Robbie Deans shows a little of his 2011 RWC hand
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By Spiro Zavos, 17 Jun 2009 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert
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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans talks to the team during the Wallabies Captain's run in Sydney on Friday, July 25, 2008. AAP Image/Jenny Evans
The Wallaby team that Robbie Deans has announced to play Italy at Melbourne on Saturday night has been called “a radically experimental team.” I’d be more inclined to say that Deans is cautiously trying out a few players in slightly different positions with a view to the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad.
Another consideration is to give other players some experience in positions that are not at risk (first five-eighths, second five-eights, centre, the props, second row), so that when the inevitable injuries occur, the quality of the cover is known.
For some time I’ve been advocating looking at George Smith as a Toutai Kefu-type of number 8. One reason for this is that the openside flanker position is a sort of kamikaze type of role that exposes the player to continual injuries.
The case of Richie McCaw is an example of this.
Smith has been fortunate in that he hasn’t suffered from injuries, but they are more likely if he plays in the number 7 jersey than in the number 8 jersey.
The Wallabies, moreover, have a very good young openside flanker in David Pocock. Pocock is 183cm, which makes him taller than Smith (180cm) and Phil Waugh (175cm).
If the experiment of the Pocock/Smith combination works, and with Rocky Elsom/Dean Mumm providing the third lineout jumper, the Wallabies would have a very creative, quick, skilful and hard-running backrow that would match even the Springboks (who will be much taller) in impact.
Playing Berrick Barnes at first five-eights and Quade Cooper at second five-eights is also interesting, and correct in my opinion. The Queensland Reds tended to use the two players the other way around, which was wrong.
But Cooper, like Carlos Spencer, a player he resembles a lot in style and skills, plays too often like a headless chook when given the frontline playmaking role. But at inside centre, with service from the steady Berrick Barnes, Cooper can challenge the fatties in the middle of the field after the first phase play.
Matt Giteau has played splendidly at first five-eighths in both the Wallabies matches this season. But, aside from a brilliant performance against England at Twickenham some years ago, he has rarely been dominant, in the Daniel Carter mould, at first five-eighths for the Wallabies.
Barnes plays more like the five-eighths that Deans likes.
He underplays his hand but sets up the outsides intelligently, kicks well and defends his inside channel very strongly against the charging opposition loose forwards.
Last season Nathan Sharpe was dropped from the Wallaby squad. He was brought back and has started in the first two games this season. But I can’t see him playing a big part in Deans’ 2011 RWC plans.
The search is on for a tall timber, jumping and scrummaging second-rower to partner James Horwill. Peter Kimlin seems to have the inside running. His performance on Saturday night will be closely observed, for future reference.
The intriguing omission is Lote Tuqiri, not only from the starting side but from the reserves as well. Deans has said that he wants everyone to get a game in the early-season Tests so we should see Tuqiri in the squad, at least, to play a fascinating Test against France.
Peter Hynes has been given a chance to make a claim for his wing position. He impressed this season for the Queensland Reds with his attack of the ball at kick-offs, and also his energy around the field.
The back-three of James O’Connor, Lachie Turner and Hynes has a Crusader look about it, with brilliance, skills and importantly (for Deans) hard work on and off the ball showing out.
Although this side is being called experimental, my guess is that most of the players in it will feature strongly in the RWC 2011 squad. There is, of course, something of Mrs Beetson and her rabbit pie recipe in this: “First, catch your rabbit.”
For this team to be the prototype of the 2011 RWC squad, it has to perform well against Italy, something that should not be taken for granted.
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Dexter William said | June 17th 2009 @ 2:00am | Report comment
Cross – Slow on the break and does not hit hard enough in defence. Not sure why Deans giving him a go. I have to agree with Redone that Tyrone Smith would have been the better choice. My first choice is to see Rob Horne developed in the centre backing up Mortlock. Tahu did not have a good season until the last few games, and like Lote, they both do not deserve selection. Good to see how they react to non selection. The league boys can’t keep walking into the Wallabies team like when Jones allowed them to. It really sends a message to any Leagies who are contemplating a switch to Rugby for easy money – and in their heads for a “softer” game. Who would have imagined that both Tahu and Lote are being left out for a guy like Cross. But the selection of Cross in this team is the weakest decision so far by Deans. But nonetheless when Digby and Rob Horne come back, I can’t see Cross ever getting selected again – I hope.
