The Dan McKellar effect is taking full force, with only one Queensland Reds player selected in the Wallabies ’first test team of the year.
Instead, Dave Rennie has rewarded the McKellar Brumbies for their good season by naming 12 players from Australia’s best-performing Super Rugby franchise to their squad to face England in Perth on Saturday.
The Reds split in half Tate McDermott and James O’Connor, the latter who missed most of the trans-Tasman crossover, both have missed the selection.
As did No. 8 Harry Wilson, who was left out of last year’s spring tour, with Rob Valetini shifting to the back of the scrum. Rob Leota, who is one of the team’s three rebels, has been named on the blind side as predicted.
Reds star Taniela Tupou was ruled out due to injury.
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Reds stars Tate McDermott and James O’Connor have been left out of the Wallabies’ first team of the year. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
As it is written, Cadeyrn Neville will become the oldest Wallaby who has debuted in testing since World War II, as she combines with her Brumbies teammate Darcy Swain in the second row.
Those in the north of the border will call foul, but the Reds were the only Australian franchise that did not beat a New Zealand rival this season and their players have paid the price.
Noah Lolesio’s selection ahead of O’Connor is interesting.
O’Connor’s recent lack of training was a reasonable concern, but he is fit and experienced and can hold various positions.
But with each passing day it seems more and more likely that one of O’Connor or the remembered game player Quade Cooper will not make it to next year’s World Cup in France.
Both players are well into their 30s and, in O’Connor’s case, the injuries are keeping them up to date.
Rennie would not have selected Lolesio, 22, if he had not been prepared – and finished the season in the best shape of his career for the Brumbies – but his selection also aims to get more playing time in the growing creator game.
Noah Lolesio and Quade Cooper will act as game creators for the Wallabies. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
McDermott’s ax is more curious.
The No.9 Reds have the best career game in Australia and often overlook their defense and their one-on-one entries.
But his lack of passing, his size, his kicking game and his ability to control a game are still pending.
Rennie, on the other hand, has opted for Jake Gordon’s biggest picture since the bench, which did its best season and was crucial to the Waratahs ’recovery.
Tom Banks has retained the No. 15 jersey despite moving to Japan at the end of the season, while Andrew Kellaway will play on the far right with Marika Koroibete on the other.
Cooper and Nic White form the halves, with Samu Kerevi and Len Ikitau resurrecting their midfield combination.
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Wallabies striker Rob Leota has been included in the back row along with Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
All but one of the tight-five are made up of Brumbies players, with Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki to debut.
The Brumbies also make up the majority of the bench, with Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio and James Slipper as the front row substitutes.
McKellar, who spoke to the media earlier this week, said the Wallabies should take England at the helm and that with Brumbies scattered throughout the group, they plan to take their strong form of Super Rugby and inject it into the world stage.
“You have to take them on, don’t you?” He said.
“You have to understand that you can’t run away from where the challenge comes from, and we know that.
“He has always been part of the DNA of English rugby and a day when play, physique and brutality are important, and he will certainly be important to our package.
“We know that to win this game we have to win the collisions and we have to try to dominate the set piece. It’s as simple as that.
“They are world class and it is a real challenge for us. If we do that, you will give the players we have at the bottom line shine and really dominate. “
Matt Philip will act as a second-row replacement option, while Pete Samu’s versatility has made him pick ahead of Wilson.
The utilitarian back Jordan Petaia is the only red on the roster.
“The whole team has worked hard over the last fortnight for what will be a tough three-game series against a very good England team,” Rennie said.
“Getting their first trophies is a proud occasion for David, Cadeyrn and their families, with both men taking a unique journey to make their dream of wearing the Wallabies jersey come true.
“The honor of representing our country is a big motivating factor and we will do our best to deliver a performance that makes all Australians proud.”
Wallabies team
1. Angus Bell (16 tests)
2. David Porecki *
3. Allan Alaalatoa (53 tests)
4. Darcy Swain (10 tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville *
6. Rob Leota (6 tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (118 tests)
8. Rob Valetini (18 tests)
9. Nic White (47 tests)
10. Quade Cooper (75 tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (42 tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (38 tests)
13. Len Ikitau (13 tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (13 tests)
15. Tom Banks (19 tests)
Substitutions
16. Cruises (25 tests)
17. Scott Sio (69 tests)
18. James Slipper (114 tests)
19. Matt Philip (20 tests)
20. Pete Samu (19 tests)
21. Jake Gordon (10 tests)
22. Noah Lolesio (9 tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (16 tests)
* indicates without head