Brumbies halfback Joe Powell has gone from Wallabies bolter to bolted-on Wallaby inside a year
VIDEO: A cheeky one-liner from Joe Powell against the Rebels showed he’s ready for a Wallabies debut and he has the backing of another vocal ex-Brumbies no.9.
“Unlucky mate”.
With one sharp sledge slipped into the ribs of Rebels no.8 Amanaki Mafi last weekend, Joe Powell showed he’s ready for a Wallabies debut against Fiji on Saturday in Melbourne.
Powell’s jibe, caught by the FoxSports player mic worn by Scott Fardy, came after he’d made Maki knock-on at the scrum base on the Rebels tryline. As Maki blew up, Fardy could only laugh at his cheeky no.9.
It reminded of another cocky Brumbies halfback known to deliver cold one-liners, and unsurprisingly, George Gregan is a big fan of Powell.
“He enjoys the contest, he wants to be among it,” Gregan said.
“He is not intimidated by the occasion, and that’s inherent. It’s something you can’t coach. You either have it or you don’t.”
This time last year Powell was a genuine bolter called into the Wallabies June squad, as green as they come on the back of just 60 minutes Super Rugby experience.
WATCH POWELL’S SLEDGE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
One year on, and with an impressive Brumbies season behind him, Powell is now the clear second-choice halfback in the country.
With Nick Phipps ruled out of the June series, the shaggy-haired 23-year-old will win selection on the Wallabies bench, at least.
If Will Genia is deemed a bit flat after a long French season, Powell could play big minutes or possibly even start.
Brumbies captain and Wallabies squamate Sam Carter said Powell was ready for Test rugby.
“His progression since the June series last year has been outstanding,” he said.
“He definitely learned a lot out of that experience. He is a lot smarter football this year. He picks his moments, when he is going to pass and when he is going to run.
“If he builds on that and keeps growing in confidence I have no doubt he can be a world-class no.9.
“When he’s sitting alongside Willy Genia and he’s pushing him along, I have no doubt he can only get better from there.”
Powell has the most tackles, most linebreaks and most assists of all Aussie halfbacks in Super Rugby this year.
But his rapid emergence only came after Argentinian halfback Tomas Cubelli was injured in the trials.
Powell’s growth adds fuel to the debate about whether foreign marquee signings are a help or a hindrance to developing Australian youngsters.
Though he looks like a skinny surfer, Gregan says Powell’s heart in defence — and improving technique under Peter Ryan’s coaching — means he can be relied upon in Test rugby.
“He’s very courageous and works hard defensively, and he has a pretty good coach in Peter,” Gregan said.
“What I like about him is he has a big engine, a bit like Phippsy. They get to the breakdown quickly. And I have been impressed with his passing and his decision making. He’s very clear with it and that’s what you want from your nine, ten and 12.
“From my limited time with him the other strength I’d say is he’s very, very coachable.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will name his first Test team on Thursday.
The interesting selections will come in the back row and the midfield. Waratah rookie Ned Hanigan looms as a belter for the no. 6 jersey, while Cheika must decide if he’s going to stick with tried-and-tested combination of Reece Hodge and Tevita Kuridrani in the centres, or potentially throw Karmichael Hunt into the mix.
Originally published as Brumbies halfback Joe Powell has gone from Wallabies bolter to bolted-on Wallaby inside a year