Rugby 2022: Wallabies star Tom Wright reveals how Joeys, Manly Sea Eagles, made him a man
Wallabies winger Tom Wright walked an unusual path from the NRL to rugby but it laid the foundation for him to chase his dream and he’s ready to make a statement against England.
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Not often will you hear about benefits of a private school education from footballers, but that is where Tom Wright learned to be a man.
The St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill product runs out for his ninth Wallabies Test on Saturday night, against England at Suncorp Stadium, having walked an unusual path from the NRL.
Wright, 24, held out Suliasi Vunivalu for the right wing spot, and the tutelage he received from his Joeys coaches and a trio of Manly Sea Eagles legends has him primed to deliver a career-defining performance.
“I was very fortunate to go to a top-tier private school in Sydney, they gave me every opportunity to do what I do now,” Wright said.
“I’m not sure if I was somewhere else the opportunity might have come.
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“They taught me how to be a man pretty early, I was able to move straight out of school and be independent from the minute I left. I went from the gates of boarding school straight to the NRL pre-season.
“I was able to run my own race and not need anyone to wipe my arse.
“The things you’re learning on the way, you’re not realising at the time but how you structure your week, you get handfed less and less as the years progress, you’re weaned off being told what to do, where to be, how to get your work done, all the help is there but it’s very much for you to go and get it yourself.
“Myself and Tom Horton, who is at the Waratahs, we were captain and vice-captain at school.
“We both went on two very different journeys, but to see both of us come out, in 2020 we were both in Wallabies camp for the first time.
“He’s still yet to get a cap but I’m almost certain that time will come.
“We were best mates all the way through school. We come from way different walks of life before we met in Year 7, to be able to go all the way through and take two different paths – he churned away at Sydney Uni for a few years, I went to Manly – we butt heads now he’s at the Tahs and I’m at the Brumbies.”
Wright joined the Sea Eagles in 2017, before making his NRL debut the following season.
“Coming out of school I could’ve gone either way, the opportunity to go professional at Manly straight away was an awesome one, I wouldn’t change that decision if I was to turn back the clock six years,” Wright said.
“To be able to learn off a bunch of guys that were at the top of their game at that point in their careers, but the opportunity to go the Brumbies is probably where I was able to take my professional game to the next level.
“[Tom Trbojevic] was probably only in his second year at that point, the first year I got there, there was still the likes of Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart, Steve Matai all still floating around, in the last year of their career at the time, not knowing it would be their last.
“Being able to chew the fat and learn habits of professionals, I’m a little skinny 18-year-old, seeing the guys that have been through the rollercoaster of rugby league [was valuable].
“It was no secret Turbo was going to be able to do what he’s done so far. People are writing him off from his journey back from his shoulder injury already, there’ll be no troubles for him, he’s one of a kind.”
But then came the offer to return to union, and join the Brumbies under coach Dan McKellar, now the Wallabies assistant.
“Going to rugby again after leaving St Joseph’s and the opportunity to wear the gold jersey came off the back of being able to do some stuff at the Brumbies after Dan gave me an opportunity.
“I wanted to play for the Wallabies. You sell yourself short if you come across and want to sit in the middle order and be content with that. I made no secret to myself and publicly, if anyone asked at the time, that’s what my aspirations were.”
After a stellar 2020 Super Rugby season, Wright debuted for Australia against the All Blacks that November, and has managed two tries in his eight Tests so far.
But keeping Queensland favourite Vunivalu out of the team this week?
“I was confident in everything I’d done, there’s no point worrying about anyone else,” Wright said. “I don’t read what youse right, I do my own thing.
“You’re probably playing the wrong game if you’re too worried about your own performance, you play a team sport for a reason.
“The trophy is on the line, if that’s not enough motivation you may have to look elsewhere. You’ve only got to look at the other 22 guys that you take the field with, if doing the job for them and not letting the jersey down isn’t enough you probably have to have a good look at yourself.
“Ideally running out and coming off the field with the trophy in hand, there’s no other real option for us at the moment, winning is the end goal.”
Hooper’s warning: Don’t take English bait
Skipper Michael Hooper has warned his Wallabies teammates to keep a cool head if England repeats its baiting tactics in the second Test.
English lock Jonny Hill provoked Darcy Swain into a brain-snap last week in Perth, first shoving him in the face and then pulling his hair before Swain snapped and headbutted his opponent, only to be sent off and subsequently suspended for two weeks.
Hill starts again for England at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night and, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, the visitors will be desperate.
“We’ve got to focus on what we can control, what we need to do on the field,’’ Hooper said.
