Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt outlines captaincy plans for future
Wallabies hopefuls will have more to play for in the final five rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season as new coach Joe Schmidt outlines the coveted captaincy is up for grabs.
Australia’s Super Rugby players have been given the ultimate incentive to raise their game over the final five regular rounds, with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt revealing he is set to choose his first captain and team solely from local shores.
While Schmidt has the ability to select three overseas-based players under the Giteau law, including incumbent captain Will Skelton and star winger Marika Koroibete, the Wallabies boss wants to give opportunities to those in Australia for the July Tests against Wales and Georgia.
That also means there could be a new leader of the Wallabies emerging over the next few weeks.
“Captaincy is open, because like all the decisions around selection, it’s not one I’ll make in isolation,” Schmidt told this masthead.
“There’s some really good rugby brains and people with great experience in the coaching group, and that’s something we haven’t even discussed as yet.
“We’ve talked about players and combinations, but we haven’t really broached the subject yet.”
Skelton is playing in France and unlikely to be considered for the two Tests against Wales and one against Georgia. Dave Porecki, who deputised for Skelton during last year’s World Cup, has been sidelined from Super with injury.
There are a number of contenders in the frame, including Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, prop James Slipper and Reds halfback Tate McDermott, or left field options including Rebels back Andrew Kellaway, Brumbies backrower Rob Valetini or Reds skipper Liam Wright.
Schmidt is looking for the right man to emerge over the next few weeks to lead what will be a fresh team desperate to move on from the Eddie Jones era and World Cup disaster.
For Super players, consistency will be the key to winning a gold jersey.
“For a guy to play seven or eight out of 10 on a consistent basis, it’s important there’s always a context to it,” Schmidt said.
“If a team is struggling, and a player is getting ball on the back foot under pressure all the time, our expectations have got to be realistic around how they perform. Obviously if they still perform on the back foot, then that’s getting up around the eight or nine out of 10 because it’s tougher to do.”
Schmidt is determined to reward those who’ve stayed loyal to Australian rugby, as a raft of stars have either moved or will move overseas after this season.
“We’ve always been consistent in the messaging around prioritising the players who are playing locally,” Schmidt said.
“It looks like we’re a little bit more competitive in Super Rugby this year, we want to be more and more competitive in Super Rugby, and you don’t do that if the best players don’t stay and commit to play in the Super Rugby teams that are based here.
“We want people who come to the Super Rugby games to see the best players we’ve got, not to watch them in European games or in the Top League from a distance.
“If that’s going to be a priority for us, then we do definitely want to select from what is currently available in Australia.”
That will put every Super Rugby Pacific star on notice, with all five Australian teams still in the running to finish in the top eight and play in the finals.
“We started with a list that was about three deep in every position and that list has been jumbled around,” Schmidt said.
“Names have appeared on the bottom of it and the list has grown.
“That’s confusing a little bit for me, and makes more work because I’m trying to track different players, but it’s exciting for all the coaches.”
Schmidt, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday to announce the Wallabies will play three afternoon home Tests in 2024, said he wouldn’t know his best starting XV until the end of the year.
“When you learn most around players and selection is when you’ve had time with them,” Schmidt said.
“I’m looking forward to the end-of-year tour to have a little bit more time with them.
“It’s probably facetious to say early December but that’s when we’ll get a bit more growth from the team.
“Through these early games we’ll know our best available 15 when we name it to play Wales.
“We’re taking it one step at a time but we want to be really competitive from the first kick-off.
“We want to be as competitive as we can be when the Lions arrive – that’s my massive target, that’s the pinnacle that’s next up.”
The Wallabies’ Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks on August 10 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will start at 2.45pm, while their September 21 Bledisloe Cup battle with New Zealand at Sydney’s Accor Stadium kicks off at 3.45pm.
Australia’s July 20 clash with Georgia in Sydney will also be played in the afternoon, starting at 3.45pm.
SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC
ROUND 11
FRIDAY MAY 3
HURRICANES v WARATAHS, 5.05PM
The top of the table Hurricanes will be looking to put their first loss of the season last week against the Brumbies when they host the Waratahs in Wellington. The visitors will trial a new back three with Max Jorgensen making way for Dylan Pietch.
