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'Being over here and the opportunities I've had have swayed that dream' - Son of Wallaby legend on the brink of Brave Blossoms selection

17 Feb 2021

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Jack Cornelsen’s father Greg made rugby history for the Wallabies but, as he prepares for a fourth season in Japan, the 26-year-old forward is eyeing a Test jersey of a different colour.

Japan’s Top League will begin on Saturday after a month-long COVID-19 delay with Cornelsen’s Panasonic Wild Knights to face the Ricoh Black Rams in Tokyo.

The back-rower is one of 30 Australians set to play in the 16-team competition this season – with Wallabies captain Michael Hooper among 10 of those who have played in the green and gold at senior level.

Wayne Pivac on Louis Rees-Zammit and England rugby | Six Nations 2021

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Wayne Pivac on Louis Rees-Zammit and England rugby | Six Nations 2021

Ned Hanigan, Will Genia, and Quade Cooper are also in Japan but playing in the country’s second-tier Challenge League.

Greg Cornelsen’s historic four-try haul at Eden Park in 1978 – a feat no man had ever achieved against the All Blacks – is still firmly etched in rugby minds across both sides of the Tasman.

Ex-All Blacks captain Kieran Read is set to team up with Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper for the first time ever this weekend.https://t.co/IJoavqmNPD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 17, 2021

A Gold Coast junior, Jack Cornelsen said he always dreamed of following his father and fellow No.8’s path to the Wallabies.

But a two-week trial at Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights in 2017 changed all that.

Now eligible for Test selection for Japan, Cornelsen admits his priorities have shifted as a berth with the Brave Blossoms beckons.

“Growing up in Australia it is your dream to play for the Wallabies, but being over here and the opportunities I’ve had have swayed that dream at the moment,” he told AAP.

“But yeah I’m prepared (sacrifice a shot at playing for the Wallabies by playing for Japan) … I was playing club rugby in Brisbane and it was just a two-week trial to start with, but then I realised I really do like this and it’s a decision I’ve loved now.”

Importantly he has his father’s blessing, even if it means Cornelsen is lining up against the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup in France.

“He’s always been supportive with anything like that, and was probably the one that said originally, when the opportunity came up, to just go and take it and see what happens,” Cornelsen said.

“Looking from the outside in, Japan are a top-tier team and while COVID has changed things lately I’ve loved living here; the people, culture and the food.”

Former Wallabies coach Deans has been at the helm of Panasonic since 2014 and the competition is set for more Australian eyeballs than ever as Hooper joins former All Blacks captain Kieran Read at Toyota Verblitz.

“I’ve played with David Pocock and Berrick Barnes (at Panasonic) and every week you come up against world class players,” Cornelsen said.

“It’s been awesome and everyone adds their little touch from where they come from, so it only helps us to pick up more stuff.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

MichaelT4 15 minutes ago

Mick Cleary: 'England are back among the heavyweights.'

In fairness to Borthwick he has done a good job of blooding youngsters already himself in matches against the top tier teams. Fin Baxter starting against New Zealand last summer, Cunningham-South too. Fin Smith this year. The squad depth is impressive when you also consider Furbank, Underhill, IFW and George Martin can come back in.

If, and its a big if, Borthwicks plan is to create 30 odd test players then he is going about it quite well. Fingers crossed.

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ZamaZama 18 minutes ago

Easterby hits back at France's conduct in the wake of Dupont injury

Once again the whining schoolboy wants to tell everyone how to behave. What a 💩

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RedWarriors 36 minutes ago

Easterby hits back at France's conduct in the wake of Dupont injury

He publicly demanded that the Irish players should be cited and declared their actions reprehensible. The obvious implication is that the referee has made grave errors and that the ‘culprits’ and ‘butchers’ of Dupont were not reprimanded. Of course he publicly stated that he didn’t blame the referee. Ofcourse his meaning was clear and the evidence is collective rage by the French public against the referee. This is dishonest and cowardice by Galthie. The two Irish players he attacked then received threats to their safety by French ‘supporters’.

We know that France have more suspensions for dangerous tackles than all other six nations combined under Galthie.

We know that he publicly lied about the ‘injustice’ of the Ntamack v Ringrose bans. He knew the difference, he acknowledged it in his evidence for Ntamack and he knew that French players had benefitted more than any others over both cases in previous years.

The last thing rugby needs is trial by media by mini Trumps who are only interested in cheating for their own country and disguising their own short comings.

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MichaelT4 46 minutes ago

Six Nations report card: Each team graded from A to F

I definitely watched the game - England did stun them by winning, no one expected that. Not Englands fault that France dropped the ball - figuratively and literally - and it was England who then outscored them and out scrummed them and battered their big forwards back several times. England arent given enough credit for that win. Game of the tournament. Ireland v France wasnt a game by the second half, it was one-way.

For the Scotland game they were lucky Russell missed his kicks, but Scotland should have had a red card for the head contact from the winger on Chessum. No arms, jumped up and first contact was with the head. Evens out on the luck front.

Not sure England deserve an A that this article gives them, should be reserved for the winner, but they won their games by scoring more points. If another team had the same tournament as England, they would be lauded for their character and grit.

2 Go to comments

JB 1 hour ago

Six Nations report card: Each team graded from A to F

Re England … “they stunned France …”

Really? Were we watching the same game? France left at least 3 tries begging, none of which were due to England’s defense - they should have been out of sight by half time.

For me, it was more France losing the game than England winning it.

France were stunned, yes, but by themselves

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TI 1 hour ago

Lions selection: 3 winners and losers from each country

Hugo Keenan played well in games where Ireland didn’t. I think he should be listed as a winner instead of Beirne, or Sheehan, who were always going to go.

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Chelsey Kate 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

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fl 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

It will be interesting to see how developmental the summer squad is. Given how much consistency of selection there was throughout 2024 and the early part of 2025, I wonder if Borthwick’s suddenly erratic teamsheets were an attempt to build enough depth to play almost solely first team players against Argentina.

E.g. if Freeman and Furbank both go to Australia (which I think would be unlikely) England could still field a back three of Marcus Smith, Roebuck, and Feyi-Waboso, with Steward, Daly, Sleightholme, and Murley also in the squad. Similarly if both Curry brothers and Ben Earl all go (which I think would be similarly unlikely) England could still select Tom Willis, Underhill, and Cunningham-South in the back row. Hardly a developmental lineup! There would have to be newer and less experienced players brought in in the second row and at centre, but even here there could be starting partnerships of Martin & Coles and Dingwall & Daly.

I think there’s a good chance England’s progress will be built on directly in Argentina.

36 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

The big concern for me is that our 13 forwards are at a big disadvantage against their 15.

36 Go to comments

Otagoman II 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

They had an average game against a Hurricanes side that was marginally better. They were poor protecting their ball and blew many promising attacking raids. Tangitau did his best to win the game by himself with a 85 metre intercept try and a a quick tap kick ahead that resulted in another. Highlanders scored no phase play tries. Joseph said that their attack was basically too conservative playing one out and that the support should of been better. They will need to do better with their attack this saturday as the Reds have plenty of points in them with quick ball.

36 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?