Dwyer demands Wallaby recognition for his stars
March 26, 2002

Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer has demanded that at least seven of his high flying side should be chosen for the Wallabies' opening Test against France in June.

After NSW extended their Super 12 fast-start to five successive victories on Saturday night with a 42-8 thrashing of the Sharks in Sydney, Dwyer made his claim.

"I'd like to think we'd have to get seven-plus in the squad of 22," he told the Daily Telegraph. "That would put us on an equal footing (with the ACT Brumbies and Queensland). And who knows how many by season-end?'

On Super 12 form, the following Waratahs have staked powerful claims for Test squad inclusion: Fullback Mat Rogers, winger Scott Staniforth, centres Matt Burke and Nathan Grey, halfback Chris Whitaker, No8 David Lyons, flanker Phil Waugh, prop Rod Moore and hooker Brendan Cannon.

Over the past two seasons, the Waratahs have been embarrassingly shunned by the Test panel, and justifiably so given the ongoing disappointments every March to May.

"We're definitely heading in the right direction," enthused Dwyer. "We started last year wanting not to play to a structure any more, but to play to what was in front of us on the field.

"(Wallaby coach) Eddie Jones wants that, too. People who can react to what's unfolding.

"Guys thought it was tricky last year, they were nervous about it 18 months ago. But they're not any longer.

"I said it would take us two years to get the team where I want it to be ... to have a team capable of winning a Super 12 competition. It's like you're working towards an Olympic 100m final, and everything before that is building up to it."

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