Last weekend Australia won a to-and-fro match of rugby against their worst enemy. Now, it is time for the Wallabies to square up against the might of the Northern Hemisphere teams.
First up is Wales. I believe that Australia should name an unchanged starting line-up for this test match.
It is important to consider the make-up of the squad throughout this tour and I don’t pretend to admit that the XV who won last week is the XV I think are the best Australian team.
At the moment the Wallabies have some momentum, something they haven’t experienced in a couple of years.
Make the most of this chance.
Momentum doesnt mean this team is perfect, but there are plenty of areas I wouldn’t want to see touched too much in test match scenarios. Our forward pack is the obvious place that needs work and because of that need that is where I would consider some alterations, not in the first game though.
Wales are a team that are most similar to the Southern Hemisphere sides in that they are also trying to run the ball and attack at a high pace these days. The other sides may not so much except for France. I believe the side that won last week can beat this Wales team if they make fewer mistakes.
Wales are bound to be a bit less clinical in finishing and punishing mistakes.
There are however definitely some players I am eager to see get time in this tour:–
– Berrick Barnes
Barnes is an integral part of our side without really having a solid place to call his own. In my eyes he is the replacement for Giteau if relinquishing the kicking duties doesn’t spark a midfield improvement. Berrick had a slow start to the year with the Waratahs and that has hurt him.
Since the final rounds of Super Rugby he has not put 1 foot wrong (only 1 pass wrong on the weekend!) with club or country. He is also probably the best person to take over for Cooper if needed and this should be trialled in the mid week games. He is an enterprising player when away from Moore Park in Sydney – as are most players.
– Matt Hodgeson
He should definitely get a starting berth in both of the midweek games and see where it takes him. There is world class talent ahead of him in the backrow but he has been selected so many times without seeing much of the pitch. He works very, very hard and should be rewarded.
He should also see some more time off the bench if possible.
– Scott Higginbotham
Has had a great year when on the field. It is time to see if that translated into international standards. The same goes for Van Humphries.
– Pat McCutcheon
He is in an interesting position, caught between 7s and full squad rugby. He needs to be given some time if possible to develop his game at a higher level. He will benefit from the regular training with the squad if he doesn’t see a whole lot of game time.
– Lachie Turner and Rod Davies both deserve a run also.
Obviously Drew Mitchell is the most likely to be dropped from the Wallabies wing if a change was made, but it seems that just when you think he’s gone quiet he pops up and makes and impact. That trait makes it hard for Deans to try Turner again or Davies for the first time. At some stage Davies needs to be given a chance to show them what he’s got.
Changes I wouldn’t make on tour:
– Kurtley Beale
Beale would not get a run at number 10 on this tour if I was coaching. Don’t get me wrong, I think he has the talent and knowledge and now, temperament to play that position. However, I think for all the work Beale has done at 15 and the combinations that are appearing in the squad he should be left to play number 15 for a good amount of time.
It would be ok for him to be on the bench to cover a few positions if he was to play a mid-week game but I don’t think he should start at 10. It would be a shame to ruin his obvious development at the full back job, Australia has lacked an electric game breaker from that position since Latham left – don’t ruin this one don’t turn him into an Adam Ashley-Cooper.
– Speaking of which, Ashley-Cooper should not be moved from his position now. He is obviously dangerous when he gets the ball in attacking positions regularly and will get more opportunities to do that at outside centre than at fullback or wing. If Beale or someone on the wing were to get injured and miss a match I would still leave Ashley-Cooper in position and pick someone else from the squad to play.
– Will Genia may seem like a strange one to mention but I think he should start every test he is healthy for on this tour. He had a few setbacks this year due to time out and has been only slowly getting back to his best. His passing has now returned to being spot on and quick. He needs time to develop that running game again. That way, hopefully towards the end of the tour, the more dominant on-field personality we saw helping the QLD Reds this year starts to appear for the Wallabies.
What do you think of the squad options I’ve outlined?
There are obviously more chances that can be taken but at this stage I think we have a chance to get on a roll and need to try and do that without rejigging the whole side. How would you manage the squad over the coming month or so?
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.
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