VIDEOS: 'Utility' tag caught Wallaby rookies off-guard
NEWS: Rookie Wallabies Josh Kemeny and Dylan Pietsch have opened up about the tag of ‘utility’ which coach Eddie Jones sprung on them, saying it caught both of them off guard.
When Jones announced his side, there were some raised eyebrows when he revealed that he would be using utility players in an alternative role in a reprise of his hybrid player theory.
Flank Kemeny, who re-committed to the Rebels until the end of 2025, is the most intriguing selection, with Jones backing him to fill in on the wing if needed.
The always innovative Jones is backing up his thinking in preparation for the World Cup in France later this year, referring to number eight Radike Samo who played on the wing in the 2011 World Cup against Russia after a host of injuries in the back line.
And more recently, scrumhalf Jake Gordon found himself on the wing during last year’s Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Sydney when Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami suffered head knocks.
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“We want Kemeny to play seven, six and on the wing. He’s quick enough to play on the wing, that’s why he’s listed down as a utility player…He’s a tall, rangy guy, good in the air,” The Roar reported.
“We need to develop a team that is multi-dimensional because with Head Injury Assessment (HIA), yellow or red cards, you need to be able to adapt on the field.
“Nothing’s not possible and we need to develop that adaptability in the team.”
Kemeny confirmed that it was not something he had done as a junior.
“If they want me to run out in some open space, I am very happy to do that,” the 24-year-old said.
“It’s about the ability to adapt in the squad. It’s not something that I have done as a junior or that I am always chasing to do. I think if it is going to add some value to the team, add to some solidarity in the squad, I am happy to do that.”
Winger Pietsch made his name on the Sevens circuit, making his debut as a 19-year-old in Wellington as he established himself as a key figure in the side for the Olympics.
He is earmarked to help out in the back-row if Jones gets his wish.
Ironically the pair were in the same back-row during their final year of high school. Pietsch only moved to wing two years ago while at the Waratahs.
“I only started playing wing two years ago, I’ve been a back-row my whole life. It’s something I am pretty comfortable with, I actually think I played three times there this year, so I’m pretty comfortable being there in the back-row,” he said on Sunday.
“Eddie sat me down this morning and told me ‘you’re an option so just get your head around the line-outs and all the different aspects that involve back-row’,” he revealed.
“Initially my reaction was I don’t really know what it is, but I really care because I’m in the squad,” he said.
The pair confirmed that the tag of ‘utility’, when they were posed with it initially, confused them both.
“I don’t really know what it is, but I don’t really care, because I’m in the squad. Wherever I need to be, I’ll be. I was a bit confused at the start, but I figured out its probably because of my back-row past,” Pietsch confessed.
“Mate, I was probably even more confused than Dylan to be honest because I still play back-row and we played back-row together a few years ago.
“So, he’s probably a little bit more versed in that position than I am out on the wing. But to get my foot through the door and get my name on the list was all I really cared about, and I’m just going to work from there,” Kemeny added with a smile.
