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'I'll keep pushing hard' - The unheralded Kiwi who could become Australia's World Cup bolter
By Online Editors
He’s been integral to Melbourne’s charge to the top of the Australian Super Rugby ladder, but hooker Anaru Rangi doesn’t appear to be on the radar of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika
Despite the World Cup six just months away and the Wallabies No.2 role far from being settled, Rangi says he hasn't had any contact from Cheika this year so is seemingly out of the mix.
Try-scoring Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a appears the frontrunner along with veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Fellow Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese, who was in the Wallabies frame until suffering a knee injury mid last year, is still a month away from playing.
Ahead of their clash with the Sunwolves at AAMI Park on Saturday night Rangi said all he could do was keep performing in the hope of catching the eyes of selectors.
He hoped that his age - 30 - didn't count against him.
"It's still a huge carrot that I'm chasing," said the Kiwi-born rake, who qualifies for the Wallabies through residency.
"I hope it's form that matters most, and hard work, and as long as I keep doing that I reckon I still have a crack.
"It's still fairly early days so I'll keep pushing hard."
Rangi, who worked as a builder before making his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force in 2016, won the Rebels' players' player last season.
He credited his rise to prominence to the stiff competition for a starting jersey at Melbourne, with fellow Kiwi Robbie Abel, Uelese and rising star Hugh Roach also pushing for a start.
"There's massive competition here every week, competing, scratching and clawing to get every minute you can on the weekend," Rangi said.
"When you're training at that kind of intensity, come the game it's almost just like another training run."
While he gave up midweek beers and changed his diet when he got serious about his rugby, Rangi said the Rebels were now at him to add some more bulk to his 117kg frame.
But he didn't want to if it would affect his work-rate, which has proved so valuable for the team.
"The conditioning team wouldn't mind if I put a bit of weight on but I like to be busy out there and the work-rate thing is a big thing for me," he said.
AAP
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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