James Ramm, who once trained as a gymnast with Olympic dreams, has been called into the Wallabies squad for the first time in six years as the team gathers at Sydney Olympic Park ahead of the spring tour. The 28-year-old utility back, who signed with the Western Force ahead of next year's Super Rugby season after four successful seasons at Northampton, is now in contention for his first Test cap.
Ramm gave up gymnastics when he moved to St Joseph's College and discovered rugby, initially featuring on the school's second and third XVs before joining Randwick. After injuries curtailed his early career at the Waratahs, he moved to England, where he played for Northampton in England's top division. Eligible to play for England through his father, coach Steve Borthwick had indicated interest, but Ramm wanted to represent Australia.
"My mum's also a Kiwi, so my household at the [rugby] World Cup, it's scattered around the place," Ramm said. "But I think growing up in Australia, this is my home. I started playing rugby here; all my friends and family are here."
Reflecting on his gymnastics past, Ramm said: "When I was younger, rugby wasn't even in the picture at all, I probably didn't know what rugby was. The Olympics was the dream, but I'll tell you, I'm happy to be standing here now."
Ramm says his slower start to rugby has helped him, and he has spoken to younger players at his old school about not losing heart if they miss the first XV. "If you want to pursue this game, there's plenty of opportunity after school, and it's just how badly you want it," he said.
With the Wallabies set to play England, Ramm is looking forward to catching up with former Northampton teammates, including back-rower Henry Pollock. "I hope he doesn't watch this or hear this [interview] because I don't like talking nicely about him, but he's a special talent," Ramm joked.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby has confirmed it remains committed to Super Rugby after officials discussed the option of walking away at an October summit. Leaked documents showed forecast losses of $53 million over five years unless savings were made, with one option being a new domestic competition. NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster said in a statement: "We're aligned with Rugby Australia and the Super Rugby clubs that we need people who wake up every day focused on engaging fans, growing revenue and working with broadcasters and the media." He added that discussions would include player movement, a competition-wide salary cap, and centralising commercial assets.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- James Ramm's call-up highlights the depth of Australian rugby's talent pool and the value of diverse sporting backgrounds.
- NZ Rugby's commitment to Super Rugby ensures the stability of the competition that feeds the Wallabies and All Blacks.
- The financial pressures facing NZ Rugby signal the need for structural reforms that could reshape professional rugby in the region.
Background
James Ramm, 28, started his rugby career at the Waratahs before moving to Northampton in England's Premiership, where he played for four seasons. He returned to Australia to sign with the Western Force. His background as a former Olympic gymnastics hopeful is unusual in rugby. The Wallabies spring tour includes a match against England. Separately, New Zealand Rugby faces financial challenges, with leaked documents showing projected losses of $53 million over five years, prompting discussions about the future of Super Rugby.
Key Perspectives
James Ramm: said Australia is his home and he is happy to be in the Wallabies squad after giving up his Olympic dream. He encouraged young players who do not make school first XVs to keep pursuing rugby.
New Zealand Rugby (Steve Lancaster): remains committed to Super Rugby and will work with Rugby Australia on commercial reforms, including player movement and a salary cap.
What to Watch
- Whether Ramm is selected for his first Test cap against England in the spring tour.
- The outcome of NZ Rugby's discussions with Rugby Australia and the Rugby Players Association on a competition-wide salary cap.
- Any further details on NZ Rugby's financial forecasts and potential cost-saving measures beyond the summit proposals.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFormer gymnastics hopeful James Ramm was named in the Wallabies squad for the spring tour.WA Today - Latest News: “James Ramm dreamed of going to the Olympics as a gymnast. Now he’s chasing a Wallabies debut. ... Instead, the Western Force recruit was on Thursday called into the Wallabies squad”
- SupportedNew Zealand Rugby remains committed to Super Rugby despite forecast losses of $53 million over five years.WA Today - Latest News: “New Zealand Rugby have confirmed that it remains committed to Super Rugby ... According to leaked documents, New Zealand Rugby had forecast losses of $53 million over the next five years unless savings are made”
- SupportedRamm was called into the Wallabies squad for the first time in six years.WA Today - Latest News: “the Western Force recruit was on Thursday called into the Wallabies squad for the first time in six years”
- SupportedThe Wallabies were gathering at Sydney Olympic Park ahead of the spring tour.WA Today - Latest News: “as coach Les Kiss’s troops gathered at Sydney Olympic Park ahead of the spring tour”
- SupportedRamm is in contention for his first Test cap.WA Today - Latest News: “Whether he is selected to win his first cap against England”
- SupportedRamm said his mother is a Kiwi and Australia is his home.WA Today - Latest News: ““My mum’s also a Kiwi, so my household at the [rugby] World Cup, it’s scattered around the place,” Ramm, 28, said. “But I think growing up in Australia, this is my home. I started playing rugby here; all my friends and family are here.””
- SupportedRamm said that when he was younger rugby was not in the picture and the Olympics was his dream.WA Today - Latest News: ““When I was younger, rugby wasn’t even in the picture at all, I probably didn’t know what rugby was,” Ramm said. “The Olympics was the dream, but I’ll tell you, I’m happy to be standing here now.””
- SupportedRamm said there are opportunities after school for players who want to pursue rugby.WA Today - Latest News: ““If you want to pursue this game, there’s plenty of opportunity after school, and it’s just how badly you want it.””
- Partly supportedRamm joked that he does not like talking nicely about Henry Pollock, but called him a special talent.WA Today - Latest News: ““I hope he doesn’t watch this or hear this [interview] because I don’t like talking nicely about him,” Ramm joked. “But, yeah, he’s a special talent and he’s doing a lot for rugby.””
- SupportedNew Zealand Rugby confirmed it remains committed to Super Rugby after officials discussed walking away at an October summit.WA Today - Latest News: “New Zealand Rugby have confirmed that it remains committed to Super Rugby, despite officials there discussing the option of walking away from the competition at a summit in Wellington in October.”
- SupportedLeaked documents showed forecast losses of $53 million over five years unless savings were made.WA Today - Latest News: “According to leaked documents, New Zealand Rugby had forecast losses of $53 million over the next five years unless savings are made”
- SupportedNZR chief executive Steve Lancaster said NZR was aligned with Rugby Australia and Super Rugby clubs on engaging fans, growing revenue, and working with broadcasters and the media.WA Today - Latest News: ““We’re aligned with Rugby Australia and the Super Rugby clubs that we need people who wake up every day focused on engaging fans, growing revenue and working with broadcasters and the media,” NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster said in a statement on Thursday.”