When Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt explained Jake Gordon’s selection as the starting scrum half to face Wales he made a point to praise the Waratah No. 9 as having the “sharpest” pass of the contenders for the jersey.
But it was another attribute mentioned by Schmidt that came to the fore in the opening Test of the coach’s reign, and might well eat into the minutes for Queensland Reds’ halfback Tate McDermott.
“He’s probably just had the sharpest of the passes of the three guys so far,” Schmidt said when naming his team.
Head coach Joe Schmidt during a Wallabies training session at Ballymore Stadium on June 25, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“And he’s got that really nice long kicking game, high kicking game. Those are elements that I think we can make use of.”
Make use of them Schmidt did, and Gordon backed his coach with excellent execution from the boot.
Former Wallaby Matt To’omua, speaking on The Roar Rugby Podcast, said he was surprised at how kicking off nine was so prominent in the Australian approach in game one – and that the tactic could impact Tate McDermott’s future as a starter under Schmidt.
“It’s very un-Australian in a way. If you talk to the average punter, they hate it,” said To’omua.
“I think it might be something that Tate McDermott might struggle with in terms of selection. I remember back in the day there was a stat where Nick Phipps only kicked it twice in the whole season for the Waratahs off nine. So it’s not traditionally an Australian part of the game.
(Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
“But it’s pragmatic. It relieves pressure. And if you think of it collectively, it takes pressure off the young 10.”
To’omua noticed how Schmidt opted to use wingers Filipo Daugunu and Andrew Kellaway defending at first off the line out with starting flyhalf Noah Lolesio, and his replacement Tom Lynagh, defending in the backfield.
“You see other teams have been doing with it for quite a while,” he said.
“Tactically you’re taking a little bit of pressure off the 10s by using the nine to kick and exit a really high pressure zone. And then also defensively allowing them to sit in the backfield for a little bit and pick their chances.”
Of course there has been debate about the performance of Lolesio, and Lynagh during his second half debut.
“He’s out of the gates now and nothing’s been mission critical in terms of any errors he’s made,” said To’omua of Lolesio.
“He was nervous, that was clear. This is a sharp shooter, missing an easy kick. But that’s to be expected.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
“I think some of the criticism is fair. He probably should have gone through the hands [more], but we need to allow him some grace.
“It’s okay to be nervous before his first Test back in a long time.
“He would have been putting himself under a lot of pressure and I think this next game will be really interesting.
“I think the first game is very much just kind of, win, figure it out, solve some problems. But considering the history he’s had in the past with missing out selection last year and now getting back in there, hopefully now some of that form translates from Super Rugby.”
To’omua has backed Lolesio to be given a stretch of at least four or five Tests to be able to settle into the job, but was intrigued by Schmidt’s plans for Lynagh.
“It is very interesting that Tom Lynagh was picked over Donaldson, particularly considering the versatility of a guy like Ben Donaldson,” said To’omua. “So, maybe there’s an eye on getting Tom Lynagh in there [to start].
“It would be interesting to see what Joe’s thinking. I think he very much probably has a view of what he wants the ten to look like, and then he picks along that way.
“In my opinion, Noah would be starting the next five, six, and then you see where you’re at after that.”
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