Dave Rennie has given the greatest indication yet that Tom Banks remains in the frame to play for the Wallabies at next year’s World Cup, with the departing Brumby included in Australia A’s 34-man squad to Japan.
What’s more, Wallaby Darcy Swain, who is poised to be rubbed out of the game for a long time, has been included in the squad which included 12-capped players.
Swain, who faces a judiciary hearing on Wednesday night to determine whether he is suspended for a “reckless and dangerous” cleanout on All Black Quinn Tupaea, would be able to serve any suspension handed down by being included.
It means the 25-year-old could feature in this year’s five-match Spring Tour even if he cops a heavy suspension from the Bledisloe I incident.
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Uncapped Wallabies Jock Campbell and Langi Gleeson have been included in the squad, with both still in the frame to go on the end of season Spring Tour.
Others like capped Wallabies Nick Frost, Billy Pollard and Matt Gibbon, as well as Ned Hanigan and Filpo Daugunu, have also been included.
While two-time NRL premiership winner Suliasi Vunivalu will have his chance to push for selection after being selected, too.
Emerging playmakers Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed have once again been selected, with both men featuring for Australia A in July.
Two interesting names selected are emerging stars Max Jorgensen (outside back) and Teddy Wilson (halfback), with the former bracketed as a “development player”.
But their signings are strong indications of their immense potential, with Jorgensen currently completing his high school education at St Joseph’s, Hunter’s Hill – the same college that director of rugby Andrew Blades recently worked at.
Jorgensen, whose father Peter played for the Wallabies and professional rugby league, was pursued by NRL clubs but chose to join the Waratahs and has been put in the same category as Roosters star Joseph Suaalii.
“Securing Max is a positive outcome, not only for the Waratahs but for Australian Rugby, as he is one of the elite schoolboys from the class of 2022 and highly sought after,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.
“It’s great he has decided to remain at the Waratahs especially after spending the past three years in our academy.
“Max understands he has a long way to go and a lot of work to do before he can become a fully-fledged Super Rugby player, but we look forward to working with him and helping him develop his game.”
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Banks’ selection shows the Honda-bound fullback is still very much in the frame for next year’s World Cup.
Rennie has been coy on the fullback’s future with the Wallabies because the New Zealand coach is still uncertain who he wants to wear the No.15 jersey at next year’s World Cup.
At present he can only pick three players from overseas under the current Rugby Australia eligibility laws, with Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Marika Koroibete in the box to be picked.
But there is a wider thought that all bets will be off for next year and if Rennie wants someone in his World Cup squad, the overseas selection policy will be thrown out.
If that was to occur, players like Banks, Rory Arnold, Will Skelton, Scott Sio and Brandon Paenga-Amosa would come into the frame.
Australia A played in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup and the three unofficial Tests against a Japan XV is a huge boost for the nation’s depth.
It will allow the best developing talent another month of rugby ahead of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, with Waratahs defence coach Jason Gilmore once again overseeing the tour as head coach.
“It’s great to have these three matches coming up to continue the development and give our players more game time against high level international opposition,” Gilmore said.
“With Dave Rennie’s guidance, we’ve picked the best possible players who are available and everyone’s really excited to put the work in on the training paddock and perform well over in Japan.”
Australia A squad for Japan Tour
Richie Asiata, Queensland Reds
Tom Banks, ACT Brumbies
Ollie Callan, Western Force
Jock Campbell, Queensland Reds
Hudson Creighton, ACT Brumbies
Filipo Daugunu, Queensland Reds
Ben Donaldson, NSW Waratahs
Tane Edmed, NSW Waratahs
Pone Fa’amausili, Melbourne Rebels
Nick Frost, ACT Brumbies
Matt Gibbon, Melbourne Rebels
Langi Gleeson, NSW Waratahs
Ned Hanigan, NSW Waratahs
Isaac Henry, Queensland Reds
Archer Holz, NSW Waratahs
Harry Hoopert, Queensland Reds
Max Jorgensen*, NSW Waratahs
Bayley Kuenzle, Western Force
Lachlan Lonergan, ACT Brumbies
Ryan Lonergan,, ACT Brumbies
Mark Nawaqanitawase, NSW Waratahs
Caderyn Neville, ACT Brumbies
Dylan Pietsch, NSW Waratahs
Billy Pollard, ACT Brumbies
Tom Robertson, Western Force
Rory Scott, ACT Brumbies
Ryan Smith, Queensland Reds
Hamish Stewart, Western Force
Darcy Swain, ACT Brumbies
James Tuttle, Melbourne Rebels
Seru Uru, Queensland Reds
Suli Vunivalu, Queensland Reds
Brad Wilkin, Melbourne Rebels
Teddy Wilson, NSW Waratahs
*denotes Development Player
Australia A vs Japan XV Tour
Saturday, October 1, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo
Saturday, October 8, at Best Denki Stadium in Fukuoka
Friday, October 14, at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka
