Morgan Turinui - is he what we need?

It would appear that the selector's first choice was a young up-and-coming centre from NSW who has played some great games in the ARC. Chris Siale has signed for the Reds next year but unfortunately hurt his ankle and was thus overlooked for Turinui. At least the selectors were looking in the right place, ie youth, before they gave way to Turinui. I guess this highlights the importance of the ARC to Australian rugby because without it Siale's performances would be lost in club football.

Matt Giteau's first match for Australia, coming on as a reserve against England at Twickenham, was a total disaster. He droipped passes, missed kicks and generally was pathetic. It's to Giteau's credit that he came back a year or so later and played a blinder against England virtually defeating a strong England side by himself.

Turinui was the only logical choice, all this talk of Beale and Turner etc, would it be wise to throw 2 up and coming players like that into quater and semi final rugby? remember they would have no warm up games in the australian jumper, its straight into playing England and NZ. Wilkinson and Carter would have a field day with those 2, Turinui atleast knows what top level rugby in the australian jersey is about, im all for these guys playing for the wallabies, but to have them play a semi against NZ or France? I dont thinks its a good idea

There is no way that Kurtley Beale could be thrown into a RWC finals. He doesn't know the systems etc and it is not clear yet whether he can rise to the level of international rugby at this stage in his career. Morgan Turinui is the obvious back-up player. He's been there and will allow Matt Giteau to come in as a first five-eighth by providing cover, as a reserve or back-up, for the depleted centres role. There is also the possibility that Stirling Morlock's shoulder might pop out again, too. So someone to cover inside and outside centre as a specialist was needed. Lote Tuqiri, though, would be the starter at centre if anything happens to Morlock. Turinui is there essentially as a back-up.

This is typical of the current Wallaby selection process which looks in the rear view mirror for talent, rather than out through the windscreen. Turinui WAS a journeyman and now is an aging journeyman. He has had flashes of greatness punctuated with long periods of mediocrity, and now stands in the shadows of many others. I for one believe Beale would have been a better pick, and managed carefully this would have been a grand opportunity to introduce him to the pressures of test rugby in a "boot camp" style, using him off the bench and allowing him to soak up atmosphere in the team environment. Having said that I agree that rushing him in (as the ARU have done with others recently) could have been to his detriment - but there is rushing, then there is showing judicious haste. The latter is fine, the former is not, the difference is how the player is managed both on, and off the field.

Wallabies had little choice but call Turinui after Bernie, Staniforth AND Mortlock got injured in the pool matches. It will be interesting to see if Barnes is called up to mark Jonny but I doubt it - Instead I reckon Giteau will move in one and Morgan will make the bench to cover the centre of the park, where the Wallabies will look to attack just outside Baldies crook shoulder through Latham, and also where England will send Farrell up for the set just outside Jonny. It’s pretty difficult to support the Wallabies when Lote Turkey is doing all his talking off the field. And crikey - who made him VC? Bundy the Polar Bear? Its a real weakness of the team that a three-quarter who can't even score a try in a RWC pool match is looked to as a leader and his position is not open to competition in the finals. Why can't he be used as an impact sub? At least when this tournament is over Connolly can get lost and new blood might revitalise a code that’s lost its way and has been as dire as England have been in terms of introducing new fans, playing attractively and being an advertisement for it off the field. Bring on a new coach and the likes of Beale, Cooper and Turner! The best footballer in Australia right now is Greg Inglis, and until rugby has a star of equal ability only an RWC win will save it from some pretty lean times ahead. But hey he who would be stupid enough to write off the Wallabies would be the same idiot already writing off Howard's election chances.....

As long as they don't put him on the wing...

MT hasn't been picked in the starting side, chances are he's on an all expensis paid holiday for three weeks in France. On another matter why is all the debate over Ashley Cooper and Mitchell fighting for the one wing spot? Has the wallaby jumper been sold to LT. Surely we can't keep dismissing the fact that he is a winger with no idea how to beat a man one on one and is unable to score a try. Mitchel has shown he knows where to place himself to be in the correct position or at the very least is reading the game much better than LT and Ashley Cooper does nothing wrong. Never misses a tackle and continually advances over the advantage line and can still score tries. Why the strangle hold on the position when he's not perferming - must be promises were made somewhere?

If Morgan Turunui was a boxer he would be tagged a journeyman. Sadly the current conservative Wallaby management have painted themselves into a corner by failing to provide the genuine up and coming talent (e.g. Beale, Polota-Nau, Holmes, Turner - even Peter Hewett), with an opportunity at a higher level. That conservative approach is highlighted by the decision last year to select 31-year old Tai McIsaac (instead of Polota-Nau) to make his test debut only to then discard him this year. Turunui is the safe option, and perhaps the right option in the circumstances, but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.

Spiro A strong case could have been made to replace Lyons with Lachlan Turner and move Adam Ashley Cooper into midfield to cover for Mortlock, Barnes and Giteau. This would solve the quandary as to whether to play Drew Mitchell or not given his strong form and tryscoring prowess. As a winger Turner wouldn't have had to learn the Wallaby playbook as extensively as a playmaker in the midfield or no.10. Turinui is a safe selection but he doesn't worry a defence as much as other players and Connolly had an opportunity to be bold and add a little X-factor into the mix. I'm sure Turinui will give his best if he's required to play, but will that be good enough?

Whilst I agree with much of what has been written above, I can understand the logic of Morgan's selection. He is tough, robust and, whilst unlikely to be in any run on side, offers good cover for the centre(s). Moreover, his form in the ARC has been excellent; he is very fit both in a physical and match sense. He has been hampered by being played out of position - he never was a winger, yet was put out there by Ewen in a complete mismatch. We arn't all Mark Gerrard's or Joe Roff's who can easily move about the backline. And with respect to his move to QLD? This will be interesting - we don't all shine under the same gameplan. Think of the number of players who have struggled at provincial level at QLD or NSW but have thrived on a move to the Brumbies, for example. Good luck to him - I hope he succeeds and that the Reds reap. Kurtly Beale? I think the selectors have shown sense in not pushing him just yet. Indeed, I believe the Ella brothers have had major influence behind the scenes, ensuring that over zealous Blazers do not shanghai him prematurely in an attempt to find the new Messiah at the 11th hour. It would serve no purpose to subject him to that sort of pressure, nor have him deal with the possible trauma of failure at the highest level in the biggest tournament in the game. Some jokers will say "throw him in the deep end, like Eddie did with Git's". I beg to disagree. Gits was not thrown in at the semi-final stage of a World Cup.

Whilst Turinui will never be world-renowned for his pace, he is tough, and has an intuitive understanding of the game. Although I do remember Bryan Habana making him look a little foolish in this years Super 14. In his defence, Turinui was part of a Waratahs side that underachieved quite spectacularly last term. It is unfair to just single him out, as there was a distinct amount of average-ness on show. Maybe a change, and a season at Suncorp will help him recapture his form of years gone by. From the point of view of the Wallabies, I'd say he was a more than capable understudy.

The Wallabies had to have a back-up inside/outside centre in case anything happens to Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau has to be moved into the first five-eighths position. It was all pretty predictable. There isn't time, either, to drill a new Wallaby like Curtley Beale into the game-book of the Wallabies.

Morgan Turinui - Is he what we need? As a Queenslander I asked exactly the same question when the Reds signed him. The Wallabies aren't going to get anywhere floating tug-boats like him through the line.

Can't say that I disagree with you, Dexter. Sorry to point out that they've gone with Turinui.

I do wonder how closely considered Beale was?