- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Queensland Reds gun Hunter Paisami has copped a World Cup blow, with the dynamic midfielder set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
His injury comes as Eddie Jones prepares to name his first Wallabies training squad on Sunday.
While the Wallabies’ two-day training camp at Sanctuary Cove is not until April 17, Super Rugby coaches are eager to plan ahead so Jones will name a squad two weeks earlier to give Australia’s franchises time to plan around their absence.
While Dave Rennie named a bloated 44-man training squad in January, it’s believed Jones will be much more cutthroat in his training squad size and name between 33 and 35 players.
By doing so, his squad will be closer to the 33 players that will be given World Cup tickets in August.
It’s believed no overseas-based players will be included, while some injured players won’t be considered either.
Ever since being announced as Wallabies coach in January, Jones has said he isn’t spending any time on anything beyond the date of the World Cup final in Paris on October 28.
On that basis, it’s likely Jones won’t be experimenting too heavily.
Nor can he either, with no other training squads expected to be announced until Jones names his Rugby Championship squad in late June.
Insiders believe just as many questions will come from his first squad as answers.
Suliasi Vunivalu could well be named despite his underwhelming start to 2023, with Jones pushing his extension claims with the Queensland Reds.
Jones could well want to get an answer to whether Vunivalu can play a role in his squad for September.
The back-row, fly-half and outside back options shape as the most open and competitive positions.
Indeed, whether Jones selects players only on the basis of those in the reckoning for the World Cup or, perhaps, a longer-term view could shape his decision-making.
For instance, Carter Gordon is the in-form playmaker in Australian rugby, but would James O’Connor be a stronger option at a World Cup if Quade Cooper or Bernard Foley aren’t fit?
Ditto, Ben Donaldson or Tane Edmed, who Jones has name-dropped but both of whom have struggled. Noah Lolesio will likely feature.
“I think every position is wide open,” Jones told reporters last Friday.
“Whenever you are picking a team, there is historical form. So Steve Smith gets two ducks, you’re not going to drop him, are you?
“If Travis Head gets four ducks, you’re probably going to drop him.”
He added: “It’s not too late for anyone. I’m not going to comment about specific players at this stage but I think we’re looking out for players who want to be selected.”
Nor will a decision be announced on the captaincy.
“April will be the first time I get the players in front of me,” Jones said.
“Then I’ll be able to have some idea about who can be the best captain or the best captains for the team.”
Meanwhile, The Roar can reveal that Paisami is expected to be sidelined until the eve of the Super Rugby Pacific finals after suffering a knee-injury.
Hunter Paisami. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
It’s not only a blow for his World Cup ambitions, but also for Queensland’s hopes of featuring prominently this year.
Reds flanker Fraser McReight said the side were focussing on delivering a complete performance rather than the Wallabies.
“Every game is like that and more so against the six-time reigning champions,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to stamp their jersey and their worth.
“The boys are more focussed on the team result. We haven’t had that ‘You know what? We’re proud of the performance.’ We haven’t had that yet – and it’s the perfect opportunity to do it.
“That’s in the forefront of mind compared to the wallabies but if we can do that it’s going to be a domino effect of it.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.