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How will the Waratahs top their conference? Mumm's the word

The Waratahs have persisted with Dean Mumm, while ignoring other talent. (AAP Image/NZPA, David Rowland)
Expert
29th April, 2016
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2743 Reads

Dean Mumm was rightfully rated a senior player in the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup campaign last year.

But this year the 32-year-old has been a Waratahs liability with poor handling while his defence, support play and mobility haven’t much better.

Mumm’s lost out to veteran David Dennis as a lock, as he’s about to play his 100th game for the Waratahs, and lost out to exciting 21-year-old Jack Dempsey as blindside flanker.

But early tomorrow morning in Cape Town, Mumm’s back in the stating line-up as No 6, with Dempsey on the injured list.

These are critical times with just three wins and four losses.

The Waratahs must beat the the Africa 1 Conference-leading Stormers to have any chance of making the finals.

Which translates to Dean Mumm regaining his 2015 form.

He’s in a five-strong Wallaby pack boasting 413 provincial caps, so experience won’t be a factor.

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If the forwards deliver good ball, as the experience level demands they should, the Waratah backline will see the men in blue home to stay alive in the tournament.

Tomorrow morning will be another chapter in the Kurtley Beale-Israel Folau centre pairing experiment that is showing signs of being a masterstroke by new Waratah coach Daryl Gibson.

Taking Folau out of his fullback comfort zone could well have proved disastrous. But Folau is such a complete footballer, he’s proved the decision was right on the money.

Providing, of course, there was a worthy fullback replacement.

Andrew Kellaway was the perfect choice. The 20-year-old has maturity beyond his years and the Stormers will be another step in the right direction as he becomes more familiar with the Beale-Folau combination.

Kellaway has safe hands, his defence is solid, and all it needs now is when he can use his speed and deception to chime in with Beale and Folau, and link with proven finishing wingers in Rob Horne and Reece Robinson.

These are exciting times with five Wallabies in the backline as well.

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The squad to meet the Stormers, with Waratah provincial caps in brackets.

1 – Paddy Ryan (63).
2 – Hugh Roach (13)
3 – Tom Robertson (5)
4 – David Dennis (99)
5 – Will Skelton (45)
7 – Dean Mumm (93)
8 – Jed Holloway (11)
Forward total – 413.

9 – Nick Phipps (89)
10 – Bernard foley (69)
11 – Rob Horne (94)
12 – Kurtley Beale (121)
13 – Israel Folau (52)
14 – Reece Robinson (5)
15 – Andrew Kellaway (3)
Backs total – 433.
Starting team total – 846.

16 – Tatafa Polota-Nau (133)
17 – Jeremy Tilse (52)
18 – Angus Ta’avao (55)
19 – Sam Louisi (10)
20 – Wycliff Palu (127)
21 – Matt Lucas (19)
22 – David Horwitz (7)
23 – Matt Carraro (47)
Bench total – 450.

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