Tui good to be true
REDS bolter Lukhan Tui is the shock young lock in the Wallabies overhaul which has dumped Rob Simmons, who has been told to get angry if he wants to make a comeback.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted last night Tui, 20, wasn’t even in his thinking six weeks ago but a rousing show of potential has won him inclusion in the 34man squad announced last night.
Only yesterday morning Tui was saying “it’s still surreal to be starting in Super Rugby.”
The kid who playing rugby league in western Sydney until he was 17 was in shock when his new status was relayed in Apia last night.
No. 8 Scott Higginbotham is the other big Queensland selection winner who has shaken up his case from outsider to potential starter against Fiji in Melbourne on June 10.
Seven Reds were included as Cheika cut the experience of 249 Tests from his squad for June’s three Tests because of form, development reasons, shrewd hunches, three stalwarts signing for overseas clubs and Dean Mumm’s endof- season retirement.
The 119kg Tui will start only his 13th Super Rugby match against the Blues in Samoa on Friday night yet has leap-
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frogged seasoned Reds Simmons ( 71 Tests) and Kane Douglas ( 31 Tests) for a spot.
Cheika delivered the blunt message that the 2015 World Cup duo were omitted because of patchy form while also finding compelling reasons to pick next generation options ahead of Leinster- bound Scott Fardy ( 39 Tests), Northampton signing Rob Horne ( 33 Tests), bulky Saracens buy Will Skelton ( 18 Tests) and Mumm.
“Players like Fardy and Horne have given great service over many years and if I thought they’d be picked in the starting side things might have been different but this is now an opportunity to develop more of the new generation,” Cheika said.
Tui’s three storming first half runs against NSW and two tries over the past six weeks when finishing off backline breaks were persuasive.
“He’s raw but I like the impact he makes, the way he likes to be in the battle, popping up for tries and not minding the rough stuff,” Cheika said.
“I’ve a lot of time for Simmo and he’s one of the best locks around when he gets angry but he’s been inconsistent.
“There’s no ruling of anyone out for later in the season because I know these experienced guys want to play as many Tests as they can.”
Cheika’s zeal for Karmichael Hunt’s selection suggested the code collector is in sight of a Test debut against Fiji as a utility back or fullback.
“I couldn’t have left him out with the attitude he plays with and the way he’s performed so well at fullback,” Cheika said.
“I’m sure he’d take a utility role but he’s been picked as a fullback ( with Israel Folau).”