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?
scottmit
Guest
As it happens I thought Edmonds, when he came on, looked far more solid than Fianga'a. The scrummaging looked better (well it certainly couldn't have been worse) and he contributed a lot more in open play. Edmonds just seemed to be more comfortable with the pace of test Rugby.
cm1
Guest
Yep, Moore pulled out during the warm-up. Sore back, I think. That can't have helped the Wallabies' scrum, but they were always going to be up against it. My son advises me the pack gave away 7.5kg per man! Add that to a sodden pitch and a pack that has only, at best, achieved parity a few times in the past couple of years, and remove Moore at the last minute, they were always going to be in trouble. But Chisolm HAS to go, and Brown also fails to cut it at this level. On the other hand, Slipper looks promising and I'd like to see McAlman get a few more Tests under his belt.
Parisien
Guest
Having just watched the Wales game, I think one or two changes are called for. Where was Moore? Huia Edmonds on the bench!! I don't think he is up to it. Was Moore injured? The scrum was terrible. The props were suffering, especially Robinson I thought. Slipper seemed to help slightly when he came on. Chisholm's place is up for question again, but the whole forward pack were below par. The Welsh 7 had a great game and cancelled out Pocock. Giteau is still looking low on form and confidence. Thank goodness Beale, (deserved man of the match, how good is he?), O'Connor, Cooper, Ashley Cooper, and Genia all had good games. But with that number of errors, turnovers, weak scrums and work at the breakdown, the English will definitely be fancying their chances next saturday. The Wallabies can and have to improve! Still, nice to see a consecutive victory. Well done.
Cattledog
Guest
Have to agree with you here Cliff. I somehow think reputations are on the agenda. However, if in the mid weeks he shows some flair and gives some others a go (which I suspect he will), he then needs to reward the good performers amongst these guys at the higher level, even with bench spots. Time will tell, however, I do live in hope that those at the 'coalface' do have a greater understanding of the individuals on tour than we mere mortals back in our offices and that's the reason we see the selections we do.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
I like your "Reputations do not Carry much Weight" - the tell me please - WHY - Chisholm, Mumm and Brown are still in the 22 - their reputation does not exist - except being bloody horrible and inconsistent. And as for Giteau - reputation? - certainly not performance
Emuarse
Guest
For Deans, I think he will do team management like last year's tour. He will use the mid-week games to determine who in the number two team should get a promotion (last year it was Cooper & Mumm) with also corresponding demotions from the first XV of those who don't put up their hand, no matter a win or loss. Basically, what he is saying to the players is that you have to earn your stripes to make the top grade. Reputations do not carry any weight. Notice I called it management rather than selection!
Parisien
Guest
I'm glad this article has appeared, and if you don't mind I've pasted my comment from another thread since it is more pertinent here. Given the changes Henry has made for England, some of which were injury caused, and others perhaps to test combinations for the WRC, its still interesting Deans has kept the same 22. I know he needs to develop continuity and logic says you don’t change a winning team but he also needs to test against the best northern teams a backup for Cooper. Imagine if like Carter for NZ he was to be injured! Barnes hasn’t been seen at first five for a while, or ouvreur as we say here, and I’m not sure he has Cooper’s unpredictable wide fast passing game so it would mean an adjustment to the game plan and style. Giteau fails to ignite the attack and has been tried already, but how would Beale go there? Apparently he was tried a lot in training and that got my attention. Unless the Ws were to change their game plan, which they wouldn’t want to, I suspect Beale might be the most apt replacement if Cooper was to be injured. O’Connor is one who perhaps also could one day (post 2011) move in to first or second five. Otherwise, of course Beale should stay at fullback where he is going really well. The backs are all pretty polyvalent and most can cover several positions. Deans also urgently needs to test and find potential replacements on this tour for Chisholm (Van, Simmons?), Elsom (Hiigginbotham?) and Pocock (Hodgson?McCutcheon? ). Injuries to Pocock, Cooper or Beale would be the most devastating for the team and seriously jeopardize their game and their chances of winning. So will Simmons, Hiigginbotham and Van get the midweek games only? Could we see them against Italy or will Deans stick to the same eight against the strong Italian scrum. I think they all need at least time off the bench in one or two of the tests to really know how they’ll go. My conclusion is that Deans will be conservative again and we won’t really know how the supposed replacements go against good test teams until it is perhaps too late! Its a tough one: I'm all for not changing the team and developing continuity, experience and confidence, but there are still questions over the replacements lined up. I guess the mid-week matches might have to do.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
I agree. I am keen to see if Barnes is a true replacement for Giteau at 12. Is Hodgson the real repalcement for Pocock in the event of an injury. Deans is clearly a fan, having selected him for the Baa Baa's game at the commencement of the 2009 international season. there are plenty of other 7's going around like Chris Alcock of tahs and Gordon or some of the youngsters at the reds or even perrett of eastwood. apparently, he is very very quick and a good leader. so too is LaLa Lam of randwick. Who is the Brumbies replacement for Smith??? either way, i need to see the Pocock repalcement getting some real test match game time off the bench. is it McCutcheon????? I have seen him in 4, 5, 6 and 7 jerseys for Sydney Uni.
mickh
Guest
"Last weekend Australia won a to-and-fro match of rugby against their worst enemy." Correction, NewZealand would be our best enemy. England take the cake for our worst.