‘Utility’ tag sits fine with Wallabies-in-waiting Josh Kemeny and Dylan Pietsch

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones’ liking for versatility is good news for uncapped pair Josh Kemeny and Dylan Pietsch.

Dylan Pietsch (centre) charges past a New Zealand player while representing Australia in rugby sevens. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

Despite being a tad confused by their “utility” status, Dylan Pietsch and Josh Kemeny aren’t complaining that their versatility has them a step closer to making a Wallabies debut.

The uncapped pair are among three utilities named by national coach Eddie Jones in Australia’s squad for the Rugby Championship.

Pietsch, 25, plays on the wing for the NSW Waratahs but has experience in the forwards as a flanker and represented Australia’s rugby sevens team at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago.

The 24-year-old Kemeny is a flanker for the Melbourne Rebels but has also been earmarked by Jones as someone who can also be used on the wing if needed during a game.

“Initially my reaction was ‘I don’t really know what it (a utility) is’ but I don’t really care because I’m in the squad,” Pietsch said on Monday from the Wallabies’ Gold Coast training camp.

“Wherever I need to be, I’ll be there. I was a bit confused at the start but then figured out that probably with my past in the back-row, I’d probably end up there, or maybe in the centres – I didn’t know.

“I was so happy that I was in the squad. I didn’t really care … since I was a little kid I’ve always wanted to be a Wallaby.”

Dylan Pietsch scores a try for the Waratahs. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Kemeny admitted to being “even more confused” than Pietsch, whom he played with in the back-row for NSW at youth level.

“He’s probably a little bit more versed in that position than I am, out on the wing, but it’s the same thing – to get my foot through the door, to get my name on the list, that was all I really cared about and I’m just going to work from there.

“To be a part of the squad and to be able to add impact wherever … if they want to chuck me out on the wing and let me run into some open spaces, I’m very happy to do that.”

Kemeny’s squad selection is also a reward for his hard work in recovering from the devastating blow of a torn anterior cruciate ligament that sidelined him for the entire 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

“It’s a massive privilege and an honour to get the call to come join the squad, but this is where it all starts,” he said.

“I’m keen to put in some hard work to keep going forward.

“It was a long rehab. I was probably out for 15-16 months. I had some complications with the knee and the graft, so to find some confidence and stay on the park was my goal this year, and everything that’s come with it has been a massive bonus, so I’m stoked.”

Originally published as ‘Utility’ tag sits fine with Wallabies-in-waiting Josh Kemeny and Dylan Pietsch