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Thirty-three players have been given an opportunity to pump up their tyres at this month’s Wallabies training camp. Now those players must ensure they don’t hit a snag and collect a flat tyre along the way.
Countless players have come from the stars and been given opportunities by Eddie Jones over the years. But plenty have seldom returned after closer inspection.
That’s what the three-day camp on the Gold Coast represents. An opportunity.
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has made a number of big calls in his first Test squad. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Jones said it himself: “This is not the squad for Rugby World Cup. It’s the first squad for the first camp. If you are in it, the challenge is to stay in it. If you are not in it, how do you get in it? Players select themselves.”
In announcing his first Wallabies squad, Jones has gone away from selecting players purely on form like his predecessor Dave Rennie said he judged selection on. Instead, he has backed his eye and wanted to scratch an itch or two.
Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson and Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu are two such men.
Both men have hardly set the world alight in the early stages of Super Rugby, far from it in fact, but the duo have caught Eddie’s eye and now they must convince the new Wallabies coach they are worth persevering with throughout this run to the World Cup where time is of the essence.
Jones isn’t interested in mediocrity. He isn’t wanting run-of-the-mill Super Rugby players who can do a job. He wants players who can make a difference in the World Cup.
After all, how far has mediocrity got Australia’s Super Rugby franchises in recent years?
Here are our winners and losers from Jones’ first Wallabies squad.
WINNERS
Ben Donaldson
Right from his opening press conference back in January, Jones has namedropped the young Waratahs utility back on every occasion.
His selection comes despite the jury still being out on the soon-to-be 24-year-old.
Donaldson has an excellent skill set, plays flat to the line and has a big boot on him.
But his frailties are obvious, too. Donaldson’s a reluctant tackle, an anxious goal kicker and he’s not running to the line nearly enough either.
It was long ago that he was run over the top by Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard, while his kicking and playmaking has been scratchy at best in recent weeks.
Waratahs utility back Ben Donaldson has been selected by Eddie Jones in his first Wallabies squad. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Jones has not-so-subtlety urged the Waratahs to continue to play Donaldson at fly-half, too.
His ability to play at fly-half and fullback does count in his favour, particularly at a World Cup where only 33 players can be selected.
“I love what I saw at the end of the season,” Jones said. “He’s only played a couple of games at 10 and we’d like to see what he’s capable of doing.”
Suliasi Vunivalu
The most vexed played in Australian rugby, Vunivalu is living off the deeds of his NRL career.
While Vunivalu showed glimpses of what he is capable of last year – he finished the Super season in fine form, had a great first touch against England on Test debut and ran freely for Queensland during their end-of-year tour – the two-time NRL premiership has shown little to start the year.
In fact, he looks like he’s struggling to get out of second gear. Is it injury? Is it injury, is it a lack of confidence?
Whatever it is, Jones wants to get his hands on Vunivalu to make up his own mind.
Why? Well, Vunivalu remains the biggest physical presence a Wallabies backline has to offer.
Suliasi Vunivalu has earned selection in Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad despite some questionable form. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
That’s important because the World Cup will be won and lost in the collision and in the air and Vunivalu’s aerial prowess is something that could prove compelling.
“Contradiction is a big part of selection,” Jones said. “You’re always trying to find players you feel can be world class. That’s the ultimate task is to find players who can be world class. And I’ve seen Vulivalu play for Melbourne Storm. I’ve seen him play in NRL. I’ve seen bits and pieces of his play for Australia A, and bits and pieces of what he’s done for Queensland.
“There’s a lot of gaps in his game at the moment. But our job as coaches is to help him fill the gaps. So if you’ve got a cattle prod at training get it out, it might help him.”
Vision of the 27-year-old intercepting and streaking away at the Olympic Stadium against the Penrith Panthers and running with no fear in the world is what Jones is hanging on to.
Jordan Uelese
Uelese is no stranger to the Wallabies. Indeed, he played for Australia at the last World Cup.
But he is the biggest surprise pick in Jones’ 33-man squad because he has come from nowhere.
Off-field issues as much as on-field struggles are as much to blame as anything for not playing since 2021.
Fitness troubles and an inability to throw straight have meant he hasn’t played for the Wallabies since 2021.
2019 World Cup member Jordan Uelese has been selected despite not starting a game for the Rebels in 2023. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
What Jones has noticed is what first attracted Michael Cheika back in 2017 after only a handful of minutes of Super Rugby: a physical presence.
Uelese has the biggest shoulders of any hooker in Australian rugby and his work at the scrum and around the field, particularly at the breakdown, means he’s difficult to move.
Jones compared the 26-year-old to Malcolm Marx.
“Jordan Uelese is big and ugly,” Jones said. “He looks a bit like Malcolm Marx – big, tall, strong, gets hard over the ball, carries, a bit of work to do on his throwing.
