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OPINION: New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has ushered in a new era for Australian rugby after appointing a new Wallabies team against the All Blacks.
Harry Wilson, Felipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, and Noah Lolesio will make their debuts for the Wallabies, and they may be a mystery to many All Blacks fans.
So who are the newcomers and do the All Blacks have something to worry about?
Stuff takes a look at the young men Rennie has put her faith in.
READ MORE:
* All Blacks vs Australia: James O’Connor rises from the bottom to start in the top five in the opener of the Bledisloe Cup
* All Blacks vs Australia: Dave Rennie’s first Wallabies team revealed for Bledisloe’s first test
* Bledisloe Cup: Kiwi-born rising star Noah Lolesio in a mix for the Wallabies’ debut
* The historic triumph of the Junior Wallabies is key to Australia’s hopes in the Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks
Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Reds No. 8 Harry Wilson passes the ball against the Waratahs during an AU Super Rugby match in Sydney in August.
Harry wilson
The Reds’ big number 8 is Scott Robertson’s favorite Australian, after drawing the attention of the Crusaders coach during Queensland’s ill-fated defeat in Christchurch earlier this year.
A graduate of the solid 2019 Junior Wallabies team, the 110kg Wilson runs great lanes, wears touch, and loves unloading. The 20-year-old started the Super Rugby AU on fire and then faded a bit, but Rennie clearly thinks he’s ready to take it to the All Blacks.
Wilson has been named No. 6 by the Wallabies, but Rennie said Friday his role won’t change that much. Expect to see him in midfield for the Wallabies lineouts to crash the ball.
Chris Hyde / Getty Images
Filipo Daugunu of the Reds scores a try against the Rebels despite Marika Koroibete’s best efforts to stop him.
Philip Daugunu
A winger from Fiji who has worked hard to strengthen his body in recent years after making the switch from soccer.
Unsurprisingly, Daugunu has a real pace and topped the points charts in Super Rugby AU, with six five points. However, a suspicious tackling technique has caused the 25-year-old in trouble in the past, and he was shown a yellow card in the AU Super Rugby final against the Brumbies in Canberra.
It must have been a close call for Rennie with Reece Hodge the safest pair of hands and Tom Wright impressing for the champion Brumbies.
However, Rennie was full of enthusiasm for Daugunu on Friday, expressing confidence in both his kicking game and his ability to create something out of nothing.
Chris Hyde / Getty Images
Reds midfielder Hunter Paisami is a powerful ball carrier and seems cut out for test rugby.
Paisami Hunter
A Mangere College boy who grew up admiring Ma’a Nonu, but moved to Australia and ended up in the Reds with Brad Thorn.
Not the biggest man, but number 13 Paisami packs a punch and sent defenders scattering during Super Rugby AU with his aggressive ball transport.
The 22-year-old’s opportunity arguably came earlier than expected, but an injury to Jordan Petaia left a hole in midfield and Rennie will no doubt ask him to run hard and straight to put the All Blacks’ midfield defense to the test.
Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Noah Lolesio makes a hiatus for the Brumbies against the Rebels.
Noah lolesio
The Australian version of Rennie by Aaron Cruden. Lolesio returned from a long stint on the sidelines (hamstring) to expertly guide the Brumbies to the ultimate Super Rugby AU victory against the Reds, and he has a maturity beyond his 20s.
Another player with a strong Kiwi connection, Lolesio was born in Auckland but raised in Australia.
Like Cruden, Lolesio is tough and plays close to the line, using his footwork to cut through the hollow midfields. He starts on the bench against the All Blacks, after Rennie revealed on Friday that his training had been limited last week.
A budding long-term Wallaby with the temperament to handle big occasions.
