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When Eddie Jones called on the Wallabies newcomers to appear from behind a door and parade for the media yesterday, there was a long pause before the Australian coach uttered: "The boys are a bit shy."
This prodded the five new faces into at last making an appearance. They were appreciably shy. And three of the five - flanker Leroy Houston, centre-winger Digby Ioane and front-rower Tatafu Polota-Nau - did look like boys. Big boys.
But by the end of next month, this trio, who didn't know which way to look when surrounded by cameras and microphones, will be more than shy boys. They are bound to be big boys handed big missions as all are in line for Test spots during the Wallabies' tour of France, England, Ireland and Wales.
Jones has been under scrutiny recently for being too conservative in his selections and unable to stop a losing Test side from becoming full of fossils.
So it was with delight that he yesterday announced that in his 31-man touring squad were eight players who had not played Test football.
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The squad is brimming with vibrancy and the excitement that comes with an influx of youth. And the push for new blood is no public relations exercise, with the coach stressing if a newcomer is good enough, he will soon find himself in the Test team.
That happened in 2002, when Matt Giteau came from the Canberra club ranks to make his first Test appearance in London. Ditto Stephen Hoiles last year, when he was selected from outside the training squad to become a Test representative in Europe.
Houston, Ioane and Polota-Nau are on a similar path; like Giteau three years ago, they have no Super 12 experience, instead using the club and Australian under-21 platform to convince Jones they are of international standard.
The two other newcomers - second-rower Adam Wallace-Harrison and utility back Cameron Shepherd - have been sighted in Super 12. However, the lesser-known trio are more likely to make the big step on this tour.
Polota-Nau is a stand-out hooker. Ioane is a deceptive midfield player with an impressive step off both feet. And Jones is so enthused by Houston that, at 18, the Eastwood back-rower is destined to be Australia's youngest Test representative since Mark Loane.
"I hope all the new guys have got tucked away somewhere a piece of paper which says that their goal for this tour is to make the Test squad," Jones said.
Nearby, Houston was clearly overwhelmed by the occasion. Surrounded by cameras, he uttered: "Sorry boys, I'm very camera shy But this has all been so awesome, awesome, awesome." Camera shy, maybe. But the TV types lapped it up. It was refreshing, refreshing, refreshing.
On his first trip to Europe, Houston is expecting a "lot of rock star stuff". And the benefits of being a Wallaby will begin this morning when he meets the Australian cricket team - with the two sides involved in an SCG training session.
"That'll be awesome, too," Houston beamed. "But I don't want to face any of their bowlers though. Too fast for me. That ball hurts."
Jones has barred Houston from the nets. He wants his star pupil next month hurting others on a football field, not this month hurting from red grenades.
THE SQUAD
Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Scott Fava, David Fitter, Adam Freier, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan (capt), Matt Henjak, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston, Digby Ioane, Lloyd Johansson, Chris Latham, Hugh McMeniman, Drew Mitchell, Tatafu Polota-Nau, John Roe, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, George Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker.
Additional players named in Australia A squad for match against French Barbarians in Bordeaux on November 1: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Alister Campbell, David Croft, Scott Daruda, Nic Henderson, Lachlan MacKay, Brett Sheehan.
http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/news/international/jones-punts-on-youth/2005/10/11/1128796527349.html
Good to see lots of young guys getting a go. I hope some of them make the 22. The A side isn't too bad either. Drauda and Sheehan both good prospects.
