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.”
Wizz
Roar Rookie
So true but Kellaway goes I'm sure.One if the few backs that knows where the opps tryline is .lol
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
No loyalty in trying to win a WC. You pick the best to get the job done and all excess baggage gets left behind. We have an abundance of outside backs and there will be some people Left behind who will be sure to upset some fans. I just don’t see Jordy or hodge being in that category
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Kellaway at home Ferret? your missus years of loyalty wouldnt save her.Tough!
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I know… we have Jordy P to cover 15, wing and 13 as a “specialist”. I’d bring hodge too for his versatility and leave Kellaway and Flook at home. For the WC
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Ferret it's not that they are better than Flook it's the fact you can't take everyone..
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Certainly not Kellaway or Hodge. One hasn’t played and the other was a below average fill in
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Tell me a 13 shooting the lights out in super? Not Flook or perese pleease...
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Won't need 4 specialist.Kerevi Foketi Kellaway 13 Hodge any where JOC 12 and Wright or Petaia in extreme case.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
No no just if Kerevi and Foketi break down I think Wright could step up and be a more dynamic option than JOC or Hodge that's all .Praying none of that happens if course and Foketi plays Georgia and Fiji and big fella plays 12 right into final .Love to dream.
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
We’ll see. Reckon he might not have been good enough for long enough to make this training squad, but if he keeps playing the house down through the rest of the season, he may have a shot.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
We are ranked at 7 . We don’t need those who have put us there over the last 10 years . Hooper , JOC , Foley , Hodge , Gordon and those who have thankfully left the scene . We only have room for four old players . Slipper , White , Alaatoa and Quadie . The rest will have be youngsters and those who have been lightly raced like Samu , Hollaway , Koreibeti and Kerevi , they will all need to improve .
Tooly
Roar Rookie
JAPAN !
savant
Roar Rookie
Wright as second playmaker from fullback? Or are you suggesting moving him to 12? I think he might struggle to defend at 12. But love to see him drop into first receiver more from fullback, particularly on the blind side. I’m still a believer in the second playmaker at 12 btw. We’ve never won anything of note with the big crash baller at 12. We lost ten in a row to England with Kerevi playing most of them at 12.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
If Skelton is a must too start as many are wanting than outside the box thinking is needed.Jones does do this I confess which I like Rennie didn’t and would never start Will as it than makes a complete back row reshuffle inevitable he just didn’t want too picture that.. Luckily Eddie has roar fans to guide his selections it’s Wright Wilken Bobby Frost for me.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
My eyes on him !
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'm starting too think outpointed Mc reight, any one differ?He is Simon poidevan ish.Same colour hair and motor .
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Proven commodity test player .As for ten you have to go back too last lions tour where I thought he went okay.But def proven test player at his fittest.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
If Vunivalu is picked over Lachie Anderson and Andy Muirhead there is something wrong with the thought process.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Playing for Kubota in Japan is a far cry from playing in a World Cup especially for a 33 year old who qualifies to play veteran's footy in two years.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Not a JOC fan but I agree that I would take him over Foley any day of the week.