Aussie lock likened to Retallick

Editor

Force boss Michael Foley has likened young second row Adam Coleman to reigning World Player of the Year Brodie Retallick.

The giant Force lock is just 23 years old, six months younger than his All Black contemporary, and has enjoyed a good start to the Super Rugby season.

At 2.04m, he certainly has the size to rival Retallick, and Foley believes he is in with a shot of making Michael Cheika's Wallaby squad, with a number of youngsters in contention but few nailed on in the second row.

"Retallick is a very physical player, incredibly fit, has a massive engine, and just keeps going," Foley told AAP.

"But he also has the ability to get his hands on the ball and have an influence on the game. And he hits hard in defence.

"I think Adam is a similar style of lock. Over the next two years, Adam could develop into the same class as Brodie.

"You normally either have a guy who's very physical, or a player that's very skilful, but not both.

"What you're seeing at the moment from Adam are just glimpses of what he's going to be capable of.

"When you're picking a World Cup squad, what you're looking for is consistency. What that says to an international coach is that this guy can sustain a very high level of performance.

"If Adam Coleman shows that over the remainder of the season, there's no question there's an opportunity there for him."