Chasing greatness: The Randwick junior stalking Mark Ella’s grand slam feat

November 19, 2024 journo

Mention the possibility of a grand slam to a Wallaby coach or player at the moment and you can almost see the shiver running down their spine.

That’s the nature of the beast when a sporting team is not only hyper-focussed on their next opponent, but scared stiff of giving the impression they’ve mentally banked a win and are looking on to future challengers.

“No, no, no,” said Wallabies fullback Tom Wright when asked if there was any grand slam chat beginning to emerge after beating both England and Wales.

“That’s all external. Externally, that can be chatted about … because the support for us here in the UK and at home has been really nice for us. But, mate, Scotland next week is as far as we’re looking.”

The hunt for a grand slam – which is achieved by beating England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland on a tour – is alive and well, regardless. By virtue of Australia remaining unbeaten on the first half of their four-Test tour, a revitalised Wallabies supporter base is looking ahead to the second half – and daring to dream.

Tom Wright breaks through to score his third try in Cardiff.Credit: Getty Images

The second half of the Wallabies’ spring tour is the comfortably tougher stretch, with Scotland the world’s sixth ranked side, and Ireland are the world no.2.

But with players like Wright, Fraser McReight, Len Ikitau and Rob Valetini in outstanding form, something that would been unthinkable standing in the smoking ruins of Australian rugby this time last year is, now, not out of the question.

One omen may even provide supporters with a little extra hope about stars aligning. Having scored against England and Wales, Wright is the only player who can still match Mark Ella’s feat of scoring four tries in all four wins on a grand slam tour.

Like Ella in 1984, Wright’s adventurous mindset has been crucial in the two Wallabies’ wins so far, and like Ella, Wright was a Randwick junior who played in the Galloping Greens’ district.

And, also like the ex-Wallaby star, Wright grew up playing rugby league for La Perouse United – deep in Ella territory.

“He is one of the true great Wallabies. I have had a little bit to do with Mark, just in Classic Wallabies conversations, in passing around the eastern suburbs,” Wright said, when the try-scoring feat was pointed out. “Obviously playing for Randwick, I was a Randwick junior as well, so we’ve crossed paths a number of times. He is a very, very lovely fella.”

Wright then quickly added he wasn’t thinking about such a try-scoring feat.

The 1984 grand slam is the stuff of romantic legend for older Aussie fans but many young Wallabies players have, at best, only recently grown aware of it.

Tom Wright scores against England at Twickenham.Credit: AP

When asked about the ’84 grand slam earlier on tour, one Wallaby politely answered he didn’t know much, and that’s understandable given it was 40 years ago. James Slipper is the only current Wallabies player born in the 1980s, and even that was 1989. Nine were born in the year 2000 or later.

The realistic expectation of a grand slam repeat also wasn’t high on the agenda given the tough first fixture in London, but then Max Jorgensen’s try threw open a door.

But even Schmidt has been at pains to deflect invitations to gaze into the distance and talk heroic homecomings in Dublin.

“We let the external noise just be external to us,” Wright said.

“Joe, along with all the coaching staff, we’ve got loads of experience steering us in the right direction and just definitely keeping a level head on where we’re at.

“By no means are we the next big thing. Our next task is Murrayfield, and Scotland are a handful at the best of times.”

Wright’s off-field caution starkly contrasts with his on-field confidence. The 27-year-old former Manly Sea Eagle was among the Wallabies’ best at Twickenham and won man-of-the-match in Wales.

In the two Tests, Wright has run for 329 metres with 26 carries, beaten 13 defenders and scored four tries already; yet again raising questions about Eddie Jones ignoring him for a World Cup spot.

Wright spoke earlier in the year about seeking a balance with his attacking instincts and smart decision-making at fullback, but the backing of coaches like Stephen Larkham and Schmidt has been crucial for his confidence to go for the unpredictable option under pressure.

“Joe, when he was appointed to the job, he got across all the Super Rugby clubs, saw us, got to meet us in person,” Wright said.

“He built a small rapport before the July series, and since then we’ve been able to grow in confidence. I am definitely still building my own game but understanding the fundamentals of my game are really important, and allow me to do the attacking stuff.”

Most Viewed in Sport