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Michael Cheika made it crystal clear what his intentions were when he took over as Wallaby coach from Ewen McKenzie in November 2014. (Click to Tweet)
He wanted the Wallabies to play Randwick rugby, running the ball, which was understandable given the myrtle green blood running through his veins, and he wanted depth across the park.
The only part of his plan that’s been hard to fathom are some selections, but in all fairness, seeking depth required changes to hit on the best combinations.
Surely now selections must be more predictable, and more constant.
The next six internationals will be the most important of 2016 – the All Blacks at hoodoo Eden Park, and the November Grand Slam tour, with France slotted in the middle.
It doesn’t get any better than that, but first things first.
The benchmark in world rugby are New Zealand, then daylight.
Take the just-completed Rugby Championship, where the Steve Hansen’s men won all six internationals, posting the maximum 30 points, scoring 262 points to 84, crossing for 38 tries to six.
The Wallabies finished second, on 13 points, scoring 173 points to 93, but only 13 tries to 16.
All Blacks and daylight alright, with Eden Park on Saturday week, where the Wallabies haven’t won since 1986.
So it’s time for Cheika’s past selections to be constant to end the year, depending on the availability of David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, and Sean McMahon, now the backline looks settled:
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore (c)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rory Arnold
5. Adam Coleman
6. Dean Mumm
7. Michael Hooper
8. Lopeti Timani
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Reece Hodge
12. Bernard Foley
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Israel Folau
16. James Hanson
17. Tom Robertson
18. Allan Ala’alatoa
19. Kane Douglas
20. Scott Fardy
21. Nick Phipps
22. Tevita Kuridrani
23. Sefa Naivalu
The unlucky ones could be James Slipper and Rob Simmons, while Phipps better pull his head in, and concentrating on being a Wallaby.