Former All Blacks star Tawera Kerr-Barlow could still pull on the gold jersey for the first time, with Australia A to play Portugal the day before the Wallabies take on France in their final Test ahead of the World Cup.
The Roar can reveal that the former World Cup-winner, who came off the bench in New Zealand’s 2015 triumph over the Wallabies at Twickenham, remains in consideration for a remarkable call-up by Eddie Jones.
Although Kerr-Barlow hasn’t been called up by Jones for The Rugby Championship, sources have told The Roar the French-based halfback has been spoken about as a potential option for the World Cup.
Australian-born Kerr-Barlow, 32, hasn’t played for the All Blacks since playing his 27th Test in 2017, but last year revealed he was keen and available to play for the Wallabies if Dave Rennie, whom he won two Super Rugby titles under at the Chiefs, came knocking.
While Rennie has since been moved on by Rugby Australia, Kerr-Barlow, whose mother played for the Wallaroos, has remained open to playing for the nation he lived in until he was a teenager and still has a strong attachment to the land in the Northern Territory.
“I’d love to chuck on the Australian jersey as I spent the first part of life in Australia, my family is still there and I’m very grateful for what they have done for my family. My mum played for Australia,” he said.
“It [opening up eligibility] is a positive thing. You will get people saying, ‘Oh, you know, you’re not loyal’ or ‘How can you play for one country and play for another?’ But if you are born in a country or your parents are born there and you feel a certain way about the country and you have got roots already established, then why not?
“I’m a pretty open individual in terms of those sorts of things and I just want rugby to be the big thing I know it can be because if you love rugby, you want it to improve.”
In an interview on SENZ radio earlier this year, Kerr-Barlow said he felt like the Wallabies would keep the status quo.
“I haven’t had any contact with them,” he told SENZ in May.
“My camp has reached out to them and I don’t think there was much interest … it got blown massively out of proportion but I put my hand up to be available since the rule changed and I’ve always said I’ve always been proud to have come from Darwin.
“There’s a lot of people and support there that helped my family through my childhood and stuff and it would be nice to repay them but I think nothing’s going to come of it so it’s kind of a moot point.”
Yet, in light of Kerr-Barlow’s brilliance for La Rochelle, there are several rugby figures in Australia, including at Rugby Australia, who believe he’s worth considering.
Rugby sources told The Roar that his name had been spoken about recently, too.
Last year, Rennie believed the Wallabies had four world-class options in Nic White, Tate McDermott, Jake Gordon and the uncapped Ryan Lonergan.
White and McDermott have been used by Jones during the first two defeats of the year, while Lonergan is also a part of the squad.
While McDermott’s pace and ability to probe around the ruck has him someone firmly in the frame for a World Cup call-up, there is the thought that Kerr-Barlow, whose core skills are strong and his physicality is a feature too, would provide something different to both White and Lonergan.
Interestingly, Gordon, who captains the Waratahs, was not going to even be a part of the Australia A team before a last-minute change of heart by Jones saw him called back from holidays early to play against Tonga.
Gordon has since signed a short-term deal with Toulon and is understood not to be a part of Jones’ World Cup plans.
While Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, who performed strongly coming off the bench against Tonga, has impressed Wallabies officials, including Jones, it’s unlikely he would be looked at for national honours in 2023 unless an injury to livewire McDermott.
He could still play a role for Australia A against Portugal or the Barbarians later this year.
But given Australia A will play their World Cup pool rivals in Paris the day before the Wallabies meet France the final weekend of August, it could also pave the way for Jones to call up Kerr-Barlow for the match.
The Australia A side, which will be coached by Jason Gilmore but selected by Jones, could feature up to 10 Wallabies who aren’t selected for the match a day later against France. But, in all likelihood, it will be less than that give Jones won’t want to risk everyone.
It means on top of Jones’ 33 players selected for the World Cup, there could be an additional 20 players called up to play the Australia A fixture.
But the luxury of having Kerr-Barlow in France means he won’t have to travel across the globe to put his best foot forward.
As many as 15 players selected for Australia A will remain in the Northern Hemisphere to play for the Barbarians, with Gilmore, Nathan Grey, Laurie Fisher and Berrick Barnes a part of the coaching team that will play a series of matches against British opposition. It’s likely the invitational club will help foot the bill for their travel costs to Europe.
All year Jones has spoken of the strong likelihood of concussion and Head Injury Assessments playing a significant role in this year’s World Cup.
With World Rugby introducing mandatory 12-day stand downs for a majority of players who suffer a concussion, tournament officials increased the squad size from 31 to 33.
It’s in part why Jones moved heaven and Earth to ensure he would have a large contingent of Australian players ready for action across the English Channel playing for the Barbarians.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’m not actually sure what your position is on that? Are you suggesting no immigration? At all? I assume then you are First Nations People? If you can’t work in another country how else do you have immigration? With regard to Rugby, there are teams that would be decimated if ‘foreign born’ players were excluded. Neither Australia nor NZ are one of those though. Although, you’d have to remove Cooper, Kerevi, and Tupou straight off the top of my head. So maybe Aus wouldn’t fair as that well (shrug)
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Well it’s the reality - economic that is, and it is sad. It’s not one way though. Personally I lived in Aus for 13yrs and have moved back home again. I have an Australian working for me who lives here now too. That’s only anecdotal I know, and by far the majority of traffic heads west not east, but it’s not as clear cut as some would believe.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Let's also work in the country you were born...
Wizz
Roar Rookie
True Paulo but one way traffic across the ditch explain that from a proud country?Don’t say for ecenomic reasons that’s just sad really.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
I'm familiar with such off the cuff comments Loosey. It's a bit like the oft used phrase 'to die for' and when you say to the person uttering it 'so you would be happy to die it then?' there inevitably follows a 'well no'.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If the Wallabies think the ABs have louse, it would explain why they were so reluctant to put hands on them and tackle them… for the last 20yrs :silly:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Is this an actual serious comment? Are you actually aware of reality?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
That covers almost half your team BA
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You seem happy having Toupo, skeleton, cooper etc. All born in NZ.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
TJ just signed on for another year at the Canes.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
So you think that 'dying' to become something actually entails departing this life? Interesting.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
My initial comment was referencing Angus Bell's comment. It's a figure of speech which hasn't made it to NZ yet apparently.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Not much of a career when you're dead Loosey.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Good player he was,
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Could be a good idea to look up how many New Zealanders are playing rugby for countries that are not New Zealand , then you'll see where the joke lies.
NOTASaffaSpy
Roar Rookie
This is a joke. WR should make it harder to play for a country you were bot born in not easier. This is the only way to stop NZ from stealing other countries talent.
Wolla Wotsa
Roar Rookie
No thanks.Make yourself available for the abs.
cj
Roar Rookie
Also you could argue Steve Devine. Born and bred Aussie country boy. Aus Under 21s, Aussie 7s 1998... moved to NZ, qualified on residency grounds and 3 years later played several tests for All Blacks in 2002/2003.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I can’t speak for all kiwis, but speaking for myself, you want him, you can have him. I doubt any kiwis would be rattled by this at all. It could generate a lot of sloppy seconds jokes, but I would never go that low :silly:
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
I doubt very much it would rattle any Kiwis, I’d say they’d probably find it funny if anything , it would show how much RA is clutching at straws if Kerr -Barlow gets anywhere near the Wallabies.