'A crucial selection game': Eddie puts pressure on Wallabies hopefuls
SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has added another layer of spice to the Super Rugby Pacific clash in Canberra, with the Test coach declaring Wallabies jerseys are on the line.
The Brumbies host the Waratahs on Saturday with the home side looking to stretch their 10-game winning streak over their arch-rivals.
Tensions were already running high with Brumbies chairman Matt Nobbs saying that “Tah Week” was dead because of his side’s long dominance.
That was downplayed by Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, insisting it still meant as much as when he was running rings around NSW on the field two decades ago.
“It’s still there, internally we’re still talking about it,” Larkham said.
“They’re just up the road and we generally get a very good crowd down the highway and it creates a really good atmosphere.
“Some of our guys have got a point to prove against some of their players, and likewise for them.
“It’s a big rivalry to play against the Waratahs. It’s something special for a rugby player.”
Speaking on his weekly podcast titled Eddie, Jones said the GIO Stadium match could impact selections in his first Wallabies training squad, named on Sunday.
“It’s a crucial selection game because we’ve got two of the teams that have the most Wallaby contending players in it,” Jones said on Friday.
“To see how they fare in that game … may dictate one or two selections, one or two borderline selections.
“We’re going to keep the squad quite tight and it’s going to be hard to get in.
“But having said that it’s only the first selection of the year and there’s a long time between April and July.”
The teams clashed in the opening round of the competition, when the Brumbies ground out a 31-25 win.
They have continued on that winning trajectory, apart from their undermanned squad falling to the Crusaders last round, to sit firmly in the title picture.
The Waratahs meanwhile have struggled, with just one victory from five games to languishing in second last spot.
The Tahs get star youngster Max Jorgensen and Test centre Lalakai Foketi back after last weekend’s 14-24 loss against the Chiefs, although it is fair to say they have brought a knife to a gunfight, with the Brumbies recalling six Wallabies who missed last weekend’s game.
James Slipper, Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Nic White and Tom Wright return from World Cup-enforced rest, while newly re-signed gun centre Len Ikitau is fit after a calf niggle.
Larkham said there was no complacency in his side despite the Tahs becoming their “bunnies”, acknowledging that their flashes of brilliance would trouble any team.
“They’ve been really good in patches, they’re probably struggling to find a little bit of consistency, but they’ve been very dangerous when you look at their games,” he said.
“They haven’t had the results, but they’ve actually played some really good footy, it’s been quite impressive.
“We’re under no illusions that just because they haven’t had the wins they’re not a good team.
“These guys can certainly match it with anyone in the competition.”
