Written by Lachlan Grey on Oct 22, 2024 05:30 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
Australia XV coach Rod Seib has challenged his inaugural squad to rise up and stake their claim on a Test berth – or recall – ahead of next month’s two-game UK Tour.
Almost half of Seib’s 30-man squad have tasted Test match rugby with 14 Wallabies named to tackle Bristol Bears on November 9 before facing England A – aka ‘Saxons’ – on November 18.
Watch every game of the Wallabies Spring Tour live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
The squad will travel and train separately from the Wallabies’ 34-man Spring Tour squad, who open their Grand Slam bid in England on November 10 before travelling to Wales (November 18), Scotland (November 25) and Ireland (December 1).
Speaking with media on Tuesday, Seib indicated there would be opportunities for high-performing players to “bounce across” to the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad.
“We’re there to add depth so with form and injury, there would be some players who’d be targeting good performances in those first two games and then if the opportunity comes up they bounce across,” Seib said.
“Obviously we’re there to win two games but the reality is that we want a seamless transition when they go from the XVs to the Wallabies.
“We’re speaking the same vocab, players are aware of the fundamentals that the Wallaby coaches are concerned with.”
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt earmarked the November 18 clash with England A as a key fixture for Test aspirants, particularly those returning from long-term injuries and layoffs.
“Some of the guys who are with Seiby for this next couple of weeks, they’re there because they didn’t get a lot of game time,” Schmidt told reporters on Tuesday.
“There were guys who in our squad for the Bledisloe Cup games and never got game time. The longer that goes, the more out of sync you can get because nothing prepares you for Test match footy than high level games.
“I think that Saxons game, you don’t get a much better game to prepare someone for the next step to Test level. Having watched plenty of Ireland A v Saxons games, I’ve seen kids like (Maro) Itoje come through that pathway.
“They know they’re on the radar, they know they’re not far away if they’re in the Australia XV so I would hope they’ll take the challenge and pursue the starting sport available and, beyond that, pursue the Wallaby jersey,” Schmidt added.
Schmidt made particular note of Tom Lynagh’s inclusion in the Australia XV side as the Queenslander looks to shake a frustrating run of injuries and rejoin the Wallaby flyhalf battle.
Lynagh’s fortunes are at odds with Tane Edmed’s elevation to the Test squad following the Waratah’s breakout season with North Harbour in New Zealand’s NPC.
“He’s had that recurring hamstring niggle we’re hoping is over now and we want to try and get him into some game time,” Schmidt said of Lynagh.
“We feel Noah (Lolesio) is making progress, his confidence is growing. Tane’s had a good NPC … I’ve been watching some things around Tane and we’ve got Ben Donaldsonthere.”Seib added players with Test experience would not be given preferential treatment at the Australia XV selection table.
“It’ll be up to training form. In this sort of team, you’ve got people all on their own pathways.”
Australia XV Squad for UK Tour Forwards (17)
Angus Blyth (Queensland Reds)
Joe Brial (Queensland Reds)
John Bryant (Queensland Reds)
Josh Canham (Queensland Reds)
Massimo de Lutiis (Queensland Reds)
Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies)
Harry Hoopert (Western Force)
Tom Horton (Western Force)
Tom Lambert (NSW Waratahs)
Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds)
Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds)
Luke Reimer (ACT Brumbies)
Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies)
Ryan Smith (Queensland Reds)
Darcy Swain (Western Force)
Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies)
Backs (13)
Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds)
Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force)
Josh Flook (Queensland Reds)
Darby Lancaster (NSW Waratahs)
Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Tom Lynagh (Queensland Reds)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Queensland Reds)
Andy Muirhead (ACT Brumbies)
Ollie Sapsford (ACT Brumbies)
Hamish Stewart (Western Force)
Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies)
Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs)
