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Dissecting Joe Schmidt’s surprising Wallabies selections

David Feliuai and Angus Blyth. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images and Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Joe Schmidt has finally unveiled his first-ever Wallabies squad and it has not come without some surprises, but considering the circumstances most of them make sense.

21 forwards, 17 backs, and 12 uncapped players named along with Alex Hodgman who is a four Test All Black and could become just the fourth player ever to represent both Australia and New Zealand; these are Schmidt’s Wallabies for the July Tests.

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      Schmidt has made it abundantly clear; people who are not committed to rugby in Australia will not be selected for the July Tests and he has kept his word.

      The number of uncapped players announced is less shocking considering how many experienced players are heading overseas or rugby league, Schmidt has had to take a punt on the untested.

      The 38 players have been announced along with seven players who are listed as ‘recovering from injury’ and Corey Toole who has been asked to help the mens’ Sevens team at the Paris Olympics.

      Recovering from injury: Angus Bell, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Max Jorgensen, Rob Leota, Lachlan Lonergan, David Porecki, Blake Schoupp

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      Australia Sevens: Corey Toole

      Seemingly, these eight players would’ve been firmly in the selection mix had it not been for injury, making selections for Schmidt and his team even harder.

      “The coaching group has looked hard at on-field performances and had ongoing discussions with Super Rugby coaches. We’ve combined the observations we’ve made, with some candid discussion and feel that we have some very good players to start working with, while also acknowledging that there are some good players who have missed selection,” Schmidt said.

      “We have a short runway into our first Test, so we’re just keen to get to work and make as much progress as we can over the four days we have in Brisbane.”

      Some of those “good players who have missed selection” appear to be the likes of Western Force-bound lock Darcy Swain and Brumby halfback Ryan Lonergan.

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      While both players enjoyed solid seasons, it was not a year of consistency for the pair. While some have been left out, others have jumped into the Wallabies fray, seemingly without notice.

      Head-to-Head

      Last 5 Meetings

      Wins
      4
      Draws
      0
      Wins
      1
      Average Points scored
      32
      28
      First try wins
      80%
      Home team wins
      60%

      One of the biggest beneficiaries of injuries, and overseas exits is perhaps Queensland Reds’ lock Angus Blyth who has three starts and two bench appearances for a total of 230 minutes played in 2024.

      At first glance it appears at odds with Schmidt’s mantra about being consistent but with Wallaby lock Izack Rodda departing for France, perhaps Schmidt sees good, mouldable raw qualities in Blyth.

      There are not many locks in Australia who stand at 205cm, and the 26-year-old is coming into the right age bracket for a Test-level lock, so this selection may be more on potential than anything else.

      Another player who can count themselves fortunate is Waratahs’ wrecking ball Langi Gleeson, who has had a mediocre season.

      Gleeson’s potential is evident for all to see, his acceleration and bulk are unique in Australia but his ball-handling skills in 2024 have been dreadful.

      A question mark also remains around the youngster’s fitness but that can always be improved, so for now, Gleeson appears to sneak in on promise.

      The tight-five is where the Wallabies’ depth will be thinnest for this July window where they will face Wales and Georgia.

      Lacking the most experience is the hooking stocks with all three having less than 10 caps amongst them.

      Matt Faessler has the most caps and has been in good form all year for the Reds while his clubman Josh Nasser benefits from Melbourne Rebels’ and Wallaby rake Jordan Uelese deciding to head to France.

      Nasser, as well as Billy Pollard, have both had good seasons with decent lineout and scrummaging performances, but there’s no hiding they are extremely inexperienced.

      Rebels’ youngster Isaac Kailea has rocketed into the Wallabies squad out of nowhere, seemingly leapfrogging his Melbourne teammate and capped Wallaby Matt Gibbon, to secure a spot in Schmidt’s group.

      Despite being very young for a Test-level loosehead prop, his strength in the scrum and in the carry has been impressive, but his raw bulk may have him well positioned to assist the securing of the Wallabies scrum.

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      Fellow club young-gun Josh Canham however was not selected which left many people across the Australian rugby ecosystem scratching their head.

      The young lock has many great qualities; size, athleticism, speed, vision and a little bit of mongrel about him.

      Despite this promise, the 23-year-old is only just now finding his feet in Super Rugby Pacific, going head-to-head with Test-locks like Scott Barrett, Eben Etzebeth or Tommas Lavenini is a different ballgame altogether.

      Another youngster which many fans would’ve loved to see in gold was the ‘Junkyard Dog’ Tim Ryan, but Schmidt tempered those calls, methodically explaining that Ryan was not ready yet for Test-match rugby.

