Deans set to announce first Wallabies team of season
By David Beniuk, 2 Jun 2009 David Beniuk is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, dean mumm, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Peter Hynes, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Timana Tahu, wallabies
Australian rugby union coach Robbie Deans (centre) talks to players during a training session for the team in Sydney on Monday, June 1, 2009. The Wallabies will play the Barbarians on Saturday night. AAP Image/Paul Miller
Wallabies superstar Matt Giteau believes version two of Robbie Deans’ Australian side will show more hunger as the Kiwi supercoach prepares to announce his first team of the international season.
Far from being more at ease in year two of the Deans regime, Giteau said competition for spots meant the squad was on edge as it prepares for its first hit-out of 2009, against the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.
Deans will name his first 22 of 2009 on Tuesday.
“Because of the depth and the way Robbie’s got everyone challenging for positions, no one’s assured of a starting spot so no one’s really at ease,” Giteau told reporters on Monday.
“You’ve still got to work hard and train the best you can and prepare and do all that so you can get that position so I think there’s a lot more hunger within the group.”
Giteau said a first-up clash with the Baa Baas, traditionally a festive occasion of free-flowing rugby, would not mean the Wallabies explore their ability to throw caution to the wind.
“I don’t think it’s a chance for the ad lib,” he said.
“Obviously you’ve been used to the patterns you’ve been playing at Super 14 level so you’ve got to get familiar now with the patterns that we want do here at the Wallabies and the calls.
” … So we’ve got these four Tests (against the Barbarians, Italy and France) which give us a chance to really sharpen up and get ourselves nice and ready for a Tri-Nations.”
That would suggest Deans is ready to name a conservative line-up, although speculation has suggested players sent back to club rugby last weekend, including star winger Lote Tuqiri, would sit out the match.
There are few contentious positions, although whether Dean Mumm starts at blindside flanker or covers lock from the bench, with the Western Force’s Matt Hodgson wearing the No.6 jersey, is one decision Deans and his selectors will need to make.
Force teenager James O’Connor is expected to get the nod at fullback, and Giteau said he would handle his second straight encounter with the Barbarians.
“If he’s given his opportunity, he’s always been a pretty confident guy so I don’t think he’ll lack any confidence so I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Giteau said.
One position not in doubt is Giteau’s, and the five-eighth said he was feeling more comfortable in the position heading into this international season.
“I feel a lot more confident this year than I did this time last year because it was a little bit of the unknown,” he said.
“I hadn’t really played a Test series or gone into Tests just playing flyhalf … so I’m a lot more confident in my role and I certainly know exactly where I need to be at to play my best football in that position.
“Kicking was something that I focused a fair bit on, being able to do different types of kicks … and I suppose just being able to direct things and trying to get control of a game when you feel you’re losing it a little bit.”
© AAP 2012Possible Wallabies team: James O’Connor, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Timana Tahu.
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- Explore:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, dean mumm, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Peter Hynes, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Timana Tahu, wallabies
Even looser said | June 2nd 2009 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Probably Hynes injured & Lote in. Damn!
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Why not Lachie Turner?
Jason said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Does no one else have reservations about the size of a back three of Hynes, O’Connor & Turner. I’d be bombing them all night long. Imagine if an Israel Foloau type player was in the opposition. Those short arses would have no chance.
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:27am | Report comment
Turner is not that short. And if Hynes is unavailable neither is Tuqiri.
Who Needs Melon said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Jason,
I think Hynes and Turner have fielded high balls pretty well historically. I don’t think size for them is an issue and I don’t think bombing them would be a good idea. Hey – you’re not a Waratahs coach, are you?
O’Connor for me is still a bit unproven and obviously young so I imagine any team that come up against us with him at fullback would be seeking to test him just as they would any other young newby. He and everyone else will be expecting that. Yes – he is a little on the short side – but I would think taking high balls is more about courage, confidence and technique than height.
Jason said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Completely disagree Who Needs Melon. You only have to look at AFL where teams with miss matches in height can cause problems. Height is extremely important in airial contests. Why do you think 2nd Rowers & Basketballers are tall?
Rusty said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:54am | Report comment
S14 semi – Kieron Read v Ndungane, the former out jumping the shorter wing and going on to score
Rickety Knees said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Sorry Jason – if the fullbacks were taking marks above their heads I would agree but they take chest marks – so WNM is right – it is all about courage, technique and tenacity.
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Most high balls are placed directly to apply pressure. Not necessary to compete in the air. Its more of taking the high knowing there close by waiting to belt and isolate you.
craig said | June 2nd 2009 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
Rusty, Keiren beat Ndungane not because of his height but because the ball was put righ on top of the winger meaning he couldn’t get a decent jump at the ball. Read could and hence beat him to it. Read jump was also better timed with him getting the ball right at the top of his jump. Height obviously helps but its not everything.
Jason,
The reason Folau is so good is not so much his height but his timing and his hands are fantastic. Again the size helps but its not everything.