Barely used throughout Super Rugby, Junior Wallabies skipper Teddy Wilson has the chance to push for Olympics selection after being named in John Manenti’s side for the Singapore Sevens early next month.
Wilson, 21, has been limited to just four matches for the Waratahs this season with Darren Coleman leaning heavily on captain Jake Gordon and returning halfback Jack Grant.
But his frustrations could turn into something gold, with Manenti calling up Wilson for the penultimate round of the World Series Sevens after injuries to Maurice Longbottom (hamstring) and Matthew Gonzalez (shoulder).
Junior Wallabies skipper Teddy Wilson will make his Australian sevens debut in Singapore. (Photo by Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images)
Fit as a fiddle, Wilson, who is the son of Wallabies great David, has all the ingredients to transition quickly to the game.
Indeed, Wilson loves to run the ball, has a left-foot and is one of the better defensive halfbacks in Australian rugby, the move could prove a masterstroke from Manenti.
Wilson is one of two changes to the side, with teenager Jack McGregor also called up for his second tournament.
It comes off the back of a strong display in the Hong Kong 10s earlier this month.
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has also been selected, with the breakaway needing to get as many minutes into his legs to push for selection at the Paris Olympics.
“As the tournaments roll around, they all become more significant in one way or another,” Manenti said.
“For us, the chance to play consistently remains a key focus. There were heaps of positives to take from Hong Kong and on a short turnaround we’ve worked on a few areas to improve on for Singapore.
“On the back of a few injury niggles, we get to welcome Teddy Wilson from the Waratahs into the squad for his debut.
“We are grateful to the Waratahs to give us the opportunity to play Teddy and know that he will fit right in with the team.
“We also welcome back for his second cap, Jimmy McGregor. He was the standout player in the recent Hong Kong 10s tournament when playing with the PAC BaaBaas and has been training fulltime with us for the past six months.
“The rest of the squad remain the same, with ‘Hoops’ getting further exposure after handling Hong Kong well.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s women’s coach Tim Walsh will get a real test of their depth as they head to Singapore without veterans Charlotte Caslick and Sharni Smale.
Dominique Du Toit returns from an ankle injury in a timely boost while Lily Dick and Sidney Taylor are the fresh faces in the squad with Bienne Terita also unavailable.
Charlotte Caslick (L) will miss the Singapore Sevens, with Madison Ashby (R) to captain the side. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
But the loss of playmaker Caslick and forward Smale will test Walsh’s side, who are chasing their first tournament win of the year after bursting out of the blocks in Dubai and Cape Town late last year.
The loss of the two leaders sees Madison Ashby take over the captaincy, with the playmaker needed to step up and keep her discipline after a second red card this season in Hong Kong.
“We are after a performance in Singapore as we prepare for the final event in Madrid and the Olympics in July,” Walsh said.
“We are equal top on competition points with New Zealand, which makes for a Singapore showdown, and watching France beat them in Hong Kong at their peak makes for a very competitive last couple of tournaments.
“Madison Ashby will captain the team in Charlotte Caslick’s absence and both Bridget Clark and Ruby Nicholas will play in their second cap in Singapore.”
Walsh’s side start their campaign against Brazil on Friday at 2:30pm, before clashing with Great Britain at 8:05pm. They meet Fiji in their third and final pool match on May 4 at 2:50pm.
Australia Women’s Sevens team for Singapore SVNS:
- Lily Dick
- Faith Nathan
- Dominique Du Toit
- Teagan Levi
- Madison Ashby (c)
- Kaitlin Shave
- Tia Hinds
- Bella Nasser
- Maddison Levi
- Bridget Clark
- Ruby Nicholas
- Sariah Paki
- Sidney Taylor
Australia Men’s Sevens team for Singapore SVNS:
- Henry Hutchison
- Ben Dowling
- Henry Palmer
- Dietrich Roache
- Henry Paterson
- Nick Malouf (c)
- Nathan Lawson
- James Turner
- James McGregor
- Hayden Sargeant
- Teddy Wilson
- Michael Hooper
- Michael Icely
HSBC SVNS SINGAPORE – AUSTRALIA WOMEN
Pool C
Friday, May 3
Australia v Brazil – 2:30pm (AEST)
Australia v Great Britain – 8:05pm (AEST)
Saturday, May 4
Australia v Fiji – 2:50pm (AEST)
HSBC SVNS SINGAPORE – AUSTRALIA MEN
Pool A
Friday, May 3
Australia v Argentina – 4:42pm (AEST)
Australia v Canada – 10:14pm (AEST)
Saturday, May 4
Australia v New Zealand – 5:12pm (AEST)
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Good luck Teddy. I haven’t read comments on this article yet but I assume there will be lots critical of Coleman not using him more. But then if he had been used a lot there would be lots calling for him to be eased into Super Rugby while young. Coaches can’t win.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I like Wilson but Gordon is better right now
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Happy for Wilson but haven’t understood his lack of minutes for Tahs. Jack Grant can be a decent bench player. Wilson could be long term Wallaby
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
No ALF and no explanation for the 4th tournament in a row is a bit of a worry. Just my opinion, but I don't think they can win the Paris gold without her fit and firing. Huge test for the remaining players - the Levi's and Bella Nasser will need to have a presence in the middle and at the breakdown. NZ now clearly ahead of them and going well to defend their Tokyo gold.
MarlinsTragic
Coleman is a dead man walking, he’s gone!
MarlinsTragic
Have you watched him play? I’ve seen him playing since he was a 6 year old and he improved every year, was disappointing he went to East after everything the Manly district did for him during his juniors career.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
It’ll be hard with both teams missing some key players but a good way to get the depth going. Both teams should still make the Paris cut-off ok, women already there, and testing the depth for the big one isn’t a bad thing
Guess
Roar Rookie
I find it criminal Coleman doesn’t select him. There’s literally no reason. Not like tahs are winning the comp with gordon (and edmed). Even grant gets a bench over him. Who’d want to waste time on the sidelines? We’re risking to lose him because of Coleman
Frankly
Roar Rookie
I find it interesting there isn't an obvious pathway to the Australian 7's team. There isn't a Sevens competition to select players from. How is the team even selected? It seems it basically just people putting their hand up? Please excuse my ignorance, but I can only find competitions for women. I would have though Sevens rugby would have been a great product to engage the Australian public. CA have the T20 Big Bash. RA could create their own 7s series for the summer to complement it. There could be several tournaments beginning in November through to the end of January. Each capital city can host a tournament. Maybe, once the concept gets legs, regional areas such as Townsville, Newcastle, Gold Coast, ect. could host as well. Tournaments could be played on the weekends when there isn't a cricket test on. To have a series of touraments, it would make sense to have 16 teams. That way there can be quarter finals at the bottom of the draw as well, and play-offs for places from 1st to 16th. With 16 teams across Australia it can create rivalries and test the market's appetite for a 15s team in national domestic competition, if Super Rugby is eventually dropped. I know, regardless if this is a good idea or not, it will require something that RA doesn't have, MONEY. I guess it requires a broadcaster to take a chance to back a concept.
Hog Kranked
Roar Rookie
Wonder if he`ll ever will 4 Bledisloe Cups and RWC like his dad did.
Juzza
Roar Rookie
100% agree
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Will be interesting to see how Teddy Wilson goes, think he will go well. Bit of a surprise that with Longbottom and Gonzalez out Josh Turner isn’t in, maybe injured. The women will have a real test, no ALF, Terita, Caslick, Smale
Wooliej
Roar Rookie
Good luck, Teddy!!
carnivean
Roar Rookie
I'm glad that Wilson has a left foot. Having both feet will help him run. Having a famous dad on the other hand doesn't change his performance levels at all though.
cs
Roar Guru
Jake's OK.
Jono
Roar Rookie
IMO I would be using Teddy Wilson for every game of the Waratahs. He is superior to the tired and hapless Gordon and has a real rugby brain. Darren Coleman is stuck with Gordon for his supposed leadership value. Crazy.
Tony Harper
Editor
Caslick has a "niggling injury" according to the RA press release
Hoy
Roar Guru
I hadn't heard... is Caslick injured? Or just resting. Time is getting tight now for the olympics... Is one or two tournaments enough to count Hooper in or out?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
No doubt Australia will miss their standout player Longbottom in Singapore as he virtually stands head & shoulders above many in the squad. Even the womens without Caslick it won't be the same without her direction & input. Then with Ashby standing up, most know her Polynesian output into the game.