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Australian Adam Ashleigh Cooper (centre) is tackled by New Zealand's Jimmy Cowan (right) and Ali Williams (left) during the Tri Nations final between the Australian Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 28-24. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
In response to the earlier article on the possible All Black team in 2009, here’s a look at how Robbie Dean’s Wallabies are shaping up with just four Super 14 rounds remaining.
Unlike their New Zealand rivals, the Australian Super 14 teams have lacked consistency throughout the competition. Despite this, they still have three teams in semi final contention, albeit fading.
Props:
Propping has been an area of concern for the Wallabies for a number of years now, but perhaps things are starting to look a little brighter with the emergence of a couple of talents.
Ben Alexander was a bolter last year but is now justifying Deans’ decision, having a strong impact at the Brumbies.
After Matt Dunning was ruled out of the Super 14 with injury, pressure has been put on young Benn Robinson to step up, and he has made a good fist of his opportunities.
Al Baxter is still the hard man he’s become known for, but at the age of 32, perhaps he doesn’t have much more to offer the Wallabies. He still might be an option.
Sekope Kepu and Guy Shepherdson may be other names on the minds of the selectors.
Hooker:
Stephen Moore, rated by Sean Fitzpatrick as the best hooker in the world, looks to be tightening his grip on the hooking role. Moore’s workrate around the ruck is second to none as he continues to impress rugby experts.
Tatafu Poloto-Nau is the enforcer that Robbie Deans may enjoy using off the bench, although the Waratahs front rower’s lineout throwing could do with some improving. Adam Frier always plays consistent footy and will be in consideration yet again.
Locks:
After having his doubters last year, Nathan Sharpe is back up and running as he leads the Western Force. Standing two metres tall, Sharpe should be there come the Test season. At the age of just 23, James Horwill looks the goods to pair up with Sharpe, despite injury hampering his Super 14 campaign.
Hugh McMeniman may be given a run in the squad, but some of his ball skills look to be letting him down. Dean Mumm from the Waratahs has had a solid Super 14 without being outstanding and is in line for a spot on the bench as he can also cover as a loose forward.
Blindside Flanker:
With the loss of Rocky Elsom to Leinster in Ireland, the race for the Wallabies number 6 jumper is wide open. The temptation of moving either Phil Waugh or David Pocock to blindside may be an option as Robbie Deans attempts to accommodate two fetchers in his side.
Waratahs blindside Ben Mowen has enjoyed a strong and untroubled Super 14 campaign thus far and may be in the reckoning for the June internationals.
In Hugh Mcmeniman, Mark Chisholm and Dean Mumm, Deans has three locks at his disposal that all have experience at 6. Whether he opts for a blindside fetcher or a traditional blindside including a lineout option is up for debate.
Openside Flanker:
Take your pick: George Smith, Phil Waugh and the ever-improving David Pocock battle it out for the most tightly contested positional battle in Australian rugby. It does appear, however, that George Smith has the wood over his opposites and Deans likes his work.
Waratah Phil Waugh never goes down without a fight and has signalled his Wallabies intentions by signing a new deal with the ARU.
20 year old monster-child David Pocock continues to impress experts with his physicality at the breakdown and also at the tackle area, which must tempt Robbie Deans to get him into Test match rugby, somehow.
In jest, The Rugby Club panellist Greg Martin even suggested moving George Smith to halfback to accommodate the others. Perhaps that is a little eccentric but the selectors may want to find some way to get at least two of these freaks into green and gold.
Number 8:
Wycliff Palu is the incumbent last man down but last year saw a healthy competition for the spot with Western Force hard man Richard Brown. They both play similar styles of football; they hit the opposition hard and are not afraid to run the ball at the opposition either.
If the selectors decide to go for Stephen Hoiles they will receive a more versatile approach from the backrow and with his ability to play anywhere in the loose forwards and as a line-out option, Deans will give the Brumbies captain some consideration.
Halfback:
The Wallaby selectors will be rather dissatisfied with what they have seen from Waratahs halfback Luke Burgess this season, which may open up a chance for a bolter scrum half.
The Queensland pair of Will Genia and Ben Lucas look the most talented halfbacks around and certainly look future Wallaby candidates. Both possess the ability to spark something into a game and Ben Lucas’ kicking game is an added bonus.
If Burgess is not the way to go, Robbie Deans may give the job to one of the older heads around, Brett Sheehan or Josh Valentine, who has made a strong comeback out West.
Five-eighth:
There was debate last year over whether Matt Giteau was better used at first receiver or second receiver but that debate is now over. Giteau has transformed himself into a world-class fly half, rivalling Dan Carter as far being the best in the business.
He possesses everything wanted from five-eighth: a strong runner, a tactical passer and an astute kicker. But most importantly, he is unpredictable. The next question mark, however, hangs over his back-up.
Quade Cooper, with his dancing feet, looks the favourite for the job as he continues to grow in confidence. With Kurtley Beale out of favour at the Waratahs, Daniel Halangahu is the only other alternative.
Inside Centre:
Berrick Barnes’ combination with Matt Giteau last season was prosperous, and with the Reds second receiver playing consistent footy, it should only take injury to remove him from the Wallabies.
Robbie Deans and his crew will like what they see from Barnes. With his rugby league background, he is touted by some as being the best defensive centre in the world.
He is no mug on attack either and will relish being outside Giteau and inside Stirling Mortlock.
In the way of a replacement, the talented James O’ Connor will certainly gain more Wallaby caps in the future and will perhaps be thrown in the deep end should Barnes be forced out.
Outside Centre:
Stirling Mortlock’s name is inked on the Wallabies 13 jumper and not much will stop the powerhouse centre from being there come crunch time.
Digby Ioane has had an electrifying Super season at centre for the Reds and will be around the Wallabies camp somewhere, perhaps on the wing. But if skipper Mortlock cannot make the field it looks as though it will be Ioane himself or Force enforcer Ryan Cross in his place.
Wings:
Peter Hynes and Lote Tuquri formed part of an indifferent back three for the Australians in 2008.
Tuquri is a class player, and although he has had limited opportunities in a flat Waratahs backline, he will again be in the mind of Wallaby backs coach Michael Foley.
Hynes, however, in a season plagued by injury, has failed to justify his Wallaby selection last year and looks unlikely to be retained.
Force winger Cameron Shepherd has been arguably the best Australian winger of the competition, and along with his mates from the west, Scott Staniforth, and perhaps Drew Mitchell, look to be fighting out the other wingers berth.
Fullback:
A problem area in Australian rugby, both Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell failed to take their opportunities at the back for the national side last year. Therefore, the spot is wide open.
Mitchell has probably been the better of the two in this years Super 14, but Robbie Deans will be left unsure about who to play there come June.
Lachlan Turner has been a bright light in NSW and could spring a surprise.
The Team:
1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Al Baxter
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. David Pocock
7. George Smith
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Ben Lucas
10. Matt Giteau
11. Lote Tuqiri
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Cameron Shepherd
15. Drew Mitchell16. Ben Alexander
17. Tatafu Poloto-Nau
18. Dean Mumm
19. Phil Waugh
20. Will Genia
21. Ryan Cross
22. Digby Ioane
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.