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Wallaby departure opens the door for former Northampton Saint to shine
By Online Editors
While sad to see Jack Maddocks leave Melbourne, new recruit Andrew Kellaway knows it could also help him break into the Rebels Super Rugby starting side.
Maddocks departed the Rebels earlier this month to join the Waratahs, citing a personal desire to shift home.
Kellaway was disappointed to lose his former schoolmate without playing a game together, even if it could work in his favour.
"Jack's a huge loss, he's a very talented player," Kellaway said on Tuesday.
"There's lots of depth in the outside backs but it does make life a little easier for people like me trying to break in there."
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Standing in his way are current Test players Marika Koroibete, Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge while Billy Meakes, Tom English and Campbell Magnay are among the other contenders for starting positions.
A stand-out of the Wallabies' World Cup campaign, Koroibete in particular has impressed Kellaway.
"He's a freak," Kellaway said.
"He's very fast, very strong, he gets on with his work and doesn't say much.
"He's awesome - a great guy to play with and a great guy to hang around and he's teaching me some Fijian which is pretty nice."
Kellaway has also been soaking up the knowledge of Rebels skipper Haylett-Petty, whose career followed a similar path with an early stint in Super Rugby and then a stint overseas before returning to Australia.
"He's a quality player for me to be able to sit there and pick his brain and watch what he does, probably more off the field than anything, that's pretty cool," Kellaway said.
Spending the past 12 months playing in the UK with Northampton and Counties Manukau in New Zealand, Kellaway returned to Australia with the ultimate goal of a Wallabies berth.
The 24-year-old, who had 25 Super Rugby matches with the Waratahs between 2015 and 2018, hoped his versatility would be an advantage as well as his oversea experience.
"I can fit into multiple spots and that's a valuable asset for the team," he said.
"It's not something you want to do all the time but if it's beneficial for the team than that's the way it's got to be.
"I feel like I'm in the best place I've been for a while with my rugby and I probably wouldn't be there if not for my experiences."
- AAP
Meanwhile, over at the Waratahs, new coach Rob Penney is excited to have Jack Maddocks on board:
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Latest Comments
That’s a very flip response FL.
Tom Coughlin won the SB at the age of 76, and NFL does not suffer coaching fools gladly. Gregg Popovich is 75 and has been coaching the San Antonio Spurs since 1988 and he’s won five NBA title in three diff decades. Andy Reid is 67 and won the last two SBs with the Chiefs.
And in regard to Les Kiss’s age, well Nick Nurse got his first crack at the NBA in 2019, promptly winning a championship with the Raptors!
Rugby won’t go down the Soccer road and hire-and-fire like it’s the Wild West. It will find the value in older coaches as time passes. And even the manager of Real Marid is Carlo Ancelotti - aged 65!
Go to commentsThe debate was in the context of the Lions squad. Multiple club and national coaches have chosen him (considerably) more often at 7, so there’s enough people fancy he’s good in the role.
The win rates are vitally important for this Lions tour. ‘01/’05/’09 were losses. ‘17 was a draw and ‘21 was a utter disgrace that stained the game. And a loss. They’ve won one test series in 24 years. And just 12 months ago people were worried about how uncompetitive Australia might be. Talk about added pressure.
Farrell is a straight forward, no nonsense type of guy. He’ll probably pick conservatively and with guys in their proven positions. He hasn’t the time for bolters or shock calls. Not with the touring schedule they have.
You haven’t remotely offended me, chief. Not at all.
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