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From injury disaster to international comeback: The Wallabies rookie primed for return to test arena

By AAP
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese feared history was repeating itself when he hurt his shoulder in his final game of the Super Rugby AU season, jeopardising his hopes of playing in the Bledisloe Cup.

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In 2018 Uelese was first-choice rake for Australia in their Ireland series but suffered a serious knee injury while turning out for Melbourne in the last round.

This time luck was on his side with the 23-year-old one of four hookers available for Wallabies selection for the opening test in Wellington on October 11.

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“When I got that injury against the Reds the day before we went into camp it was a bit of de ja vu back to when I did my ACL at Eden Park the day before we went into camp for that Ireland series,” Uelese said on Tuesday.

“It’s been a blessing this year – I’ve finally got a lot of minutes under my belt as I haven’t had the best run.”

That injury run has limited Uelese to just nine caps since his 2017 debut but his consistent game time with the Rebels has him primed for a big international season.

“Those minutes give you more confidence going in but obviously with four hookers in the team training is going to be huge,” he said.

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Uelese says the Wallabies’ appointment of Melbourne’s forward coach Geoff Parling could give him a “head-start” given their short build-up to the first test, compounded by three days in lockdown in their Christchurch hotel.

Arriving late Friday night, they will hit the training paddock for the first time on Tuesday afternoon.

Uelese was born and raised in Wellington before shifting to Melbourne in 2008 and said he was excited to see some family, including some of his four brothers.

He has had to make do with his Rebels brethren, with the players away from Melbourne since June to play Super Rugby AU and now test matches.

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Uelese said the nine Rebels players within the Wallabies had become tight and he hoped the bond could transfer to the Wallabies.

“You go through your troughs and highs but being with the Wallabies and having the chance to make history and win the Bledisloe outweigh the home sickness,” he said.

“It’s been tough but you make a new family and these boys are my brothers now.

“These are the guys you rely on on the field so you’ve got to build those bonds off the field so that’s a positive.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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