Aidan Ross in Wallabies mix, Lloyd Walker’s RA disappointment and Lynagh injury has Wallabies sweating
A former All Black who still remains ineligible to represent Australia until next month has surged into the Wallabies frame for the British and Irish Lions tour.
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Former All Black Aidan Ross is a potential bolter for the Wallabies squad due to unique timing on eligibility.
The loosehead prop has had an outstanding season for the Chiefs this year, and despite signing for Queensland Reds next season, it is his appearance for the All Blacks in 2022 that has come into play.
Ross played his one and only Test for New Zealand against Ireland on July 9, 2022. Under World Rugby’s three-year stand-down rule, he becomes eligible for Australia on July 10.
Ross was born in Gosford, thus qualifies for the Wallabies by birth.
Because he only becomes eligible on July 10, 29-year-old Ross can’t play against Fiji on July 6, which could hurt his chances.
But Australia’s loosehead stocks are thin, bringing Ross right into the mix.
Angus Bell and James Slipper are the definites for the British & Irish Lions tour, but there is genuine uncertainty over who the third loosehead in the squad will be.
Tom Robertson just claimed the Western Force player of the year award and is a hot contender, but because he can play both sides of the scrum, could be included as a tighthead.
The Brumbies’ Blake Schoupp has been ruled out for the year with an Achilles injury, while Queensland’s Alex Hodgman is also injured.
Isaac Kailea, who featured in a number of Tests last year, struggled to get a bench spot for the Waratahs this season and has fallen behind Tom Lambert in the pecking order.
If the Brumbies are knocked out in their semi-final against the Chiefs on Saturday, the Wallabies will name a 40-man Wallabies squad for Fiji early next week.
Ross won’t be included in that, but his eligibility kicks in one day before the Wallabies announce their squad for the Lions, on July 11 in Brisbane.
LEGEND’S DISAPPOINTMENT AT WAIT FOR RA CALL
After waiting far longer than he ever expected to get picked for the Wallabies, Australian rugby legend Lloyd Walker says he’s been left feeling disappointed, but not surprised, that he hasn’t yet been offered a role in the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV match against the British and Irish Lions.
A proud Indigenous man, Walker became the first First Nations player to represent the Wallabies against the Lions when he was selected at inside centre for the 1989 series.
A brilliant tactician and playmaker, Walker scored the opening try of the series and remains an inspiration to his La Perouse Aboriginal community after a lifetime of service to the Bidjigal people.
When Rugby Australia announced in March that a First Nations-Pasifika team would replace the axed Rebels as the Lions’ opponent for their tour match in Melbourne on July 22, Walker said he contacted the national body offering to help, but wasn’t given a part.
“I was a bit disappointed I didn’t get a run with the First Nations Pacific side,” Walker told Rugby Confidential.
“I was really looking forward to maybe getting involved in that, but that didn’t eventuate, unfortunately.
“I spoke to people at ARU that I was available but I didn’t get the nod unfortunately.”
Rugby Australia told this column it does have plans to include Walker in the historic match, possibly as an ambassador, but hasn’t notified him yet because the full list has not been completed. However, that was expected to happen next week, with an invitation extended to Walker to watch the match from RA’s suite.
The coaching team for the fixture has already been announced with former Wallabies forward and Tonga coach Toutai Kefu selected as head coach.
Four assistants have also been appointed, representing Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and First Nations communities; Tana Umaga, Sekope Kepu, Simon Raiwalui and Glen Ella, one of Walker’s teammates from his days playing for Randwick.
Walker told this column his wish to be involved in the match stemmed from the lasting impact that playing against the Lions had on him and his community, even though his selection as the first First Nations player to face the Lions wasn’t a major talking point in 1989.
“It wasn’t a big deal to other people, but it was a big deal to me,” he said.
“It wasn’t really talked about, but it was in the back of my mind all the time. You always have that feeling to represent your community and your family and we’re a tight-knit community out at La Perouse so it was an honour.
While still hoping he may be involved, Walker said it’s not the first time he’s been left waiting for a call.
Despite being an outstanding player in Sydney club rugby for a long time, Walker never got picked for the Wallabies until 1988, when he was in his late 20s, when Bob Dwyer replaced Alan Jones as national coach.
“Playing my first test at 28, I’m used to being disappointed,” he said.
“It just makes you stronger in the end. You just keep just keep turning up and play the game that you love.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s not a situation where I won’t watch any games or anything.”
WALLABIES SWEAT ON LYNAGH FINGER INJURY
The Wallabies are sweating on the recovery of playmaker Tom Lynagh, who has a broken finger.
Rugby Confidential can reveal the Queensland five-eighth is in a race to be fit for the Lions series with the injury.
It’s understood the hairline fracture is on his little finger, and surgery may not be required.
But Lynagh would need to play in either Queensland’s match against the Lions, or in the AUNZ Invitational side, to be considered for the iconic series.
Meanwhile, Reds forwards coach Zane Hilton leads the race to replace Geoff Parling as a Wallabies assistant following the Lions series.
Parling is off to replace Michael Cheika as head coach of Leicester Tigers following the Lions tour, and Hilton is a logical replacement.
