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Dave Rennie rewards Waratahs' sudden rise in form in latest national 'squad'
By Online Editors
Dave Rennie's latest national watchlist includes a slew of new Waratahs players, reflecting the New South Wales team's rapid rise in form since the last squad was compiled back in April.
The 'players of national interest' squad gives a strong indication of who new head coach Rennie is considering for his first Wallabies squad of the year - which could be set to play matches against the All Blacks in October.
In April's iteration, just three Waratahs were included. The latest edition sees 11 Waratahs earn selection - the second-highest representation behind the Brumbies.
The likes of young guns Angus Bell, Will Harrison and James Ramm have all fought their way onto the list, alongside the likes of Wallabies staples Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan and Jack Maddocks.
The Waratahs, currently sitting in third place on the Super Rugby AU ladder, recorded just a solitary win in the seven rounds of Super Rugby played prior to the season's suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the squad as a whole there's a solid mixture of youth and proven talent with the loose forwards looking particularly strong. Hooper is joined by the Reds trio of Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, as well as Lachlan Swinton, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini and Isi Naisarani.
Sizeable Rebels prop Pone Fa'amausili is another new addition to the group, following some exceptional showings for the Melbourne side who are still in the running for a Super Rugby AU finals spot.
There's still little indication as to who will be handed the playmaker reins come test season, with Harrison named alongside Matt To'omua, James O'Connor and injured Brumbies pivot Noah Lolesio.
While there are no Western Force players included in the squad, Rennie is understood to be interested in a number of their players, including the likes of Fergus Lee-Warner, Kyle Godwin and Brynard Stander.
Wallabies players of national interest:
Prop: Angus Bell (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Brumbies), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Pone Fa'amausili (Rebels), Jermaine Ainsley (Rebels), Taniela Tupou (Reds)
Hooker: Folau Faingaa (Brumbies), Connal McInerney (Brumbies), Jordan Uelese (Rebels), Tom Horton (Waratahs)
Lock: Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Waratahs), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds), Trevor Hosea (Rebels), Matt Philip (Rebels), Cadeyrn Neville (Brumbies)
Loose forward: Lachlan Swinton (Waratahs), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Liam Wright (Reds), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Fraser McReight (Reds), Harry Wilson (Reds), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Isi Naisarani (Rebels)
Halfback: Nic White (Brumbies), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Tate McDermott (Reds)
First five: Matt To'omua (Rebels), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies), Will Harrison (Waratahs), James O'Connor (Reds)
Midfield: Reece Hodge (Rebels), Irae Simone (Brumbies), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Outside backs: James Ramm (Waratahs), Tom Wright (Brumbies), Marika Koroibete (Rebels), Filipo Daugunu (Reds), Jack Maddocks (Waratahs), Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels), Tom Banks (Brumbies)
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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