Wallabies winger Andrew Kellaway has been released to return to the NSW Waratahs, while Brumbies youngster Corey Toole was also given the green light to face the British & Irish Lions with his Super Rugby province.
The Wallabies management confirmed that the duo would return to Sydney and Canberra on Tuesday, along with other team members such as Tane Edmed (Waratahs), David Feliuai, Lington Ieli, Ryan Lonergan and Rory Scott (all Brumbies).
However, Kellaway’s release provides insight into Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s strategy for the outside backs in Sunday’s match against Fiji, with Western Force winger Harry Potter set to add to his two Test matches.
Potter was not released for the Western Force before their match against the Lions, which ended 54-7 in favor of the tourists, and with Kellaway and Toole returning to their Super Rugby teams, the former Leicester winger looks set to start against Fiji.
This would be a well-deserved reward for an outstanding season with the Force, where he demonstrated his class on the counterattack and under the high ball, as well as offering several outstanding finishes.
Max Jorgensen or Filipo Daugunu are likely to join him in the back three along with fullback Tom Wright, while Dylan Pietsch, who shone for the Force against the Lions, could be given another chance to impress.
The fact that Jorgensen hasn’t been released suggests he’ll see some action in Newcastle on Sunday, as the youngster is finally fit after an ankle injury that ended his Super Rugby season after only a couple of months.The video description: 2:08 Is Finn Russell secured as the Lions’ number 10? Sam Bruce and Christy Doran discuss why Finn Russell should lead the British and Irish Lions at fly-half after his performance against Western Force.
Meanwhile, Piestch proved to be a dominant threat on the field against the Lions last Saturday, especially at restarts, which will have benefited his chances of a test match against the tourists at some point in the series, despite a Super Rugby season that was derailed by a quadriceps injury.
Increasing Piestch’s hopes of being included in the match day squad to face Fiji is the fact that he designed the First Nations Wallabies jersey, which the team will wear against the Pacific Islanders on Sunday.
Kellaway’s return to Sydney further boosts the Waratahs’ chances of presenting at least some opposition against the Lions; the release of the winger follows that of out-of-form prop Taniela Tupou and one-test winger Darby Lancaster.
With Edmed ready to be included at fly-half, this means the Waratahs could field up to five players with Wallabies caps in their matchday squad.
Langi Gleeson would have added significant power up front, but the fact that he hasn’t been released by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt suggests he’s ready to play some role against Fiji on Sunday.
Speaking in Newcastle on Monday, Wallabies openside flanker Fraser McReight, who is in a selection battle with Force rival Carlo Tizzano, said Australia is solely focused on Fiji despite the upcoming Lions series.The photo caption: Andrew Kellaway has been cleared to return to the Waratahs for their clash with the Lions in Sydney.
Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia
“I think everything is focused on Fiji, it’s hard to say anything about the Lions,” McReight said.
“There are so many moving parts, obviously, Super Rugby clubs need Wallabies and everything that’s going on like that, that’s the coaches’ decision.
“We’re just trying to do the best we can to be present and get through each day of training.”
McReight also addressed reports that veteran prop Tupou was ready to accept a big-money offer in France at the end of the season, a decision that would jeopardize the future of the Wallabies’ front row beyond 2025.
“It’s difficult, isn’t it? You have many young pillars coming and he has been one of the best pillars in the world,” he said.
“It’s complicated, but let’s hope it goes well and gains new experiences and perspectives.”
“Leave the door open for new talent to emerge and let’s hope Nella returns as a better person, a better player.”
