The wonder try that put Charlie Cale on the path to a Wallabies jersey
By Iain Payten
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says he’ll be happy for rookie No.8 Charlie Cale to add to an impressive try-scoring reel when he makes his starting debut against Wales on Saturday in Melbourne.
But as a pragmatist who has spent the week gently grounding the buoyant Wallabies, Schmidt is just as impressed with the gritty defence of Cale as he is about the youngster’s ability to out-pace opponents.
“One of the things about Test footy is you can’t just play one side of the ball,” Schmidt said.
“I’m not saying that Charlie did during the year, but I think his application to the defensive side of the ball was really good today.”
Cale was the main storyline of Schmidt’s slightly altered second Test team, named ahead of another clash with Wales, this time at AAMI Park.
With new skipper Liam Wright ruled out with a shoulder injury, prop James Slipper assumed the captaincy and, after a Test debut last week, Cale came off the bench and into the starting back row.
Joe Schmidt rugged up for Wallabies training in Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
As they do at the Brumbies, the 23-year-old will play No.8 and Rob Valetini will start in the No.6 jersey.
Exactly how Schmidt wants Cale to play remains to be seen but the Kiwi coach said he was happy for the rookie to keep turning heads in attack, via his extraordinary speed. After debuting last year for the Brumbies, Cale exploded onto the scene this season, after scoring a remarkable try in round one against the Rebels.
Lurking on the wing, Cale responded on turnover ball and kicked upfield. With speed that defies his 195cm, 105kg frame, and even shocked his teammates and coach Stephen Larkham, Cale beat winger Lachie Anderson and centre Filipo Daugunu on a 30-metre chase to score.
Cale scored two that night, and finished with five for the season - mostly involving bursts of speed.
Charlie Cale scoring for the Brumbies.Credit: Getty
Asked if he was happy for a No.8 to be out wide and kicking for tries, Schmidt said: “Every time he scores off those I’m delighted.”
“I think Charlie brings that package,” Schmidt added. “That package can help destabilise a defensive system that Wales might have. But at the same time, what really impressed me with Charlie today, even at training, he worked really hard on the other side of the ball. Having that athleticism to connect and help on the edge when he’s defending that wide.
“If we can free him up, we know those other aspects with the ball will be a strength for him.”
Schmidt said Wright would likely be fit for next week’s Test against Georgia, but added he was intent on building a “squad-orientated group” with depth. Len Ikitau is set to also return from a hamstring injury and be in contention for selection.
Schmidt said bench changes for the Wallabies, with Josh Nasser replacing Billy Pollard, and Force pair Nic White and Ben Donaldson replacing Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lyngah, were part of a pre-set plan.
The Wallabies’ win over Wales in Sydney was sorely needed for Australian rugby - players and fans alike.
But even via a fairly poor performance, the Welsh weren’t far off taking the lead in the second half and had a try disallowed before Tom Wright put in a buffer with his solo five-pointer.
Even then, Schmidt said the fact the Wallabies were forced to defend for almost all the final 10 minutes showed they can’t get swept up in the good vibes of Sydney, and that Wales remain a dangerous opponent.
“In the end, three tries to one looks good on paper and I love the three tries we got and they were all quite varied, so we’re really happy with that,” Schmidt said.
“But we felt that there were times, particularly back into the game, I think we made 68 tackles in the last 10-12 minutes. We don’t want to be tackling that long against the Welsh side that are coming in waves and we’ve got to get a little bit more pressure on the ball.
“If we don’t look after the ball ourselves, or we give it away too cheaply, then we’re going to get red waves coming at us and it’s going to be a hard night’s work if that’s the case.”
Though an ever-reluctant captain, Slipper provides the “quiet leadership that we’ll need”, said Schmidt. “And the quiet resolve he brings to his work will hopefully ripple through the team,” he said.
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