Amnesty clause? Wallabies face a tough decision on overseas-bound stars

What is the Wallabies coach going to do with the leavers? Noah Lolesio’s confirmed exit to Japan brought the issue to the surface again last week, but it’s a question that applies to more players than just the Brumbies No.10.

Montpellier-bound Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson and Exeter-bound Brumbies No.6/second-rower Tom Hooper are among the best forwards in Australia this season.

In fact, Hooper is in the running for the official Super Rugby Pacific MVP award, such has been the recognition from rival teams.

Schmidt has been consistent in the messaging that he is reluctant to pick players who are moving offshore, but the form of Gleeson and Hooper, in particular, is putting stress on that stance while Lolesio very much looked like the boss No.10 in Brisbane on Saturday (see item No 3). Is an amnesty in offing for the trio?

2. Suaalii swagger is box-office gold

It’s hard to know what Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is going to do next: beat four defenders with his footwork or succumb to the red mist that frequently hovers above him and get into a stink. Either way, he’s impossible not to watch and that compelling package of athleticism and danger was in full view against the Chiefs.

To his credit, Suaalii could have increased the chances of Chiefs midfielder Gideon Wrampling getting a red card by making more of his clear high shot. Instead, he copped the blow like a proud prizefighter. But it felt like he sought out and exacted some retribution with a no-arms blindside shot on Chiefs winger Shaun Stevenson later on.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Jack Bowen of the Waratahs celebrate beating the ChiefsCredit: Getty Images

There is no lack of drama when Suaalii is playing, especially as he showed that he is capable of moments of sublime skill as well.

His first-half try would have got the attention of British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell, who is starting to see a number of players – Suaalii, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Valetini, Billy Pollard and Max Jorgensen (if fit) – perform to a level that can be a problem for the tourists, as well as others (Tom Wright and Len Ikitau) he already knows can hit that level.

3. Lolesio rewrote the Lynagh narrative

The Brumbies dominated the Reds on Saturday – Rob Valetini’s crunching run over the top of Reds prop Zane Nonggorr emphasised the gap between the two teams. But the biggest individual winner on the night was a pumped-up Noah Lolesio, who expressed his seniority over rival Tom Lynagh with a composed and effective display.

Lolesio’s kicking game was outstanding in both length and accuracy, and no one watching that game would have left in any doubt about who is the Wallabies’ incumbent five-eighth. Perhaps the announcement of his Japan move has taken the load off his mind, but Lolesio looked like a different player than he was before the Brumbies’ bye.

Former Roosters star and New Zealand rugby league international Joey Manu.Credit: Getty Images

4. If Joey wants to jump it must be now

The Herald’s revelation that Joey Manu is re-thinking his move to France is intriguing – if it’s matched by a level of interest from New Zealand Rugby. Manu, currently playing with the struggling Toyota Verblitz side in Japan, must understand that his runway to the Rugby World Cup in 2027 is short, and if he is to have any chance of making the All Blacks he needs to be playing Super Rugby next year. NZ Rugby has held firm on changing its eligibility laws, so Manu wouldn’t be picked from France even if he was carving up the Top 14.

For the 28-year-old, the best shot of making the All Blacks would come from a provincial union contract later this year (presumably with Waikato) and a two-year Super Rugby deal (presumably with the Chiefs) until 2027. But he’s unlikely to initially command the same amount of money as he would from a return to the NRL, so his next move is all about how much he wants to play for the All Blacks and how much he backs himself.

5. Tahs in Teddy’s hands if Gordon goes

On the topic of Wallabies players, it would not be a surprise to see Jake Gordon head offshore. The Waratahs have missed his leadership during his injury-enforced absence, but the rise of Teddy Wilson has been unmistakable. The 22-year-old is a tough operator with a great running game, but the quality of his box-kicking is also rising sharply. Wilson’s accurate kicks – aligned with a great kick-chase – put enormous pressure on the Chiefs’ back three on Friday and were the beginning of the unravelling of All Black Damian McKenzie, who had an old-fashioned shocker. Gordon, 31, would of course back himself to take back the No.9 jersey, but he will also know that younger halfbacks are now gunning for him at state and Test level, with Ryan Lonergan outstanding for the Brumbies against the Reds.

Teddy Wilson has impressed for the Waratahs.Credit: Getty Images

Wallabies form team of the week

1. James Slipper (Brumbies)
2. Billy Pollard (Brumbies)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)
4. Nick Frost (Brumbies)
5. Ben Grant (Waratahs)
6. Rob Valetini (Brumbies) – Player of the week
7. Jamie Adamson (Waratahs)
8. Langi Gleeson (Waratahs)
9. Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies)
10. Noah Lolesio (Brumbies)
11. Triston Reilly (Waratahs)
12. Joey Walton (Waratahs)
13. Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies)
14. Andy Muirhead (Brumbies)
15. Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii (Waratahs)

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