      “One of the things you’ve got to be just a little bit wary of is to be tempted by the excitement of a young kid who plays really well. And then the reality of a readiness to play at that level and the sort of players that he’s going to come up against,” Schmidt said.

      While there was no shortage of bolters in the forwards, perhaps the one which stood out the most in the backline was Rebels’ centre David Feliuai, known as the ‘Romanian Rumbler’.

      The omission of Lalakai Foketi saw the need to bring in a specialist inside centre in case injury struck the inform and apparent front runner; Hunter Paisami.

      Feliuai’s physicality reportedly caught Schmidt’s eye and at 95kg, 185cm, with good acceleration, could act as a good foil for any of the young flyhalves.

      Inexperience is rife throughout the squad and the crucial position of five-eighth is no exception.

      The most experienced of the three selected playmakers is 24-year-old Noah Lolesio, who has 17 Wallabies caps to his name.

      Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh, son of Wallaby great Michael Lynagh, are the other playmakers who have been picked alongside Test veteran and utility back Kurtley Beale.

      Beale’s inclusion shocked many but after considering the roster’s inexperience, his inclusion is logical.

      Wing is another position where uncapped players reigned supreme; Sevens flyer Darby Lancaster has snagged himself a spot as well as power winger Dylan Pietsch.

      Schmidt has been impressed by Lancaster’s speed and defence and Pietsch is a very similar player who also runs great lines in attack.

      Fixture
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      A final note goes to addressing the selection of Western Force’s captain Jeremy Williams and stalwart inside centre Hamish Stewart.

      Williams has played predominantly lock for the Perth-based side, but at 195cm and 111kg, he is small for a Test lock, seeing how he fits into a gameday 23, and who he is competing with for a matchday spot will be fascinating.

      Stewart’s reliability, maturity as well as impressive defensive numbers are hard to ignore, but a similar question haunts him; is he robust enough for the Test arena?

      JOHN FERGUSON’S WALLABIES TEAM TO BEAT WALES ON JULY 6:

      1. James Slipper
      2. Matt Faessler
      3. Allan Alaalatoa (C)
      4. Ryan Smith*
      5. Lukhan Salakai-Loto
      6. Liam Wright
      7. Fraser McReight
      8. Rob Valetini
      9. Jake Gordon
      10. Noah Lolesio
      11. Dylan Pietsch
      12. Hunter Paisami
      13. Len Ikitau
      14. Andrew Kellaway
      15. Tom Wright

      Reserves

      16. Josh Nasser*
      17. Alex Hodgman**
      18. Taniela Tupou
      19. Nick Frost
      20. Charlie Cale*
      21. Tate McDermott
      22. Hamish Stewart*
      23. Ben Donaldson

      *Denotes uncapped
      **Denotes Wallabies uncapped

      Four uncapped in the 23.
      8 Queensland Reds
      8 ACT Brumbies
      3 Melbourne Rebels
      2 Western Force
      2 NSW Waratahs

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      Comments

      5 Comments
      N
      NH 391 days ago

      Pretty close to my preferred team. I’d swap hodgman/slipper and smith/frost, white and tate as my 9s, and daugunu at 11 over peitsch. Slipper off the bench means tupou can help him out at the scrum and give you some needed experience off the bench for late in the game. Not sure who my bench backs would be but I think only one of donaldson/stewart would make it, both are utilities… This team is looking small, petaia, uru, leota, bell, bpa, holloway could all potentially come into the reckoning down the track to bring some added physicality. Curious to see what schmidt makes of a few guys like L wright, H stewart and R smith and how far he can lift them. Rennie rung the changes quite quickly after his first few games so don’t be surprised to see the same with schmidt. I am very curious to see the gameplan he brings and having beaten the wallabies alot he should know their weaknesses and potentially where their strengths also lie.

      r
      rs 392 days ago

      John. No coach will ever select a team to lose. Makes no sense. Bok supporter.

      O
      OJohn 392 days ago

      There is nothing logical about Beale’s selection, or Blyths, or the omission of Uru. Or the selection of Donaldson. But Kiwi coaches never put Australia’s best team on the field for what should be obvious, to all but the blind, reasons.

      We have seen this before with Deans and Rennie. It’s just the same old old old story.

      “Kiwi coach cleverly cripples Wallabies chances“. Chapter 3.

      S
      SC 391 days ago

      So what about the coaches who aren't Kiwis? Loser comment.

      C
      Cheers 391 days ago

      I hope Australian rugby and the country itself crumbles.

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      S
      Soliloquin 14 minutes ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

      His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

      But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

      And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


      I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

      For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

      But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


      As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

      Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


      And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

      So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

      France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

      233 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 31 minutes ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

      But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

      He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

      Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

      He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

      He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


      I really hope that:

      -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

      -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

      -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

      233 Go to comments
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