Former Queensland Reds, now Canterbury Crusaders player James O’Connor recently spoke about the trans-Tasman relationship and how players should be able to represent their country while playing for any Super Rugby Pacific team.

O’Connor stated: “We play such different styles. It would be pretty unique for guys to go and experience a year in a different place, instead of going overseas and playing there”.

The former Red cites that Christchurch is closer to Brisbane than Perth but I think most Australian fans would argue it’s not just the distance but the direction.

However O’Connor does raise an interesting question. Are there players in the Australian system who are buried in the depth chart that could make an impact in another Super Rugby Pacific franchise? Of course there are.

We’ve seen the likes of Mack Hansen and Sione Tuipulotu leave these shores for pastures new, for different reasons – but a lack of chances is the common thread between the two. Hansen wasn’t getting the opportunities in Canberra and by the time he was given a shot, it was already too late.

Tuipulotu was initially led astray with a contract in Japan before ending up in Scotland to take advantage of his Scottish heritage. All three players were in different positions in their Super Rugby Pacific clubs but what could have been if they got more playing time closer to home before travelling north?

This raises the question; are there players buried in the depth chart who could cross the Tasman and make an impact before coming back to Australia as better players?

Here are two players who I think fit that bill.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Queensland Reds to the Highlanders20 years old178cm89kgs

I had to do a double take when I read that HMP was only 20. Maybe McLaughlin-Phillips would be better staying near friends and family but if he wanted a shot at a starting job right away, I’d love to see him steering the ship at the Highlanders.

Jamie Joseph has returned down south and where Joseph goes, free flowing attacking rugby follows and the up-and-coming Reds number 10 would fit in well.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips of the Reds. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Rhys Patchell’s departure from Dunedin means there’s an opportunity up for grabs. Cameron Millar started six games at ten for the Highlanders last year and a further nine for Otago in the NPC. No doubt Millar will return to Super Rugby an improved player after racking up minutes in the club game alongside some of his SR teammates.

Ajay Faleafaga had some opportunities as well, mainly off the bench before playing at 12 for Otago in the NPC.

The Highlanders have invested minutes in Millar but he’s by no means nailed down the starting spot. That’s why I’d love to see McLaughlin-Phillips make the move, if only for a year, to gain some serious starting experience leading a team through a campaign.

There’s no doubt Australia’s U20 starting flyhalf has a high ceiling and although he’s only 20 and has plenty of time to develop, I selfishly want to see him on the field more.

A year of working under Jamie Joseph and playing alongside weapons like Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Nareki and Timoci Tavatavanawai would be fantastic for developing HMP’s attacking game.

The departures of O’Connor and Lawson Creighton to the Waratahs means HMP’s path to the starting journey is a little less crowded and he will get game time in the 22 jersey at the very least. However, Tom Lynagh is Les Kiss’ starting 10 and his time in the Wallabies camp earlier this year means he’ll come back to Ballymore an even better player.

Angus Blyth – Queensland Red – Auckland Blues26 years old206cm116 kgs

Having made his international debut earlier this year, you might ask why does Blyth need to do anything differently? The second row room at Ballymore is looking a little more crowded this time around as Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returns to his original club alongside Josh Canham after the Melbourne Rebels shut up shop. Blyth was involved in Joe Schmidt’s opening Tests against Wales and was given a starting chance against Georgia and South Africa but was relegated to the A squad for the remainder of the year.

At 206cm and 116kgs, Blyth has the physical potential to make an impact at international level but a red card in back in 2023 aside, Blyth is missing a mean streak.

Enter Vern Cotter. Head Coach of the Super Rugby Pacific winning Auckland Blues, Vern Cotter has taken all the experience and nous he’s gathered in the northern hemisphere and has integrated into a squad full of potential. The most striking thing about the Blues this year was their directness.

Angus Blyth was been called into the Wallabies for the first time this year. (Photo credit: Julius Dimataga/Wallabies Media)

With incredible talent out wide, it was their commitment to punching holes and physically dominating teams that set them apart this year. Perhaps in previous campaigns, the Blues were guilty of spreading the ball before “earning the right to go wide”, but this year they earned that right ten times over.

With only four locks currently on the books, there’s an opportunity for Blyth to slot right in. Yes, Patrick Tuipulotu stands tall in the engine room, he’s a nailed on starter and Sam Darry became an All Black this year, but Tuipulotu has had his fair share of injuries and if the Blues are committed to this mauling style of play, you can be sure opportunities will present themselves.

Blyth was selected by Schmidt for the Wallabies due to his workrate. Previously guilty of drifting in and out of games, Blyth wracked up his stats this year and does a serious amount of unglamorous work. Schmidt’s first foray into professional coaching came at Clermont Auvergne in the Top14 where Cotter was the Head Coach. If Blyth’s body of work impressed Schmidt, you can bet his protege would welcome it too.

I think a year of working alongside some bruising talented All Blacks and laying a platform for some exceptional finishers would work wonders for Blyth moving forward while he’s at such a formative stage of his career.

Recent Australia A fixtures are a great opportunity for Australian players who are on the fringes of the Wallabies to display their wares. However, being selected in that squad means they didn’t quite do enough at Super Rugby Pacific level to force Joe Schmidt’s hand, that’s why it’s even more important that these players continue to get playing opportunities whether that be at home or abroad.

Are there any other Australian players who you think could benefit from even a year playing abroad in Super Rugby Pacific?