This was published 3 months ago
Opinion
The top four Wallabies bolters ... and my pick for new captain
Paul Cully
Rugby columnistThe clock is ticking for Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies contenders trying to impress him.
There are just five weeks of the regular season left in Super Rugby and although a number of players will undoubtedly feature in the playoffs, the time to find some form is now.
Wallabies coach Joe SchmidtCredit: Kate Geraghty
Schmidt represents a fresh pair of eyes. He will, of course, put some value in players who have already played for Australia, but his response to Carter Gordon’s potential NRL switch was classic iron fist in a velvet glove: there are no guarantees for anyone.
That’s good news for anyone looking for a recall, and also those looking to crack the Wallabies squad for the first time. There could be bolters – and if there are, here are the players putting their hands up.
Ryan Smith (Reds)
The 27-year-old Reds second-rower is a workhorse, and that’s not meant as a veiled insult. He made 24 tackles against the Blues in Brisbane at the end of last month – and it was a big Blues pack that took the Reds to some dark places at times. He was also outstanding in Saturday’s superb win against the Crusaders.
Ryan Smith has caught the eye.Credit: Getty
That level of dirty work shows that Schmidt can rely on him to get his big frame off the ground, repeatedly, and go again. He’s the same on the other side of the ball as well – a strong carrier in tight. Every second-row quartet at Test level needs a Ryan Smith. He should be in the frame.
Triston Reilly (Waratahs)
If you landed from Mars in February and were told to pick a Waratahs outside back for the Wallabies, it wouldn’t be Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen or even Dylan Pietsch. That’s not to say none of that trio won’t be picked, but Reilly is the bloke who is impressing at the minute.
He’s so strong in contact that he usually beats the first man. His pace looks good, and his footwork is excellent – it’s absolutely no surprise that Darren Coleman has found a place for him in the starting line-up at the expense of higher-profile Waratahs. On form, he’s the man who gets in among the Waratahs outsides.
Rory Scott (Brumbies)
I’m a big fan of the Brumbies flanker – it’s no surprise that they produced their best performance of the season against the Hurricanes in round 10 with Scott in the No.7 jersey.
He hasn’t got the amount of game time he would have liked this season, with the Brumbies possessing excellent alternatives such as Jahrome Brown and Luke Reimer, but Scott has the more complete all-round game. He’s definitely superior as a ball carrier, and he’s also made some real improvements with his physicality over the past two seasons.
But, one of the reasons that he appeals is that he’s still got so much more upside. He’s only 23 and would hit the 2027 World Cup at somewhere near his prime. It’s very high praise, but he does have a little bit of a young Josh van der Flier about him – he’s just got such a high involvement rate.
Tom Lynagh (Reds)
Can you still be a bolter when you’re the No.10 at the Reds? Possibly not, but Lynagh still flies under the radar somewhat. Perhaps people are wary about his size, or see a lack of an explosive running game, but all I see is a bloke with the strongest core skills of any of the young No.10s.
His temperament is his other strength – he doesn’t seem to get rattled no matter what is being thrown at him. Of course, he’s still got a lot of learning to do, but he’s playing outside Tate McDermott and inside Hunter Paisami, who will surely be key men for Schmidt this year.
... and the new captain
Fraser McReight is the relatively clear choice. The 25-year-old Reds flanker has built on his game every year he’s been in Super Rugby. He’s tough, durable, will play 80 minutes every week, clearly loves the game and is in a position where he can influence the perception of his team with the referee.
Crucially, he’s also a walk-up start in the Wallabies team, although the improving Rory Scott (see above) will keep him honest. He’s got all the ingredients to do the job for the Lions series and the Rugby World Cup.
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