To'omua shock axing from Wallabies squad

[The InnFORCEr]

Justin Chadwick
AAP
March 20, 2022 11:43AM


Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has set Matt To'omua the challenge of shining at Super Rugby level in order to win back his spot in the national set-up.

To'omua was a shock omission from Rennie's 40-man squad named on Sunday for a three-day training camp on the Gold Coast next month.

Waratahs flyhalf Ben Donaldson and Reds fullback Jock Campbell.were among eight uncapped players named in the squad.

But there was no room for much-capped veteran To'omua, whose Melbourne Rebels are 0-5 following a horror start to the season.

Rennie has left the door well and truly open for To'omua to return ahead of the mid-year home Test series against England, but first he wants to see the 32-year-old produce some strong form for the Rebels.

Adding to his problems though is the fact Rennie sees him as an inside centre but he's been playing five eighth for the Rebels.

"What we know about Matt is he's a really good man, very experienced player," Rennie said.

"He's playing a fair bit of 10 at the moment, and we see him more as a 12. We've got a lot of midfielders who we think are going pretty well as well.

"His job over the next couple of months, 10 weeks, is to put a bit of pressure on us through performance.

"The positive thing is that it's still in his hands. We're not naming a Test squad really until the middle of June.

"He'll be disappointed, but as you'd imagine with him, he's a top man and he's seeing it as a challenge, and he knows he's got a bit of work to do."

Donaldson appeared to injure his calf in the Waratahs' 24-19 win over the Rebels on Saturday night, but Rennie expects the 22-year-old to be fit for the training camp, which starts on April 3.

"We really like what we've seen from Ben so far," Rennie said.

"He's got genuine change of pace and threatens the line."

Former Wallabies great Tim Horan is eager to see young Western Force flyhalf Reesjan Pasitoa rushed into the national squad.

But with James O'Connor, Noah Lolesio and Donaldson named for the upcoming camp, Rennie said there wasn't room for Pasitoa just yet.

"From a pecking order point of view, he's still behind the guys that we've named," Rennie said.

Waratahs forward Jed Holloway, Force speedster Toni Pulu, Brumbies lock Cadeyrn Neville, Waratahs hooker David Porecki, Brumbies lock Nick Frost and scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan round out the uncapped players in the squad.

Pulu qualifies for the Wallabies via his Australian mum, and he played under Rennie at the Chiefs.

"He's very rapid, powerful, he's got a really good skillset," Rennie said.

"He's a very experienced player and there's no reason why he can't step up to international selection."

WALLABIES SQUAD

Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Angus Bell, Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Folau Fainga'a, Lalakai Foketi, Nick Frost, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper (capt), Jed Holloway, Len Ikitau, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Feleti Kaitu'u, Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio, Lachlan Lonergan, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Cadeyrn Neville, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, David Porecki, Toni Pulu, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Lachlan Swinton, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ru...quad-c-6135023

[The InnFORCEr]

Decoding what the Wallabies' training squad means
Sun, 20/03/2022, 12:13 pm
Jim Tucker



When you pick so many certain Test starters, fringe performers and project players, rugby fans can jump at decoy themes that don’t exist.

Rennie isn’t trying to win Super Rugby. He’s already done that with the Chiefs. He has picked this squad for a major event nearly three months away.

There’s only one game in his mind and that’s beating nemesis England at Suncorp Stadium on July 9.

What’s important to him is how England play the game and how the Wallabies will play better. Eddie Jones’ team may have lost to France 25-13 in the big Six Nations finale in Paris but their strong DNA as a rugby nation was as obvious as it was in the tumble to Ireland earlier in the tournament.


“It’s a very good French side in fantastic form. It’s a really tough comp and maybe far tougher than some people appreciate,” Rennie said of the Six Nations.

“The quality of the French and Irish is excellent. England are right up there as well.”

WHAT IT MEANS: Underrate England at your peril. Being beaten by the new No.2-ranking team in the world (France) and the No.4-ranked team (Ireland) is nothing to be ashamed about. England still sit at No.5 ahead of Australia (No.6) and are on a landslide 8-0 winning streak against the Aussies.

What Rennie expects from England will necessarily dictate some of his selections.

Just where will they try to throw their weight around in Australia on the same turf that produced a historic 3-0 series sweep in 2016?

"England are very big on (playing) territory and set piece dominance and trying to turn the screws down the right end of the field,” Rennie said.

“They defend really well and their kick sprint (when chasing) is probably the best in the world.

