Legacy of George Gregan: Stability in a Time of Change for the Wallabies

The presence of George Gregan at the Bledisloe Cup match at Accor Stadium on Saturday serves as a potent reminder of more stable times for the Wallabies. Gregan, whose rugby prowess defined an era, was known for his exceptional consistency on the field during his career. Between his debut and retirement, Gregan participated in 139 of the 156 Test matches for the Wallabies, starting in 133 and completing the full match duration on 94 occasions.

This level of continuity starkly contrasts with the current situation post-Gregan’s tenure. The Wallabies have seen a revolving door of halfbacks, including Will Genia, Luke Burgess, Nick Phipps, and Nic White in recent decades. Since the 2019 World Cup, the position has seen increased volatility. White, along with Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott, has been consistently included in squads under coaches Dave Rennie, Eddie Jones, and Joe Schmidt, yet none have cemented a consistent starting role.

The longest streak for a Wallabies halfback was Nic White’s 14-game period between 2021 and 2022. However, following a loss against the Springboks, the No. 9 jersey has been exchanged among the trio 16 times in 24 matches. McDermott had established a footing under Jones and had even captained Australia, but his starting opportunities have diminished under Schmidt. The coaches have repeatedly reset their strategy, with 14 different halves combinations being employed since 2020.

Joe Schmidt, addressing concerns about the constant changes, stated, “Hopefully it’s not destabilising because we all train together anyway.” He noted the potential benefits of freshness from rotation, particularly highlighting the partnerships formed at club levels such as White’s history with Noah Lolesio from their shared Brumbies background.

Lolesio expressed his confidence in the squad’s depth at halfback, “I feel very comfortable playing with Whitey,” he said, commending his edge and leadership qualities, adding “they’ve all individually got their strengths.”

The recollection of Gregan’s leadership during an era marked by astute Wallabies leadership against the All Blacks underscores the ongoing challenge for Australia. With Nic White known for unsettling New Zealand opponents, his selection might also echo tactics from Gregan’s era, as he too was known for his strategic play against the All Blacks.