Cooper – I think he is coping too much flak at Roar. Even Reds Fan does not like him, which is a real worry. I have seen him playing like a genius in few of the games he played in SA. He has a good long pass that is as sharp as anyone in the team can throw. He is a bit inexperienced that is all, and if given the opportunity to bloom in a structured team, he is the one that will surpass both Gits and Barnes. Barnes is steady, but Cooper can do the exceptional stuff. A bit like Carlos Spencer on a good day, but let’s hope that he is more consistent than Carlos.
Burgess – His running game and defence is pretty good, but he does a Gregan when he is in the back of the ruck. He takes an unnecessary step every time he clears the ball and is slow at clearing the ball. By taking the extra step, he is actually signaling to the ops the direction the ball is going. Valentine does not do that at the back of the ruck, but is not as good at line breaks. Perhaps Genia is the more complete player when we see him fighting for a spot next year. The thing I like to see Burgess do is to be more calm (he looks disorientated at times) and direct the ruck with more authority.
Mortlock – There were a few doubters at Roar about Sterlo at the end of the S14, but IMO he should be the first one picked every time. The Wallabies lack power and heart without Sterlo. Other than Moore and perhaps Horwill, we lack a bit of grit. It is good that Deans is working to keep him around till 2011. Also with smaller players in the backline of Gits, O’Connor and Barnes, Mortlock’s power is paramount in the middle. He is a great decoy runner and a magnet in pulling players off the defensive line. As great as Barnes, O’conner and Gits are, they will only attract one defender. I often wonder when we will get a big Centre again. Rob Horne is not that big is he? And Digby is also classed as small even though he is the most tenacious back we have based on the S14 showing. Deans knows the importance of Mortlock – He was there when the Wallabies beat the AB in 2003 semi. Guess what happened? Tana Umunga was injured and he had MacDonald playing at centre. As good as MacDonald was, he lacks the power and presence of someone like Umunga and Mortlock.
Kimlin – An unknown quantity as he is only new at S14. How tall is he? Why are we not getting tall timbers these days? Sharpe is nowhere in the league of world class Locks – just compare him to B Bortha, Alli Williams and V Mattfiled. Vickerman was, maybe Horwill in the mold of Rob Thorne will in time to come. So I am not sure why Deans is keeping Sharpe except for the sake of winning our lineouts. Perhaps it is reason enough for now. Mum has nor shown why he should be picked yet at test level. He needs to step up. Very unfortunate that McMenemen is not playing for us. He would have been just what the “doctor” ordered. “Doctor” in ” ” as we know why he has done what he did.
Alexander – Yes he is not a “test” tighthead yet, but we need to develop this talent somehow. Maybe in time when he bulks up and gets trampled in the scrum a few times, he will come good. he is only young and he has plenty of time to become a great Prop who can play on both sides. It would be interesting to have him at No 8 as he does continually break tackles.
Can’t wait to see how these new crop of players perform this weekend.
Cheers to all.
Ed said | June 17th 2009 @ 3:37am | Report comment
Sprio I agree for the most part, but George Smith is hardly builty for number 8. He doesn’t get anywhere near the go forward a traditional 8 can make. I noticed on the weekend that the wallabies at on stage had only made the advantage line 40% of the time. Playing smith at 8 will only compound this problem.
Comparing him to Toutai Kefu is a bit of a stretch in my opinion, pretty different really:
Kefu
Height: 191cm Weight: 110kg
Smith
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 107 kg (240 lb)
Why make a world class 7 an average 8?
Besides George Smith is renowned for his resilience. It seems a bit like jumping at shadows to rejig the backrow in order for him to avoid injury. How exactly is that supposed to save him from injury anyway. Do you really think he will much differently. He will still put himself in those dangerous positions scavenging for the ball like the fetcher he is.
