Robbie Deans has shown a surprise ruthless streak in banking on generation next opening the winless Wallabies’ Tri-Nations account.
In a further glimpse into the future, Deans wielded the axe for five changes to Australia’s starting XV and two more on the bench in a bid to “chase solutions” against South Africa on Saturday night.
While the injections of rookie halfback Will Genia and the return of Berrick Barnes to the No.12 jersey were expected in the backline, all were caught off guard by the promotions of Tatafu Polota-Nau and David Pocock to the starting pack.
Winger Peter Hynes also surprisingly paid the price along with Luke Burgess, Ryan Cross, Stephen Moore and Richard Brown from the 32-25 loss to the Springboks in Perth.
Veteran tighthead prop Al Baxter was cut from the squad completely and told to work his way back from clubland while second-row stalwart Nathan Sharpe was given extra time to recover from a shoulder problem all but fixed.
Coach Deans, searching for a first Tri-Nations win in 12 months after six straight losses, defended the changes, which also included punting on Western Force loosehead Pek Cowan to fill in at tighthead if Beast Mtawarira savages Ben Alexander.
“We tend to approach it from a squad perspective,” he said on Tuesday.
“This is by no means tokenism nor is it (wielding) a stick.
“Some of these blokes getting their first start have earned their right, it’s not something out of the ordinary, they have shown already (they are capable).
“It also shows there are no guarantees for the future.”
With the 2011 World Cup still more than two years away, Deans has shown extra faith now in the youngsters who are expected to feature prominently then.
After losing to the world’s two leading rugby nations twice each in the last five weeks, he admitted the selectors were looking for new “points of difference” to bring success at Suncorp Stadium.
“Because to go harder just doesn’t cover it,” Deans said. “We’ve chased some solutions and I guess the rest remains to be seen.”
One of the biggest “points of difference” appears to be Australia’s back-row composition with Pocock selected for his first Tri-Nations start and captain George Smith shifting to No.8 to replace the dumped Brown, who also missed out on the bench to Wycliff Palu.
The Western Force openside flanker grew up in Zimbabwe supporting South Africa and idolising Springbok No.8 Bob Skinstad before his family moved to Brisbane.
Deans described Pocock more as a blend of Smith and Phil Waugh and he’ll need to bring the best of both to help prevent the world champions getting the same quick phase ball they enjoyed at Subiaco Oval.
“We’ve got two blokes who are very good in that area so George can profit from the work of Poey,” the coach said. “If he drops a player, George will be on him quickly so there could be an opportunity there for us.”
Barnes (concussion) has returned in the No.12 jersey at inside centre despite calls for Matt Giteau to be moved from five-eighth to inside centre.
Deans, though, gave chuckling hints those wanting Giteau to run wider may be pleased come Saturday night.
“You will see them in both roles in the game,” he said. “We thought we’d keep the numbers the same so it doesn’t confuse them.”
In contrast, the unbeaten Springboks made just one injury-enforced change to their XV with winger Odwa Ndungane replacing JP Pietersen.
WALLABIES:James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, George Smith (capt), David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, Pek Cowan, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
A good point well made, Ben J. Smith is not a No 8 and 14 cm (5+ inches) height is too much to give away, particularly now when the tall blokes are also athletic and quick. Spies will also have the protection, and the distraction to the opposition, of the energetic Burger. Our back row blokes don't hunt together, nor do the locks. Watch the Springboks arrive and compare their old style, conventional "1 in, 2 in, 3 in" technique, the initial impact and the following momentum that gives them.
Knives Out
Guest
-- I think a lot of people probably would think that Vickery is a decent scrummager based on the dominance of England's pack during the 00-03. However, the eulogisation of that pack is pretty much a myth. England used to have some torrid times against the French and Italians, as I recall. They were a dominant force but not to the extent that people recall. I suspect that Mears will be the bench option for England this summer, but given Johnson's preference for Thompson over Hartley during the 1st Argentine test maybe he will start after all. He is a useful player.
Knives Out
Guest
I think a lot of people probably would think that Vickery is a decent scrummager based on the dominance of England's pack during the 00-03. However, the eulogisation of that pack is pretty much a myth. England used to have some torrid times against the French and Italians, as I recall. They were a dominant force but not to the extent that people recall. I suspect that Mears will be the bench option for England this summer, but given Johnson's preference for Thompson over Hartley during the 1st Argentine test maybe he will start after all. He is a useful player.
TommyM
Guest
If it really gets that bad, why don't the Wallabies just have only 2 people in the lineout? The 2 fastest runners. Start one at the back and one halfway. Then they both sprint forward and TPN throws to either the middle or the front. Can't work out any worse than in South Africa...
AndyS
Guest
Even worst when you are throwing against one great tall sod lifting another, which the 'Boks can afford to do!
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
Haha yes that is true - will be a baptism of fire for him. I fear that if his first throw goes wrong it could be a very very long night for him
Ben J
Guest
I agree in theory but against the Boks ample is not enough. 5 jumpers against 3 is just a mismatch. You have to be the world's most accurate thrower to even have a 75% success rate. And that TPN is not.
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
Mumm may be tall but that is about the extent of his contribution. Pocock adds far more to the team than Mumm does IMO
Ben J
Guest
Sam, the Wallabies can't maintain a lead because their backrow is unbalanced, an area which the Boks target with their rucking game. Pocock and Smith is too busy clearing the rucks against much bigger players thus Brussow is allowed to wreak havoc. If Smith is eigthman there will be a 14 cm difference between him and Pierre Spies. Guess where the linout ball is going? The Wallas have at most 3 lineout options, the Boks always have at least 4, with Burger on it is 5. The Wallabies are taking a knife to a gunfight.
