The Reds and Brumbies stars fighting for Wallabies jerseys in top-of-the-table Super Rugby AU clash
Liam Wright knows Wallabies jerseys are on the line as he pilots the Queensland Reds towards the Super Rugby AU final.
The Reds play the Brumbies in Brisbane on Saturday night, with the latter assured a grand-final berth and the former to host either the NSW Waratahs or Melbourne Rebels in next weekend's preliminary final.
With tests likely against New Zealand next month, new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will be watching closely as he finalises his first national squad.
Wright is among a host of young Reds to confirm their potential this year, but knows how they perform in the next two or three weeks will be key.
"I think there will be a fair few jerseys up for grabs in these games coming up," said the flanker, who boasts one test cap.
"There will be selectors watching and people trying to put their best foot forward."
Wright, who has benefited from John Eales' mentorship in an extraordinary introduction to captaincy, and back row partners Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight have all flourished under Brad Thorn this year.
Four-test hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is in career-best form as he pushes for a recall and James O'Connor has made a case at No.10, while halfback Tate McDermott has been electric alongside him.
Jordan Petaia is fit again while fellow centre Hunter Paisami made his mark when the 20-year-old flyer was injured.
"I reckon all of them (could make a case for selection), they've all stepped up," Wright said of his side.
"Look at a guy like (prop) Dane Zander, who wasn't anywhere to be found last season.
"Was playing NRC, has come in and done a job, played 80 minutes against the Brums last time.
"He's an example, and one of many, that if you put them into an environment they'll step up."
They'll all face their direct opponents for a test berth in the next fortnight, with Wallabies halfback Nic White's return to the Brumbies' starting side another subplot to enjoy at Suncorp Stadium this weekend.
Incumbent Wallabies Folau Fainga'a and Tevita Kuridrani will also start, complementing an all-star forward pack as coach Dan McKellar seeks continuity before the decider.
The Reds have lost both fixtures against the Brumbies this season by a combined five points despite leading for long periods in both.
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Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
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