Suliasi Vunivalu’s stocks have taken another hit, with the World Cup Wallaby not required to continue training with the rest of the players of national interest by new head coach Joe Schmidt.
Despite Schmidt asking 17 Queensland Reds players to return next week to continue training ahead of next month’s Tests against Wales and Georgia, The Roar can reveal Vunivalu isn’t one of them.
Instead, eight uncapped players, including burgeoning winger Tim Ryan and forwards Angus Blyth and John Bryant have caught Schmidt’s eye since the New Zealander was unveiled as Eddie Jones’ successor in January.
Prop Alex Hodgman is one step closer to becoming only the fourth player to play for the All Blacks and Wallabies. Unsurprisingly, Zane Nonggorr has also been asked to stay around.
Josh Nasser is one of two Reds hookers, along with Matt Faessler, in the train-on squad, while locks Ryan Smith and Seru Uru also join Blyth.
Angus Blyth is one of the more surprising selections in Joe Schmidt’s wider Wallabies train-on squad. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
In the backline, rising fly-half Tom Lynagh – the son of Wallabies great, Michael – has been included while Josh Flook has also been afforded the opportunity to impress Schmidt.
After last year’s disaster under Jones, interest has been fever pitch as restless Wallabies fans clutch onto hope and the possibility of better days under Schmidt.
Yet, unlike Jones, who believed Australian rugby not only needed better days on the field but more interest off it, Schmidt has elected to keep his cards close to his chest, rarely giving precious few clues away.
But after asking 14 players from the Force and Waratahs to keep training after their respective sides bowed out of Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the regular season, including Jeremy Williams, Schmidt has asked 14 Rebels players and 17 Reds to prepare for a possible Wallabies call-up too.
Despite casting the net incredibly wide, Schmidt hasn’t found a place for Vunivalu.
It’s no great shock given the 28-year-old missed selection for the Reds’ quarter-final loss to the Chiefs after another underwhelming season, but it shows how far the former NRL tryscoring machine has slipped since sensationally being selected for last year’s World Cup campaign under Jones.
Tim Ryan has nudged ahead of Suli Vunivalu in Joe Schmidt’s thinking. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The biggest selection surprises are Blyth and Bryant.
Although Blyth, 26, has all the physical characteristics required to develop into an intimidating international lock, the 204cm has yet to deliver on his promise.
Bryant, on the other hand, is a former Junior Wallaby and an exciting, explosive and versatile young back-rower, but the 21-year-old is just in the infancy of his career.
Recently re-signed lock Smith will be given a chance to push his case after losing the physicality battle against the Chiefs during their heavy quarter-final loss.
Lynagh, who similarly struggled behind a well-beaten pack, has also been called up.
The 21-year-old was mentioned at most turns by Schmidt throughout the season, with the blonde-haired playmaker impressing the vastly experienced coach with his poise and skill set.
Tom Lynagh is closer to a Test call-up after Carter Gordon’s decision to jump ship to the NRL. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
His hopes of earning a maiden Wallabies call-up have been boosted after Carter Gordon chose to jump ship and join the Gold Coast Titans earlier in the week. Tate McDermott has been included.
Capped back-rowers Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, who suffered a broken arm against the Rebels, have each been named.
As has Jock Campbell, the unflappable fullback.
Jordan Petaia remains on the comeback trail from injury, but his future – the two-time World Cup member is interested in joining Louis Rees-Zammit in the NFL – could be determined by whether he stays in rugby or tries his hand elsewhere.
