Tom Banks is “super eager” to reboot his Wallabies career in Europe and has the nod from his Japanese club, Honda Heat, to make it a reality.
Being selected comes first but ongoing dialogue with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and his promising progress with Australia A suggests it’s a done deal.
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The fast-stepping fullback was today named to start in the No.15 jersey for Australia A’s third and final tour match against the Japan XV in Osaka on Friday.
It comes hot off his highly encouraging 40-minute comeback in last Saturday’s match in Fukuoka when he had two touches in his own try and tackled decisively.
The fact that Honda Heat has given him the thumbs up to pursue his Wallabies’ ambitions during the five-Test block ahead is great progress.
It instantly mutes the messy drama of 2021 when Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon were picked to tour Europe with the Wallabies but ultimately didn’t. The dialogue between their clubs and Rugby Australia was never evolved enough to make it happen and they stayed with their Japanese teams.
Banks today made it clear that the first hurdle had been cleared with positive conversations between his new club and Rugby Australia.
He also confirmed he is still under contract with RA which explains his presence on the Australia A tour under coach Jason Gilmore.
“Discussions have been open and honest and ongoing,” Banks said of the club-country dialogue.
“At the moment, I’m still on contract (to RA) but I don’t know the ins and outs (of the near future).
“I’m super eager to play for the Wallabies again if I’m selected.”
He was vague on the detail of whether he’d be available for the five Tests of the Spring Tour or just the three in the international window where clubs are obliged to release players to Test duty.
The best guess is that Banks would be available for the Scotland, France, Italy and Ireland Tests from October 30 but skip back to Japan and miss the November 27 Test against Wales.
The likelihood is that the Wallabies tour party is named before Friday night’s game in Fukuoka but that doesn’t diminish the importance of the game for Banks.
“I was super excited to join the boys (on the Australia A tour) and there’s been a really good culture from the start,” Banks said from Japan.
“For me, it was just getting back on the field, building confidence and getting my hands on the footy again.”
His first 40 minutes since breaking his arm against England three months ago was all positive because he instantly looked eager to run not sit back.
He wore strapping and protective guards on both arms after his injury setbacks of the past two seasons.
“I felt positive from that game. Putting on those guards, I feel like I can tackle anything,” he said with a laugh.
The 20-Test fullback had praise for the Australia A set-up which has given him a progressive return to play rather than a jump straight to Test rugby.
“This tour has been exceptional. ‘Gilly’ and the coaching staff have been unreal,” Banks said.
There has been an old school feel to the tour in some ways which has allowed more midweek freedom to the players.
Gilmore said five players, teenager Max Jorgensen, injured prop Harry Hoopert, prop Matt Gibbon, lock Nick Frost and fullback Jock Campbell, had or would return to Australia early now the rotation policy for the final game had been enacted.
Gilmore said the thought that the Wallabies’ tour squad would be announced before the third game should not distract any player from performing to his best.
“You can drop your lip and perform not at the level of representing your country or you can show (the selectors) what they are missing out on,” Gilmore said of those players who might miss out.
Flanker Brad Wilkin had a fine game in Fukuoka and Gilmore was upbeat about how much the Melbourne Rebels ace deserved this opportunity.
“Brad is a gun. Out of school (from Brisbane’s Iona College) he was the best openside in the country,” Gilmore said.
“He’s had knee reconstructions, a shoulder reco and torn his hamstring of the bone but he’s fought back which shows the calibre of the bloke.
“I’m so pleased for him.”
Gilmore was being polite when putting winger Suliasi Vunivalu’s uninvolved game in Fukuoka down to the game having no rhythm.
It was a major disappointment watching Vunivalu not show more initiative to get himself involved off his wing.
“I thought Suli attacked really well in the first game and he defended really well, with some good turnovers, in the second. I’m looking forward to him putting both together on Friday,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore also hoped outside centre Isaac Henry could put an injury-disrupted season behind him.
“He was gutted to do his quad with two minutes to go in the warm-ups before what should have been his A team debut in Fiji (in July) so I’m looking forward to him getting his chance,” Gilmore said.
“He flies under the radar but he’s an explosive runner with a good kicking game.”
