Tom Wright backs himself in race for Wallabies wing berth

Brumbies winger Tom Wright is the latest young player to forgo more lucrative offers overseas to recommit to Australia.

Brumbies winger Tom Wright evades the tackle of NSW’s Jack Maddocks in a Super Rugby AU match last month. Picture: Getty Images

The Wallabies jersey appears to have lost none of its magnetic pull with Brumbies winger Tom Wright the latest young player to forgo more lucrative offers overseas to recommit to Australia in the hope of playing Test rugby.

Wright has been one the breakthrough players in the Brumbies backline this year and it would come as no surprise if he figured in the Wallabies set-up for this year’s four-Test Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks.

Young Reds winger Filipo ­Daugunu began the trend in June when he turned down a $2m deal over three years with a Japanese Top League club to pursue a Wallabies jersey.

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Ironically, he is one of a number of young contenders all pressing for the one wing berth, along with Wright, the Waratahs’ James Ramm, the Western Force’s Bryon Ralston and, depending how the fullback position works out, Tom Banks, Jack Maddocks and Jock Campbell. Marika Koroibete, last year’s John Eales Medallist, would appear to have the other wing spot sewn up.

Test centre contender Hunter Paisami, who looks like missing only one match for Queensland after straining knee ligaments against the Rebels on Saturday, was the next critical signing to ­follow, while Melbourne believes it is close to retaining Jordan ­Uelese, the reserve Wallabies hooker for every World Cup match last year, and fast-rising prop Pone Fa’amausili.

There have been overseas clubs circling Fa’amausili — demonstrating how vitally ­important a reliable tighthead is to any side — but indications are that he wants to remain in Australia and the Rebels are certainly keen to retain him.

Reds winger Filipo Daugunu turned down a $2m offer to play in Japan. Picture: Getty Images

Wright has re-signed with the Brumbies for one year only but that would seem to be merely an indication of his confidence in his own ability.

“Beyond next year will take care of itself, but I certainly plan to be in Canberra for a long time,” Wright said.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was delighted that the 23-year-old had recommitted to the Canberra club, especially after he and assistant coach Peter Hewat had spoken with Wright about his opportunities and all three arrived at the same conclusion — it was time for him to give the centres away and concentrate on his wing play.

“He’s a genuine game-changer, someone who can cut open a ­defence at any time and, for a young man, his communication on the field and just how he conducts himself in our environment is a real positive,” McKellar said. “Off the field, he’s a really popular member of the squad and we hope to see him in a Brumbies jersey and even potentially Wallaby gold for years to come.”

Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson said Wright’s exceptional form over the past 18 months had not gone unnoticed.

“Nothing is guaranteed around future honours though and Tom is fully aware he has to continue to knuckle down and work hard to earn that gold jersey,” he said.

Suddenly, and somewhat surprisingly, the Wallabies jersey is coming within range for young Waratahs playmaker Will Harrison. Certainly at the start of the Super Rugby AU competition, most critics had pretty much agreed that Harrison would play for Australia but not this season.

Now they have been forced into a rethink. At his present rate of improvement, a Test debut might come this year.

“It has been mentioned many times through the media that he is one to watch,” said Waratahs assistant coach Matt Cockbain yesterday. “Maturity can come in stages, I think. You might not see anything for a few games but then he will string a few games together where you can see he has learnt from that. You can definitely see the learning process continuing with him.

“He is by no means the finished article but his decision-making is improving and his goalkicking has been world-class. And his defence has improved as well. He was going high but now he is going lower and chopping those big guys and getting them on the ground.”

Most of all, Harrison has impressed with his courage and he certainly looms as a key player for NSW in its showdown with the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday night.