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'No one has nailed down the position': Wallaby eager to prove himself

Jock Campbell attacks the French defence for the Wallabies. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

This year’s Rugby World Cup in France is still eight months away, but the Wallabies have already begun to prepare for what promises to be the most competitive tournament yet.

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The first Australian squad of the year was named last week, ahead of a four-day training camp on the Gold Coast.

More than 50 Wallabies donned the coveted gold jersey throughout an injury-ravaged campaign last year, but only 44-players were selected for the camp.

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Coach Dave Rennie will have to make some more tough decisions later this year, as he’s only able to select 33-players for the sports premier event.

Clearly, the competition for places is set to heat up during the upcoming Super Rugby campaign.

Childhood dreams are within reach for many of Australia’s best rugby stars, but it’s up to them to make their mark domestically and prove themselves once more.

Utility back Jock Campbell was one of Australia’s many debutants in 2022, and the 27-year-old has the potential to become one of the finds of the year moving forward.

The Wallabies longed for a genuine fullback for much of last season, following a shocking injury to Brumbies star Tom Banks in the first test of the year.

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After making his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield, Campbell started tests against France and Italy.

But as he told reporters on the Gold Coast this week, nobody can afford to rest “on their laurels” with the World Cup just around the corner.

“I feel like no one has nailed down the position but there are a lot of guys that are capable,” Campbell said.

“I feel like we have a lot of depth in that position and even on the wing. We saw a lot of guys perform well over the Spring Tour like Marky (Nawaqanitawase) with a couple of awesome performances.

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“There’s a lot of depth in the outside backs… I’m confident in my own ability to get out there but so is everyone I’m sure, and I think that’s only a positive.

“That competition creates depth and makes everyone play better. If you only have one or two guys, everyone rests on their laurels which I don’t think you can do in this team at the moment.”

From an individual point of view, Super Rugby has never been so important for some rugby stars who call Down Under home.

After playing for his High School’s 2nd XV, but clearly he never gave up on his rugby dream.

The fullback has been a regular of the Queensland Reds’ matchday squads for quite a few years now, and is expected to play a key role in their campaign once again this season.

But the Reds will have to chase Super Rugby glory without one of their biggest stars.

Prop Taniela Tupou, also known as The Tongan Thor, suffered an injury during Australia’s end-of-season tour.

But as Campbell discussed, it’s a great opportunity for Bond University prop Zane Nonggorr to truly announce himself at Super Rugby level.

“You can’t replace Taniela, he’s one of a kind and has been so good for so many years but we have some good young props,” he added.

“I know Zane (Nonggorr) was injured for a lot of last year but I know he’ll surprise people with how good he is. He’s young, but he’s been with us for a while so I think he’ll surprise people.”

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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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