Wallabies assistant coach Geoff Parling has backed Josh Canham to make a strong impression after the Reds recruit was called into the national squad ahead of Saturday’s rematch against the Springboks in Perth.
After initially being one of the unluckier players to miss out on Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad, the former Rebels lock was catapulted into the squad after concussions to Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams during Australia’s 33-7 loss to South Africa in Brisbane last weekend.
While Ryan Smith looked like being the next cab off the rank after being initially named in Schmidt’s squad, the Reds second-rower was looked over after his first child arrived earlier than expected.
But Parling will have had no concerns about drafting in Canham, with the duo working together for the last few years at the Rebels.
“Look, I know Josh very well,” Parling said. “He brings some great intent in what he does: very skilful, great engine for a lock.
“In terms of is he in the mix this week, I definitely wouldn’t be saying that in here because the team’s not been picked yet.
“We’ll review training today and then make a decision on guys. But look, he’s a good kid. He’s got a bright future.
“We just want him to keep working hard. Like I said, I’m definitely a fan of him and a lot of other locks that we have. I just know that he’s got to keep working at his game.”
Josh Canham was called up into Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad after two injuries and Ryan Smith’s early arrival of his first child. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
Whether Canham plays on Saturday remains to be seen, but the 23-year-old is the type of big-match player who enjoys the physicality.
During the Rebels’ quarter-final loss to the Hurricanes, Canham was the Rebels’ best as he took it to the New Zealanders. It was one of the reasons many thought he was destined for a national call-up in July.
But for all Canham’s physicality and desire to free his arms, Schmidt opted for the versatile Williams and Angus Blyth, whose ability to chop low and be a tower of height at the lineout caught the New Zealander’s eye instead.
Following the loss of two locks, Schmidt will likely consider calling up Blyth and versatile forwards Seru Uru and Tom Hooper to cover the loss of Frost and Williams, but Canham’s no-frills approach can’t be discounted either, especially with Springboks great Eben Etzebeth to come off the bench after Rassie Erasmus made ten changes to his side.
“I’m always disappointed to lose guys, especially when you lose blokes in the same position,” said Parling, the former British and Irish Lions lock.
“We know it can affect you, but we’re [adopting] a next-man-up mentality.
“The lads that have come in have been excellent. They’ve trained really well, learning really fast. The rest of the group, the players as well, they’re taking them to the side and teaching them so much.”
Josh Canham on the burst against the Blues at AAMI Park, on May 03, 2024, in Melbourne. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
Parling reiterated that the Wallabies’ review had focused on the missing detail, where they allowed the Springboks to seize the momentum and territory through inaccuracy at the breakdown, set-piece and general kicking.
“Discipline comes about when we’re inaccurate,” he said.
“So [the review] basically focused on how we can be more accurate in our game.
“You do not want to give a team like South Africa entry points in your 22. You don’t want to give them ball – and we’re fully aware of that.
“If you look at the first half, we didn’t have much territory at all. So how can we exert our game is just by being accurate when we get a chance to through set plays, through our unstructured attack, defence, whatever it is. But discipline comes from being accurate. And unfortunately, we were particularly inaccurate in those first probably 10 minutes out of the game.”
As a result of the Wallabies’ inaccuracies, Schmidt’s backline barely touched the ball as it rarely got past the inside channels.
The Wallabies weren’t helped either by their narrowness in attack, where a blanket could have been thrown over Schmidt’s men at several points throughout the match.
But outside centre Len Ikitau said the rest of the Wallabies backline couldn’t wait for the ball to find its way out wide.
“I think what we learnt was we don’t want to be waiting for pictures, especially in the A-zone,” Ikitau said.
“In terms of backs getting involved there, we want to help our forwards out there, take the tough carries, and put them under pressure in that way. I think our outside backs need to step up and take some of that responsibility, especially in the A-zone.”