Test great Tim Horan most wants to see a “no fear” approach from the Wallabies when a Noah Lolesio-Tate McDermott halves pairing leads against the French on Wednesday.
Horan has no more than gut feel and fuzzy injury updates to go on but that’s how he thinks the Wallabies will start at flyhalf and halfback on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Lolesio, 21, and McDermott, 22, have played just four Tests between them so it will be one of the Wallabies’ most inexperienced pairings if Monday’s selections roll that way.
Both have natural vibes to attack and are good communicators so that’s a strong first step to a positive Wallabies’ outlook.
“The first Test of a series, the first Test of the year, it’s really important for this Wallabies’ team to put down a marker,” Horan said.
“I think the Wallabies will pick a strong team with plenty of experience but there will be chances for younger players in there.
“You can’t run out and be shy. You’ve got to start well and match them for speed so guys like Marika Koroibete, Tom Wright and Tom Banks have to play with no fear as well.
“If we are going to rebuild for the next World Cup, this young group has got to take us through and start well here.”
Horan won the second of his World Cups against the French in the 1999 final at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The prince of centres was named player of the tournament.
Horan played eight Tests against the French across his 80-Test career. You always get unpredictability from them but Horan now believes Les Bleus have rediscovered their true style to rise to No.5 in the world rankings.
“The French are going to be exciting. I reckon for 10 years the French lost their way but they’ve found their game again with the off-loads and spreading the ball wide,” Horan said.
“They have picked a young side and they’ll play without fear like the old French teams with Serge Blanco and Philippe Sella.
“The French will be top four at the next World Cup in 2023 (on French soil). We’ve got to be with them and we’ve got some work to do from No.7 in the world.”
McDermott’s zeal to run and search for chances on the fringes of the ruck really came to the fore during Super Rugby Trans-Tasman when the Queensland Reds played off halfback far more with James O’Connor out injured. Lolesio plays flat at the line at his best on attack and has impressed Horan.
“For Noah, it’s a great opportunity to be on the world stage and be picked in his own right,” Horan said.
“This year, he’s really come out of his shell. He took a little while to understand his worth in the game,” Horan said.
“I think now he’s got a lot of respect amongst his teammates. If he’s got some experience in the backline next to him that would still be best for him.”
Horan re-emphasised that a big opening Test performance was important for the team itself but also as a signal to Wallabies’ fans.
“For Wallabies’ supporters, the team has to put down a big marker. You beat the French in a three-Test series and people take notice and then you have to win the big one, the Bledisloe Cup,” he said.
The bid by Australia to host the 2027 World Cup is powering on and Horan is right behind it.
“It’s a big thing for players and fans but also for sport in Australia to imagine the boast from hosting a Rugby World Cup in 2027,” Horan enthused.
“Filling stadiums, supporting the game across Australia, watching all the other nations compete apart from the Wallabies, travelling fans...there so much to get excited about.
“If you win the 2027 World Cup bid early next year, all of a sudden you have a five-year time frame leading into the tournament.
“The biggest thing I found coming home from the 1999 World Cup win was the legacy of boys and girls playing the game.
“That’s what rugby in this country needs to encourage more players in XVs, in sevens, in the women’s game, in country areas and so on.”
