If there’s one thing Australian rugby is good at – and at time of writing, one thing might be all we can hope for – it’s generating Next Big Things. No sooner has an up-and-comer put in an eye-catching performance than he is immediately talked up as a potential Wallaby and in all likelihood the saviour of the nation.
Unfortunately, the next phase comes along with terrifying speed: the chorus of caution, the cacophony of Cassandras warning that we must not place too much expectation on the youngster, for any or all of the following reasons:
- The pressure will destroy him
- The disappointment if he fails will destroy us
- He’s not really that good anyway and you’re an idiot for thinking he is
Now, I understand why people tend to be wary, and it’s certainly true that premature hype can be counterproductive in a player’s development. But let’s be honest here: we are not players, we are not coaches, we are not administrators of Rugby Australia or any Super Rugby franchise. We’re just fans, and our only goal is to derive as much pleasure from the game as we can. And given that that goal, for an Australian, is as hard to reach as it ever has been, how about we allow ourselves to get excited to a delusional extent about the possibly-brilliant rookies who burst onto the scene?
Will Harrison celebrates slotting a match-winning field goal against the Crusaders. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Certainly the opportunity is there. Look at the players who are swelling the hearts of Wallaby tragics everywhere right now. This last weekened we saw some spectacular moves from Darby “The Bomber” Lancaster, and frankly his performance convinced me that he is quite likely to break try-scoring records on the wing for Australia.
The Bomber was ably assisted by the man who’s been getting us excited for over a year now: “Cowboy” Carter Gordon. His bullet passes, powerful runs and crunching tackles make him the ideal man to fill the role we’ve been desperate to fill for years: the role of “a cross between Stephen Larkham and Mark Ella who will guarantee World Cup success”.
And what about Noah “Zark” Lolesio? If Cowboy can’t do it, he surely can, with his sure boot and calm demeanour.
Whoever fills the No. 10 jersey, they’ll have ample resources to exploit out wide. Not only Lancaster, but the electric Corey “Power” Toole, who may be the fastest man ever to play rugby, or anything else. The only thing harder than catching up to Corey is resisting his charms.
All of these men, and more – Max “Factor” Jorgensen, Josh “That was a complete” Flook, Fraser “The Dismissal” McReight for example – are sensational rugby players who you can’t watch without feeling certain that a new Wallaby golden age is upon us. And if you’re not feeling certain of that, how about you try a little bit harder?
Darby Lancaster scored a hat-trick against the Highlanders at AAMI Park, on April 13, 2024, in Melbourne. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)
Because seriously, I don’t know how much more I can take of Australian rugby negativity. I don’t know how many more times I can see a player suggested as a star of the future, only to provoke a torrent of naysaying. “One good game doesn’t make a Wallaby”. “His attacking skill doesn’t compensate for paper-thin defence”. “Cracks under pressure”. “Can’t kick”. “Too young”. “Too small”. “Basically the Antichrist”. There is no performance so thrilling that the average Australian rugby fan can’t extinguish any optimism resulting from it.
And I get it. I’ve seen all the false dawns too. It wasn’t that long ago that Tane “Cheeto Top” Edmed was getting rave reviews for his composure and good hands, only to abruptly drop into an abyss of missed kicks and ginger disappointment. I’ve seen the parade of surefire superstars who haven’t lived up to expectations. I’ve become acclimatised to seeing players who seem about to crack the rugby world wide open suffer season-ending injuries with a frequency that makes one fairly certain that God exists and is an All Black.
And I know that the attitude I am promoting here is a profoundly unrealistic one. But frankly, I’m sick of being realistic. I don’t want to assess my team’s chances soberly anymore. I want to be drunk on hope, intoxicated with the joy of delusional optimism, spinning in a rose-coloured haze of irresistible momentum towards gold-jersey world domination and highlight reels that will still be playing a hundred years hence.
At least for a moment or two.
So even if only briefly – say, one day a week – how about we take time out to look at the best of our players and say to ourselves, “I see a champion – there can be no possible doubt”?
Dida
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'm on board the positivity train :thumbup: Maybe every Wednesday, with further review mid year for perhaps a second day each week.
