The Wallabies have high hopes for youngster Hunter Paisami emerging as a “triple threat” as he develops his Test game.
Wallabies attack coach Scott Wisemantel is excited by what Paisami can offer, saying there’s a lot more to the 22-year-old’s game than bash and barge.
Wisemantel says he’s not surprised by Paisami’s impact in the No.12 jersey despite only making his Super Rugby debut this year with Queensland.
While his hard-hitting defence is obvious, Wisemantel believes there’s a lot more to Paisami’s game.
“Certain players get pigeon-holed at certain times in their lives,” Wisemantel said.
‘Hunter is aggressive and we know he can hit in defence and we know that he can run hard so people see that and then he gets pigeon-holed as a hard-running hitter.
“He’s actually got a lot of subtlety to his game – he can kick off both feet and has got a nice passing game, good tempo – so really we want to evolve him into a triple threat where he can run, pass, kick.
“That’s where we see Hunter’s future.”
Paisami’s partnership with another star talent, 20-year-old Jordan Petaia, is continuing to blossom and while they are no Tim Horan-Jason Little combination just yet, could become another great Reds centre pairing.
“They are a combo but Matt (Toomua) will come back and let’s hope that next year with Super Rugby we find a couple of other shining lights,” Wisemantel added.
“It’s about competition … and we will pick whoever is in form, but they’re going really well as a centre pairing at the moment.”
Despite missing the past three games through injury James O’Connor is continuing to train with the team in Sydney, giving hope that he may return for the final match of the Tri Nations match against Argentina on December 5 at Bankwest Stadium.
With the three teams locked on six points and Australia last on points differential, the Wallabies will be hoping that there’s no blowout in Saturday’s clash between New Zealand and the Pumas in Newcastle.
Reece Hodge has worn the No.10 jersey in the past two Tests and despite his lack of previous game time there has been one of the Wallabies best performers as they’ve notched a win and a draw.
Despite Australia’s lack of depth Wisemantel said the Wallabies wouldn’t mandate that Melbourne coach Dave Wessels play Hodge at five-eighth.
“Dave and I will have a chat but at the end of the day that’s their decision,” he said.
“That’s his program and as the Wallabies staff, our job when Super Rugby is on is to support the Super Rugby franchises.
“We are a resource for them; we’re not going to be telling them that they must play Reece Hodge at 10.”