“We’ve got plenty of roles to do on the field in transitions so we can’t be getting sucked into that. It’s part of the game, smarts around how you come out on top of that is important but it’s always a factor and dealing with it in the right way is going to be a challenge, but a good one.”
Winning the series would be a milestone for the Wallabies, who haven’t beaten England in back-to-back matches in 12 years.
“It would be pleasing for us as a group,’’ Hooper said. “We’ve talked about where we want to go and within that is starting to win games consistently.
“In terms of what we talked about wanting to do, it would be a step towards that, which would be really pleasing for us intrinsically.”
The Wallabies have identified tackle dominance as the pathway to victory and Hooper revealed how they would do it.
“Where we’re looking to tackle, the intensity that you tackle, and starting with our defensive line, the integrity of that,” Hooper said.
“So really simply, if you have good integrity in your line, it allows you to be clear on who you’re making the tackle (on) and then it’s just about an intent then and executing that.”
Baby Thor inspires Tupou for showdown with rival
It’s the 256kg showdown that will set the tone for the second Test, but a tiny three-kilogram inspiration has weighted the battle in favour of Taniela Tupou.
The Tongan Thor returns to the rugby field for the first time in 10 weeks when he starts in the front row against rival Ellis Genge, and the Wallabies powerhouse will be inspired by his son Nela who he helped deliver with partner Molly Evans last weekend.
“Baby Thor” Nela was born just after 11pm on July 1, the evening before Australia defeated England 30-28 in Perth.
After a long rehabilitation with a calf injury, 135kg Tupou returns at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday expecting a torrid battle against England’s 121kg loosehead Genge, who he’ll directly face in the scrum.
“It’s not personal, but it is personal,” Tupou said.
“I’ll do what’s best for the team, but obviously you get out there, you want to do better than your opposition.
“He’s going to get out there and try to give it to me, smash me, and I’ll be doing exactly the same thing, get out there and give it to me.
“We’ll see what happens after Saturday.
“I’ve watched him, he absolutely killed it in their comp in the UK, obviously he’s captained his team a few times (Genge led Leicester to the English Premiership title this season).
“As a loosehead he can run the ball, he can tackle, he can scrum. This week if he’s starting it will be my first time playing him, it’s a big challenge ahead of me knowing what he can do.
“I need to focus on myself and what I can do.”
But Tupou has been given the ultimate inspiration to lead Australia to a series victory.
“I’ll definitely be thinking of [Nela] when I get out onto the field this weekend, it’s not really about myself anymore,” Tupou said.
“It’s a crazy, crazy experience. I haven’t had much sleep but I’m enjoying it.
“I was in the hospital when they played that [first], I was more focusing on the baby and my partner. I told her [on Wednesday] from now on I’ll have to sleep in camp for the next few days, I need to prepare well for the game.”
Tupou said his injury had been a blessing.
“I’m in a good space now, I think I’m ready to get out there and have a bit of fun,” he said.
“I think being injured was the best thing to happen to me, mentally and physically. I was ready for something different, that happened and I was staying away from footy, spend a bit of time with the missus and my family.
“Now I’m ready to play again.”
Inspired stat which Wallabies must produce again
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has revealed the astounding statistic that helped his side turn the tide against England to win last weekend, after naming a rejigged side for the second Test.
Australia’s 30-28 victory in Perth last Saturday, after a nightmare injury toll, send-off to lock Darcy Swain, and trailing 14-9 with 16 minutes to play, was helped by smashing England in defence.
The Wallabies improved their tackle dominance five-fold in the second half at Optus Stadium, and Rennie has demanded his players start this match in Brisbane with that fire.
“We need to be far better around our collision, with and without the ball,” Rennie said.
“First half our tackle dominance was about four per cent, second half was 22 [per cent], so a much better second half effort, but we need it from the start.”
Rennie made seven changes to his 23-man squad, forced by several injuries and Swain’s two-match suspension for headbutting rival Jonny Hill.
Tom Wright starts on the wing and Jordan Petaia at fullback, with Tom Banks breaking his arm last weekend and Andrew Kellaway injuring his hamstring.
Hunter Paisami returns at outside centre after Len Ikitau failed a late fitness test on his tight calf.
As expected, gamebreaking prop Taniela Tupou returns straight to the starting side after a lengthy injury lay-off, replacing Allan Alaalatoa who suffered concussion last week.
Lock Nick Frost is set to debut off the bench, with Matt Philip starting as chief lineout caller in place of Swain.
Izaia Perese is the back-up outside back on the bench.
Rennie expects England to largely kick and defend at Suncorp Stadium as Eddie Jones seeks to end a four-match losing streak that has piled pressure on the coach to retain his job.
“History will say they’ll be prepared to kick a bit of ball and try to choke us,” Rennie said.
“What we saw was when they got a fair way behind on the scoreboard they played, and finished pretty strong.
“We were ready for all those things. We know we need to front from a set-piece point of view to try to nullify their ability up front.”
While Hill successfully baited Swain with a shove to the face and then hair-pulling last week, Rennie expects his team to keep their cool this time.
“It’s a lesson for Darcy, a bit of red mist and [he] reacted, whether he intended to headbutt or not he’s made head contact and he’s suffering the consequences,” Rennie said.
“No doubt there was a fair bit of provocation there, but that’s Test footy, so a lesson for all of us.
“I imagine that the officials will be pretty sharp around that, surprising the first offence, the push in the face, pretty aggressive, wasn’t seen by any of the officials.
“I think if they had and maybe it had been dealt with then Darcy wouldn’t have been facing a judiciary.
“Everyone’s awareness is a little bit sharper around that now.”
Rennie resisted the temptation to pick former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu for his Test debut this weekend amid their backline injury crisis, and explained why he’d kept him in camp rather than send him to play for Australia A.
“We felt being in camp with us put a lot of extra time into him, an example would be when the playing 23 were in the gym this morning doing power, we had everyone else on the field doing individual skills,” Rennie said.
“We’ve got a real clear program around Suli to accelerate his development and his learning and that’s the big thing, we know he’s a good athlete, we want to get him sharp and really running fast.
“He’s quicker than what he’s probably shown at Super level, and the confidence to run – he’s had a lot of hammy issues — but he’s done a lot of strength work and we reckon he’s ready to fly.
“He’s got to convince us at training he can go balls out.”
James O’Connor, who was suited up and preparing to eat a meat pie in the stands before he was rushed into the jersey to back up Noah Lolesio last weekend following Quade Cooper’s warm-up injury, indicated he could play several positions off the bench in Brisbane.
“Whether I’m at 10, 15 or in the centres, we’re not sure yet, anything can happen,” O’Connor said.
“But if we’re ahead, guide the team to victory, and if we’re behind, really bring that intensity and help the finishers finish strong.
“My role is to come and make an impact, whether it’s to add something or spark something.”
Eddie Jones has dropped three backline players after the defeat; halfback Danny Care to the bench, and centre Joe Marchant and winger Joe Cokanasiga out of the squad, while opting for a 6-2 bench.
Former Sydney University captain Guy Porter gets his first start, after coming off the bench last week.
Wallabies: 15. Jordan Petaia 14. Tom Wright 13. Hunter Paisami 12. Samu Kerevi 11. Marika Koroibete 10. Noah Lolesio 9. Nic White 8. Rob Valetini 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Rob Leota 5. Cadeyrn Neville 4. Matt Philip 3. Taniela Tupou 2. Dave Porecki 1. Angus Bell.
Reserves: 16. Folau Fainga’a 17. Scott Sio 18. James Slipper 19. Nick Frost 20. Pete Samu 21. Jake Gordon 22. James O’Connor 23. Izaia Perese.
England: 15. Freddie Steward 14. Jack Nowell 13. Guy Porter 12. Owen Farrell 11. Tommy Freeman 10. Marcus Smith 9. Jack van Poortvliet 8. Billy Vunipola 7. Sam Underhill 6. Courtney Lawes (captain) 5. Jonny Hill 4. Maro Itoje 3. Will Stuart 2. Jamie George 1. Ellis Genge.
Reserves: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Joe Heyes 19. Ollie Chessum 20. Lewis Ludlam 21. Jack Willis 22. Danny Care 23. Henry Arundell.
Suli snub: Wallabies stack side with ex-NRL stars
Three former NRL stars have been picked for the Wallabies this weekend, but Suliasi Vunivalu is not one of them.
The Melbourne Storm premiership winner has been overlooked for the vacant wing spot in favour of Tom Wright, while Izaia Perese has come onto the bench amid a backline injury crisis.
With former Storm and Tigers star Marika Koroibete retaining his wing spot from the first Test win over England, former Manly Sea Eagles flyer Wright, and former Bronco Perese, there is a big league presence in the Wallabies’ attack for the second Test at Suncorp Stadium.
Vunivalu had been tipped to make his Wallabies debut this weekend after injuries to Tom Banks and Andrew Kellaway.
However, selectors rewarded Wright for a strong Super Rugby season, while Perese can cover wing and centre.
