Wallabies coach encourages Miles Amatosero to maintain aggressive playstyle

Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero expressed confidence his reputation as a firebrand won’t damage his chances of getting a Wallabies recall, as interim NSW coach Lachlan McCaffrey said the 24-year-old was on track to develop into an abrasive “Springboks-style” lock.

Amatosero’s rollercoaster year, which began with a two-week suspension for fighting NSW teammate Angus Scott-Young at training, continued in July when the young Tah won a debut for the Wallabies against Italy in Perth.

But in his second Test, when starting for the Wallabies against Japan in Osaka, Amatosero was sent off in the first half for a dangerous cleanout that hit the head of rival lock Warner Dearns. It was bad luck given the Japan captain fell late, but Amatosero sealed his fate by having his arm tucked.

After a three-week suspension, Amatosero returned for the Waratahs in Super Rugby AUS at the weekend against the Brumbies but subsequently missed out on a recall to the Wallabies squad to play against South Africa, which was named by Les Kiss on Monday.

At 203cm and 125kg, Amatosero is one of the biggest locks in Australia, and the Sydney-raised giant was even dubbed a “mini-Skelton” when he signed with the Waratahs in 2023 after a three-year stint with Clermont in France.

But with an aggressive style that pushes to the edge, and sometimes beyond, Amatosero has found himself not only regularly baited by rivals but now watched closely by match officials as well.

Asked if he was concerned, post-Osaka, about developing a reputation that may affect his Wallabies chances in the future, Amatosero said: “I personally don’t think so, but I guess it’s not really up to me.”

“Just through the chats I’ve had with Les, he just said rugby is rugby and that’s what happens and I feel the same way. There was no malicious intent behind anything that I did [in Osaka],” he continued.

“I just saw the picture and obviously I would try to do it differently now if I could. Rugby is rugby and I just want to try and play my best all the time.

“It’s just obviously a little bit frustrating. I feel like [the red card decision] could have gone either way, but I’m happy to take it on the chin with the result of what happened.”

Amatosero said McCaffrey had been a valuable sounding board, and had told him to not second-guess himself or dial down his natural game.

“It’s guys like Lockie that just keep reminding me what I’m doing is good. Don’t let these little things get to me and just keep playing my game. Time will work itself out,” Amatosero said.

McCaffrey is a massive fan of Amatosero, and said it was worth remembering the world’s best locks are always the forwards who play right on the edge.

“If you asked anyone around who the best locks are in the world, they would probably go straight to the Springboks with players like Eben Etzebeth etcetera.

“Throughout their whole career those locks for the Springboks have lingered on that edge of physicality and the collision work. It’s a balancing act, but Miles at the age of 24 and in the scheme of things being a really young lock, I know he’s developing into that style of Springbok physical powerful lock.

“It’s just a matter of time he moulds into that role in a team. I know on the outside people don’t see the daily growth in some of these kids, but what I’ve seen in Miles’ game over the last 12 to 24 months is incredible.

“At the age of 24 I think the rugby world is going to see a lot more of Miles over the next decade, because he’s got things in his game that are very hard to coach around his physicality, his love for the collision on both sides of the ball. The rest will just slowly be finessed.

“I don’t think the Springboks would have any locks if you tried to change their game around the physicality and collision. It’s a collision sport and blokes like Miles, you saw the British Lions game, you saw games last year where he physically can dominate a game of rugby and there’s not many blokes around the world that can do that.”

Rising youngster Isaac Fonua has been added to the Waratahs back row for their clash with Queensland in Roma on Saturday, along with Easts’ Tom Girle.

Fonua replaces the injured Pete Samu, while Girle comes in for Justice Taumoepeau, who is on Australia under-18 duties. Wallaby Luke Reimer makes his club debut via the bench.

Two of the three amigos will reunite for the Force against the Brumbies, with Kurtley Beale starting at No.10 and new recruit James O’Connor added to the Force’s bench.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.