Once again the door has snapped shut on Australia’s most-capped prop, Al Baxter, with Wallabies selectors opting to throw a greenhorn front-row into the deep end against England’s menacing pack on Saturday night.
With the Wallabies facing their worst front-row injury crisis in recent history, forwards coach and selector Jim Williams said it was worth considering sending an SOS for Baxter or fellow veteran Matt Dunning to make an international return at Subiaco Oval.
But by the end of Wednesday, coach Robbie Deans decided not to call in any replacements to take on the powerful English which will target Australia’s rusty front-row rookies.
It was all too apparent in the Australian Barbarians’ 28-28 draw with England’s second-stringers on Tuesday night it’s going to be a searching test for the young Wallabies scrum.
Pekahou Cowan, in line to start at loose-head on Saturday night, had a tough time of it while Laurie Weeks was sin-binned late when moved across the scrum from tight-head.
Whatever the combination the selectors finally agree upon, the most caps Australia’s front-row will sport will be six.
Rising Queensland rake Saia Faingaa will make his run-on debut with hookers Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau sidelined.
Cowan and Salesi Ma’afu are likely to prop up the scrum, but Deans could punt on an all-Reds front row with Weeks and Ben Daley – who are both coming back from injury.
Whatever way, overlooked Waratah Baxter and Perth-based Dunning have been left high and dry again with the selectors not keen to perform an about-face following serious injuries to Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson.
“That’s a matter for the selectors and they will do what they think is best but I can only hope for a phone call,” the 69-Test capped Baxter told AAP.
“Hopefully those blokes will be back on the park sooner rather than later but I can’t really comment more than that.”
Williams admitted England’s big, grizzled front-row would ruthlessly target his youngsters, and felt it worth considering more seasoned props.
“The World Cup is always in the back of your mind but there is a Test match this weekend and we have to make first and foremost it’s taken care of and we cover all bases,” he said Wednesday morning.”
“I hope (England’s physicality) is evident to the (Test) boys – it’s not something you can just walk into.”
While Deans and Williams have their headaches up front, they also have a dilemma at the back – but a far healthier one following James O’Connor’s hat-trick for the Barbarians.
Deans said O’Connor couldn’t do any more in his 25-point, 48-minute display to unseat Kurtley Beale from the No.15 jersey after he scored two tries of his own in the 49-3 win over Fiji.
The 19-year-old utility back says he’s still happy to be picked anywhere but is enjoying the extra space at fullback more after learning from his mistakes in the position in losses to the All Blacks in Wellington and Tokyo.
“The tests last year were a big learning curve for me,” he said.
“I think I’ve nutted out the fullback position now after being found out a few times last year.”
scarlet
Guest
Sorry, but can't see that happening at all. England should dominate the scrums and will use the rolling maul to exercise their additional power and strength. Lineouts should be even but the Australian backs could win the day quite easily as they are a better unit. However, some of the England backs are quite under rated so maybe that will be the surprise. England management claim that they are aiming to play 'complete' rugby, which will be based off forward domination if they are to achieve it. There have been some glimmers of hope for English fans with some passages of great backs play, but not too many yet Either way, with regard to the front row argument, blood the younger players in an irrelevant Test when compared to the RWC as going back to Dunning and Baxter would be a complete waste of time. Neither of those guys has ever been Test quality. I hope that the young guys stand up and do OK, although it is a big ask. With regard to the possibility of them being mentally scarred if they are monstered I think that Wilkinson's first tour was the Tour from Hell where England sent a very young team to much outrage and the subsequent hammerings. He came out of that OK and if anything it just made him mentally stronger. It's easy to be tough in the good times, but the real test of a man's mental strength is how he picks himself and comes back after a massive setback
Justin
Guest
The pack lacks size and grunt, oh and skill. Included in those criticisms are Mumm, Brown Elsom. The back row needs a smart player and Elsom and Brown are not that. Lack skill. I would have had Chapman in for mumm after a real tough confrontational game on Tuesday. A 5 forward bench with McCalman who is big and tough. Genia either starts or doesn't play. Valentines pass length would help Cooper enormously. With the amount of positions our backs can play we only need 2 reserves against a big English pack.
Harry
Guest
Any oddds on the Poms deliberately kicking the ball into touch from their kickoff or knocking on from receiving the kickoff to force a scrum from the outset?
Harry
Guest
Either he should start or he should be resting. There is no way Burgess is a better player. Rather him miss these games than miss the 3N. Bizzare selection policies.
