Emerging Wallabies tour to Sthn Africa
hhs...@wombat.newcastle.edu.au
have been extracted from various papers over the past days.
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SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 29 August
by GREG GROWDEN
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NOW IS TIME FOR THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
Northern Suburbs second-rower Nick Harvey is only 19, but if the
Australian selectors are doing their job properly he should be
among the Srst picked in the 27-man Emerging Wallabies squad to
be announced today.
Harvey, who had an excellent game in a losing Norths side
yesterday, is easily the best young lineout jumper running around
in Australia, and deserves the chance. As Eastwood coach Matt
Williams said last night: "Harvey is a Rolls Royce of a player."
But the selectors should go even further and pick two other
members of the Australian under-21 team, centre Jason Madz and
winger Joe Roff, for the team to play six matches in Africa in
October.
With the selection criteria for the Emerging Wallaby squads
somewhat loose (mainly revolving around those not regular Test
players), the selectors have scope to be adventurous and choose
from the young and the bold.
Harvey and Roff are definitely in that category. Roff's
credentials as a highly exciting attacking player are well known,
while Harvey is another with great potential. Apart from
performing well at Australian Colts level, Harvey this season has
been one of the most dominant lineout jumpers in the Sydney
competition.
While Australia has been blessed with excellent second-rowers
over the past decade in Steve Cutler, Rod McCall, John Eales and
Garrick Morgan, Harvey looks like the man to ensure the Wallabies
get consistent lineout possession in the coming years. Madz, the
Western Suburbs utility centre, has also proved a dangerous
first-grade representative and is another talent to nurture,
particularly with several rugby league clubs interested in his
abilities.
The most contentious spots in the squad are the two halfback
positions. Who fills them will depend on whether the Australian
selectors believe George Gregan needs more experience before
the World Cup, or whether they try to work out who his two
closest backups are.
If Gregan is named as an Emerging Wallaby, his No 2 on the tour
should be the luckless Queensland half Brett Johnstone. If Gregan
stays at home, NSW's Sam Payne should move in to accompany
Johnstone.
The makeup of the five-eighths will also depend on whether Scott
Bowen, who has missed most of the season, is ruled fit. If not,
Paul Kahl, who has played several excellent games for Queensland
this season, should go in Bowen's place, with Gordon's Tim
Wallace the other pivot.
As a reward for his long-serving role with the Australian team~
prop Mark Hartill should be named Emerging Wallabies captain.
My squad would be:
BACK5: Andrew Apps, Rod Kafer, Joe Roff, Barry Lea, Phil Scarr,
Daniel Herbert, Jason Madz, Matthew O'Connor, Scott Bowen (if
fit) or Paul Kahl, Tim Wallace, Brett lohnstone, Sam Payne.
FORWARDS: Filli Finau, Brett Robinson, Mark Connors, Daniel Manu,
Michael Brial, Nick Harvey, D-avid Dix, Owen Finegan, John
Langtord, George Websdale, Mark Hartll (capt), Tlm Dalton, Glen
Panaho, Marco Caputo, Mark Bell.
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The AUSTRALIAN 27 August
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By PETER JENKINS
JORGENSEN TO GET TOUR NOD DESPITE RUMOURS
NEW SOUTH WALES winger Peter Jorgensen will be named in the
Emerging Wallabies squad tomorrow despite speculation he is
leaving the amateur code to play rugby league next season.
Jorgensen has been linked to the Eastern Suburbs club for 1995,
with reports suggesting he has already agreed to a two-year
contract.
But Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer confirmed last night Jorgensen was
still in contention for the Emerging Wallabies' six-match trip
to Africa after speaking to the twice-capped speedster yesterday.
"He said people had spoken to him and he listened to what they
had to say," Dwyer explained. "But he told me his aim was to make
the Emerging Wallabies tour in Octnber and then the World Cup
squad next year. "I'd like to think if he goes on this tour, he
won't be playing rugby league next season." Jorgensen last night
denied he had reached an agreement with the Roosters. "There's
no doubt I've had offers, so have a lot of other people," he
said. "But my whole aim is to make the World Cup, and to give
myself every chance I have to go well on the Emerging Wallabies
tour, if they pick me. "I felt I put myself back in contention
in the NSW B game (against Queensland B on August 17) and I just
want to get stuck into it again." Jorgensen is certain to be
chosen for the trip despite limited opportunities this season,
having recaptured in the inter-state B match the form which
helped him win two Test caps as a replacement in 1992.
The Emerging Wallabies squad was to be released yesterday but
late in the afternoon the Australian Rugby Union told the media
the side would not be announced until tomorrow.
The ARU did reveal another two players--props Mark Hartill and
Adrian Skeggs--had made themselves unavailable for the trip.
They bring the number of withdrawals to seven with Tim Kelaher,
Matt Burke, Darren Junee, Warwick Waugh and Pat Howard previously
notifying the selectors they were not available to tour.
ARU chief executive Bruce Hayman suggested the next two days
would be used to ensure players the selectors wanted were, in
fact, available. It would have made sense for those sort of
checks to be carried out before now. A change in the tour
itinerary was also cited as a reason for the delay in releasing
the squad.
The Emerging Wallabies have had their match against Namibia B
moved from October 4 to October 6. They play Namibia just two
days later. As a result, the Australian selectors have requested
an extra two players for the tour. "We are seeking ARU executive
approval to increase the size of the team (from 26 to 28),"
Hayman said. "We need to look closely at the implications of the
team playing two games in three days in Namibia."
When the squad is announced, Australian Capital Territory are
likely to have their best showing in a senior representative team
for several years.
Centre Matthew O'Connor, utility back Joe Roff and hooker Marco
Caputo are certain selections. Second-rower Craig Sweeny and
fullback Rod Kafer will also be in contention.
Kookaburras coach Geoff Stokes believes his side should have at
least four players in the Emerging Wallabies squad.
But Kafer may struggle with his ACT predecessor Andrew Apps, now
based in Sydney, considered a certain selection and with
Australian under-21 representative Nathan Turner favoured to vin
the second fullback spot.
st...@psipsy.uct.ac.za
Who are the emerging Wallies playing in Africa?
Steve