“They are ‘fit as’ and will work really hard for each other. Their ability to kick and apply pressure to force errors is really strong and they bring a lot of line speed to it.

"I don’t think they’ll go too far away from that.

“When the time comes we will have to diffuse those things. Our set piece will have to be really good, we’ll have to do a good job in the air and try to win the kicking battle to play at the right end of the field.”

WHAT IT MEANS: Rennie has picked four hookers in this squad. Ink in NSW Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki for a Test debut against England. He's a powerful scrummager and Rennie revealed he would have played for the Wallabies last year but for injury.

You need some controlled aggression against England so Jed Holloway isn’t as far away from Test rugby as some might think. He has aggression, good hands, deceptive footwork, is comfortable with lineout responsibilities and he’s experienced. Rennie sees him as a lock and likes his edge. There are six locks in this squad and Rory Arnold might yet be called back from overseas under the “Kerevi Clause.”

The kicking game?

Reece Hodge’s form for the Melbourne Rebels has been poor but his boot is a weapon the Wallabies need, even if just on standby. That’s one reason he’s there.

Rennie emphasised that one off-season work-on for Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio was finding more power to turn into “more from his 10m speed and more from his kicks.” He is showing more penetration from his running and gaining more metres from the boot. Waratah Ben Donaldson is in good form but more the project player.

Veteran flyhalf James O’Connor has worked on finding more distance with his kicks as well as tuning the variety of his kicks like that super dab for the Josh Flook try for the Reds recently.

Rennie was upbeat about some promising signs from Jordan Petaia’s first Super Rugby outings at fullback.

However, that experiment unfolds, Petaia will play against England somewhere in the back three because he’s one of the biggest and best high ball diffusers that the Wallabies have.

Rennie likes the way Jock Campbell plays fullback, rather than wing, and so often beats the first defender. This is the first time Rennie will judge him in Wallabies camp so there may still be a long way for him to go. He deserves this nod though.

Who has really missed out?

When 40 names are selected, you have to decode who has missed out.

Halfbacks Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott have been picked for next month’s camp while injured.

Lock-flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been left out while injured.

“I’ve spoken to Lukhan. There are areas (of his game) we asked him to make shifts in. I thought he was playing reasonably well so it’s unfortunate he got injured as soon as the © went next to his name at the Reds,” Rennie said.

“His job over the next 10 or so weeks is to put performances on the park to show us he’s changed and earn the right to wear a Test jersey again.”

There’s no spot in this squad for Wallabies regular Matt Toomua and there still might not be in July. He has a lot of ground to make up after being unconvincing in 2021 and 2022. Rennie sees him as an inside centre.

No spot for Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead is a sign that Tony Pulu is higher in the pecking order after his injury in 2021.

There are many more storylines in an upbeat squad that can be topped up by Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Rory Arnold in July or some variation on that trio.

Like Rennie stressed, put performances on the park and change the thinking.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/decodi...-means-2022320

[The InnFORCEr]

Five key talking points from the first Wallaby squad of 2022
Sun, 20/03/2022, 12:37 pm
Nathan Williamson



There were no major surprises, with the top three clubs in Super Rugby Pacific - Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs - making up the majority of selections.

Set to come together on the Gold Coast next month ahead of England's arrival in July, Rugby.com.au looks at the key talking points to come out of the 40-man squad.

1.Another year wiser

In comparing this squad to the one that congregated in Coogee last April, there is a distinct rise in experience across the board.

There were 14 uncapped players in 2021, with the Test cap experience just over 500, 100 of which were James Slipper.

Sure having Michael Hooper back will always bump that number up but seeing players such as Darcy Swain, Len Ikitau and Andrew Kellaway, who had yet to debut, come into this camp with double-digit caps reflects the growth undertaken over the past 12 months.

There are still eight debutants in this year's first squad, but they are much wiser heads who are very familiar with the national set-up such as Jed Holloway, Dave Porecki and Cadeyrn Neville well experienced

2. Dominance rewarded

The Brumbies' ongoing success was rightfully rewarded as they contribute 15 players to this squad.

This is the same amount as the Queensland Reds, Force and Rebels combined.

It highlights the growing depth across the board in Canberra when players like Neville and the Lonergan brothers still find themselves on selectors' radar despite limited game time whether down to injury or luxury of depth in their position.

Looking at the main omissions, you could seriously make an argument they may have deserved more than a full XV of representatives, with Scott Sio, Andy Muirhead and Irae Simone missing out after strong seasons.


