What I would like to know is if he is a better 12 than a 13 or a better 13 than a 12.

To be fair Fionn, the selectors are still not done deciding on their best 23 although only a few spots remain uncertain for them. With regards to Latu starting I dont think that is a bad call coz they have settled on him being in the best 23 and even if that is 16 he should get a start to see what he can offer as a starter or he should have some game time as a starter in case FF gets injured down the line. We dont need a situation where our back up starting hooker doesnt have any game time or know if he is suited to start in case of an emergency or if he is going to be only an impact player. This game will answer that question for the.

The bigger concern is LSL being at 6 and to a lesser extent Tom banks. I believe the role for T. Banks until post world cup should be 14 or 23 and that means if he is 14 Hodge needs to be at 15. They could try 14. Banks and 15. Beale too but either way Banks needs to get a run at 14 for his pace. The better balancing option would then be Hodge at 15 but either way Banks needs to be tried at wing. Ideally all three of them needs to be in the best 23 but where they play is very crucial for it to work.

Hi Peter, the sensible thing to do would be have TK on the bench in case JOC doesnt work at 13. However, could it be that it’s more of seeing what JOC can do and giving Toomua and Banks another chance? I believe this game will decide the role of JOC, Toomua and Banks for the world cup meaning if they will be in the 23 or not. They know what they will get with Kervi at 12 or 13 and Kurindrani at 13 so if it comes to that they will just switch back to the both of them and stick with them for the world cup. Hard to know their thinking on why Kurindrani was dropped to accommodate JOC where as it seemed swapping him for Kervi would be the better way to go, if it worked Kervi and JOC could share the 12 duties and Kurindrani would retain his spot. The way it is now one of the three are going to miss on the first choice 23 since there is no point having Kurindrani on the bench just to cover 13 and ideally all three should be in the first choice 23. Also even if JOC does a good job and stays at 13 we would never know if he would have been even better at 12 which would have allowed both him and Kervi to play 12 and Kurindrani at 13 who has always been very solid for the Wallabies.

Thanks for the very good article Nick. A lot will be reveled in the next two games.

Exactly right Numpty, theres a big confusion as into whats the best 23 and Cheika’s 23 for the RWC. I think Cheika knows who he wants as his first choice 23 but the rest of us are on panick mode since it wont be the same as Cheikas. Chieka only has a few which he is unsure of and he will use the next two games and possibly the Samoa game to settle on those positions. He will also look to give the back up players who not his first choice 23 in one of the three games, I’m not quite sure in which one he will do so.

1 / 17 – S. Sio / J. Slipper (Can be interchanged)
2 / 16 – F. Faingaa / T. Latu
3 / 18 – A. Alatoaa / T. Topou (Kepu can start if and when required)
4 – I. Rodda
5 / 19 – R. Arnold / R. Simmons / A. Coleman / L.S.L (He is still unsure with 19 and even perhaps 5)
6 / 20 – D. Pocock / L.S.L / J. Dempsy / L. Jones / P. Samu / L. Wright (Pocock will be either 6 or 20 and the other spot is his biggest area of uncertainty ATM in my opinion)
7 – M. Hooper
8 – I. Naisarani
9 / 21 – W. Genia / N. White
10 – C. Leleafano / B. Foley (Chieka prefers Foley and can easily start him although I suspect this is the position he has most debate about with the other two selectors)
11 – M. Koribete
12 / 22 – S. Kervi / (JOC or M. Toomua) He will use the next game to give JOC some game time and make a call if 22 will JOC or Toomua) Although If CLL starts he will most likely have Foley on the bench.
13 – T. Kurindrani (He has AAC, J. Patea, S. Kervi, R. Hodge & JOC as cover in his mind)
14 – R. Hodge / DHP / T. Banks (Another spot which he is unsure about
15 / 23 – K. Beale / R. Hodge / DHP / T. Banks (Beale will start at 15 and he will know who 23 is once he decides on 14)

So if you look at the above line up, Chieka is very close to settling with his preferred first choice 23 and will do so by the end of the second game bar any injuries. Then its just a matter of filling in the balance 8 players for the squad which he has plenty of options at the moment. Which game he decides to not play his first choice 23 is anyone’s guess but I would put my money that he would do it for the second All Blacks game. Again, this is what I think Cheika will do.

