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Good luck, Jock Campbell.
The Wallabies newcomer could not have a more daunting starting debut than he faces on Sunday AEDT in front of 85,000 fans against the team that Australia’s coach Dave Rennie believes is the best in the world.
While Rennie says the time to pick and stick is next year, he’s once again made some experimental calls for the second match of the Spring Tour against France in Paris as he tries to answer questions ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
With four changes to the team, from last week, he has left Will Skelton on the bench despite suggesting he would start – saying tactics and even Skelton’s imposing frame were behind his decision.
Reece Hodge returns to the squad on the bench as Noah Lolesio misses out again – the tale of his stop-start career in gold so far. While Rennie has pitched Campbell into the furnace, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give Lolesio a chance in the closest fixture the Australians will encounter before the World Cup next year.
On giving Campbell a start at 15
Rennie revealed Tom Banks was injured during the win over Scotland and was ruled out early. Campbell, who had an ankle issue of his own before that game, now gets his chance to make a statement. It’s a clear cut case of sink or swim.
“We were keen to give Jock a crack. He’s had an excellent year, really strong with Australia A and we were keen to give him a start early in the tour,” said Rennie.
“We did contemplate Scotland, he obviously got his debut via the bench and with Tom having a bit of an ankle issue, we knew Saturday night that it was doubtful that he’d train earlier in the week and we like [Andrew Kellaway] on the wing.”
Rennie added: “He’s a really smart footballer, he’s got good feet and a good skill set. He’s not a kid, he’s had to work hard for his opportunity and at 27 he’s pretty mature, so we reckon he’s ready to go. He’s very excited.”
On Will Skelton on the bench instead of starting
The French-based lock misses out on the starting side for a few reasons.
Rennie was full of praise for Cadeyrn Neville and Nick Frost after their performances against Scotland. The coach was also keen for balance for Skelton to come on later in the match to assist inexperienced Tom Robertson, who is backing up Taniela Tupou with Allan Alaalatoa sidelined after a head knock.
Rennie said Skelton had been well briefed before his arrival and his selection on the bench was proof he was trusted.
“We sent him all the lineout calls and everything that we’re doing a couple of weeks before we left, so he’s actually asked to do a bit of study around that. It’s more around getting in and doing it.
Will Skelton. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“We’re trying to make sure that when he’s on the field he complements our lineouts, because compared to the other two guys, he’s 150 kilos to lift so we’ll make adjustments around that when he’s on the field.
“Will arrived in on Sunday night, there’s a fair bit to get his head around lineout and lineout D and maul etc and then all of our structures. He does have the advantage of being in this group last year and and while the language might have changed what we’re trying to do is similar.
“Then we felt with Allan missing, Taniela starting it’d be good for [Tom Robertson] to have big Will behind him late in the game. So we took all those things into consideration.”
Skelton’s situation raises the question of whether Rennie would want his World Cup candidates on board for next year’s truncated Rugby Championship or if he would be happy to parachute Giteau Law picks in for the tournament proper.
“There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge around that stuff, but we’re keen to get him in for as long as we can pre-World Cup,” said Rennie.
On Taniela Tupou’s return
By his own admission the Queensland prop has endured a difficult season, failing to reach his best in a campaign hit by a form lapse and injuries.
Tupou was one very lucky man after Blair Kinghorn’s penalty miss against Scotland.
“He’s buoyant. He said a great training week, like full of energy,” said Rennie. “He’s in a really good place and enjoying the tour and hopefully we see that on Saturday.”
Rennie said Tupou had learned his lesson after the penalty concession that should have handed the Scots a late win.
(Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images)
“We spoke about the penalties we gave away that we thought we can control. When you reflect back on there’s a handful of penalties that we can see that in reflection by the officials weren’t necessary accurate but can’t argue with Taniela’s one,” said Rennie.
“So he’s happy that he’s got away with that. There’s got to be some learnings from that. So what we know is the referees are going to be reasonably tough on people putting their hands on the ground or not supporting their body weight and so yeah, we can’t argue with a penalty. He’s learnt from it.”
On the impact of Bernard Foley
Rennie was asked to appraise the impact Foley brings to the team, as he continues to keep Lolesio in the shadows as Reece Hodge brings cover off the bench.
