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.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Upset that somebody is stealing your gig there Tony ? :stoked:
RuckingFun
Guest
Oh please, those NRL players are average and are nowhere near good enough to top the All Blacks, Springboks, France etc. In 2003 the Union players were much better than the leagies who were bought in. Less leagies and they would have won the cup that year
Aiden
Guest
Maybe if he'd started years ago. But watch Latrell closely. He fades in and out of games. When he 'fades in' he explodes and breaks the game open. He then tends to put his hands on his hips, blowing hard, wandering back to his spot with his back to the play. He doesn't look like a player who'd enjoy all of the stuff a union FB does. I don't think he'd enjoy the lack of space in the modern game, or the technicalities that I don't think he has the temperament for. Great athlete, but guys I think who'd make a massive impact after some transition are Joey Manu (Kiwi I know), Papynhouzen (who reminds me of the All Black Damien McKenzie), Murray would make a good centre.
Aiden
Guest
Eddie likes to generate chat. But if he's looking at NRL backs then he's deluded. Not because they aren't good athletes, but because the positions we need depth in are in the forwards. In the backs we have plenty of options atm. Issues we do have in the backs are at 10, halfback (very hard to learn, takes years) and at FB (still hard but an easier transition perhaps for an outstanding athlete). What gets lost in these debates is the assumption that players can just walk into the Wallabies. Yes players have been fast tracked in the past, but on the whole that has not worked well. We can point to wingers, but it is the easiest position to learn and we don't need wingers. There are better athletes in the NRL than Koroibete, but would they have the game nous that he has developed, the kicking ability he has picked up, the passing skills and most of all his work in and around the ruck. He is case in point ... he was awful when he came into rugby, it took time to develop. It took SBW time and he was rarely a starter. There are 17 NRL teams and there is a far better second tier competition, frankly it would be weird if the NRL wasn't producing a massive production line of athletes compared to Australian rugby. Rugby may poach the odd one and after they learn the game for a few years they may do ok or better than ok, but the idea that they will walk up and cut through weak rugby defence like butter (this is the rubbish you hear in pubs) is not borne out by the evidence. Takes time to learn a new sport. And if it takes time, why not spend that time developing your own athletes, and keeping the promising school rugby players in the code (rather than throwing cash at someone to do OTJ training).
Bodger
Roar Rookie
I haven't watched league much at all for years but the one guy that stands out for me is Latrell Mitchell. He could have been a star in union as well.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
I'll have to take your word for it as the only league I watch these days is SOO and that's only because I'm a passionate QLDer. I did watch a bit of league in the early 90s when the Broncos were dominant because there was no union on TV, but I eventually got bored with the 5 hit ups and a kick. I was a big Wendell fan when he was in both codes. It's a shame our talent is spread across so many codes in Australia but I guess the same can be said for other countries with the popularity of soccer. It makes for interesting armchair conversation if nothing else. I watched the documentary on Luke Longley and thought he would have made a great union lock, but the money that can be made for basketballers puts the rugby codes in the shade very quickly. There's plenty of sports reaching for kids attention these days, so all we can do is enjoy the code/s we love and accept them for what they are.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
I think Wayne Bennett might suggest that some coaching, nuance and tactics contribute a fair bit.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Andrew Walker was the best RL player Eddie recruited . Pat Carrigan has a Rugby school boy pedigree and would be a handy signing . RA won’t be able to afford them , they are broke and money is tight .
Tom G
Roar Rookie
If the News(very)Limited press is to be believed, Mr Rugbah League is way ahead of Eddie, he wants to recruit NFL players.. Flashback of Manfred Moore
Get_real
Roar Rookie
Right to left mechanics are terrible, high percentage go forward no chance of a 10 metre pass.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Exactly
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Because they were too small! Even SBW's vaunted shoulder charge was shrugged off in RU.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Ashton only played two years of super league so less of a transiton, Teo learnt rugby in Ireland and wasn't great, I wouldn't have regraded Hape as a cross code success.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Hey JC - 80% of rugby is attitude and hunger. Vunivalu made just 15 metres over 4 carries last night against the Brumbies and he's a brilliant NRL player.
Tony
Roar Guru
For a minute there it sounded like you knew what you were talking about....but alas...
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I was going to reply but you’re obviously set on it so I won’t bother. I’ll just hope that it doesnt happen or we’ll be watching the Wallabies continue to slide down the world ladder and fail to get out of their pool in France.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
There's actually lots of Rugby Au poaching going on atm, but they are poaching players from the NZ (union) ITM cup, not NRL. :silly:
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Yes excellent point there Chippers. Tom Wright only played one season of NRL so less of a learning curve compared with five NRL seasons for Vunivalu who really hasn't thrived in rugby. He's an NRL superstar so a cautionary tale. I had some stats which a put in another similar reply which vamoosed, so apologies of it reappears and there's double up.. :silly:
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Yes, that's where Eddie's dreaming fails. Rugby Au simply doesn't have the cash to pay the best NRL players. Also why ditch your NRL career to play a code where there's no guarantee of success? Just ask Willie Carne, Will Chambers, Benji Marshall, Sam Burgess, Timana Tahu, Reece Robinson, Tepai Moeroa, Nathan Blacklock and others.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Thanks Chippers - that's a good point you make. Wright only played a handful of games in one season of NRL and the transition required for him is less than Vunivalu who played 5 seasons or NRL and amassed over 100 appearances. Sometimes you get great NRL players (Folau, Koroibete, Brad Thorn, Jason Robinson) who excel in rugby but these are more rare than Eddie Jones or others commentators might admit. Back to Vunivalu and last night's Reds game. The other members of the Reds back three made (Daugunu) 84 metres and (Petaia) 92 metres. Vunivalu? Just 15 metres from 4 carries and just 2 tackles over 80 minutes. It's not a criticism of Vunivalu, rather an illustration of code hopping challenges. :stoked: