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Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has shown commendable faith in picking debutant Jono Lance to fill the big shoes of injured Israel Folau against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow night.
It would have been so easy to switch the experienced Kurtey Beale from inside centre, where he has been a revelation, to fullback. That would have been a double whammy to a side that has clocked up 130 points to 62 in four outings, and a staggering 16 tries to seven.
Folau has scored half of those five-pointers, so having him in the grandstand looking on will be a major blow. But cometh the hour, cometh the man – and that man is Jono Lance.
From the outset early last year, Cheika has made it crystal clear one of his major aims as coach was to have depth. He now has a chance to prove his point against the Sharks, a team still annoyed at being beaten by the Bulls last time out – their first loss of the tournament.
Lance played 21 games for the Reds before signing with the Tahs this season. At 23, he’s a bright prospect with plenty of toe, and if he can chime in with Bernard Foley and Beale, his coach will be well satisfied.
As will Rob Horne on the wing, replacing Alofa Alofa, who can count himself unlucky to be benched. Horne has the edge on Alofa for experience and is a devastating defender, as many of the Sharks will remember over the years. Whether Horne has the ability to beat a man as well as Alofa can remains to be seen.
They’re interesting selections from Cheika, but most of what Cheika does is far from dull.
Wycliff Palu resumes at No. 8 and if he can play most of the game – which in itself is a rarity – he will be a big plus for the Waratahs against the Bismarck du Plessis-led Sharks pack.
It’s a pity that Will Skelton has been benched, with South African Jacques Potgieter joining Wallaby Kane Douglas as the locks. Skelton is still pretty raw, but once he learns how to throw that massive 203cm, 135kg frame of his around the park, both the Waratahs and the Wallabies will have a priceless asset.
He’s only 21 and learning quickly. Hopefully he will be called on early in the piece tomorrow night.
But in the big picture, Cheika must be scratching his head wondering how his entertaining side can’t get through to the fans. They are still staying away in droves, despite the fact the Waratahs are playing the rugby fans have demanded for years.
The Waratahs won’t be at their Allianz Stadium home until Saturday 19 April, when they play the Bulls over Easter. Hopefully by then the Waratahs can crack the 30,000 mark, which they haven’t done for three years.
They deserve a crowd of that size, and the atmosphere it generates.