perform.
While in my early adult life the skills transfer was from union to league, today the tide needs to run in the other direction.
A fast way to do this is, presumably with a backer like Andrew Forrest, to import talent.
My league team is Sydney Roosters, so I am ignoring some obvious talent in that camp that would improve the Wallabies and Super Rugby.
In alphabetical order, here is my shopping list.
Matt Burton
A player of great versatility and only 22 years old, Burton won an NRL premiership in 2021 with Penrith and his CV now includes two State of Origin starts and a debut against Scotland in the Kangaroos World Cup.
Burton could play rugby at 10, 12 or 15 and possesses an enormous left boot – possibly the highest kick we have ever seen. He is capable of the unexpected and a solid defender.
Lachlan Ilias
Another 22-year-old, Ilias’ 2022 season with South Sydney saw him established as a top-level footballer, as the great Andrew Johns rated him the best defensive halfback in the NRL.
With plenty of time for further improvement his versatility as a rugby junior could see him fit in a number of positions.
Jeremiah Nanai
A mere 19 years of age, this 185cm,104kg wrecking ball is another Kangaroo debutant at this year’s World Cup. Nanai is a must-have target for RA. He would be a sensation at 6 or an absolute terror as a 12.
His 27 NRL appearances have netted 18 tries. Need one say more?
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)
Junior Paulo
One of the NRL’s heaviest players, weighing 123kg, his 28 years gives him time to convert into a Wallaby front rower. He averages 92 per cent tackle efficiency and has Origin experience.
Daniel Saifiti
Standing at 195cm and weighing 121kg, Daniel has played seven Origin games and would be a top-level lock.
D-Saf averages just under 11 metres per run and his 93 per cent tackle efficiency would be a valuable asset against any All Black 15.
Tom Trbojevic
Talent with a capital T. Dangerous with the ball in hand, he is always looking to move it on when a support player can improve the team’s position.
Super strong and an excellent tackler, Tommy Turbo could easily play at the top level wearing 11 through 14, but I see him as a great 13 in a gold jersey. We have not seen Turbo kick too much so were he to work on that he also screams 15.
Jake Trbojevic
Jake has a huge work rate (78 minutes per game average), is skilled with ball in hand, and represents at the highest level. How straight can he throw a ball? I suspect well enough to move to hooker.
He is also not that short that he could not also slot in at 6 or 7. Not convinced yet, what about his 96 per cent tackle efficiency in 2022? It’s no fluke he is a starting Kangaroo.
At 28 he is a year younger than current Wallaby No.2 Dave Porecki. Both are 1.85m tall and at 107kg, Jake is only a kilo lighter.
So come on Roarers, let’s get into Twiggy’s ear and start recruiting!
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