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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
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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.
C'mon the![]()
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"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
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
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
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
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”