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I wrote an article earlier this week discussing the immense talent of Israel Folau. However Folau is not the most important player for the Wallabies’ hopes of winning the Rugby World Cup.
Here are the five Wallabies we need to perform to win the World Cup, listed in order of importance.
1. Wycliff Palu
This wrecking ball of a man has had a lot of injury concerns over the years and has subsequently copped a lot of criticism.
That may be warranted, but the criticism he has received for his work-rate has been unfair. His work rate and ball carrying is phenomenal. He is our version of Liam Messam and who, apart from the All Blacks, can afford to leave ‘Liam Messam’ out of their side?
When Palu got injured in 2011 we lost any real chance of winning back ‘Bill’. I don’t think any other Australian backrower has put their hand up to offer more physical presence at the breakdown or in tight ball carrying. Ben McCalman did a great job on the end of year tour last year but he still lacks Palu’s physicality.
We can’t win the 2015 Rugby World Cup without Wycliff Palu.
2. David Pocock
I am a massive Michael Hooper fan but even I can see the value of the man they call ‘Bam-Bam’. When fully fit, David Pocock is the best ball fetcher in the world and arguably the no. 1 defensive open side. He lacks the pace of Hooper or Sean McMahon but he can still carry over the advantage line.
If anyone is ever in doubt of his worth all they have to do is watch the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter final against South Africa.
3. Sekope Kepu
It seems he is the only tight-head we have that will not disgrace the no 3 jersey in a tight World Cup play-off. This is in contrast to our three viable loose-head selections in Scott Sio, Benn Robinson and the incumbent James Slipper. The only genuine option at tight head after Kepu is to ask Ewen Mckenzie to come out of hiding, not as a coach, but as a player.
If you ask James O’Connor about who was more at fault in the 2013 loss to the British and Irish Lions, he might point the finger at Alexander, who couldn’t hold up his side of the scrum, rather than the no 10 who made all those run metres and actually scored a try to keep us in it at half-time.
Tetera Faulkner would be another option but he’s going to struggle against the big boys.
4. Stephen Moore/Tatafu Polota-Nau
I put these two down as equal fourth because both are vital to a matchday 23. Whomever gets the nod to start (I predict Moore), will add so much at scrum time compared to the likes of Saia Fainga’a. Tolu Latu is looming as the only other hooker in the country that can do their job at scrum time.
I’m not saying any combination can get the Wallabies dominating at scrum time, but with these two we might just hold our own.
5. Israel Folau
If the forwards can gain some ascendancy and produce at least 50 per cent of possession and territory, and if our inside backs can execute, Israel Folau has the skills, size and power to produce tries against any opposition.
He may not need to score them himself but his presence could get us the two tries it seems a team needs to win World Cup playoffs. We could win without him but having him on the park gives us confidence. He is our strike weapon.
So there you go Roarers. No doubt many will disagree, so let’s hear your thoughts.
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.