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Having a beer in the Brookvale recently, I heard a bunch of blokes discussing which combo would be best at 10 and 12 for the Wallabies.
One of them said: “I reckon the Mungo kid is a good bet.”
I didn’t get it then but I learned later that he was referring not to one player but a combination of two – Barnes and JOC. For obvious reasons.
But whatever your nickname is for either of them or both of them together, the idea’s a pretty good one. Unless you like Kid Mungo better, in which case JOC plays 5/8 and Barnes I/C.
The first arrangement gives you a 5/8 who has a damn good drop kick, a weapon that’s been important in past RW Cups.
The second arrangement gives you a dynamic ball carrier at 10, and a 12 who can reliably feed whoever’s the in-form 13 and bring down SBW all day long.
Although it’s true that, whichever spot JOC occupies, he’ll still be a great ball carrier.
This doesn’t leave any room for Cooper, and for some, especially if they’re from the North, this is unacceptable.
But something’s got to give. So what’s your choice for the Wallaby backline: Burgess, JOC, Barnes, AAC/Horne, Ioane, Mitchell, Beale?
Or something a little – or a lot – different?
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.