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After watching the Wallabies inadequate performance against the All Black’s last Saturday, there were three words which were repeated by the peanut galleries over and over…”lack of depth”.
Our recent record against our trans-Tasman rivals has become embarrassing to say the least, and unfortunately it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon.
Before we get too depressed we must remember that while rugby is a religion in New Zealand, in Australia it is our third most popular football code. I have no reservations at all about saying our best athletes in Australia play rugby league. The NRL is so rich with talent, baring Will Genia, we would have an whole new backline by next year if rugby league collapsed.
Granted Robbie Deans is trying to create depth, unfortunately it is just not there. Without any injuries our first string side can beat anyone in the world:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. Ioane
14. Hynes
15. AAC
Love it. Great side. But when we have a few injuries, there are a lot of fringe players who aren’t up to it. Richard Brown has been exposed time and time again. Dean Mumm, Will Slipper, Lachie Turner, Horne and O’Connor are good prospects but not there yet.
Our depth at outside centre is so poor we have to move our best fullback as there is no-one else.
Compare this to New Zealand. Their outside backs for example are:
Conrad Smith
Nonu
Kahui
Jane
Muliaina
Rockokoko
Sivivatu
Guilford
Ranger
Masaga
Dagg
Gear
Fruean
Maitland
It goes on and on and is like that for every position. All those players above would make the Wallabies squad.
What about our next crop of superstars? Unfortunately there’s are better!
Of our last year’s schoolboys side, Liam Gill looks the goods. Our best attacking weapon was a young fella called Kimami Situati who has signed with the Reds for next year. Ironically he was a NZ U17 player before he moved to Brisbane. Now I want you to watch what NZ’s counterpart does to him – Julian Savea, a name I’m sure we will hear more of in the future.
What is the solution?
Simple, but maybe not popular. We need to take a page out of the AFL’s book and raid the rich stocks of the NRL. Israel Folau should have switched to rugby. Imagine him on the wing. I don’t care, pay whatever you have to. Greg Inglis would be the best outside back in rugby within a season. Aku Uate would be another sensation on the wing. Far more dangerous that Sivivatu or Rockokoko. Slater, Hayne, Thurston…the list could go on and on and on. There is just so much talent in rugby league.
Just imagine a backline of:
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Folau
12. Giteau
13. Inglis
14. Uate
15. AAC
Forget about it. Bledisloe is back baby. These guys all have size, speed and athleticism that we lack. Our backline, which used to be the best in the world, is way too small and against the top sides in the world we will continue to struggle. Yes, we may win that one home game against the Springboks but that’s about it.
We need to spend the dollars and get a few of these big names. Some of you may say that we have tried this… unsuccessfully. Tuqiri was one of the world’s best wingers throughout his rugby career. Rogers was handy, Dell was okay but has nothing on this new generation. Tahu is not at their level either and is not sharp enough upstairs to learn new patterns. Cross was an average league player and has forged out a decent rugby career.
Have a look at two new players, Bracken Karauria Henry for the Tah’s and Samu Wara for the Brumbies. Both in the S15 Full Time squads. Both very exciting young prospects. Both of them came from NSW Cup, NRL’s reserve grade. They couldn’t make the top 30 our of 16 teams but can make the top 30 out of rugby’s five teams.
We need to get these guys to come over from SG Ball (18’s) and Toyota Cup (20’s). Copy the AFL and really focus on Western Sydney and the Islander populations.
We are in a race watching two codes sprint past us as we watch on from a distance. Until we catch up, unfortunately there will be many repeats of Saturday’s results over and over again.
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.