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Queensland’s Jock Campbell is set to make his Wallabies debut off the bench against Scotland, although his unlikely journey to a gold jersey contained one final twist.
Campbell, who famously wasn’t a regular 1st XV player at The Southport School, playing most of his senior year in the seconds, was hailed as a “great story” by Dave Rennie when he announced his selection on Thursday.
And Rennie revealed Campbell had hurt his ankle on Tuesday tripping over in the gym and was unable to train but had come through that mishap to get named in a Wallabies 23 for the first time.
“It’s a great story, isn’t it? He wasn’t part of an academy system, he’s probably spent a fair bit of his career with people telling him he’s not quick enough or not big enough, and he’s on the verge of representing his country,” Rennie said. “He’s had an outstanding year, he was excellent for Australia A, and he deserves a crack.”
Jock Campbell during a Wallabies training session (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Back in the fold are Michael Hooper after his break of nearly three months, and Ned Hanigan who last played for the Wallabies in 2020 before spending time in Japan and impressing when he returned there recently with Australia A.
Campbell is joined on the bench by Noah Lolesio – deputising for No10 Bernard Foley. Where Rennie has previously gone for the all round talents of a Reece Hodge, he said using a specialist No.15 and No.10 on the bench was made with developing Lolesio in mind.
“We’re keen to keep progressing Noah,” said Rennie. “We think that’s really important. We’re keen to get Jock in the mix. It means that Andrew Kellaway will cover midfield so we’ve still got plenty of flexibility.”
Kellaway starts on the wing in a back three with Tom Wright and fullback Tom Banks.
At No.9 there is a recall for Tate McDermott, who had drifted out of contention across the domestic Tests this year with Nic White and Jake Gordon preferred. White is on the bench.
Scottish commentator Jamie Lyall joins The Roar Rugby podcast to preview this weekend’s clash at Murrayfield
“We’re going to rotate the 9s a bit on tour, we’re fortunate we’ve got three excellent 9s and keen to give him an opportunity, he hasn’t had much of a kick lately,” said Rennie.
“He’s trained really well with the Queensland boys the last couple of weeks and I’ve got the chance to see that first hand, so we think he can bring something special.”
Rennie was asked if he’d thought about sending McDermott on the tour of Japan with Australia A to give him some extra game time after being reduced to training sessions for long stretches this year.
“The thinking is he’s had a massive year. To then throw him into Japan for three weeks to then come on his tour we didn’t think it was in the best interests for him for the end of this year and going into next year,” said Rennie.
“He’s trained really well. We’re confident with him and we were keen to give Tate a crack. Edinburgh this time of year is probably going to be gloomy and cold and damp but we think he can bring a real point of difference and he’s in a good place also. We’re happy with that.”
McDermott told the Sydney Morning Herald the selection was a surprise.
“We’ve got five important games coming up and it’s my chance to make an imprint on this side. The coaches were pretty straight with me. I have been training really well, so [not playing] was nothing around my form, but the other boys suited the mould for the Rugby Championship a bit better.
“My job is to inject that little bit of speed and tempo and drive those standards in and around ruck time.”
Rennie said Hooper, whose selection in the No.7 jersey was flagged earlier on Thursday, had picked himself in the starting side.
“We reckon he’s ready to go. We had a good chat with Hoops in Sydney and we were going to leave the decision with him if he felt he wasn’t quite ready, but he’s jumping out of his skin,” said Rennie.
“There’s been a lot of indications over the last couple of weeks, and even when we were playing he was constantly texting and watching a lot of footy which means he’s pretty engaged. He’s in a really good space, trained well this week and excited to get back into it.”
While it seems tough on Pete Samu to be relegated to the bench after standing in for Hooper in recent games, Rennie clearly prefers the Brumbies man as an option to finish games and provide backrow cover, and has opted for Jed Holloway at No.6.
“Pistol’s phenomenal off the bench. He was excellent in Melbourne but he fell of a fair few tackles in Auckland,” Rennie said.
“But Jed will call the lineout, so it gives us another string to the bow and, as we know, Pete can come on and cover anywhere and his impact in games with 30 to go has been a real point of difference for us.”
Hanigan returned to the Waratahs this year and took his time to hit form but won the coach’s nod with his efforts in Japan this month.
“He was excellent for Australia A,” said Rennie. “What you know about Ned – a really good man. Strong leadership skills, excellent communicator. Smart. His lineout work’s been really strong.
“He’s always been a good attacker – good feet and explosive – but his defence was excellent in Japan. He’s put on a little bit of size – he’s probably about three or four kilos heavier now with the same skinfold. We’re excited to bring Ned back in – he’s worked hard and deserves it.”
Up front James Slipper continues as captain with Allan Alaalatoa preferred to start ahead of fit again Taniela Tupou on the other side.
Wallabies team to play Scotland at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh on Saturday 29 October, 5:30pm BST/3:30am AEDT
1. James Slipper (c) (123 Tests)
2. David Porecki (7 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (60 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (5 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (3 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (6 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (121 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (27 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (18 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (73 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (18 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (20 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (21 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (18 Tests)
15. Tom Banks (20 Tests)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (33 Tests)
17. Matt Gibbon (2 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (43 Tests)
19. Ned Hanigan (25 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (28 Tests)
21. Nic White (56 Tests)
22. Noah Lolesio (14 Tests)
23. Jock Campbell*
*denotes potential Test debut