The new season of Rugby is here and players will be using Super Rugby Pacific to stake their claims for higher honours.
The Wallabies have witnessed an influx of talent over the past 18 months as the likes of Valetini, McDermott, Bell, Kaitu'u and Leota have been rewarded for dominant domestic form with a regular spot in the national side.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au looks at 12 players looking to impress coach Dave Rennie and join the expanding list of Wallabies in 2022.
CRITERIA:
- Players must not have featured for the Wallabies
- They must have missed selection for either Spring Tour or the Rugby Championship
There are a bunch of exciting talent who are in line for breakout seasons that are either just on the outer with selectors and/or Rennie has made it clear they are in his plans for the future. This includes (but not limited to):
Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, the Lonergan brothers, Liam Wright, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Matt To'omua, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lalakai Foketi, Jed Holloway, Tom Robertson, Pone Fa'amausili, Nick Frost
HONOURABLE MENTION: Reesjan Pasitoa - Pasitoa has all the skills to shine in Super Rugby Pacific and his omission speaks to the depth currently within the flyhalf position in the country. It's his lack of experience as a starter and the presence of two other players on this list that just keeps him off it, however, it would not be surprising to see him named in the next 12 months.
1.Caderyn Neville
The experienced Neville has always found himself within reach of a gold jersey, however, the debut cap seems to elude him.
In a pack including Darcy Swain and Nick Frost, the 33-year-old is the engine driving the tight-five and doesn't get enough credit for his work on and off the ball.
Neville earned a call-up for the first training squad in 2021 and was expected to be named for the France series, however, a shoulder injury derailed his season.
From all reports in Canberra, Neville has used the pre-season to upskill his ball work and if he can make that a consistent feature, there's no reason why he can't reclaim his spot on the pecking order.
2. Andy Muirhead
Muirhead was one of the breakout talents of 2021, rewarded for his consistent performances with a Wallabies call-up.
He found himself on the verge of selection on a number of occasions before just missing out as the likes of Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright took their chances.
The 28-year-old will be better for the time in camp and will look to excel in a Brumbies backline lathered with Wallabies.
3. Tim Anstee
Anstee is another who emerged on the selection radar for the Wallabies but found himself out of the squad by the time France arrived down under.
The 24-year-old has another year in the Force system with a singular focus on the 15-a-side game and has reportedly put on 8kgs as he shifts to number eight.
His Sevens background gives him the unique skill set to become a real x-factor in Super Rugby Pacific and he should get the chance to show that as part of a dominant Force pack.
4. Fergus Lee-Warner
It's not a stretch to suggest Fergus Lee-Warner might be the most under-rated player in Australian Rugby.
Lee-Warner is as consistent as they come for the Force, with his ability to cover across the back-row as invaluable as his incredible work ethic.
The workhorse will continue to lead from the front and has the chance to truly take that next step in 2022.
5. Toni Pulu
Toni Pulu is another who can consider himself unlucky to miss selection in 2021, floated as a bolter for the France series before succumbing to injury.
This seemed to sum up his season, showing glimpses of his damaging speed and power before either injury or suspension derailed his season.
Under new attacking coach Paul Ozich, expect Pulu and new recruit Manasa Mataele to feature heavily in their set plays and if they manage to feed him consistent ball, he will be a major threat.
6. Carter Gordon
Gordon has been given the keys to the Rebels offence after slotting in seamlessly during Trans-Tasman and will be looking to build.
The 21-year-old showed his class against the Chiefs, producing a perfect grubber and flick pass to Stacey Ili for a wonderful try.
With another pre-season under his belt, Gordon is one of the more exciting prospects in Australian Rugby and has the capacity to follow Noah Lolesio and push for Wallaby selection in his first full year as Rebels starter.
He has worked under Ryan Martin to develop his ball skills and has bulked up to deal with the rigours of Super Rugby.
7. Cameron Orr
Orr has flourished since joining the Rebels in 2020, establishing himself as a mainstay of their pack.
The 26-year-old was rewarded for his efforts with a call-up to the Wallabies squad for the French series when Scott Sio went down with injury.
Orr is more than capable of stepping up to the international stage if called upon and will be keen to show his talent alongside fellow Wallaby prospects Jordan Uelese and Pone Fa'amausili.
8. Jock Campbell
Campbell is a fan favourite, with many already questioning what he has to do to get a spot in the Wallabies squad.
The fullback would have very much been in pole position for a call-up after Tom Banks' injury had it not been for his own lingering groin injuries during Super Rugby AU and Trans-Tasman.
Brad Thorn has backed him to shine at the back despite rumours of Jordan Petaia wanting to be trialled there by the Wallabies, providing the perfect opportunity for Campbell to impress the coaching staff.
9. Angus Scott-Young
Scott-Young was a surprise omission from the national set-up, which is probably reflective of the current back row stocks within Queensland and Australian Rugby.
Not content with his position, the part-time designer made the trip over the Tasman, featuring for Bay of Plenty in the NPC.
He left New Zealand with plenty of confidence and BoP's Warrior of the Year award, eager to show off his development and lock down a starting spot for his state before pushing for the national side.
READ MORE:
TEAMS: All the teams for round one
STEPPING UP: Pasitoa to lead Force
WHAT ABILITY: Bell thrives on and off the field
10. Alex Mafi
With hooker still up for grabs, Mafi has the capabilities to make the jersey his own as he steps into the void left by Brandon Paenga-Amosa's departure.
Mafi was held back in 2021 due to injury and would've likely been capped if he wasn't, adding further motivation ahead of Super Rugby Pacific.
The 25-year-old is in a perfect position to impress as part of a Wallaby-lathered pack and will go a long way to rising up the ranks with a solid start to the season.
11. Dave Porecki
Speaking of injury-affected hookers, Porecki has all the skills necessary to excel at the International level.
In a common theme for this list, the 29-year-old was in line for a call-up before splitting his calf muscle in half in the last two rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
He has shown no signs of that in pre-season and has the chance to make a statement with the Waratahs against the Fijian Drua.
12. Ben Donaldson
Donaldson's development over the past 12 months makes him one of the most exciting and intriguing players heading into Super Rugby Pacific.
His trial form has been incredible and is showing the fruits of a full pre-season after injuries derailed the start of 2021.
The 22-year-old has the class and skill set to lead the Waratahs into a new era and will be centre stage if they start the season off strong.