“He gives us a massive amount of experience and his contribution at meetings and on the park is excellent,” Rennie said of the veteran flyhalf.
“He’s got a optimistic mindset and I always think that’s important while we’re over here. What we know is he’s very methodical, and incredibly calm under pressure and you see that with his goalkicking. And while he doesn’t have a long kicking game he was smart last week. He varied it and found a lot of grass down the middle. Again, it’s going to be important this week.”
On the decision to leave out Tate McDermott
Rennie has consistently flagged his intention to rotate his No.9s and Nic White resumes as starter for the first time in four Test with Jake Gordon replacing Tate McDermott in the 23.
“Tate was good and we expected that. He made a line break early and he got a line bend beyond that, but it was quite noticeable when Nic White came on as well, the quality of his distribution, his speed to breakdown which allows to play quicker and play on top,” said Rennie.
“As we’ve talked about, we’ve got three excellent nines on tour, we’ve got an excellent nine in Ryan Lonergan back at home, so it’s a position we’ve got genuine depth. So Whitey gets his chance this week, Jake will start next week.”
On where he rates France and why they’re so good
“We’re well aware that this side’s the best in the world regardless of what the rankings say,” said Rennie.
“They’ve been unbeaten for about 15 months, they’ve beaten Ireland who are ranked number one. So we’re well aware of the challenge, we’re looking forward to it, we’re certainly gonna go out there and give it a crack.”
He was asked why France have become so good in the last couple of years.
“I reckon it’s not just from the last couple of years, it’s for a number of years. I reckon that the best French players are playing France, so that’s a start,” Rennie said.
“The most money in the [rugby] world is in France so their best players don’t leave – they’ve got access to pick the very best.
“When you look at the club sides here, they’ve got phenomenal depth and a lot of the local boys have had a chance to rub shoulders with a number of the best in the world and I think that’s rubbed off.
“You’ve got 28 professional sides up here, so there’s helluva lot of quality players to pick from and they’ve done it well.
“They play a simple game, they’ve got massive forwards, good athletes, a backline that can play when they want to but they play a lot of territory and back their defence.”
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He added: “To beat France in Paris we’ll have to have a massive 80. We’re well aware of that, we’ve picked a side that we’ve got some good quality coming off the bench because we know they’ll be important.
“I’ve seen them pick a six-two split and what we know is they’ve got a massive pack, unbelieve athletes, really good generals at nine and 10 and a big midfield. They’re the complete side at the moment. We’re going to come up there and try and play with no fear, we’re gonna throw everything at it. And hopefully we’re finishing over the top in the last 20 or 40.”
The Wallabies won a thrilling series against France down under last year but the tourists were missing some of their big guns, while Australia is much changed as well.
“Obviously 9, 10, 13, 8 weren’t there, but a big chunk of the other guys were all in there,” Rennie said.
“So we know a little bit about them. They were three tough and tight Test matches that could have gone any way each week. What we know is we’re going to have to be in the fight.
“The French are very good at getting in arm wrestles and they’ll stay in the fight. And we know that it’s going to be important for us on the weekend. There is obviously there’s a fair bit of change in our side that played against them as well.”
Missing last year was the World Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont, and Rennie was asked if he agreed that the No.9 was the best player n the game.
“Look he’s incredible, (has an) unbelievable running game and a kicking game, he kicks well off both feet and incredibly long. Whether he’s the best in the world? It’s hard to make comparisons against other positions, but he’s certainly highly respected by us and he’s had a helluva couple of years.”
WALLABIES TEAM
1. James Slipper (c) (124 Tests)
2. David Porecki (8 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (44 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (6 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (4 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (7 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (122 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (28 Tests)
9. Nic White (57 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (74 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (19 Tests)
12. Lalakai Foketi (4 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (22 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (19 Tests)
15. Jock Campbell (1 Test)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (34 Tests)
17. Matt Gibbon (3 Tests)
18. Tom Robertson (27 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (21 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (29 Tests)
21. Jake Gordon (16 Tests)
22. Hunter Paisami (21 Tests)
23. Reece Hodge (60 Tests)