It was the question all pre-season at the Brumbies: Who would replace Christian Lealiifano and wear the No.10 jersey in 2020?
In the end, Noah Lolesio won the race to fill the void left by the inspirational captain and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. But the 20-year-old’s hamstring injury against the Waratahs on Saturday has suddenly opened the door for another rising star, Bayley Kuenzle, to show his worth.
SUPER RUGBY AU TEAMS: ROUND FOUR LINE-UPS HERE
Kuenzle, 22, whose 78th minute match-winning conversion saw the Brumbies to a 24-23 win in Sydney, will make his debut start after a handful of appearances off the bench in his debut season against the Force on Saturday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar didn’t hesitate in handing the straight-running playmaker his debut start in the absence of Lolesio and said he and attack coach Peter Hewat had spent the week making sure Kuenzle knows his job.
“There were plenty of learnings for ‘BK’ out of that game (against the Waratahs) and we’ve spent a lot of time with him this week as coaches and just reassuring him really,” McKellar told reporters on Thursday.
“Noah’s played six or seven more games than BK, there wasn’t much between them during the NRC and pre-season this year, so it’s his opportunity now and we’ve got full confidence in him.
“He’s a good footballer, who brings a difference skill-set, he’s a bigger body, very good running game, plays nice and square and can challenge any defense and with his size, his offload and second touches off the back of it (are dangerous).
“He’ll do a good job BK, he’s just got to play his role and not think that he has to do anything else and do it really well.”
Lolesio, who was included in Dave Rennie’s Players of National Interest Wallabies squad, is expected to miss up to eight weeks with his hamstring injury.
The disappointment was painted all over the talented playmaker’s face on Saturday as he sat a despondent figure on the sidelines of the Olympic Stadium.
But McKellar said the injured enforced time on the sidelines could help his physical development.
“The disappointment was there for all to see on Saturday night,” McKellar said.
“A hamstring you pretty much know straight away.
“(But) he’s been good. You’ve just got to accept it. It’s eight weeks, he hasn’t done his ACL so there’s still a lot of positivity for him and plenty of football for him 2020, so it’s about using the next eight weeks to work on his game.
“Can he get a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, can he improve his core skills? That’s the mindset you’ve got to have.
“Whilst there’s disappointment, feeling sorry isn’t going to get you anywhere, he knows that, and he’ll work hard over the next period of time.”
Kuenzle was one of five changes to the starting side to face the Force, with Scott Sio, Darcy Swain, Will Miller and Solomone Kata each being promoted.
While the Brumbies were far from their best against the Waratahs, McKellar said that his side’s ability to grind out a win showcased their improving resilience and winning mind-set.
“We talk a lot about a winning mindset,” the third-year head coach said.
“We would have lost that game 12 months ago, there’s no doubt…
“Perfection is unrealistic, the opposition were very good on Saturday night, they put us under pressure, in particular, around set-piece and we had to find a way and we managed to do that, which is pleasing, that’s the growth of this team.
“We’ve been so reliant in the past (on our lineout). If our lineout hasn’t functioned well then there’s been games we’ve just fallen away and capitulated, to do dig our way out of that, against a good side in Sydney, off the back of the challenges we had pre-game, is very pleasing.”
Meanwhile, McKellar said that the Brumbies were giving the Force “full respect” after Tim Sampson’s men from the West gave both the Reds and Waratahs big scares over the past two weeks, after running out to 14-nil leads before being overrun in the second-half.
The Force take on the Brumbies on Saturday July 25 at Leichhardt Oval, kicking off at 7:15pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here. Buy a Kayo subscription here.