Stropper007
Roar Rookie
Great article but to say that Toole "may be the fastest man to play Rugby or anything else" is absolutely ridiculous. Those of us of an age will remember speedsters Alan Cardy and Michael Cleary, both Commonwealth Games sprinters with impressive times and of course Ken Irvine also a noted sprinter (he once raced a racehorse) of course he played League, but you said "rugby or anything else". There have been many great fast men in League. I played with a man named Brian Waters who was at the time Australian 440 yds champion.I would back him for speed against Toole anytime Toole may well be the fastest (I hope he is) but give him time to prove himself and give us his time for 100 metres sprint.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Great article Ben. We need to be more positive.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Great article, there are loads of bright prospects coming through. Cale at Brums, Tizzano and Pearce at the Force, the young prop off the bench at Rebels, etc. there is examples at every club. biggest issue that worries me is they don’t get enough rugby in Oz. 7 games left in super season then these lads have club rugby, maybe a couple tour games like force did with cheetahs, or a short stint in Europe or NZ’s NPC if they can secure it. This is the biggest problem RA needs to fix. The most obvious answer is Super Rugby AU comp combine it with u/20s national comp too. take it on the road, take it to regional centres, use the games to spread the word about the sport and give a bit of extra content to Stan, or we bring back the NRC which we can’t afford. My blueprint would be to have after Super Rugby pac is: Super Rugby AU, Women’s and National under 20s season. Move the women’s season back a few months. Triple headers at each round. Build community spirit and give players clear pathways.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Great article, there are loads of bright prospects coming through. Cale at Brums, Tizzano and Pearce at the Force, the young prop off the bench at Rebels, etc. there is examples at every club. biggest issue that worries me is they don’t get enough rugby in Oz. 7 games left in super season then these lads have club rugby, maybe a couple tour games like force did with cheetahs, or a short stint in Europe or NZ’s NPC. This is the biggest problem RA needs to fix. The most obvious answer is Super Rugby AU comp combine it with u/20s national comp too. take it on the road, take it to regional centres, use the games to spread the word about the sport and give a bit of extra content to Stan, or we bring back the NRC which we can’t afford. My blueprint would be to have after Super Rugby pac, is Super Rugby AU, Women’s and National under 20s season. Move the women’s season back a few months. Triple headers at each round. Build community spirit and give players clear pathways.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’m thinking that’s an option we will look at.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I like Harrison but basing an opinion on him on what Hoiles and Turinui have to say might be flawed. Harrison is from Randwick, right?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Love Noah’s nickname.
Dally
Roar Rookie
I'm not as knowledgeable as many on here who know far more about rugby than I do, however, many of the players people are talking up at the moment, have been shown to be hugely lacking at international / test level. Let's be honest. Whether its physically being ineffective, mentally caving in or just in terms of basic skill and execution. We know who they are. Then there are a lot this year that haven't even had a test debut, so will have a long way to go whenever, if ever, they do. So keep a lid on it and get real, I reckon. A lot of the ABs are just playing overseas, for example, making the NZ sides a less daunting proposition in 2024. Time will tell.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Thanks Ben. Good positive perspective mate.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
I have no doubt that Australian rugby has the talent - exemplified by the players you highlight - but it is what you DO with that talent that is key. If these players are not exposed frequently enough to high level standards of play and opposition in their formation, then they will take much longer to deliver on their raw ability (and maybe will not at all).
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Lancaster on the wing hey! Who ya gunna call- Dambusters!
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
I hear Reesjan’s recovery is going well. There is a chance we might see him before season’s end. He’ll need to fight his way back in with Stewart and Spink claiming their positions and Beale pushing Brury to the bench.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Bye week
Qualify
Roar Rookie
If a position hasn't been nailed down by, I think it's pretty realistic to try the next big thing.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Yes, our backline should be: 9. Edmed 10. Lolesio 11. HMP 12. Gordon 13. Donaldson 14. Lynagh 15. Harrison
cs
Roar Guru
Love your touch Ben. It's the old story. If you can't buy a Volkswagen you might as well not have a Rolls Royce.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Pasitoa will come back with a point to prove … in the centres is my guess. In QLD rep Gordon was at 10 and Pasitoa at 12. It was beautiful to watch.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Maybe Tooley and Darby don't train as well... :laughing:
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Carter Gordon is the real deal imo. There is no way he is abandoned. Goal kicking his work on. The others have a lot to do the reach his tail in all other areas.