I however think the best way to go for Bled 1 is,

1/17 – S. Sio / J. Slipper
2/16 – F. Faingaa / T. Latu
3/18 – AAA / T. Topou
4 – I. Rodda
5/19 – R. Arnold / LSL
6 / 20 L. Wright or J. Dempsy / D. Pocock (Ease Pocock in the last 20 mins)
7 – M. Hooper
8 – I. Naisrani
9/21 – W. Genia / N. White
10 – C. Leleafano
11 – M. Koribete
12/22 – S. Kervi / JOC (Bring on JOC in the second half)
13 – T. Kurindrani
14 – T. Banks
15/23 – R. Hodge / K. Beale

And for Bled 2 I would go with,

1/17 – J. Slipper/ S. Sio
2/16 – F. Faingaa / T. Latu
3/18 – AAA / T. Topou
4 – R. Simmons
5/19 – A. Colemean / LSL
6 / 20 – D. Pocock (To play only the first half) / L. Wright or J. Dempsy
7 – M. Hooper
8 – I. Naisrani
9/21 – N. White / N. White
10 – C. Leleafano
11 – M. Koribete
12/22 – JOC / S. Kervi (Bring on Kervi in the last 20)
13 – T. Kurindrani
14 – T. Banks
15/23 – R. Hodge / K. Beale

Then I would give some of the other back ups some game time against Samoa whilst still keeping majority of the combinations in tact.

The above selections give a good balance in trying to nail down the first choice 23, giving combinations time to gel and still give the Wallabies a chance of winning. But I am 100% sure this will not happen.

Hi Bret, Thanks for the article. There are three answers for your question.

First being the best back line the Wallabies could field.

9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. M. Koribete
12. S. Kervi
13. T. Kurindrani
14. T. Banks
15. R. Hodge
21. N. White
22. JOC
23. K. Beale

Second being the best back line from the squad that Cheika and Co have selected.

9. W. Genia
10. C. Leleafano
11. M. Koribete
12. S. Kervi
13. T. Kurindrani
14. T. Banks
15. R. Hodge
21. N. White
22. JOC
23. K. Beale

3rd being the best backline for Cheika

9. W. Genia
10. B. Foley
11. M. Koribete
12. S. Kervi
13. T. Kurindrani
14. R. Hodge
15. K. Beale
21. N. White
22. JOC
23. R. Hodge

Thanks for the article NB, helps with the non rugby week too. As your article points out it was releiving to see an improved effort in the break down area and hope it continues to improve through the season. The slection will play a big role in this though. Also Naisraani is a big step forward in solving the Wallaby back row conundrum. Not very long ago only one position of the back row was a sure selection and now there are two. And with Pocock being back its hard to see him left out which leaves only the bench back rower to be selected from J. Dempsy, L. Write, L. Jones, P. Samu and L. McCaffery. L. McCaffery would be the ideal person to replace I. Naisrani in the second half but I doubt Cheika and co will select him now. My preference in order would be McCaffery, J. Dempsy, P. Samu, L. Jones. The Wallabies cant afford to lose too much of the impact which Naisrani offers once he is subbed which I think he will be from the starting backrow. Out of all the bench options, only McCaffery, Dempsy and to a extent P. Samu offers both line out and ball carrying capabilities. L. Jones offers only lineout and L. Wright offers Lineout and Breakdown both but wont be needed with both Hooper and Pocock on the field. So ideally the bench option should be both a ball carrying and line out option which brings me back to L. McCaffrey and then J. Dempsy. Cant wait to see which way M. Cheika and the selectors will go.

Not a bad combination Peter although I doubt we would see that play out in the next couple of games. There are one or two effective combinations the Wallabies can put out from the available options but I suspect Cheika and Co will most likey go for 6. D. Pocock, 7. M Hooper, 8. I Naisrani with either L.S.L, J. Dempsy or P. Samu coming of the bench. I could be wrong but this is what I feel the selectors will go with. If these are the options the selectors are looking at then I’d prefer them to go with Dempsy coming off the bench considering he offers a bit of everything (B/D, L/O & B Carrying even though he doesn’t excel in any of them). L.S.L can then be the bench power lock to replace Arnold. L. Jones while he excels at line out doesnt offer enough in Ball carrying and B/D to balance Pooper once Naisrani goes off in my opinion. Obviously it will be much simpler if only one of Hooper and Pocock will be on the field at any given time but I don’t see that happening unless due to Injury Coz Cheika will want to play both Hooper and to a lesser extent Pocock for the full 80.

Cheers Nick.

Thanks for the Article Nick, If it happens to be Pocock, Hooper & Naisarani who would you think the bench back rower would be for this Combo?

Thanks for the article Tipsy. Have you ever given thought to a 3 2 3 Pod system for the Wallabies given their personal. Two main pods of three players on the both edges (Prop+Second row+Hooker & Prob Second row and Blind side flanker) with a central pod of Number 7 & 8 and the 9 and 10 moving from pod to pod and then distribute to either side with 12+15+11 on the left side and 13+15+14 on the right side with Full back being the common player on both sides of the attack? I feel this will play more to the Wallabies strengths but more analysis needs to be done on the pros and cons of this attack system.

Cheers Nick.

Nick, I agree that JOC will give an option at 12 and perhaps cover at 10 although I prefer Toomua for that Role mainly because I see JOC adding more value to the back three from Full back and to a lesser extent on one of the wings. 11. Koroibete, 14. T. Banks, 15. JOC or 11. JOC, 14. T. Banks, 15. R. Hodge. Would like to know your thoughts on if you see him more of back up 12 to kervi, a starting option in the back three or a utility bench cover?

Thank Nick, was looking forward to this.

JOC happens to play 12 for Sale but also can play 15 better than any of the available options and in a few other positions too. That is the reason he is called a once in a generation player. And yes S. Higinbotham wont be selected but he should. The third back rower needs to have ball carrying plus line out ability to support Pooper.

Rodda can start and be first choice but Simmons needs to be the 31 man squad as injury cover or for rotation. They are the only two line out callers amd are both 80 min palyers. It is the power lock who will be replaced in the second half. So the 31 man sqaud be something very close to,

1. S. Sio, J. Slipper
2. F. Fanga , J. Ulese. T.P.N
3. A. Alatoa, T. Toupo, S. Kepu (Injury cover for both Tight head and loose Head)
4. I. Rodda, R. Simmons
5. R. Arnold, A. Coleman, LSL
6. Luke Jones, S. Hiiginbotham
7. M. Hooper, D. Pocock
8. I. Nasarani
9. W. Genia. N. White
10. Q. Cooper , B. Foley
11. M. Koribete
12. S. Kervi, M. Toomua
13. T. Kurudrani
14. T. Banks, DHP
15. JOC, R. Hodge, K. Beale

Fringe players – T. Robertson, M. Philip, N. Hanigan, L. Mcaffrey, J. Dempsy,
J. Powell, Henry Speight,

JOC comming in potentially changes the dynamic of the back three now. I believe he will be good enough to slot straight in at 15 or introduced through the bench during the Rugby championship. He has to however be in the starting 15 at the RWC. The best match day 23 could potentially look like this.

1. S. Sio
2. F. Fainga
3. A. Alatoa
4. I. Rodda
5. R. Arnold
6. D. Pocock
7. M. Hooper
8. I. Nasarani
9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. M. Koroibete
12. S. Kervi
13. T. Kurindrani
14. T. Banks
15. JOC

16. J. Ulese
17. J. Slipper
18. T. Topou
19. L.S.L
20. S. Higginbotham
21. N. White
22. M. Toomua (Utility cover)
23. K. Beale (Utility cover. Do not require DHP or Hodge with JOC and N. White in. White covers long distance GK, Banks covers kicking for touch, JOC covers defense which are all the attributes Hodge added to the back line)

Cheers Nic.

