Wallabies call up uncapped McLaughlin-Phillips for Springboks Test
Australia have called uncapped fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips into a 34-man squad to face South Africa in Perth.
Head coach Les Kiss named the 22-year-old on 14 September as cover at No 10, the playmaker who steers the attack with boot and pass. It follows a broken leg for Carter Gordon that left Australia short in a key position Reuters.
McLaughlin-Phillips has yet to play a Test. A Test is a full international, and a cap is the appearance players earn for playing one. He joins two more experienced options in the squad The Guardian.
Ben Donaldson, 27, keeps his place after the recent series in Argentina. He has 25 caps. Declan Meredith is also retained. He has played three Tests.
That tells you plenty. Kiss has stuck with the pair who toured Argentina and added youth rather than turning straight to experience.
James O’Connor, 36, and Bernard Foley, 37, were both left out. Kiss said the pair need to play Super Rugby games before they can be considered for selection. Both have recently signed deals to return to Super Rugby clubs next season.
Super Rugby is the southern hemisphere’s main club competition, featuring teams from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Pacific. Form there remains Kiss’s benchmark.
McLaughlin-Phillips knows Kiss well. He joined the Western Force this year after four years at the Queensland Reds. As a 19-year-old he wore the Reds No 10 jersey in a game under Kiss, who served as Queensland coach before taking the national job. He was also identified early as a Junior Wallabies talent, part of Australia’s under-20 pathway.
There are two other changes to the squad. Prop Zane Nonggorr replaces Massimo de Lutiis after recovering from a calf injury. The front-row forwards do the heavy lifting in the scrum, the structured push for the ball that restarts play after minor infringements.
Jordan Petaia replaces Filipo Daugunu among the backs. Petaia, 26, could play his first Wallabies match in three years. He has been playing for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan after a spell pursuing American football Nine.
For fans, this means a fresh face in the most scrutinised shirt in Australian rugby. The fly-half runs the shape. Every pass, kick and call is noticed.
South Africa will bring power and pressure in Perth. A young No 10 may not start. Just being in camp is a step.
