Why Brumbies star needs to be in Eddie Jones' RWC plans

With this year’s Rugby World Cup just around the corner, Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan may have given Wallabies coach Eddie Jones something to think about.

Lonergan is in career best form at the moment, and it all started with a player of the match performance against the Waratahs in Round One.

The halfback stole the show at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium as he steered his side to a 31-25 win on the back of a 16-point haul, and also a try assist.

Lonergan’s purple patch continued throughout the opening four rounds of the season – and he could be set for higher honours if his form continues.

Having been on the cusp of Wallabies selection before – having captained Australia A last year – this might be the year the 24-year-old dons the famous gold jersey.

Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles called Lonergan the “best bench halfback in the country” as he explained why the Brumbies star should go to this year’s World Cup.

“What he’s doing now, he’s actually showing he’s becoming the best bench halfback in the country and that’s an important role, especially moving forward into Test season,” Hoiles said on Between Two Posts.

“It works perfectly. It is one of the harder positions to play 80 minutes. You start to watch a game and you start to watch every good No. 9 around the 60 minute mark and watch them start to slow up.

“The Brums all said it post-game – the whole bench was fantastic, but he looked like he was the guy that led the charge for the bench.”

“You need people that are experienced in that role.

“In a World Cup the issue with players coming off the bench is a lot of them are chasing more minutes and they’re talking to the coach each week because naturally, players have egos.

“The want more time in the middle, they all think about this, but to get a World Cup-winning side… I always pose this question: are you willing to be sitting, in the World Cup final, as a squad member in your suit to watch your team win the World Cup?

“That’s the sign of a true team man. He’s a guy that will go there, and if he knows his role, he’s not going to try and make an immediate impact, or give away a penalty or be offside because he’s trying to make an impact straight away.

“He’s seasoned in his performance off the bench.”

Lonergan will captain the Brumbies in their trans-Tasman blockbuster against the champion Crusaders on Friday night.

The halfback will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves.