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Wallabies bring in injury-free James O'Connor for Pumas skirmish

Nic White and James O'Connor. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has detailed his no-handout selection policy after resisting the urge to unleash Sean McMahon on international rugby again in Saturday’s Test against Argentina.

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The Japan-based flanker will watch from outside the 23 for the third-straight weekend since joining the squad despite being eligible to play his first Test since 2017 thanks to the relaxation of the Giteau Law.

Rennie also resisted any urge to reinstate No 8 Harry Wilson after he played every Test last year, just like centre Hunter Paisami who is another currently able to find a way back into the 23.

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Instead, Rob Leota earned his first start, replacing No 6 Lachie Swinton, and Rob Valetini has kept his spot alongside captain Michael Hooper in the backrow for Townsville’s first Wallabies Test.

Fit-again James O’Connor will return on the bench for his first Test this year, Reece Hodge replacing Tom Banks at fullback after the incumbent broke his arm in the defeat of South Africa last week.

The consistency is by design for Rennie, who is seeing improvements as the new world number three side eyes their first three-match winning streak since 2017.

“The All Blacks can rotate guys and don’t lose a lot and that’s where we want to get to,” Rennie said.

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“But our mindset is more around ‘you’ve got to earn the right to wear the jersey’.

“Our mindset is that we’re going to put out the best 15 we can.

“It’s around growing our game at the moment and we’re well conditioned now, our skill set’s improving and our game awareness has been better too.”

Rennie said Wilson and Queensland Reds flanking partner Fraser McReight were unfortunate victims of the side’s renewed depth and, with the more versatile Pete Samu providing cover on the bench, their only way into the side was as starters.

“Harry’s been training the house down … you can’t fault those men,” Rennie said.

“In Fraser’s case he’s got the skipper [Michael Hooper] in front of him, but his attitude has been fantastic and likewise with Harry.

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“We’ve got genuine competition for places, creating depth and you can only fit so many in and Harry’s very close but we think Rob deserves a crack.”

Rennie said Leota’s strong running game would serve the Wallabies well, where the dropped Swinton’s prowess in the line-out may not be as crucial as it was against the Springboks.

And he said McMahon would need to be patient with Leota mounting a case the coach simply couldn’t refuse.

“Big man, good ball carrier and has trained very well and been very close to selection in the past,” Rennie said of the imposing Victorian.

“(Sean’s) worked really hard, got himself in good nick and will continue to press, but we’re pretty keen to reward Rob.”

O’Connor will provide backline cover for Hodge and No 10 Quade Cooper, Rennie admitting the playmaker may not have the speed of a typical fullback but could make up for it with his kicking and organisational skills.

The Wallabies will wear their First Nations jersey at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, in what will also be their first Test match in Townsville.

Wallabies: Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Leota, Matt Philip, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper. Bench: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia.

– Murray Wenzel

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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