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Code-hopper's first touch in Test rugby union 'pretty much what dreams are made of'

Tom Wright (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Winger Tom Wright had to bide his time for a Test debut under new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie but needed only two minutes to make an impression against the All Blacks.

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The 23-year-old Brumbies player had visualised his first involvement in the days leading up to Saturday’s 24-22 win at Suncorp Stadium, but could scarcely believe his luck when the moment came a few metres from the goal-line.

A set play from a lineout saw five-eighth Reece Hodge place a chip kick in the path of Tom Banks who ran onto the ball and flung a pass out wide to Wright.

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Codie Taylor talks about losing to the All Blacks…

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    Codie Taylor talks about losing to the All Blacks…

    With cool composure, Wright wrongfooted opposing winger Sevu Reece and cantered over for a try with his first touch in Test rugby.

    “Obviously that’s pretty much what dreams are made of,” Wright said.

    “When it gets put on a platter for you like that, it doesn’t get much better.”

    Having opened the scoring, nothing was going to prevent Wright from savouring a fine debut, not even the shoulder of Ofa Tu’ungafasi which clobbered into his jaw in the 23rd minute and led to a red card for the All Blacks forward.

    Wright was back on his feet quickly, though, and menaced the All Blacks defence with a number of impressive carries through the match.

    Overlooked by Rennie for the first three Bledisloe Cup clashes, Wright was thrilled to play a part in his Brumbies teammate James Slipper’s 100th test in his home state of Queensland.

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    “Representing your country is extremely special for me … and I’m just so pleased to win for someone like Slip,” he said.

    Wright will hope to earn a second cap against Argentina in the Wallabies’ next Tri-Nations clash, in Newcastle on November 21.

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    Comments on RugbyPass

    C
    Cantab 8 days ago
    Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

    Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

    4 Go to comments
    J
    James 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

    I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


    Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

    37 Go to comments
    R
    RedWarriors 8 days ago
    'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

    I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

    Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

    Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

    Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

    91 Go to comments
    J
    JM 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

    Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

    I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

    Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

    I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

    37 Go to comments
    R
    RedWarriors 8 days ago
    'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

    He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

    Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

    4 Go to comments
    O
    OJohn 8 days ago
    Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

    Hooray

    0 Go to comments
    C
    Carlos 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    He was also a YC magnet.

    37 Go to comments
    C
    Carlos 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

    37 Go to comments
    S
    Solenn Bonnet 8 days ago
    Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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    0 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

    37 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

    37 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


    Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

    37 Go to comments
    B
    BC 8 days ago
    Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

    I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

    1 Go to comments
    O
    Otagoman II 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    👍

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 8 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Hang on to Miz Carlos!

    37 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ ‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’ ‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’
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