As Joe Schmidt considers what to do with Tom Lynagh, the Wallabies’ hopes of snapping their eight-match losing streak in The Rugby Championship have copped a blow, with Hunter Paisami set to miss the rest of the tournament.
The Roar can reveal the 26-year-old suffered a medial collateral ligament knee-injury during the 30-12 loss to the Springboks. The injury is expected to keep the Wallabies midfielder on the sidelines for at least six weeks, including next month’s two-Test tour of Argentina to face Felipe Contepomi’s Pumas.
Although Paisami’s influence on the team continues to divide people, his directness and triple-threat ability in the midfield is highly valued by Schmidt.
Schmidt stated as much when he said the Wallabies’ attack lost its shape slightly when Paisami was forced off early in the second half in Perth on Saturday night, with the inside-centre a strong foil for fly-half Noah Lolesio.
“Yeah, he’s [Lolesio] grown in confidence,” Schmidt said.
“I was delighted with the way he coped [in the loss of Paisami]. Lenny Ikitau hasn’t played 12 for us and Andrew Kellaway hasn’t played 13 and losing Hunter, he stayed really composed, I thought [he] ran the game as best he could.
“As much as we [were] out of kilter in the pack [following the injuries up front], it just probably upset our backline balance as well.
“Hunter’s been super for us and so that was a bit of a loss.
“Despite all that, I thought Noah did look really composed and stayed in the game really well. I thought his kicking improved on top of that.”
Hunter Paisami is expected to miss the rest of The Rugby Championship with a MCL injury. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
The loss of Paisami will see Joe Schmidt have to turn to a new option in the midfield after starting the Reds centre in the No.12 jersey in all five Tests.
With World Cup centres Samu Kerevi and Jordan Petaia not fit, versatile uncapped Wallaby Hamish Stewart and Brumbies recruit David Feliuai are firmly in the picture to debut after experienced Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi was sent off for a tip-tackle in the final minute of Manly’s heavy quarter-final Shute Shield loss to Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.
Foketi, who has been one of the biggest omissions in Schmidt’s squad to date, could still be selected but he will likely have to hope a Sydney Rugby Union judiciary doesn’t come down hard on him for his clumsy tackle. His Waratahs teammate Joey Walton could also re-enter the mix for a call-up after spending time with the Wallabies during July.
Stewart won’t just be considered in the midfield, with the 26-year-old a possible third-string option in the No.10 jersey if Lynagh isn’t selected for the next leg of the Rugby Championship.
Lynagh, 21, has come off the bench twice for the Wallabies over the past six weeks but hasn’t been able to string matches together.
That is because the rising Reds playmaker is battling confidence with his hamstring.
Tom Lynagh’s hamstring is continuing to prove problematic for the Wallabies. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Now Schmidt, who worked with Irish great Johnny Sexton for a decade in Ireland, must consider whether to leave Lynagh at home to build his confidence as much as his body.
Whether Schmidt brings a third specialist fly-half option remains to be seen, with Waratahs playmaker Tane Edmed a live option.
Edmed, 24, is currently wearing the No.10 jersey for North Harbour in New Zealand’s National Provincial Competition.
Match fit, confident and composed in front of goal, Edmed would fit in seamlessly if Schmidt called on him given he plays alongside halfback Jake Gordon, Foketi and rookie outside back Max Jorgensen.
Another option is James O’Connor.
The 34-year-old starred for Brothers in their Hospital Cup semi-final win over Wests on Saturday and would give the Wallabies some experience in the inside channels.
But despite O’Connor’s desire to feature against the Lions next year, Schmidt has indicated his preference is to back in the developing youth in Australia.
While the Wallabies have lost half-a-dozen players to bumps and head knocks over the past fortnight, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Angus Bell, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams and Gordon are all expected to be fit for the trip to South America.
Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou is also expected to be named after missing the Springboks Tests because of the death of his father. Whether he is match fit remains to be seen.
Joe Schmidt has several selection calls to consider after losing Hunter Paisami. Photo: Wallabies media, Julius Dimataga
Versatile forward Rob Leota is nearing a return from a hamstring injury, while hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is edging closer to a call-up too.
Openside flanker Fraser McReight is an outside chance to be fit for the second Pumas Test, but it’s not known if Schmidt will carry the star Reds forward. Whether Liam Wright returns from surgery remains to be seen, too.
One Wallabies loose forward who won’t be on the plane is rookie back-rower Charlie Cale.
It’s understood the exciting young loose-forward is expected to go under the knife to fix a shoulder injury and will miss the rest of the season.
While in the past the Wallabies would see a trip to Argentina as very winnable, Schmidt, who is expected to name his squad for the two-Test tour of Argentina over the next 48 hours, is under no illusions that the trip will be difficult after Los Pumas’ first-up TRC win over the All Blacks in Wellington.
“One of the things about this competition is it’s not going to get any easier,” Schmidt said.
“We play three of the four [World Cup] semi-finalists, and we weren’t one of them. It doesn’t get any easier going to Argentina next.
“They’ll be disappointed with their first half earlier tonight, but that demonstrated just how tough they can be to beat when they toppled the All Blacks and didn’t even give them a bonus point.
“I’ve known Felipe Contepomi for a long time. I’d have a lot of respect for his rugby intellect and he’s a top man.
“Being friends certainly stops a kick-off though, so they won’t be taking it easy on us and we’ll try to make things difficult for them.”