“Last time he was in the Wallabies he got into a bit of strife which is one of the reasons he hasn’t featured for a while.
“So we’re going to give him the opportunity to show he’s grown up a bit. He’s certainly got all the attributes.”
Max Jorgensen
Joseph Suaalii’s signing and fortnight of headlines has shifted the narrative, but 18-year-old Max Jorgensen continues to turn heads as an 18-year-old.
The Waratahs outside back has taken to Super Rugby like a duck to water. He looks born to play rugby and his ability to make the difficult look easy is what is so impressive.
Jorgensen became the first Waratahs player to score a try in each of his opening three Super Rugby matches.
Teen sensation Max Jorgensen has been selected in Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad. Photo: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
Having gone from playing against boys, the slender teenager is playing in a weight class above. But there is no issue of shirking any of the tough stuff from Jorgensen.
Ever since exploding out of tackles at Allianz Stadium, everything the youngster has been thrown he has handled.
“He’s got pace, mate. Big thing about Test rugby is having pace, particularly in the back three. He’s got pace,” Jones said.
“He’s got a great instinctiveness about him. He’s got courage. He’s got all the attributes of being a very good Test player and he’s made a good start. And his challenge now is to keep improving.”
LOSERS
Jones made it clear that he only wanted to talk about players who had been selected. Selected by Jones, who is master and commander currently with few assistants to be able to call upon.
But Jones did reveal he has been speaking to players he has worked with in the past and former mentors, too.
Noah Lolesio
The Brumbies No.10 has won Tests for the Wallabies and played all three matches against England last year, but the 23-year-old finds himself out of the squad.
Instead, Donaldson and Carter Gordon – the most improved player on Australia’s side of the ditch – find themselves as the only two playmakers in Jones’ squad.
While Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley find themselves on an overseas list of players of national interest.
Is this the end for Lolesio? No, but it’s likely another warning that more is to be expected of a now-experienced Wallaby.
Noah Lolesio played all three Tests against England at No.10 in 2022, as the Wallabies lost the series 2-1. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
How Lolesio responds will be fascinating.
Gordon has been Australia’s best performing playmaker by a country mile this year, with his willingness to run and front up physically on both sides of the ball a compelling reason behind his selection.
Now Lolesio needs to prove Jones wrong.
It starts by leading the Brumbies around the park and ensuring Stephen Larkham – the prince of Wallabies playmakers – doesn’t take him off and bring on Jack Debrecezni.
Lolesio needs to boss the game in the same manner Richie Mo’unga does for the Crusaders.
After all, he has the best Australian pack in front of him. If he can’t boss the Brumbies around, good luck doing it for the Wallabies.
Harry Wilson
In a badly beaten pack, Wilson has stood tall and been one of the few players to continually get over the gain line.
But once again he finds himself out of the Wallabies’ squad, having missed last year’s Spring Tour.
Jones’ England played Wilson last year when the Reds back-rower was called in to play at blindside flanker.
Wilson struggled out of position and was beaten to the punch at the breakdown. Perhaps Jones hasn’t forgotten.
Suliasi Vunivalu (R) and Harry Wilson have had mixed fortunes, with the Reds No.8 not selected. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
He also has other compelling options, with Langi Gleeson showing his explosiveness during the opening month for the Waratahs when no other NSW forward managed to catch the eye.
Rob Valetini’s inclusion also meant Jones was always going to find it hard to find room for another No.8.
Whether Wilson’s contract stall is playing a part is a curious factor, too.
Wilson has yet to re-sign with Queensland and Jones made it known that he only wants players who want to play for the Wallabies.
Tate McDermott
McDermott has something neither chosen halfback has: an ability to break open the game through running.
White can run but doesn’t always choose to. While Ryan Lonergan’s first instinct isn’t to run either.
But McDermott needs to do more, too.
His Reds have struggled and, to a large extent, McDermott has to.
His kicking game has been poor and he hasn’t quite been able to control the tempo of games like some world-class halfbacks.
While nippy halfbacks can break Tests open, World Cups are generally won by halfbacks who have a brilliant kick and can control the game.
Queensland halfback Tate McDermott has been left out of Eddie Jones’ first squad. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Corey Toole
One of the outstanding young talents of Super Rugby this year, Toole has barely put a step wrong since switching from the sevens program.
Only McDermott would match him for quick feet in a phone booth.
Most will feel he should have been selected ahead of Vunivalu. On form, you can’t question it.
The question Jones likely had to answer was could he fit two pocket rockets in his 33-man squad? The answer is likely, no.
You get the feeling like only one of Jorgensen and Toole will be in the World Cup conversation. At present, it is the 18-year-old.
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.