Amongst the chaos, there was calm.
Forty players were put through their paces at Coogee Oval on Monday afternoon with the hopes of many resting on catching Eddie Jones’ eye this week, with the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship squad to be named on Sunday. Many won’t return next week.
Without Australia’s A-listers, the Brumbies, who have been given the week off to cool their heels following Saturday’s semi-final exit as well as French duo Will Skelton and Richie Arnold, the also-rans, as well as Japanese quartet Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete, hit the training paddock at Eddie’s old home.
Langi Gleeson, who is in doubt for the Wallabies’ opener against the Springboks because of injury, slowly made his way over from the sideline to his teammates when they regularly gathered together in a huddle.
Giant props Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell had a spring in their steps as they too joined from the sidelines.
Confined to training by themselves, the pair were put through their paces and ran freely on the sidelines, giving hope the front-rowers will take part in The Rugby Championship.
Kerevi, meanwhile, was put through his own fitness tests as he makes his way back from a tight hamstring suffered during the Barbarians’ narrow win over World XV last month.
Fellow back Andrew Kellaway didn’t train either but looked in good spirits on the sidelines watching on.
Others like Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami are still to return, with the Reds duo on the comeback trail and likely to be available for the Wallabies’ home Test against Argentina in Sydney.
There were however some notable omissions too, like Brad Wilkin, Folau Fainga’a Jake Gordon.
Everything Jones did was with purpose. Pace was the order of the day. Walking wasn’t allowed. Burpees were regular, as the backs and forwards were divided between halves before playing 15 on 15.
Foley sliced and diced his way through and regularly addressed the backs. It’s believed he is the seventh member of Eddie Jones’ leadership group.
Cooper’s aura was also on show.
Carter Gordon showed his skill set, regularly running onto the ball with pace.
Dylan Pietsch regularly saw the ball and was busy on the fringes and on the kick return, while Ben Donaldson also showed off his long kick days after running the water for Randwick’s first-grade side on Saturday.
Suliasi Vunivalu cut a striking figure on the field and later caught box kick after box kick from Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Tate McDermott, as kicking coach Berrick Barnes put the pair through drills. Former AFL coach Neil Craig watched the Reds winger tower into the air and catch the ball effortlessly like Israel Folau once did.
Lean and light, Jock Campbell made everything look easy. His Reds teammate Josh Flook also looked at home.
Koroibete looked in incredible shape and roved.
Izack Rodda training hard was a welcome sight after his frustrating two seasons spent largely on the sidelines. His hands let him down once. It resulted in him banging the ground with his right-hand.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, fresh from arriving home from England, burst onto the ball, too, showing he hadn’t lost any of his strong lines.
While James O’Connor bounced around lively in the midfield his teammate Harry Wilson showed off his skill set by making tough passes look better by taking them.
Josh Kemeny was a notable sight on the field, Lachie Swinton carried the ball with vigour.
Young props Zane Nonggorr and Tom Lambert were on hand, while Pone Fa’amausli looked like he wanted to be there, breaking the line at times.
Jones, meanwhile, surveyed and roamed, a little word here and there, as he cast his eye over the bulk of players present that would make up his squad.
The clock is ticking, the final countdown is on.
Jones is set to name his first official Wallabies squad on Sunday, with 33 players as well as a couple of extras on the comeback from injury to be included for The Rugby Championship.
crumbfingers
Roar Rookie
I agree Wizz he 100% is a point of difference player and can do things no one else can do. I'm just not sure if what you gain from those things are worth building your entire pack around, the idea of Bell, Tupou, Skelton, Samu, Petaia off the bench for the final 30 is mouthwatering.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
No doubt Foley goes Alot better Kerevi outside but that goes for most flyhalfs...
Phil
Roar Rookie
Understand Skelton brings that physically but good teams can’t just be run over. A predictable attack like that won’t work. Good defences will just chop and pilfer.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Than forwards running over top of opposition ... gameplan we haven't had.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
If Eddie wants to play 3 phase kick then defend, wouldn't it make more sense to have a lock that has the motor to go 80?
The Iceman cometh, and also ain’t no mug :thumbup:
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Jack D better than Foley. Not a chance.
Grobu
Roar Rookie
Many people in the NH wouldn't agree with you. https://youtu.be/dMjxZ0b-vcc As for allegedly not pushing in the scrum, you want to watch how LaRochelle scrum went against Toulouse scrum (featuring a decent Baille - Marchand - Aldegheri - Arnold - Meafou front 5)
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Probably Holloway calling. A great jumper developing as a caller.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
RTL, Foley may be one of those with the ‘grit’ Eddie spoke of as necessary for squad ‘enculturation’. As much as it pains me to say it, if Foley is the last place kicker standing and slots the match winner in the final, all the myopic Cheika years will be forgiven.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
the trouble is all his Wallaby experience is at losing and I’m not sure the Wallabies need that
Super Hans
Roar Rookie
Foley is a reliable goal kicker “the iceman”, within 30m of the sticks. Anything beyond 35 is a bit too far. Not really a true kicking threat and would also account for his high %
Phil
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t sound like a smart attack plan to me. It takes a bit more intelligence than that.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Against who?
Wizz
Roar Rookie
We can't afford others to break line all forwards must have destructive edge in attack or backline gets static White sideways ball or box kick rubbish...Run over opp and gameplan becomes easier.
Phil
Roar Rookie
That he doesn’t break the line doesn’t concern me so much. That can be done by others. He can pass well both ways and cleans out well. And when in space, which isn’t often, he can motor. And regularly topping the tackle count with little misses and with good discipline to me is more important than the occasional big hit. And in a World Cup come finals time defence is going to be paramount to successs. Agree on his maul defence. And his lineout maul has been excellent all season.
jeznez
Roar Guru
What?!?!? He was quiet when he was rushed back and played injured? Go back and watch his performances in the run of wins vs South Africa. If he's fit, he's in.
RURALOZ
Roar Rookie
Show me a test match against a tier one opponent he has dominated in. Go and watch he had a very very quiet year last year.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Interestingly Eddie in the podcast said he really liked Wilson and Tates form. Then alluded to Peteias rear end and talent. Sounds likely all three could be included.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Italics are the ones I'm unsure of. Need to see guys perform through TRC.