Ex-Wallaby Josh Kemeny’s frank statement on international future following ‘exciting’ move to Northampton Saints

New Northampton Saints recruit Josh Kemeny is putting his international desires on hold to fully focus on life in the East Midlands. 

The towering back-rower made his Wallabies debut during the 2023 Rugby Championship, and later featured off the bench in their victory over Portugal at the World Cup, but with new boss Joe Schmidt now opting to pick Australian-based players (other than Marika Koroibete), he is no longer able to represent his country.

“This is what I’m excited about”

With his chances of representing the Wallabies gone for the time being, Kemeny is putting all of his energy into playing for the reigning Premiership champions.

“I’m here for at least two years,” he told Planet Rugby. “That’s what’s at the front of my mind. Is there an intention to an improve or to watch from afar? Maybe yeah, but this is what is in front of my focus.”

He added: “Continuing to be an international player is a goal of mine, but this is what I’m focused on now and this is what I’m excited about.”

Kemeny also expressed his joy at seeing the Wallabies succeed under Schmidt, following some ‘tough development’.

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“I know a lot of guys in that programme. A lot of people have grafted and gone through some tough development and losses, so I’m only happy for them to see them go well.”

Playing the Saints way

Kemeny comes to the Saints as a direct replacement for Courtney Lawes following his move to Brive, but if he is to come straight into the starting XV he will need to be learnt the Saints way.

Luckily for them though, the attacking style that Northampton like to play is something he is also a fan of, and he detailed how he hasn’t had to change his game too much since making the switch this pre-season.

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“It’s something I’ve tried to have in my game over the years, that attacking rugby is something I like. I haven’t had to adapt to it too much, there’s been elements of the game plan, the structure, the set-piece and the knowledge of the new system that I’ve had to learn, but the style of play is something that excites me and I’m enjoying.”

Hard work

The Saints have earned high plaudits for their free-flowing, fast attack; however Kemeny also spoke on how it’s also based around some hard-graft too.

“It’s based on hard-work and putting yourselves in the right position. Obviously it’s to do with expression and doing what you do best, but it’s also based around doing things that also go unseen and being selfless.”

Northampton begin their Premiership title defence against the side they beat in the final, as they face Bath at the Rec on Friday, September 20.

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