How about playing Pockock at 6 or 8 instead, if you would like to accomodate the both of them? He had a huge workload running the ball up in the S14, and he is a little bit taller and will only get bigger.
Knives Out said | June 17th 2009 @ 6:41am | Report comment
‘For some time I’ve been advocating looking at George Smith as a Toutai Kefu-type of number 8. One reason for this is that the openside flanker position is a sort of kamikaze type of role that exposes the player to continual injuries.’
This old chestnut again. It may just be me but I find it particularly hard to parallel one of Australia’s most punishing ever ball carriers with a player who is simply not a ball carrier, and for good reason. Smith’s instinct is to play over the ball, not carry it. Further, and I may be imagining this, but the 8 man slot is pretty damaging too. Kefu, Dallaglio, Scott Quinnell (all world class number 8s) suffered very badly with injuries.
‘If the experiment of the Pocock/Smith combination works, and with Rocky Elsom/Dean Mumm providing the third lineout jumper, the Wallabies would have a very creative, quick, skilful and hard-running backrow that would match even the Springboks (who will be much taller) in impact.’
How is this even measurable? I think this is rather excessive poetic licence.
mother teresa said | June 17th 2009 @ 8:06am | Report comment
spiro,your copy comparing the respective coaches was the real issue confronting the roar ;astoundingly the focus was on peripheral secondary points The rwc,and now two incompetent starts to seasons has me concerned with henrys tactical awareness.was dannie craven 60 years ahead of time;dont think so.A BASIC understanding and ramifications of new rules and homework on a french team asked to be full strength by tew should underpin any strategy and selection.agree?
reds fan said | June 17th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
Right. I’ve been quoted as a Quade hater on a couple of threads. Let me set things straight.
Quade has great attacking instincts. Quade also has lousy decision-making.
Quade pushes at players when tackling and lets his team mates do the real tackle.
He also makes hair brained decisions that leave his team mates exposed and scrambling to fill the gap. Poor Barnsey having to play next to him. The reason Barnes plays 12 for the Reds is so that he can mop up after Quade. If Quade was at 12, it would be impossible for Barnes to cover. And furthermore, the mistakes when made at 12 would be made further from the support of the forwards who also do a fair bit of covering work for him.
I dont make these comments lightly. I, of anyone, would love to see him ripping up defenses week after week. I couldn’t believe that the player I saw perform for the Wallabies vs the Baabaas in England last year, was the same guy getting booed by his own supporters this year.
I go every week to watch the Reds, and let me tell you…. i’m not alone. The other season ticket holders who sit and watch him game after game are also not happy.
Having seen him interviewed I think he is a humble young man who is aware of his flaws, and who genuinely seeks to improve and to be a great player.
But I’m not sure how long Reds supporters can keep on waiting for him to “arrive”.
Jecker Bonds said | June 17th 2009 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Different pack, different coach, but Eddie Jones thought Smith would make a good No.8 and the results were only so so. George isn’t a gainline powerhouse like Heaslip (6’4″, 240 lbs), he’s not a flyer like Spies, and not a lineout option like Harinordoquy. He’s a terrific 7, so is Deans playing him at 8 strictly because he’s just too good a forward to leave out?
The Giteau/Barnes discussion remains the most contentious. I’m not a big fan of the constant kicking game so it doesn’t thrill me to have an IC who can kick outside of a 5/8 who can kick – a la Aaron Mauger. Playing Barnes at 10 (Ella was a southpaw and he did just fine) and Giteau outside him will, on paper at least, give Gits more room off an attacking scrum and a better chance at making a break. If, as many commentators claim, he has the chance to become another Horan, he has to play in Horan’s old position.
All the top rugby coaches have 2011 in the back of their minds, and I believe Deans might be happy with Gits at 10 if he had a dangerman at 12. Some people are wondering if Deans might move Sterlo to 12 for the RWC, play O’Connor at 13, and consider Barnes at FB.
When you have enough talent available, the permutations are considerable.
LeftArmSpinner said | June 17th 2009 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Spiro, I agree. This is not a radical team. More a process of developing more experienced starting team players (width) and more players in each position (depth).