Suzy Poison
Guest
This will be a great contest. The team with the an injury depleted forward pack versus the team with worst backs in the top 8 international rugby teams. I think England will lose down here, but it will be close.....A little bit of flair goes a long way
Stash
Guest
A 6 cap front row against England!! Oh dear, sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. England would clearly love to get it tight - why is Deans giving them such an advantage up front? Good to see Mitchell on the run on side - and O'connors 3 tries during the week deservedly wins the jersey. Some odd selection decisions from Deans - its seems to be his crux - that and his baffling manner in how he deploys his bench. Could prove costly on this outing...
Tony the Sandgroper
Guest
You are a pessimistic bunch today! I make no predictions but I feel that the Wallaby pack may surprise we armchair generals. Nothing to lose is there. I will be there at Australia's worst Rugby ground on Saturday night trying to see and even hear the action. I do agree with the idea that backs behind a back pedalling forward pack will look pretty ordinary. My concern was the turnover rate at the breakdown in the BaaBaas game, not the scrum. Yes the scrums are pretty important but there is more opportunity from ruck turnovers these days. I also hope the Wallabies come out ready to play. Too often I have seen them get behind on the scoreboard and have to scramble back. I think it is time we saw an 80 minute effort from the men in gold. If they come out as rusty as they were aginst Fiji we'll get plastered. I thought the fox sports coverage without the commentary was excellent. If only I could switch them off in my Sports Ears on Saturday night!
james
Guest
thought van humphries was unlucky he certainly took the ball over the gain line well this year and burgess is arrogant and extremely over-rated.
david
Guest
Don't know what Beale has to do to get another shot. After that early spill against Fiji he was really good. Plus it would have done his confidence no end of good to get another shot after his successful court outcome on Monday. They don't need O'Connor as a back-up goal kicker, Cooper can do that (or Barnes). I'm not sure JOC offers all that much more, and he's still a bit suss under the high ball. I hope they give Kurtley another run-on.
formeropenside
Guest
15. James O’Connor (Western Force) - should be Hynes. JOC can ride the pine along with Beale. 14. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds) 13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs) 12. Matt Giteau (Brumbies) 11. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs) 10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds) 9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs) - I'd start Genia. Hell, I'd play Barnes at 12 and Gits at 9 first. 8. Richard Brown (Western Force) - A slightly more physical player than Hoiles. Hey, I'll play Hoiles at 12 and Gits at 9. 7. David Pocock (Western Force) 6. Rocky Elsom (Brumbies, captain) 5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force) 4. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs) - can we get a faith healer out to see Horwill, stet. Thanks ARU for letting MMM go to Japan. 3. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies) - I'd have tried Weeks, but hey, its not like Baxter or Dunning are the answer. 2. Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds) 1. Ben Daley (Queensland Reds) - Probably the best LHP choice with no Holmes in the squad. Run On Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds (Brumbies) 17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds) - see comments re 3 and 1 above. 18. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies) 19. Matt Hodgson (Western Force) 20. Will Genia (Queensland Reds) - see comments re 9 above. Call Nick Farr-Jones to sit on the bench. 21. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) - JOC is the choice here. What happens if a winger goes down, or Horne's hammy? 22. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
wal
Guest
maybe you should play, mister know all
wal
Guest
hope your wrong pal, we'll see what you have to say after the game.
reds fan
Guest
Same. he has so much enthusiasm. i just hope he keeps it under control. when he started for the reds he was prone to giving pens due to his unbridled enthusiam.
Brett McKay
Guest
yeah, I'm really looking forward to seeing Daley in this company (or as much as I look forward to watching forwards...)
Chris
Guest
I hope there is a good NRL game on Saturday night because I sure as hell won't be watching Burgess again. It's almost enough to make me cheer on the Poms.
Jason
Guest
Daley is good. Slipper is no where near ready for test rugby. Ma'afu got destroyed in the ACT V Crusaders game. Fully expect our scrum to go backwards at a rate of knots. I would have had Baxter on the bench. He's slightly less crap then the rest of the losers we have available in the front row. Pek Cowan? What a joke that bloke is. Genia is being eased back. Not even Deans's man love for that imposter Burgess stretches far enough to believe he is anywhere near the class of Genia.
Penfold
Guest
Yep.. Weeks had a pretty strong year and did really well against the south africans. Daley punched above his weight and Edmonds must come off the bench.. It picks itself really.
reds fan
Guest
what do you think of the two Reds props?? I am quite shocked!
reds fan
Guest
I think Deans is easing Will back... there are doubts his knee is truly 100%.
Brett McKay
Guest
Burgess ahead of Genia?? Oh, this WILL be good...