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Unless you’ve been in a coma for the last two months, or you’re a first time Roar reader, you’ll no doubt have been swept up by the tsunami of optimism, verging on hysteria, that hit Australian shores following the return of Eddie Jones as Wallabies coach.
Eddie’s second coming, after originally being punted back in 2005, has all the promise of a biblical epic, and surely World Cup success is just around the corner?
The Wallabies last lifted the Webb Ellis Cup back in 1999, and now Eddie has the chance, if not duty, to deliver back-to-back wins for Australia in both 2023 and 2027. But even Eddie can’t do it on his own. He needs the right tools and the best players. More specifically, he needs rugby league backs.
The last time Jones carried the Australian coach’s clipboard at a World Cup was in 2003, when Australia were sunk by a Jonny Wilkinson field goal in extra-time. How can we ever forget the disappointment. Eddie went so close, but was always doomed to fail, as his backline contained only three former NRL players in Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri. Surely just one or two more would have shifted the balance our way, and the Wallabies would have been victorious?
Wendell Sailor in full flight. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Since returning from the wilderness (England), Eddie has been endlessly quoted on many topics, some of them even related to rugby, but one recurring theme is his love of Peter V’landys and all things rugby league. He’s been unashamedly open about his quest to nab a few code-hoppers to bolster his backline stocks before the 2023 World Cup gets underway.
I’m calling on V’landys to put the boring and unnecessary code war aside, to do something for the greater good of the country, and provide Eddie and the Wallabies with the backline talent they’re going to need over the next five years. I’m not advocating that he just hand over Australia’s Kangaroo squad, as the presence of the likes of James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Munster in the Wallaby backline would be overkill, and unfair to the other competing nations. Just a few players from the next tier down should be enough to do the trick.
Eddie has revealed his Joseph Sua’ali’i fixation on more than one occasion, and he should be the first to go given his rugby background. He could no doubt play anywhere from outside centre, wing to full-back. But who are the other candidates to join Sua’ali’i in Paris? There’s plenty to choose from, including the following.
Reuben Garrick
The Manly flyer has established himself as one of the best wingers in the game, and has also played full-back. He knows the way to the line and is a top notch goal kicker to go with it. He would make an ideal rugby winger and could also cover fullback.
Nicho Hynes
Fresh from a Dally M Medal win, Hynes has the smarts, running game and kicking game to be a success at either 5/8 or full-back in union. He is also a very handy goal kicker.
Nicho Hynes celebrates. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Toluta’u Koula
Koula is an absolute flyer and comes with a rugby pedigree having played for the Australian Schoolboys. He would do nicely on the wing.
Will Penisini
Another player who has played rugby with some success, Penisini is a strong defender and powerful ball runner who is a natural for outside centre.
Selwyn Cobbo
If speed and power is what’s needed then look no further than Cobbo, who can break a tackle and won’t be caught if he gets in the clear.
Josh Schuster
Schuster is a ball playing weapon who’d be a natural in either the 10 or 12 jersey.
Siosifa Talakai
A rugged customer and crash ball runner extraordinaire, Talakai would cause the defence all sorts of problems at outside centre.
Reed Mahoney
Mahoney is as tough as they come, knows when to pass and when to run, and could easily adapt to the half-back role.
The players mentioned here, and dozens more running around in the NRL, are just what Eddie needs to take the Wallabies back to the top of the IRB rankings.
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