I make three points:
1. It is a clever team selection, but we have come to expect this from Deans. The front line team set the standard in the past two weeks, and particularly last week. The Challengers get their chance this week to raise the bar. Good pressure.
2. How does Robbie Deans get a backline to click in two weeks when the Waratahs coaches told us that it takes months to achieve the same? The Waratahs coaches dont know their craft and misled the dwindling Waratahs fans!!!!
3. Overall, I think we should be less precious about the numbers on their backs.
4, 5 and 6: Mumm, Sharpe and Kimlin will play similar games, except that Sharpe will distribute the ball more with offloads and hopefully Mumm will use his extraordinary pace more.
7 and 8: Smith and Pocock will play similar games. Pocock has not yet had the stand out game for the Wallabies that he is clearly capable of.
10 and 12: Cooper and Barnes will interchange between 10 and 12.
11, 14 and 15: Hynes, O’Connor and Turner will also play similar games.
Smith plays over the ball and carries the ball as a ball distributor, using grubbers, etc. Smith’s longevity and continuity has been remarkable.
Barnes was more of 5/8 until Giteau’s outstanding form in the past two games, particularly his kicking. Can Giteau still kick this well against more pressure from the opposition such as AB’s and Boks? Time and Space. If he can, the Wallabies will have gained a very important weapon in their team arsenal. Barnes doesnt have the linebreaking ability that Giteau, Cooper and Beale have.
Tuqiri needs to hope that Deans didnt see him beaten for pace in grade rugby last weekend. His lack of speed is a real issue and has been for years. Tuqiri either does something about it or he dusts off his passport and starts taking french lessons. Tuqiri is finally paying for not using 6 years to develop his rugby skills, kicking in general play, running straight, straight line speed, playing full back and recycling the ball once tackled. He reminds me of a naturally gifted student who doesn’t study for the 6 years of highschool and then subsequently fails his HSC.
Cross’s inclusion is a depth selection. He is an honest, effective and reliable performer, but probably behind Mortlock, AAC and even Rob Horne when selection for the RWC Wallabies Outside Centre position comes around.
MikeN said | June 17th 2009 @ 9:30am | Report comment
One area of concern, and one that Deans noted, was the lack of physicality in the rucks and malls. None of the locks in the current selection is really an ‘in the trenches’ type lock. They are runners and play makers. Horwill is powerful and agressive but still on the play maker side of things. I would like to see Will Caldwell added to the locking stocks as I think we will need a tough, combative lock in the mix when we play the physical Springboks. Caldwell is also a good lineout jumper.
I have been saying it for a while, but until Tuquri learns to run straight and hard, I can’t see him as a legitiate option in the team. Now someone is in charge who does not care how much he earns, the spotlight is on how he uses the ball. He tends to stop and dance around on the spot or run across field, negating his core attributes of size and speed.
I do not see Smith as a number 8. Lack of size and he is not a dominator in physical clashes. He dominates at the breakdown and he is a distributor. Moving him to 8 meansd we either lose the use of his breakdown skills or we focus on the breakdown and rely on the other forwards to cover the other number 8 duties. I think number 8 is the position that Australia is weakest at the moment. Take Palu and Brown out of the picture and what have we got?
Hoy said | June 17th 2009 @ 9:36am | Report comment
I don’t like Cross. I think he is a bit soft in contact, and still crabs a hell of a lot. It is a mammoth pity that Diggers is injured. Would have been picked here for this game, and done good I think.
Cooper is one I can’t decide about. On one hand, I love his ability, yet the other hand, I fear his decisions, and lack of defence, especially at 12. He has the best long ball in the team I think.
Smith at 8 has been tried before, with bad results from memory. I also don’t think Palu is fantastic at Wallaby level either though. He is too slow and lumbering. It is like Willie Mason. Someone so big should do a lot more damage. He seems to put in at super level, but not internationals. I would love a cross between Brown and Palu. Someone with faster footspeed, and hits it up harder. I might be being a bit tough on Palu though.
If Tatafu was a bit taller, Hello new number 8.
Marty said | June 17th 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Interesting points Spiro.
Surely Palu is the Man for the back of the scrum though…