Wallabies bring in injury-free James O'Connor for Pumas skirmish
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has detailed his no-handout selection policy after resisting the urge to unleash Sean McMahon on international rugby again in Saturday's Test against Argentina.
The Japan-based flanker will watch from outside the 23 for the third-straight weekend since joining the squad despite being eligible to play his first Test since 2017 thanks to the relaxation of the Giteau Law.
Rennie also resisted any urge to reinstate No 8 Harry Wilson after he played every Test last year, just like centre Hunter Paisami who is another currently able to find a way back into the 23.
Instead, Rob Leota earned his first start, replacing No 6 Lachie Swinton, and Rob Valetini has kept his spot alongside captain Michael Hooper in the backrow for Townsville's first Wallabies Test.
Fit-again James O'Connor will return on the bench for his first Test this year, Reece Hodge replacing Tom Banks at fullback after the incumbent broke his arm in the defeat of South Africa last week.
The consistency is by design for Rennie, who is seeing improvements as the new world number three side eyes their first three-match winning streak since 2017.
"The All Blacks can rotate guys and don't lose a lot and that's where we want to get to," Rennie said.
"But our mindset is more around 'you've got to earn the right to wear the jersey'.
"Our mindset is that we're going to put out the best 15 we can.
"It's around growing our game at the moment and we're well conditioned now, our skill set's improving and our game awareness has been better too."
Rennie said Wilson and Queensland Reds flanking partner Fraser McReight were unfortunate victims of the side's renewed depth and, with the more versatile Pete Samu providing cover on the bench, their only way into the side was as starters.
"Harry's been training the house down ... you can't fault those men," Rennie said.
"In Fraser's case he's got the skipper [Michael Hooper] in front of him, but his attitude has been fantastic and likewise with Harry.
"We've got genuine competition for places, creating depth and you can only fit so many in and Harry's very close but we think Rob deserves a crack."
Rennie said Leota's strong running game would serve the Wallabies well, where the dropped Swinton's prowess in the line-out may not be as crucial as it was against the Springboks.
And he said McMahon would need to be patient with Leota mounting a case the coach simply couldn't refuse.
"Big man, good ball carrier and has trained very well and been very close to selection in the past," Rennie said of the imposing Victorian.
"(Sean's) worked really hard, got himself in good nick and will continue to press, but we're pretty keen to reward Rob."
O'Connor will provide backline cover for Hodge and No 10 Quade Cooper, Rennie admitting the playmaker may not have the speed of a typical fullback but could make up for it with his kicking and organisational skills.
The Wallabies will wear their First Nations jersey at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, in what will also be their first Test match in Townsville.
Wallabies: Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Leota, Matt Philip, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper. Bench: Feleti Kaitu'u, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia.
- Murray Wenzel
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A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!
The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.
Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)
I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.
This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).
This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.
Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!
Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍
Go to commentsWouldn’t mind seeing that grounding in slow mo there. Too much to ask?
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