He was cast aside by Eddie Jones after making his Wallabies debut last year, but Queensland fullback Jock Campbell has been backed by Reds coach Les Kiss to return to national honours.
The 28-year-old will play No.15 for the Reds against Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights at Ballymore on Saturday, and Kiss has backed him to again be in national selectors’ calculations after he played four Tests under former coach Dave Rennie.
Campbell came off the bench to replace Tom Banks in the 16-15 win over Scotland, then had his first run-on start against France, before playing Italy and Wales.
He was in Rennie’s Wallabies squad in January, but when Jones took charge Campbell was overlooked for Tests and the World Cup, playing for Australia A against Tonga in July.
Kiss said Campbell was “not kicking stones” and had the mentality and talent to get back and play for Australia.
“Jock is a driven young man. I don’t think he has a ‘me versus them’ mentality about this,” the coach said.
“He just wants to get better every day and really welcomed the fact that (assistant coach) Brad Davis has come in now and we are going to put more detail in our backs play.
Jock Campbell of Team Australia in action during the Autumn Tour match between France and Australia at Stade de France on November 05, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
“He is hungry, as they all are, but he’s very determined to do what he can to get back into those (Wallabies) reckonings for sure.”
Kiss has named 11 debutants in the squad to play the Wild Knights.
Centre Lawson Creighton will captain Queensland for the first time and will be at the helm of a squad that boasts 10 players with Super Rugby experience.
Kiss, who said he inherited a squad in great shape from former coach Brad Thorn, said the clash with the Japanese outfit would provide a glimpse into the style of rugby he wanted the Reds to play under his stewardship.
“I want to become a team that’s very, very hard to beat and that’s very hard to work out … so that we’re creating options all the time, and I want a team that’s brave to pull the trigger,” he said.
“I want my boys to play a progressive, aggressive style of rugby, while understanding the tenets of the game – the set piece and defence, and those things that set you up – but I want us to chance our arm a bit more and find out how good we can be.”
The Wild Knights are coached by former Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans.
“This is a fixture we have reignited,” Deans said.
“The first was in 1994. Last year the Reds came up and we …came second by some distance.
“This opportunity to travel, particularly for this group of players, is fantastic.
“We are using this time of the year to expose and develop the next tier, the next generation.
“We will be better for it and we hope to present better than we did last year.”
Kevin Kranston
Roar Rookie
K.F.T.D. How dare you bring facts to the Roar :thumbup:
Kevin Kranston
Roar Rookie
That means all Wallabies should be sacked as they all miss tackles that lead to tries. :laughing:
Muglair
Roar Rookie
That is the worst of it, just watching on while talent is wasted. I hope he is not looking back at 30 with regrets about not listening and learning. One thing supporters of all five provinces have in common.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Reds hang on to win 31-29. But TBH pretty bad 2nd half from the Reds despite the odd flashes of brilliance. Way too many mistakes and cheap turnovers. A lot of work to do to tighten up and be credible.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Reds up 21-12
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Anyone else watching. Entertaining first half, lot to like. Bit Rusty and a few things a bit off but the scrum looks solid and some of the young backs impressive. For my mind Kalini Thomas the best of the backs, benefitting ftom his NPC stint.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Very strong agree. My how the world of rugby changes in that the Reds recruit an Irish fella for the second -row who effectively had to move abroad to play professional footy.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Muglair. Maybe I’m just hopeful about JP. Maybe new coaching group will “unleash the beast” that could be the Reds, not just “X Factor “ players. Not there tonight, watching my son ref 7s carnival at Sylvan Rd, but we’ll both be at Lang Park next year, and the year after and the year after, to back our boys…. though I still wish it was at Ballymore.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
If you want the see something positive about rugby, go to the Reds website and listen to Robbie Deans and Les Kiss talking at a BBQ.
Harty
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately I agree that this is highly unlikely at 28 and with Tom Lynagh developing.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Jock scored a try in that game. He started and handled the ball twice in a Try of the Year contender as well and was on Foketi’s shoulder when he scored. When Hodges supposed clearing kick skewed off his boot 15 meters midfield, DuPont caught it. Hodge ran up to cover his mistake and got stepped by DuPont. When they finally spun the ball wide Wright missed his tackle on Penaud, meaning that Jock had to turn and chase down Penaud, which he did because of his speed. Penaud probably the best winger who has burnt everyone gave him a great fend. We neared beat the French under Rennie.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Noted BF, but the “can” is really starting to look dubious, and my “all potential” is really just latent. He is way past debutant and there is little improvement to be seen in his game. Are the coaches that bad, or is he not listening? Even on the wing he is inclined to undo the value of his own play, usually because he has not put himself in a position to set up the next breakdown. Admittedly, playing outside Kerevi can’t be helping. According to Harry Australia were the second lowest side on getting the ball beyond 12. Is that the cause of his ridiculous stutter step that he performs at slow speed before the defender has even committed to a line?
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
That’s why I said “can” not “is”.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I wish! :crying:
W Evans
Roar Rookie
Must be Josh Flook. Incisive and a smart footballer with a great pass and good read in defence at outside center. Petaia is none of those things - a winger or utility bench option only.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I understand Kiss is very good with communication and direction to the players. Hoping this can help bring some of that raw talent out of the Reds and they start playing as a team. I liked seeing his recruitment directly focused on improving set piece.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I am very interested to see who player 13 for the Reds under Kiss. For me it is the selection that selects the rest of the backline.
Olly
Roar Rookie
He should have been made a 10 years ago but I think that ship has sailed unfortunately. Particularly playing at a team with another young 10 in the squad.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I think I would only add JP to that combo fighting for a spot in the back three at the moment. I like Jock but I am of the same thought that he needs to really turn it up to get a look in. I still think he should have been turned into a 10 many moons ago but that is all academic now.
Jez North
Roar Rookie
Jock is a decent defender in Super rugby but a miss in the opening game of Australia A’s tour of Japan and a bigger one on Penaud were pretty ugly. The defender who disappointed me most in this year’s test season though was Tom Wright. He was woeful in more than a few matches. You’d have to think if this year’s form carried over into 2024, the starting back three would be Jorgenson, Kelleway & Marky Mark. Jock needs a big, big season to push his way back in.