Wallabies star turns down gives abroad to re-sign in large enhance for Aussie rugby




In the end, Tom Wright’s deal is completed.

After months of again and ahead, The Roar understands the 25-year-old has signed a two-year extension.

There had been nice fears Wright’s deal would fall over.

Regardless of a breakthrough in March, Joseph Suaalii’s signing on a deal value an estimated $1.6 million noticed Wright’s – and others – contract talks paused.

Naturally, these off contract requested ‘what about me?’

Tom Wright of Australia, Damian Penaud of France (left) during the 2022 Autumn International test match between France and Australia at Stade de France on November 5, 2022 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Tom Wright has re-signed with the Brumbies and Rugby Australia. (Photograph by Jean Catuffe/Getty Pictures)

It led to Wright’s participant agent, Dave Rawlings, hitting out at Rugby Australia priorities.

“We’re sitting right here ready to get a deal executed after the World Cup,” Rawlings instructed Information Corp.

“That is the present Wallaby fullback but they’re speaking about all of the NRL gamers and million-dollar gives.

“What about taking care of your personal. Loyalty works each methods. Have a look at the sacrifices the gamers have made in rugby.

“All of them took a 50 per cent pay reduce throughout Covid and didn’t get it paid again just like the league guys did.”

However after placing collectively a formidable season, RA got here again to the drafting board. It’s an excellent factor they did too, with Wright attracting curiosity in England and France.

It’s simple to grasp why.

Wright is probably the most improved Australian participant.

As soon as a proficient although error-riddled outdoors again, Wright has immediately change into probably the most thrilling and threatening fullback within the nation.

Tom Wright is Australian rugby’s most improved participant in 2023. (Photograph by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Pictures)

The extraordinary facet of Wright’s good season is it’s his first full season at fullback, with Tom Banks beforehand being most well-liked within the function.

A sequence of accidents throughout final yr’s three match sequence towards England, together with Banks’ devasting arm-injury in Perth and Jordan Petaia’s concussion in Brisbane within the opening seconds of the second Check, noticed Wright catapulted into the fullback place.

He confirmed glimpses of what he was able to towards England regardless of enjoying on the sting.

Per week later nevertheless he was again on the wing and completed off a elegant strive on the jap touchline.

Whereas he as soon as once more moved to fullback in Argentina, Wright’s inexperience was discovered because the errors returned earlier than ending the yr within the No.15 jersey after extra gamers went down.

However in 10 matches this yr, Wright has proven the advantages of getting a ball participant within the No.15 jersey.

The Brumbies have change into some of the deadly counterattacking sides this yr and Wright, who hung out on the Manly Sea Eagles as a five-eighth, has been on the forefront of their attacking surge.

Simply final Sunday he confirmed what he’s able to, splitting the Rebels’ defence from a kick return and linking up together with his fly-half Noah Lolesio for a marvellous strive.

Whether or not Wright is Eddie Jones’ first-choice to put on the No.15 jersey on the World Cup stays to be seen.

Rebels fullback Andrew Kellaway is one other contender and seemed to be in Jones’ management group when the Wallabies got here collectively for the primary time beneath the brand new regime.

However whether or not or not he’s a fullback stays to be seen, with Kellaway’s positional consciousness nonetheless a work-on regardless of his secure pair of arms and skill to complete.

David Campese-favourite Jock Campbell in the meantime will get the possibility to show his value when he begins at fullback towards the Chiefs on Friday evening.

Jordan Petaia, who will function in Jones’ plans, is one other contender however shapes as somebody to convey off the bench given his game-breaking traits and skill to cowl a number of positions.

However given Wright’s kind up to now this season, the Brumbies fullback is in pole place to expire towards the Springboks within the No.15 jersey within the Wallabies’ first Check of the yr on July 9.

Having signed on for an additional two years, a robust Tremendous Rugby finals marketing campaign subsequent month might seal the deal.



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