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Sekope Kepu believes that Paddy Ryan’s selection in the Wallaby training squad announced today is a massive rap for the fellow HSBC Waratahs prop, who has only recently recovered from a foot injury.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans today included the 23-year-old Tamworth-born tight-head prop in the 27-man group for the upcoming Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship, which kicks off on August 18 against New Zealand.
Returning from injury, the Sydney Uni prop twice appeared in the Shute Shield, before taking over from the injured Kepu for HSBC Waratahs’ last two matches, earning the praise of his senior team mate.
“Paddy did really well for us in the last couple of games, especially with his scrummaging and his work rate,” said Kepu. “To pull off two 80 minute performances after such an injury break shows how hard he has been working.”
Having trained and played alongside Ryan for the last few years, Kepu believes that the biggest improvements in Ryan’s game have come in the set piece. “Definitely his scrummaging,” he said, “his skills around the park have always been pretty good.
“Robbie (Deans) has seen the fact that Paddy has stepped in and filled that position with the HSBC Waratahs and done a really good job, not only in the scrum, but also with his all round game – his defence, his carrying and hitting rucks – that’s what he’s interested in and that’s what Paddy brings.”
After showing some early season promise, Ryan sustained a Lisfranc injury to his right foot against the Rebels back in April. Through access to the best medical advice and latest treatment techniques, he was able to make a full return to action just nine weeks later. Had he been born several generations earlier, Ryan’s future would have looked very different, as the son of a doctor would no doubt appreciate. Ryan’s injury was named after
Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, the French surgeon who in 1815 first described the mid-foot dislocation injury, common amongst soldiers falling from their mounts, and treated it by amputating the lower foot.
His injury clearly behind him, the in-form Ryan will join 12 of his NSW team mates, including Kepu and fellow front rowers Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polota-Nau, in Sydney for a three-day camp between July 24-26. Also included are second rowers Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani and flanker Dave Dennis. In the backs, returning wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner rejoin the squad alongside Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley. Wycliff Palu was not considered because of injury.
The upcoming training camp is the first of two that will be held before the Qantas Wallabies squad for the inaugural Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship assembles in Sydney on August 7 to prepare for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in the city. The second camp is in Sydney on August 1-3, with the 30-man squad for The Championship to be finalised following that gathering.
Consistent with the approach in previous seasons, the involvement of a wider group of players in preparation allows a greater number to be exposed to Wallaby methods and trainings, so the base knowledge is there when injuries or form loss requires personnel changes.
This takes on an even greater importance this year looking ahead to the Spring Tour which, unlike in previous seasons, follows hard on the heels of the domestic Test programme, with the touring party departing just 10 days after the third Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on October 20.
“The camps provide us with an important opportunity for training background,” Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says.
“It gives us the chance to bring the whole group together and familiarise them with the method: ‘tune’ them in to Wallaby content if you like, coming as they are, out of the conclusion of their different state programmes from FxPro Super Rugby.”
Click here to read Paddy Ryan's profile.
Qantas Wallabies training squad
Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
Nick Cummins (Western Force)
Cooper Vuna (Melbourne Rebels)
Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
Mitch Inman (Melbourne Rebels)
Pat McCabe (Brumbies)
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
Nic White (Brumbies)
Ben Mowen (Brumbies)
David Pocock (Western Force)
Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs)
Cadeyrn Neville (Melbourne Rebels)
Hugh Pyle (Melbourne Rebels)
Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs)
Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
Paddy Ryan (NSW Waratahs)
Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs).
* One as yet un-named outside back and two loose forwards from the national Academy programme will be invited to join training at the first camp.
* The players who were not considered because of injury are: Salesi Ma’afu (Western Force), Dan Palmer (Brumbies), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Joe Tomane (Brumbies).
* No Queensland Reds players have been considered due to their on-going FxPro Super Rugby playoffs commitments and the uncertainty that places over their availability.
The Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship Dates
Bledisloe Cup - #1
August 18: Qantas Wallabies v New Zealand, Sydney (ANZ), 8pm
August 18: South Africa v Argentina, Cape Town
Bledisloe Cup - #2
August 25: Qantas Wallabies v New Zealand, Auckland, 7.35pm
August 25: Argentina v South Africa, Mendoza
Mandela Challenge Plate - #1
September 8: Qantas Wallabies v South Africa, Perth, 6.30pm
September 8: New Zealand v Argentina, Wellington
September 15: Qantas Wallabies v Argentina, Gold Coast, 8pm
September 15: New Zealand v South Africa, Dunedin
Mandela Challenge Plate - #2
September 29: Qantas Wallabies v South Africa, Pretoria, 3pm
September 29: Argentina v New Zealand, La Plata
October 6: Qantas Wallabies v Argentina, Rosario, 8pm
October 6: South Africa v New Zealand, Soweto
Bledisloe Cup Test - #3
October 20: Qantas Wallabies v New Zealand, Brisbane, 8pm