Yes I did not see that as a viable option but more of a intrigue to see how it might have worked in the modern era in theory. I only picked Simmons just ahead of Rodda for lineout saftey with three sevens on the field. As it stands I would go for Rodda and Arnold with Coleman or LSL comming off the bench. I am finding it very difficult to asses and pick the best BR combination for the Wallabies since there is no obvious one. Currently I can see only two effective options.
6. D. Pocock, 7. M. Hooper, 8. I. Nasarani or 6. L. Jones/R. Valetini 7. M. Hooper, 8. D. Pocock. And if we are looking at Pocock coming off the bench then 6. L. Jones/R. Valetini, 7. M. Hooper, 8. I. Nasarani and pocock to come in for either 6 or 8. Do you think R. Valetini will add any value and balance Pooper or is it still to early to put him to the equation? If so who do you think on current form is best to compliment Hooper and Pocock?

Hi Nic, thanks for another great article. A combination of Cane and Savea looks deadly and we might see them both feature at the same time some point this year. Specially considering the attacking threat Savea posses and the defensive threat Cane posses as you very neatly highlight. With regards to the Wallabies, what is your opinion about how a starting combination of 6. Liam Gill, 7. M. Hooper, 8. D. Pocock go with a second row combination of 4. R. Simmons, 5. R. Arnold.

Hi NB, thanks for the article. Going with Cheika’s past selection I suspect we might see something to the effect of, 9. Genia, 10. B.Foley, 11. M. Koroibete, 12. S. Kervi, 13. T. Kurudrani, 14. D.H.P, 15. K. Beale, 22. M.Toomua/K. Hunt, 23. R. Hodge.

In fact we could have potentially seen an all rebel backline if they had a better 13 than Tom English. 9. Genia, 10. Cooper 11. R.Hodge/M. Korobite 12. M. Toomua 13. T. English? 14. J. Maddocks 15. D.H.P. Although the only real option the Wallabies have for 13 is one of Kervi or Kurudrani. But the idea of being able to field an all rebel back line excluding 13 is quite intriguing.

Thanks for the article NB, quite refreshing to get back to the bigger pic of RWC selections. What are your thoughts about an all Rebel back three of Hodge, Maddocks and DHP?

Not sure about winning the World Cup but this team could give it a good crack.

1. S. Sio
2. J. Ulese
3. S. Kepu
4. I. Rodda
5. Adam Coleman
6. J. Dempsy
7. D. Pocock
8. S. Higinbotham
9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. T. Banks / J.O.C
12. S. Kervi / M. Toomua
13. T. Kurudrani
14. I. Folau
15. K. Beale
16. B.P.A / T.P.N / F. Fainga / T. Latu
17. A. Alatoa
18. T. Topou
19. L. Tui / R. Arnold / M. Philip
20. M. Hooper
21. J. Gordan
22. M. Toomua / S. Kervi
23. R. Hodge / B. Foley

Hi Jez,

With making a few assumptions that everyone will be fit and going by what we have seen and know with regards to form and hoping that Quade goes well and has a blinder of a season next year, this would be a good team to put out for just the RWC. Changes need to happen post WC but I think tghis team would give us the best opportunity to do well in Japan next year. Although there can be a few exceptions on a few positions.

1. S. Sio
2. J. Ulese
3. T. Topou
4. R. Simmons (Is the best line out caller ATM)
5. A. Coleman
6. J. Dempsy
7. M. Hooper
8. D. Pocock
9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. T. Banks / J.O.C / Korobite / Naivalu
12. M. Toomua
13. T. Kurudrani
14. I. Folau
15. K. Beale
16. T.P.N / F. Fainga / B.P.A / T. Latu (Who ever is the best at the time)
17. A. Alatoa
18. S. Kepu
19. I. Rodda
20. L. Tui (Could be debated)
21. Gordon / Phipps / Powell (Whoever is best at the time)
22. S. kervi
23. R. Hodge / B. Foley (Based on opposition)

Hi Fionn,

The best and most balanced back line we could put out for the RWC would be 9. Genia, 10. Cooper, 11. Banks, 12. Toomua, 13. Kurudrani, 14. Folau, 15. DHP, 21. Gordon, 22. Kervi/Hodge 23. Beale/Foley.