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With Australia’s Super Rugby teams turning in seriously mixed results, and the news that Australia has sunk to sixth on the IRB World Rankings, let’s look at who is shaping up to make the Wallabies in the upcoming Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Brumbies
The Brumbies are sitting pretty on top of the ladder, with a 19-17 loss to the Chiefs the only match stopping them from a perfect start.
The injury to David Pocock was cause for concern, but Jarrad Butler has filled his shoes with aplomb and eased the minds of the Canberra locals.
Forwards Rory Arnold, Butler and Ita Vaea are all performing exceptionally and with repeated performances could see themselves included in future Wallaby squads. Josh Mann-Rea, Sam Carter and Nic White will all have to step up if they are to retain their positions in the national team, although Carter and White will be safe for now.
Waratahs
The defending champions are a shadow of the team that won the title last year. Whether this can be put down to other teams knowing how they play, a lack of player imports in the off-season, or Michael Cheika juggling two coaching jobs, the fact remains that the Waratahs have been unconvincing. Good, but unconvincing.
They have possibly the best team on paper with a host of Wallabies (and a former Springbok) but have been passive in protecting their own ball and attacking the rucks. To make matters worse, sides have discovered how to score against them, with the Tahs having conceded 13 tries in just four games.
Dave Dennis’ positional change to lock was questioned at first, and I’m still not convinced it’s where he belongs, but he’s playing well and will be welcomed into the Wallaby fold.
No players look likely to drop out of the Wallaby squad, although Benn Robinson, Will Skelton, Wycliff Palu, Kurtley Beale and Rob Horne will really have to prove they warrant match-day selection.
Rebels
Finally the Rebels have got off to the start we knew they were capable of! Though facing some fierce opponents, they have managed two wins, a bonus-point loss against the Brumbies for finishing within seven, as well as one against the Waratahs for scoring four tries.
It’s hard to say this is any better than expected, as they are a decent team when firing, but it’s a much more promising start than previous seasons.
Pat Leafa, Paul Alo-Emile, Lopeti Timani and Mitch Inman are all performing well enough to warrant Wallaby squad inclusion, and I’m keen to see them keep improving and hopefully push for the finals. Nic Stirzaker is also within reach of the third scrumhalf spot in the squad if he can limit the number of penalties he gives away.
However Tom English’s inclusion must surely be over with the return of Nick Cummins and James O’Connor providing more skill and experience.
Reds
Never has a pre-season been so promising only for the start of the season to show just how much more work needs to be done.
Let’s have a look at the signings: Karmichael Hunt – suspended. James O’Connor – injury concerns. Hendrik Tui – injured. Duncan Pai’uaia – injured/hasn’t made the team. Taniela Tupou – the far, far, far wider training squad.
The only recruit who has proven themselves as a smart buy so far is Kiwi backrower Adam Thompson, who has performed admirably in a struggling team.
Add injuries to Quade Cooper, Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes and a host of other impressive players and it’s no wonder the Reds are performing below expectations.
Liam Gill and Samu Kerevi, although suspended and injured respectively, have shown glimpses of why they could sneak into the Wallaby squad. Cooper, Simmons and O’Connor should also be in the squad, provided they come back into the Reds team with good form. Jake Schatz needs to step up his game in order to retain his selection, which admittedly only occurred with the absence of Palu and Brumby Scott Fardy.
Force
The Force started better than expected and are now playing worse than expected, so can I cancel those two out and say they’re playing as expected?
An impressive win over the Waratahs showed why they have to be taken seriously, but ever since they haven’t resembled a team capable of winning, mixing poor goal-kicking, unlucky injuries and the least-threatening backline in the competition.
The biggest question mark is over the selection of Junior Rasolea at 12 and Kyle Godwin at 13, when the two would ordinarily be in the other’s position. It hasn’t paid off yet, but I’m happy to see it play out in case it does.
The forward pack has been the cornerstone of the team and accordingly Sam Wykes, Angus Cottrell and Chris Alcock are all pushing for Wallaby squad selection. Nathan Charles and Godwin will have to step their performances up a notch if they are to retain their spots.
Although still months away, I can’t contain my excitement at the prospect of Michael Cheika and Stephen Larkham teaming up to pick the team that will represent Australia. As every Australian rugby fan does at one point or another, I’ve decided that I’m on the board of selectors and that Cheika is reading intently every word that I write.
The following players, so far, would be included in my 35-man squad:
Hookers
Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Saia Fainga’a
Props
James Slipper, Scott Sio, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, Paul Alo-Emile
Locks
Sam Carter, Rob Simmons, Luke Jones, Dave Dennis, Will Skelton
Backrow
Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Sean McMahon, Ben McCalman, Wycliff Palu
Scrumhalfs
Nic White, Nick Phipps, Will Genia
Flyhalfs
Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Matt Toomua
Centres
Kurtley Beale, Christian Lealifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani
Outside backs
Israel Folau, Nick Cummins, James O’Connor, Henry Speight, Rob Horne
I’m keen to hear any criticisms and/or changes you’d make, as well as what your ideal XV or XXIII would look like, as I can’t call it without seeing how players like Cooper, Pocock and O’Connor perform this season.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.