Australia A to return as part of Pacific Nations Cup

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20-05-22, 08:21
The InnFORCEr

Australia A to return as part of Pacific Nations Cup

Thu, 19/05/2022, 3:12 pm
Nathan Williamson

Rugby Australia has confirmed the long-awaited return of Australia A after World Rugby's invitation to play as part of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The squad will play three matches against Samoa on July 2 in Suva, Fiji on July 9 in Lautoka, before completing their tournament against Tonga on July 16 – also in Lautoka.

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“Our High Performance review highlighted a relative lack of game time for the younger, developing professional players in our system,” RA CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement.

“With Super Rugby Pacific, they will likely play around 14 first-class matches in a typical season – not including pre-season or Finals – and some players in NSW and QLD have the opportunity to transfer into Shute Shield and Hospital Cup.

“Alongside working on competition structures that can help to alleviate this relative lack of game time, one of our priorities has been to re-establish Australia A to provide additional top-flight matches.

“This will help to develop a deeper squad of elite players, as well as giving players some representative experience to take back to their Super Rugby Pacific clubs – which can only be a good thing for Australian rugby."

Australia last featured in the 2008 edition of the tournament, finishing second behind the Junior All Blacks.

The side will be coached by former Junior Wallabies and Waratahs defence coach Jason Gilmore, with Brumbies Attack Coach Rod Seib, the Reds’ Defence Coach Michael Todd, and Rebels Forwards Coach Geoff Parling filling out the coaching staff.

This comes as RA reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring further opportunities for the program heading into the future.

"Rugby Australia is committed to the return of Australia A, and the benefits that it can help deliver to the game in this country – and will continue to evaluate opportunities for the programme to play more matches in future," they added.

"The return of Australia A also creates an opportunity to help develop Australia’s coaching ranks, with well-regarded emerging coaches being named to lead the side."

Pacific Nations Cup schedule
2 July: Australia A vs Samoa, Suva, Fiji (Time TBC)

9 July: Fiji vs Australia A, Lautoka, Fiji (Time TBC)

16 July: Australia A vs Tonga, Lautoka, Fiji (Time TBC)

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/austra...ns-cup-2022519
20-05-22, 12:40
AndyS

Wonder what that penetrating insight cost them, and no doubt it'll be bonuses all 'round. Odd that the don't address the reasons why the Aus A program stopped in 2008 though, and what is different now compared to the last 14 years...
20-05-22, 13:09
GIGS20

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyS

Wonder what that penetrating insight cost them, and no doubt it'll be bonuses all 'round. Odd that the don't address the reasons why the Aus A program stopped in 2008 though, and what is different now compared to the last 14 years...

I'm sure there was a consultant employed to undertake a high level review who recommended an mid-level high performance review. The Australia A team was put on hold while an investigation was conducted and a second consultancy team was employed and given wide ranging powers to theorise amendments to the high performance structure. After extensive consultation and detailed review of best practice solutions including direct observations of best practice in the field such as New Zealand, France, England, Hawaii, the Maldives and Switzerland the team recommended that they be further engaged to build a high level management structure dedicated to addressing the shortcomings in the current approach. With extensive consultancy from renowned experts in the field such as my uncle Jim and the bloke from three doors down in Mosman the team has submitted it's final recommendations that the decision to disband Australia A is not the best course of action and the team should continue.
20-05-22, 13:51
Sheikh

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIGS20

I'm sure there was a consultant employed to undertake a high level review who recommended an mid-level high performance review. The Australia A team was put on hold while an investigation was conducted and a second consultancy team was employed and given wide ranging powers to theorise amendments to the high performance structure. After extensive consultation and detailed review of best practice solutions including direct observations of best practice in the field such as New Zealand, France, England, Hawaii, the Maldives and Switzerland the team recommended that they be further engaged to build a high level management structure dedicated to addressing the shortcomings in the current approach. With extensive consultancy from renowned experts in the field such as my uncle Jim and the bloke from three doors down in Mosman the team has submitted it's final recommendations that the decision to disband Australia A is not the best course of action and the team should continue.

Fairly sure you missed out a couple of "holistic"s and at least one "going forward"
20-05-22, 15:15
GIGS20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheikh

Fairly sure you missed out a couple of "holistic"s and at least one "going forward"

Ooooh shit, I also left out stakeholders
20-05-22, 15:50
shasta

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIGS20

I'm sure there was a consultant employed to undertake a high level review who recommended an mid-level high performance review. The Australia A team was put on hold while an investigation was conducted and a second consultancy team was employed and given wide ranging powers to theorise amendments to the high performance structure. After extensive consultation and detailed review of best practice solutions including direct observations of best practice in the field such as New Zealand, France, England, Hawaii, the Maldives and Switzerland the team recommended that they be further engaged to build a high level management structure dedicated to addressing the shortcomings in the current approach. With extensive consultancy from renowned experts in the field such as my uncle Jim and the bloke from three doors down in Mosman the team has submitted it's final recommendations that the decision to disband Australia A is not the best course of action and the team should continue.

This is the new RA/ARU. McLennan doesn't go through all that palaver. Seems he's a student of Sun Tzyu (or was that Michael Corleone?). That's how Kearns got the RWC bid. Covered both sides of the "keep your friends close....." strategy with one appointment.
30-06-22, 16:19
Tazzmania

Australia A side to face Samoa
1.Matt Gibbon – Melbourne Rebels

2.Billy Pollard - Brumbies

3.Tom Robertson – Western Force

4.Seru Uru – Queensland Reds

5.Ryan Smith – Queensland Reds

6.Tim Anstee – Western Force

7.Fraser McReight (VC) – Queensland Reds

8.Will Harris - NSW Waratahs

9.Ryan Lonergan (C) - Brumbies

10.Tane Edmed – NSW Waratahs

11.Jock Campbell – Queensland Reds

12.Hamish Stewart – Queensland Reds

13.Lalakai Foketi – NSW Waratahs

14.Mark Nawaqanitawase – NSW Waratahs

15.Reece Hodge (VC) – Melbourne Rebels

Reserves

16.Feliti Kaitu’u – Western Force

17.Harry Hoopert – Queensland Reds

18.Archer Holz – NSW Waratahs

19.Hugh Sinclair – NSW Waratahs

20.Langi Gleeson- NSW Waratahs

21.James Tuttle – Melbourne Rebels

22.Hudson Creighton – Brumbies

23.Dylan Pietsch – NSW Waratahs
30-06-22, 16:21
Tazzmania

Surprised to see Tom at tighthead but may be sign of things to come next year.

Feleti should be starting otherwise as expected.

Jackson and Jake miss out, but looking at the team could not see who they would replace