He has already been part of the coaching staff of the Australia XV side that toured the UK last year, has been named forwards coach of the AUNZ Invitational team, and has a strong working relationship with Les Kiss over two years.
Given Kiss will take over as Wallabies head coach from Joe Schmidt midway through next year, Hilton’s addition to the coaching staff makes sense.
FIJI SQUAD UNVEILED FOR ONE-OFF TEST
Fiji has named a strong 32-man squad for their one-off Test against the Wallabies in Newcastle on July 19.
It will be the first clash between the teams since the Pacific Islanders upset Australia at the 2023 World Cup in France to reach the quarter-finals at the expense of the Wallabies.
Fiji squad
Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Luke Tagi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuel Mativesi, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Setareki Turagacoke, Viliame Mata, Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Etonia Waqa, Motikai Murray.
Backs: Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Sam Wye, Caleb Muntz, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi.
IT remains a mystery as to which players will be selected for the First Nations & Pasifika team to play the Lions in Melbourne, but we’re happy to make a suggestion.
Former All Blacks bulldozer Ngani Laumape just signed a two-year deal to join Moana Pasifika.
The eligibility rules state that the players can only come from Australia’s four Super Rugby sides, Moana and Fijian Drua.
Laumape’s new deal makes him eligible, and we’re sure he’d be keen to play and take some revenge after being part of the infamous 2017 drawn series in New Zealand.
GUINNESS TO SPONSOR HISTORIC SERIES
With so many Aussies in the Lions squad, it’s only fair they compensate the hosts.
So it’s pleasant to hear that Ireland’s most distinguished brand, Guinness, is sponsoring the series.
The world’s most famous beer will be drunk in record numbers across Australian pubs throughout the eight-week tour, during which Lions fans will support Aussie-born stars Sione Tuipulotu, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham.
There are more Aussie-born players in the Lions squad than there are Welsh players.
LIONS PROP EXPECTED TO BE FIT
The Lions are confident that not only will star tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong be fit for the entire series, but recently injured back-up Zander Fagerson could also join the tour midway through.
There were fears Furlong could miss the trip with a calf injury, having not played since May 3, but reports in England suggest he may return for Leinster this weekend.
Scotland’s Fagerson was ruled out – also with a calf injury – earlier this week, replaced by Aussie-born Irishman Finlay Bealham.
But now Lions forwards coach John Dalziel says Fagerson could play the Wallabies.
“Zander is going to take a couple more weeks to get that injury right,” Dalziel said. “His injury isn’t long-term. I think it’s three or four weeks. It’s a setback. He’s looking to try to get through that.
“We need that ability to adapt and, with two games in a week, we’re going to need cover. I think it’s a luxury on a Lions tour to carry a player for three or four weeks.
“As soon as he gets the tick off, he’ll be available to come back into the squad should needs must. I know he is 100 miles an hour trying to get right.”
US RIGHTS TO LIONS-WALLABIES SERIES DECIDED
America’s biggest prime time free-to-air broadcaster, CBS, has won the rights to show the Lions vs Wallabies games in the US.
CBS recently announced they’d claimed a record 17th consecutive season as the most watched network in the US, beating rivals NBC and ABC.
With the US to host the 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s World Cups, there is a major push to promote rugby in the region, and CBS’s rights win for the Lions tour is sure to get millions of eyeballs on the showpiece event.
WILSON LOCKED IN AT TAHS
Waratahs halfback Teddy Wilson has signed a contract extension for the 2026 season, after impressive performances this year.
While the Tahs failed to make the finals, 22-year-old Wilson will be a key to their chances next year.
“Building a fortress at Allianz was a big milestone for us, we’ve still got a lot to work on and to achieve; and we all know that we can do that,” Wilson said.
“But with the new coaching staff and new players, we knew it was going to be a slow grind to start with. It wasn’t going to click just like that.
“But if we can keep training our hardest over this next period leading into next year, I’m sure we’ll have a more successful season. Everyone here has the motivation to do that.”
BLAKE SACKED BY SHUTE SHIELD STRUGGLERS
Phil Blake has been sacked as West Harbour coach as the club languishes at the bottom of the Shute Shield table.
Interestingly, the move was announced after the Pirates won their first and only game of the season last weekend against Southern Districts 31-26.
But West Harbour’s 1-9 record this year, while conceding an average of 45 points per game, was enough to see the former NSW State of Origin player relieved of his duties.
Ben Rutherford replaces Blake as first grade coach, while club stalwart Mark Gudmunson steps in to the newly created position of club coach.
A statement by West Harbour said: “As part of these changes Phil Blake’s time with the club has come to an end and we thank him for the contribution he’s made during his time at the club.
“We’re confident that these changes and the hard work already done will lead to improved performance by first grade in the second half of the season and beyond.
“First grade performances aside, the club is continuing to get stronger with improved ladder positions in other grades and colts and a lot of positive things happening off the field.”
Originally published as Aidan Ross in Wallabies mix, Lloyd Walker’s RA disappointment and Lynagh injury has Wallabies sweating
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