Brumbies Star Meredith Ready for Wallabies Call-Up, Says Coach Schmidt
Declan Meredith, the dynamic playmaker for the ACT Brumbies, is feeling confident and prepared should a call-up to the Wallabies squad materialise this year. His burgeoning form has not gone unnoticed, with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt recently lavishing praise on the 26-year-old. Meredith has been instrumental in guiding the Brumbies to a strong third-place position on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder and is set to lead his team into a crucial clash against arch-rivals, the NSW Waratahs, this Friday night in Canberra.
The shift into the pivotal No. 10 jersey for Meredith came after the departure of Noah Lolesio to Japan. Since stepping into the starting role, Meredith has consistently demonstrated remarkable maturity and composure under pressure, a quality that has clearly impressed Schmidt. Beyond his playmaking abilities, Meredith also offers versatility, capable of slotting in at fullback or on the wing, and possesses game-breaking speed.
Schmidt recently shared his observations with Stan Sport, highlighting Meredith’s command of the field. “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 stated. He further elaborated on Meredith’s unique journey into top-tier rugby. “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.”
While Meredith is understandably pleased to be mentioned in Wallabies discussions, his immediate focus remains squarely on his commitments with the Brumbies. “I think I would be ready for it, but obviously it’s definitely a massive step up to go from club to Wallabies level,” the Cairns product admitted on Monday.
He elaborated on his approach to his current role: “The best thing I can do is just keep my focus here, keep building on my game, keep developing that, and then if the opportunity ever came it’d be nice, but definitely the focus is here.” Meredith attributes his recent success not to a drastic change in his playing style, but rather to the increased game time he’s now receiving. He feels he’s able to truly express himself on the field, a stark contrast to a more limited bench role.
“Bernie (coach Stephen Larkham) is really encouraging me to just play my own game, which is really benefiting me … and just the confidence he’s putting into me, the boys around me are putting into me, it’s allowing me to play the style that I like to play,” Meredith explained. This supportive environment, coupled with Larkham’s trust, is enabling Meredith to flourish in the playmaker position.
Waratahs Face Tough Challenge Against Brumbies
The NSW Waratahs will be heading into their encounter with the Brumbies with a point to prove. They are still smarting from their recent loss to the Blues, where they squandered a significant 20-8 lead in the second half, ultimately falling 35-20. Currently, the Waratahs find themselves outside the top six finals positions, sitting in seventh place on the ladder with only two wins from their opening five matches.
However, Waratahs boss Dan McKellar, who will be coaching against his former club, is undoubtedly determined to galvanise his troops and ensure they are firing on all cylinders for this significant derby match. McKellar’s intimate knowledge of the Brumbies’ setup could prove to be a tactical advantage for his side.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the fixture, Meredith might find himself directly competing against a former mentor in Jack Debreczeni. Debreczeni made the switch from Canberra to Sydney during the off-season, and his experience will be crucial for the Waratahs’ midfield.
“Everyone knows ‘Tahs’ week’ is a massive week and it’s a big rivalry,” Meredith acknowledged. “There’s a couple of familiar faces we’re coming up against, so it’s going to be quite an exciting game.” The history and intensity of the Brumbies-Waratahs rivalry, combined with the personal connections between players, promises a highly anticipated and fiercely contested match. Meredith’s current form and the Brumbies’ strong season trajectory suggest they will be formidable opponents for a Waratahs side desperate to climb the ladder.
