Dan McKellar relieved to get Brumbies safely off to Wallabies camp

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar wants to get the balance between club and country right.

Tom Banks attacks for the Brumbies against the Sunwolves in Canberra on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar wants to get the balance between club and country right following his tussle over players with Wallabies boss Michael Cheika.

The first-year coach made a stand for rugby in ACT by rejecting Cheika’s request to rest David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa for the Super Rugby game against the Sunwolves on Sunday.

McKellar admitted it had been a difficult week, but he was glad the trio got through the game unscathed as the Wallabies gear up to play Ireland in Brisbane this Saturday.

“We want the Wallabies doing well so it hasn’t been a great week there and hopefully Michael (Cheika), ‘Bernie’ (assistant coach Stephen Larkham) and the boys get them in one piece and have a really good week of preparation,” McKellar said.

“I think what’s important this week is that our members, stakeholders know, whilst we care about the Wallabies and want them to do well, we want to make sure we present the best version of the Brumbies at every possible opportunity.”

The crowd of 9521 at GIO Stadium roared as Pocock and Sio were taken to the bench in the 55th minute with victory against the Japanese team all but secured. Alaalatoa followed them only minutes later and the trio flew north to join the Wallabies camp yesterday.

Joining them on the flight were fellow Brumbies Tom Banks, Joe Powell and Tevita Kuridrani, while Rory Arnold and young hooker Folau Fainga’a are also in the Wallabies squad but missed the match against the Sunwolves through suspension.

It was Banks who again caught the eye after bolting into Cheika’s team. After scoring a sensational running try in South Africa against the Bulls, the Sunwolves were on the end of some more individual brilliance from the 23-year-old from Brisbane. While not quite as flashy as his effort in Pretoria, the fullback is getting reward for effort.

“He’s (Banks) choc full of confidence at the moment and so he should be because he’s performed really well,” McKellar said on Sunday.

“He’s worked hard on his game, scored another good try tonight so he’s got a bright future.”

AAP