Dan McKellar has joined Morgan Turinui in issuing a passionate plea for patience with in-form ACT Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith.
The 26-year-old from Cairns is in the midst of a breakout season with the Brumbies and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt lavished him with praise on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
That was before Meredith scored his fourth try of the season in the stirring 33-24 comeback win over the Chiefs in Canberra.
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Declan Meredith of the Brumbies. Getty
“Having watched him at Brumbies training, he also is quite commanding in the way that he runs the team, in that others are looking for direction,” Schmidt said.
“Declan’s done a longer apprenticeship than most coming into Super Rugby. Some of the other guys, they come in very young and it’s hard to see the wood for the trees sometimes at 10, with that step up and pressure. And when you get to Test level, that wood’s a lot thicker.
“Having had those experiences and built on them, I think it just allows him to see more, and stay calmer, and be more decisive.”
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Schmidt also praised Meredith’s speed and versatility.
His hot form was an obvious discussion point on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts and Sean Maloney argued he should be a no-brainer inclusion in the first Wallabies squad of the season.
But Turinui argued there was no need to rush a player who has played 28 Super Rugby games but only made 13 starts.
“Every single 10 – for the past decade that we’ve picked for the Wallabies – we’ve picked them too early, because of our desperation,” Turinui said.
“There are lots of rough edges to his game… when that Brumbies team is flying on the front foot and things are clicking, he looks like a genius. And he’s an outstanding footballer – and he’s going to be a Wallaby – but there is no rush.
“Because I don’t want him to be the 16th player in the last decade that puts the Wallabies No.10 jersey on and gets spat out…
Joe Schmidt chats to Morgan Turinui. Stan
“It’s a fear, maybe it’s PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) with what we’ve done… all I’m saying is I don’t want him to be (Jake) McIntyre, (Sam) Greene, (Mack) Mason, (Reece) Hodge, (Will) Harrison, (Ben) Donaldson…
“He’s at the best team, he’s going to look good, and it’s also going to help his development. But I just want patience to give him the best chance of making it.”
Carter Gordon, Tom Lynagh and Donaldson are the other obvious options to start at No.10 in the first Test of the year against Ireland in Sydney on July 4.
Declan Meredith of the Brumbies. Getty
Meredith will again pilot the Brumbies against the NSW Waratahs in Canberra on Saturday.
The Waratahs are now coached by McKellar, who lured Meredith to the Brumbies in 2023.
“He’s a good young man. Declan came down from Cairns and originally was probably a fullback that’s developed into playing at 10,” McKellar said after recalling Andrew Kellaway to his starting lineup.
Declan Meredith of the Brumbies. Getty
“He’s performed well, performed well for them last year. I just get nervous for the individual when all of a sudden he’s played a couple of good games, we start throwing in Wallabies chat again.
“Like, when are we going to learn that that sort of pressure on young men doesn’t help them, and it’s been going on for I don’t know how many years now.”
Schmidt used six different No.10s last year: Donaldson, Lynagh, Noah Lolesio, James O’Connor and Tane Edmed.
“I think we we’re guilty of looking for quick fixes,” McKellar said.
“We’ve got to string a couple of good seasons together before you develop and we’re just trying to find the diamond in the rough.
“Declan’s been good, but I think as a game we need to not apply pressure on him and thinking that he’s going to be the next big thing… just let him continue to grow as a Super Rugby player to start with.”
Coach Dan McKellar of the Waratahs at Eden Park. Getty
Meredith has the benefit of plying his trade under Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham – one of the greatest Test playmakers ever.
The cool as a cucumber Rugby World Cup-winner also tried to hose down the hype.
“I think talk of Wallabies selection is one of those distractions that build up to the game… first and foremost, they’ve got to be firmly focused on the game. The message is not going to help you perform any better,” Larkham said.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham at nib Stadium in Perth. Getty
ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs
FRI 27 MAR: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Darcy Breen, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Sid Harvey
Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper