Teammates praise Coleman's leadership evolution

Mon, Jun 11, 2018, 8:00 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Wallabies veteran Sekope Kepu says the emergence of young props in the country has elevated everyone's game.

Wallabies lock Adam Coleman has impressed teammates with a growing sense of maturity in 2018.

Coleman has established himself as a first-choice Wallabies lock since making his Test debut in 2016, but this season, after being installed as Rebels captain, the 26-year-old has made himself a leadership asset too.

A late hit from Coleman prevented an Israel Folau try from being awarded in Brisbane but the second rower didn’t let that affect the rest of his match.

That in itself was a sign of his greater composure these days, tighthead Sekope Kepu said.

 

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“Obviously you don't need to tell anybody that's just made a mistake and make them feel more bad about themselves,” he said.

“He knew - I was speaking to him after the game - he knew that he was a bit dirty with himself, but he dusted off and he moved back, got back into the line and whatever it was and got on with his job.

“That does show a bit of maturity and I could see that from just playing against him down at the Rebels and being in camp now, I've seen that he's really growing into that leadership role and something that he's done really well and added to his game.”

Coleman’s Rebels and Wallabies teammate Dane Haylett-Petty, who also played with him at the Force, said he had noticed his evolution this year.

“That's been the biggest area of growth, him taking over as captain of the Rebels this year, he's just learned so much and grown so much in that role,” he said.

“He's always been a world-class rugby player but his leadership has come a long way at the Rebels and now it's starting to transfer, it's only one game of Wallabies, but starting to see it in training and out on the field.”


Though he might have developed more of a cool head in games, Haylett-Petty said he didn’t expect Coleman to surrender any of the abrasiveness that has made him an integral part of the Wallabies.

“I don't think he'll ever really lose that aggression, he's a pretty fiery guy,” he said.

Coleman’s maturity reflected that of the wider Wallabies team in Brisbane, in their reaction to that call and some mistakes, things that Kepu said would have rattled the side in the past.

“Our leaders really took the game into their hands and directed us really well,” he said.

“In the past we may have got a bit rattled, especially with the try that was disallowed but I thought the boys fought back hard, even though I wasn't on the field and just regrouped, kept their composure and just kept coming back and showed that fight.”

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa sat out training on Monday, while David Pocock and Izack Rodda were on lighter loads.

Flanker Ned Hanigan is a chance of playing in the second Test, running freely in his recovery from a knee injury.

The Wallabies take on Ireland in their second June Test on Saturday June 16, kicking off at 8:05pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Channel Ten and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.

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