As expected, gamebreaking prop Taniela Tupou returns straight to the starting side after a lengthy injury layoff, replacing Allan Alaalatoa who suffered concussion last week.
Jordan Petaia gets his first start at fullback for Australia, having played on both wings and outside centre.
Lock Nick Frost is set to debut off the bench, after Darcy Swain’s two-week suspension for his headbutt on rival Jonny Hill in Perth.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “It’s great to have Taniela back this week and he’s extremely excited to pull on the gold jersey in his hometown.
“Equally Jordy is looking forward to the opportunity at fullback and of course it will be a proud night for Nick and his family for his Test debut.
“We will proudly be wearing the First Nations jersey and singing the national anthem in Yugambeh language on Saturday night as we pay our respect to Uncle Lloyd McDermott and the First Nations people of this country.”
WALLABIES: 15. Jordan Petaia 14. Tom Wright 13. Hunter Paisami 12. Samu Kerevi 11. Marika Koroibete 10. Noah Lolesio 9. Nic White 8. Rob Valetini 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Rob Leota 5. Cadeyrn Neville 4. Matt Philip 3. Taniela Tupou 2. Dave Porecki 1. Angus Bell.
RESERVES: 16. Folau Fainga’a 17. Scott Sio 18. James Slipper 19. Nick Frost 20. Pete Samu 21. Jake Gordon 22. James O’Connor 23. Izaia Perese.
How we broke the team news
The Wallabies have been forced to reshuffle their backline for the second Test against England after winger Andrew Kellaway was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Jordan Petaia will now start at fullback, while Brumbies flyer Tom Wright, Waratahs star Izaia Perese and dual-code star Suliasi Vunivalu will battle for the vacant wing spot.
Prop Taniela Tupou is expected to return straight to the starting side at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium after a lengthy injury layoff, replacing Allan Alaalatoa who was ruled out with concussion from the first Test win in Perth.
After Tom Banks broke his arm at Optus Stadium in the first half of the 30-28 victory, Kellaway jumped from wing to fullback while Petaia came off the bench to the wing, scoring Australia’s first try and generally performing well.
While he’s played fullback for Queensland, Petaia has never started in the No.15 jersey for Australia.
The 22-year-old will have started in four different Wallabies backline positions after this Saturday; both wings, outside centre, and fullback, matching Reece Hodge and Adam Ashley-Cooper in the versatility stakes.
With lock Darcy Swain suspended for two weeks for his headbutt on rival Jonny Hill, Matt Philip is set to come into the starting side as the chief lineout caller – a role he took on last weekend after the red card.
That leaves the potential for Brumbies rookie Nick Frost to make his debut off the bench.
Quade Cooper will not feature this weekend after straining his calf moments before kick-off last week, so Noah Lolesio is set to keep the No.10 jersey, with James O’Connor the obvious back-up candidate.
Wallabies defence coach Matt Taylor says their response to the numerous unfolding injuries and Swain’s send-off in Perth showed the team is heading in the right direction.
“The squad’s been building for a number of years now, one of the great things about that Test match was our ability to adapt with all the changes and things going against us,” Taylor said.
“I think that’s the sign of a good team.
“I don’t know when the last time Australia has beaten England twice in a row, I would suggest it’s been a while considering we hadn’t beaten them in a while since the weekend, so we’re really focused and really driven to put in a good performance at Suncorp.”
After breaking an eight-match losing streak against England last weekend, Australia will be looking to seal the series seal back-to-back wins against their old foe for the first time since 2009-10.
The Wallabies defeated England at Twickenham on their 2009 spring tour, then defeated them in June in Perth the following June.
Since then, England has won 12 of 15 Tests between the two nations.
“They’re all really good players, it was only two years ago they were in a World Cup final,” Taylor said.
“I know from my time in Scotland, how powerful and [what a] team full of good players they have.”
But Taylor says the calm nature of head coach Dave Rennie has seeped through the squad.
“Dave’s a good man to work with and a great man to hang around with and have a beer or a yarn,” Taylor said.
“He’s very measured, he doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low, he takes things as it comes.
“So I certainly think the osmosis of him being very calm probably promotes through the group.
“He’s also very good with the clarity within the team. We have a lot of walk and talk and scenarios we’ll throw at the players and they’ve got to adapt.
“The fruit of that over the last couple of years maybe came out on the weekend where we were able to adapt and adjust and get on with it without any panic at all.”
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Originally published as Rugby 2022: Wallabies star Tom Wright reveals how Joeys, Manly Sea Eagles, made him a man
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