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
I think 3 jumpers is ample - front, middle, back It does after all take 2 people to lift each jumper so there is not really much point in having too many
Ben J
Guest
LAS, like they say a mean big one will always beat a mean small one, Mumm at 6 will provide height and bulk, the Boks are capable of fielding a backrow which averages 1.94 cm if they select Burger, Smith and Spies. Brussow will obviously start but the backrow is a crucial area where the Wallabies have to get hard nuts in to counter the Bok rucking game. The scrum is not a major concern for the Boks as their 2 tries of first phase shows but they pride themselves on having the best backrow around at this stage and that combined with the lineouts is their heavy artillery. The fact that Deans has not learnt that a very tall backrow is crucial against the Boks defies belief.
Ben J
Guest
I think the Wallabies are just asking for trouble, According to Wikipedia Pocock is 1.83 m, Smith 1.80 and Elsom is the tall timber at 1.97. That is only an average of 1.86m. Brussouw 1.81 Juan Smith 1.96 Pierre Spies 1.94 Average is 1.90m If Burger comes on for Brussow the average height goes to 1.94. The Boks will either kick for lineouts the whole day or Australia must keep ball in hand for as long as possible.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Rah We won't know until they play on Saturday if the changes work or don't work. However when you have someone like Matfield jumping at 2 when TPN is throwing the ball in to one of three recognised jumpers, Horwill, Mumm and Elsom you realise the pressure and scrutiny that will be on the Wallaby lineout. SA can afford to double team Mumm in the middle and Elsom at the back and TPN's accuracy regardless of whether he starts or not has been a work in progress since the dawn of time. When Anton Oliver started his career for the All Blacks he had the same flaws, great scrummager, mobile runner, strong defender but couldn't hit the same target twice throwing in. SA will be sure to target that weakness and mess up the ball for Genia which in turn causes a ripple effect for the rest of the backline. Australia will try not to kick the ball out and keep the ball in hand more backing their increased mobility and speed to the loose ball with Pocock and Smith. I'm not convinced and Deans is gambling again by playing people out of their specialist postiions in order to fit someone else in.
reds fan
Guest
I wrote elsewhere that I think Gits is getting a big say in selections. He is continuing to say publicly that he wants to be the 10, and his mate from the Force is somehow displacing Hynes... I will be watching with great interest exactly who runs the backline Saturday night... if its still Gits, then Deans probably feels obliged to give the "star" what he wants, and this might continue for sometime... if Barnes runs the game from 10, then we could be seeing the start of a long term shift. I'm just wondering which one of them Cooper will replace. Probably Judas Barnes, he'll cop a hip knock, or a shoulder tweak, or head bump.... he needs to look after himself that one.
Rah Rah Rasputin
Guest
Sam, I doubt the new combination will have a negative impact on the Wallabies. Smtih and Genia atleast have some form compared to Burgess and Brown who were drastically out of form and needed to be replaced; as much for the team as for the for themselves. I think the selections Deans have made really go to strengthening the spine of the team; 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15, being the players who touch the ball the most. Yes, TPN does tend to struggle come lineout and I think he will benefit from starting the game and not coming on in a pressure position. He is also powerful and dynamic ballcarriers, something I think the packs been missed with the exclusion of Palu. Barnes, whether he is first or second receiver, just makes Giteaus job that much easier. As for Micthells selection, I think it is a little rough on Hynes.
Ben C
Guest
I can't recall too many of the Force matches so I can't really comment but it isn't all Giteau just like it isn't all Burgess. Burgess' passing is wayward and he needs some time to work on the mechanics. I am just getting sick of Burgess copping all the blame. It will be interesting to see Genia get a full run so we can get a better comparison.
Justin
Guest
Valentine didnt have any problems at the Force finding Gits, although I do agree he moves his starting position a little bit.
Ben C
Guest
While Burgess' passing has been eratic and he needs some down time to get his act together, it is not entirely his fault. I seem to recall when Giteau was binned in the SA match and Barnes moved to fly-half, Burgess' passing looked better. I don't think Giteau makes it easy by constantly shifting around in the 10 channel. It is the half's job to find his fly-half but the constant movements means either: (1) the pass is fast but may not be in the right spot for the fly-half or (2) the half pauses a moment to confirm the position of the fly-half, giving an accurate pass but slowing the ball movement.
Sam Taulelei
Guest
I agree with Reds Fan, SA will win and have now shown the Wallabies they can play a variety of styles. Looking at the Wallaby lineup it's a team designed to keep the ball in hand rather than getting into an armwrestle and all of these changes have just created new combinations in too many areas as opposed to the one change enforced by injury on the Boks. The Wallabies will probably come out all guns firing and take an early lead. The Wallabies unresolved problem in the Tri Nations this year is maintaining a lead. When they're under pressure they crack, their basic skills desert them, the error rate and indiscipline increases, they tire leaving holes in their defence and allow the opposition to chip away at their lead and pass them by. These problems unfortunately aren't cured by just making personnel changes, as it's a combination of technical, mental and cultural flaws because losing becomes as much a habit as winning. I saw the same thing happen with the All Blacks in 1998, no matter what they tried or who they brought in to shore up one area of their play that pressure of knowing that the opposition would always come back at you was their biggest handicap.
Justin
Guest
LAS - Mumm and confrontational are like Superman and kryptonite!