3. To’omua's position is clear

Speaking of omissions, arguably the biggest was Rebels playmaker Matt To'omua, a stalwart of the Wallabies over the past decade.

The Rebels' disappointing form had a bit to play with this, however, a disagreement on where he is best suited has not helped his case.

Dave Rennie has made it clear he sees To'omua as a 12 rather than flyhalf, stating "He's playing a fair bit of 10 at the moment, and we see him more as a 12. We've got a lot of midfielders who we think are going pretty well as well."

The challenge has been laid down to find improvements in his game ahead of July. Whether this statement makes To'omua and the Rebels re-consider where he is best suited remains yet to be seen.

4. Undeniable

This squad saw a number of often under-rated players recognised for their consistent performances.

Jock Campbell is the best example of this, shining for the Reds at the back.

Rennie believes this is where he is suited heading forward, embracing the competition between Campbell and Jordan Petaia heading forward.

Another one is Toni Pulu, a player who Rennie knows very well from his time with the Chiefs. Pulu has always seemingly been on the verge of selection but injuries at the worst time saw him overlooked for players who went on to take their chance.


5. On the rise

Darren Coleman set out the task of having the Waratahs once again dominate the national side. After just one month they are well and truly on their way.

The Waratahs find themselves with ten selections, more than last year's Super Rugby AU champions Reds. Whilst in the past you may feel like it was undeserved, you can make a fair case for all ten to be selected.

The key bolter comes in Ben Donaldson, adding to his breakout 12 month period. Whilst he will deal with a calf injury for the next couple of weeks, Rennie liked what he saw from the young playmaker, particularly his change of pace, believing he is a talent that can be moulded.

All of their eligible starting tight five were named, with Jed Holloway and Harry Johnson-Holmes deserving of their call-ups after long stints in the International wilderness.

With the likes of Will Harris and Will Harrison knocking on the door, it reflects the rapid rise the side have made under Coleman. The key for the Waratahs is the build and consolidate ahead of July's England series.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/five-k...f-2022-2022320

[GIGS20]

I'm a bit benused by everybody's surprise at To'omua missing out on Wallaby selection.

Is it a surprise?

Really?

[Jules]

That’s what I thought he’s playing badly so why should he be picked for the wallabies 🤷*♀️

[Buddha Handy]

I'm a bit benused by everybody's surprise at To'omua missing out on Wallaby selection.

Is it a surprise?

Really?

Yes definitely not a surprise to most. Hodge should have been chucked on the scrap heap with him, he is just lucky there are not many other fullback options

[jargan83]

Opposition sides will be devastated given the one or two intercepts he's guaranteed to throw every game he plays

[GIGS20]

Yes definitely not a surprise to most. Hodge should have been chucked on the scrap heap with him, he is just lucky there are not many other fullback options

I think it's Hodge's boot that's got him in, not many long kicks out of hand running around Aus Super Rugby teams

[palitu]

I think it's Hodge's boot that's got him in, not many long kicks out of hand running around Aus Super Rugby teams

speaking of kickers - who's our kicker? coetzle seems to been handed the duty, but his kicks are not to the standard i would expect.

[GIGS20]

speaking of kickers - who's our kicker? coetzle seems to been handed the duty, but his kicks are not to the standard i would expect.

They seem to chop and change a bit
Pasitoa has done it
Kahui has done it
McIntyre has done it
Kuenzle has done it
Strahan has done it

I'm pretty confident that there is some sort of pecking order, which determines that if X is on the field they will kick, otherwise Y does it, and probably some situations that certain players are preferred (ie Kuenzle kicks for distance and Pasitoa for accuracy) but I haven't got a handle about how it all fits together.

[palitu]

They seem to chop and change a bit
Pasitoa has done it
Kahui has done it
McIntyre has done it
Kuenzle has done it
Strahan has done it

I'm pretty confident that there is some sort of pecking order, which determines that if X is on the field they will kick, otherwise Y does it, and probably some situations that certain players are preferred (ie Kuenzle kicks for distance and Pasitoa for accuracy) but I haven't got a handle about how it all fits together.

yeah, also left/right footed. Kuenzle's kicks were uninspiring (except for his final penalty).

[GIGS20]

yeah, also left/right footed. Kuenzle's kicks were uninspiring (except for his final penalty).

I though Kuenzle had a pretty big boot, but it isn't particularly accurate, so don't have him trying to put it inside the five from anywhere more than 15m.

and you will need to accept that some he takes from the 22 will go out at the 35, but SOME will go out inside the opposition 22.