When the 2021 rugby season began it was all about the next generation of Wallabies. The young players who’d shown glimpses of class at Super Rugby level over a couple of seasons and had tasted Test football last year. The Australian side was largely young and inexperienced. It needed time and we needed to be patient.
Now with the Wallabies about to head to Japan and Europe for their final block of Test matches for the year the conversation has changed ever so slightly. The Rugby Championship was a reminder sustainable success comes with a blend of youth and experience. It’s always been the way.
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Nobody’s doubting the talent of Australia’s next generation but the current Wallaby squad is richer for the injection of players who’ve been around the block a few times – who themselves carried the burden of expectation at a young age and suffered a few hits along the way. In the wash-up their lows were probably as important as their highs. They carry the calluses of the rough and tumble of their careers.
The likes of James O’Connor and Quade Cooper were unwanted by Australian rugby and now the game can’t get enough of them.
As Dave Rennie prepares to name his team for the Spring Tour, here’s his assessment of some of Australia’s best talent – young and old – of 2021.
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Quade Cooper (33-years-old)
DR: I’ve been really impressed with Quade. A lot of stuff I’d heard about Quade was through the media. I’ve coached against him. He sent a message saying if you need any help at 10 with injuries – he knew James O’Connor was out, that we had limited opportunities to grab guys from NSW and Victoria, and he said he was prepared to just come down and train and help out. Him and I sat down for 90 minutes and had a chat around where the squad was at. The importance of, if he came in, the impression he’d make on a lot of young men.
And the expectations we had of him. It gave me real comfort. We talked about stuff. He’s an older man now. He was young and dumb for a while. He’s learnt from that. I’ve been really impressed. He came in and didn’t play any of the games against the All Blacks but he couldn’t have been better in the environment around contributing to discussion, contributing to the development of Noah (Lolesio). He was very much there for the team. Hell of a story… we bring him in for that first South African game and I guess it couldn’t have been scripted better. Really pleased for him. He’s really fronted. Really grabbed an opportunity back on the big stage so I’m rapt for him.
Tate McDermott (23-years-old)
DR: Tate McDermott has been excellent for us. We’ve got amazing depth there. We’ve got four genuine high quality nines. Tate provides a point of difference. He’s electric as we saw with the Reds. His ability to find space in behind defences and to challenge and make decisions is outstanding. He’s kicking way better. He’s made some good shifts in that. Still want some more fluency in his left hand pass but he’s had an excellent season.
Andrew Kellaway (25-years-old)
DR: We’re really pleased for Andrew Kellaway. He wasn’t in our plans. He played really well for the Rebels. We were looking for someone who gave some versatility. He’s quick, he’s got the ability to beat people and he’s got a real nose for the try line. He’s a really good defender and he’s got a quality skill set. Kicks well, passes well. And a mature young man. He’s been outstanding.
Len Ikitau (23-years-old)
DR: I think Len Ikitau has been outstanding. We brought him in last year. He struggled with the conditioning required. It was a big learning curve for him. We picked him on the back of about 12 minutes of Super Rugby but we liked what we saw. We thought someone like him is the future versus maybe picking Tevita Kuridrani. It’s paying dividends now. He’s been outstanding. He’s got a great left foot but he’s kicked in Tests with his right foot. Very good distributor. Big hitter. Growing in confidence. He’s not a big talker but starting to challenge others now. Look I think he’s been outstanding.
Samu Kerevi (28-years-old)
DR: Samu’s been massive hasn’t he. Again, based on COVID and him coming back for the sevens it gave us an opportunity to bring him in and he’s been impressive. We obviously lost Hunter (Paisami) back to Queensland for the birth of his child and Matt To’omua got knocked out. Lalakai Foketi damaged a ligament in a finger and had to go home so Samu couldn’t have come in at a better time. Even I was surprised about the quality of his performance first up. His ability to carry and get in behind defences. He’s really worked hard on his defensive game and it’s a lot better than what it was when he was here last. And he’s been fantastic in the group. Smart man, good understanding of the game. Contributes really well and he’s had a big hand in giving us go forward and creating quick ball. Samu’s been excellent.
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That’s just a taste of the changing face of the current Wallaby squad. Quality players, who might have been central to Dave Rennie’s plans just months ago, are likely to be left off the Spring Tour. It’ll make them hungry and they’ll work harder to get better. It’s building depth and competition for places.
The 23 for the Test against Japan on October 23 (exclusive on Stan Sport) will look different to what many will have expected at the start of the Test season and Australian rugby will be better for it.