NSW Waratahs
15. Mark Nawaqanitawase 14. Triston Reilly 13. Izaia Perese 12. Lalakai Foketi 11. Dylan Pietsch 10. Will Harrison 9. Jake Gordon (c) 8. Langi Gleeson 7. Hunter Ward 6. Lachlan Swinton 5. Fergus Lee-Warner 4. Hugh Sinclair 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes 2. Julian Heaven 1. Hayden Thompson-Stringer.
Reserves: 16. Jay Fonokalafi 17. Lewis Ponini 18. Brad Amituanai 19. Miles Amatosero 20. Charlie Gamble 21. Jack Grant 22. Tane Edmed 23. Vuate Karawalevu.
REBELS v BLUES, 7.35PM
Captain Rob Leota returns to the starting side as the Rebels look to bounce back against the second placed Blues in Melbourne. With such a tight table, this match could have major finals ramifications.
Melbourne Rebels
15. Andrew Kellaway 14. Filipo Daugunu 13. Matt Proctor 12. David Feliuai 11. Darby Lancaster 10. Carter Gordon 9. Ryan Louwrens 8. Rob Leota (c) 7. Vaiolini Ekuasi 6. Josh Kemeny 5. Josh Canham 4. Angelo Smith 3. Taniela Tupou 2. Jordan Uelese 1. Isaac Kailea.
Reserves: 16. Ethan Dobbins 17. Matt Gibbon 18. Sam Talakai 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima 20. Maciu Nabolakasi 21. Jack Maunder 22. Jake Strachan 23. Lachie Anderson.
SATURDAY, MAY 4
MOANA PASIFIKA v HIGHLANDERS, 12.05PM
Moana Pasifika will make history, playing their first game in Tonga against the Highlanders.
CRUSADERS v REDS, 2.35PM
The return of Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight is one of four changes to the Reds starting side for this crucial clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch. The Crusaders will be flying high following a comprehensive win over the Rebels while the Reds are hoping to bounce back following a loss to the Blues.
Queensland Reds
15. Jock Campbell 14. Tim Ryan 13. Josh Flook 12. Hunter Paisami 11. Mac Grealy 10. Lawson Creighton 9. Kalani Thomas 8. Harry Wilson 7. Fraser McReight 6. Liam Wright (c) 5. Angus Blyth 4. Ryan Smith 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2. Matt Faessler 1. Peni Ravai.
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser 17. Sef Fa’agase 18. Zane Nonggorr 19. Connor Vest 20. John Bryant 21. Louis Werchon 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 23. Suliasi Vunivalu.
CHIEFS v FORCE, 5.05PM
Captain Jeremy Williams and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will return to the Force’s starting XV who will be desperate for victory against the fourth place Chiefs in Waikato.
Western Force
15. Kurtley Beale 14. Bayley Kuenzle 13. Sam Spink 12. Hamish Stewart 11. Chase Tiatia 10. Ben Donaldson 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa 8. Reed Prinsep 7. Carlo Tizzano 6. Will Harris 5. Jeremy Williams (c) 4. Tom Franklin 3. Santiago Medrano 2. Tom Horton 1. Josh Bartlett.
Reserves: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u 17. Marley Pearce 18. Tiaan Tauakipulu 19. Izack Rodda 20. Michael Wells 21. Henry Robertson 22. Max Burey 23. Henry O’Donnell.
BRUMBIES v FIJIAN DRUA, 7.35PM
The Brumbies are flying high after a massive win against the competition leading Hurricanes last week. Injury has forced coach Stephen Larkham to make major changes to the home side who are eyeing a top two-spot when they host the Drua in Canberra.
Brumbies
15. Tom Wright 14. Andy Muirhead 13. Len Ikitau 12. Tamati Tua 11. Ollie Sapsford 10. Noah Lolesio 9. Harrison Goddard 8. Rob Valetini 7. Rory Scott 6. Jahrome Brown 5. Tom Hooper 4. Nick Frost 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) 2. Connal McInerney 1. James Slipper.
Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard 17. Harry Vella 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Darcy Swain 20. Luke Reimer 21. Ryan Lonergan 22. Declan Meredith 23. Hudson Creighton.
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