Play-makers to watch as Wallabies prepare to host Rugby World Cup

In the four years since Bernard Foley’s last Test, Australia has had rising stars and ageing veterans* wear the number 10 jersey, but no one has been able to make it stick.

With a World Cup on home soil just over 13 months away, it’s possible that we’re right back where we started: with a now 37-year-old Foley in the mix to steer the Wallabies around the park.

The timing of Foley’s return to the Waratahs isn’t a coincidence.

He wants to play another World Cup for Australia, and has said as much.

Likewise, 38-year-old Quade Cooper hasn’t completely given up hope of playing another big tournament.

New Wallabies coach Les Kiss hasn’t given any indication about whether Foley or Cooper are in his World Cup plans – but it says a lot about the state of the game in Australia that either of them would even be in consideration.

The Wallabies are able to scout* and develop potential playmakers – but keeping them is another story.

Waratahs fly-half Jack Bowen is just the latest prospect to head overseas, while the Tahs’ halves combo of Foley and Nick Phipps could have a combined age of 73 next year.

With precious little time until the World Cup kicks off next year, here are the likely contenders for the Wallabies’ number 10 jersey.

IN THE MIX

CARTER GORDAN
If it wasn’t for injuries and an ill-fated stint in the NRL, Carter Gordon could already have played 30 or 40 Tests and have a lock on the five-eighth spot.

But whenever the Queenslander gets some momentum, he seems to break down injured.

Still, he must be the prime candidate to lead Australia next year.

BEN DONALDSON
“Donno” has started his last 10 Tests on the bench, becoming one of Australia’s most useful options.

The 27-year-old has been in fine form for the Force at #10 over the past two seasons, but questions remain over his ability to dominate a game at the very highest level.

DECLAN MEREDITH
Declan Meredith became the Wallabies’ eighth fly-half in 12 months when he debuted* against France in July.

Despite his inexperience, Meredith has earned praise from Wallabies teammates and coaching staff for working more seasoned teammates around the park, although he did not have his best game against Japan last weekend.

The Cairns kid is the closest he’s ever likely to get to a hometown Test this weekend when the Wallabies and Japan meet again, this time in Townsville.

OUTSIDE CHANCES

TOM LYNAGH
Handed his first start against the might of the British and Irish Lions last year in just his fourth Test as a 23-year-old.

It was a baptism of fire for the half, but he showed true grit in a losing series.

Lynagh has been hampered by injury ever since and would be considered a long shot at starting for the Wallabies if he is behind Gordon in the pecking order at the Reds.

NOAH LOLESIO
Picked by none other than All Blacks great Dan Carter as the best man to lead the Wallabies to the World Cup, Lolesio is on a one-year deal in Japan, putting his Wallabies hopes in jeopardy*.

The 26-year-old hasn’t played a Test since, suffering a serious neck injury against Fiji that ruled him out of the Lions Series.

THE VETERANS

BERNARD FOLEY
Foley has said that a World Cup return was “on the radar” after re-signing with the Waratahs for 2027.

Foley has been playing in Japan since 2020, where he has been able to cash in, while keeping his body fresh enough to still be a legitimate option for Kiss.

QUADE COOPER
He will be 39 when the World Cup rolls around, but Cooper revealed his audacious* comeback plans to media earlier this month.

Gone is the wild child who first burst onto the scene with the Reds more than 15 years ago. Cooper is a deep thinker and might even be considered an elder statesman* of the game.

Kiss could do worse than having Cooper around for depth and experience.

JAMES O’CONNOR
O’Connor has been linked to the Force, and don’t rule him out of Wallabies contention entirely.

The 36-year-old received a stunning call-up last year after three years out of Test rugby, and would offer years of experience for younger members of the team.

HOPES FADING

TANE EDMED
Started against France in Paris last November struggled for minutes at the Brumbies, and was stuck behind Meredith.

THE WILDCARD

TOM WRIGHT
Wright is a gun fullback, but if Joseph Aokuso-Suaalii makes a move into the back three, his spot could be under the microscope.

Wright has become a legitimate* first receiver threat at the Brumbies and the Wallabies over the past 15 months.

He has vision, skill and the experience to make a shock, albeit highly unlikely move into the halves.

WATCH THE VIDEO

POLL

GLOSSARY

• veteran: a person who has had a lot of experience of a particular activity
• legitimate: in this context, it means genuine, reasonable, fair and acceptable
• debuted: played, performed or appeared in public in a certain role for the first time
• jeopardy: when something or someone is in danger of being damaged or destroyed
• audacious: bold, someone who takes risks in order to achieve something
• elder statesman: a former leader, a senior, respected member of a team, group or organisation

EXTRA READING

Roosters poach 16yo GPS rugby star

Meet Australia’s million dollar schoolkid

Aussie sports high school behind World Cup stars

QUICK QUIZ

1. How many years have passed since Bernard Foley last donned the green and gold as a Wallaby?
2. Where has Foley been playing since 2020?
3. How long ago did Quade Cooper burst onto the scene for the Queensland Reds?
4. Who was picked by All Blacks great Dan Carter as the best man for the job?
5. Who is the latest Wallabies prospect to head overseas and which state team did he leave?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Age or experience?
What do you think is most important for any elite athlete, being young or having experience? Write a paragraph explaining your opinion on this question.

Time: allow at least 20 minutes for this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social Capability

2. Extension
What do you think Australian Rugby Union could do to keep young players in the game in Australia? Think of at least four actions that might encourage younger palettes to stay. Next to each action, write a sentence explaining how or why this action might work.

Time: allow at least 20 minutes for this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education

VCOP ACTIVITY
Exercise the body and the mind
Exercise is not only important for the body, but it’s a lot of fun as well. Let’s bring more exercise into classroom learning by creating a VCOP PE game.

You can add a VCOP challenge to pretty much any game, and it’s a great way to encourage the teacher to let the class play more games.

Here is an example to get you started, then you create one of your own.

VCOP dodgeball
The normal rules of dodgeball apply. Two teams throw soft balls at each other and if you get hit, you have to sit out. The team who knocks out all the players on the other team, wins.

VCOP challenge: when you get eliminated, collect a mini-whiteboard and a basic clause from the sidelines. Up-level the sentence (make it better) by adding VCOP. When you show the teacher your completed sentence, you can return to the game.

Play for a set amount of time and the team with the most players left on the court wins.

Support: use the “Up-Level It” card set – players have to complete one card from the set instead of completing all VCOP challenges.

What can you come up with?