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Selection rumours out of Auckland suggest erratic fly-half Quade Cooper could be Wallaby fullback against the All Blacks in their World Cup semi, if Kurtley Beale’s hamstring rules him out. In your dreams.
Whatever would possess coach Robbie Deans to think of such a move, even for one second?
If Cooper plays, there’s only one berth available – fly-half. If he’s to repeat the nightmare performance of the quarter final, he’ll do less damage at No 10 than 15 before he’s replaced.
To think of Cooper as the last line of defence sends shivers up the spine.
Besides, there are quality replacements for Beale that make sense. This is no time for nonsense.
Adam Ashley-Cooper or James O’Connor have already played custodian during their careers, and effectively so. Anthony Faingaa or Rob Horne could move into outside centre if AAC drops back.
And replacement winger Lachie Turner could easily take over from O’Connor.
But the more palatable selection would be for Kurtley Beale to play, come what may.
Even if he lasts 20-25 minutes, he could have the Wallabies up by 12-14 points. That would be hard to chase down, judging by the superb defences of the Wallabies against the Boks in making 147 tackles to 53.
They are unforgettable stats.
The equation is simple. Beale plays a big role in the Wallaby backline as David Pocock does up front. Miss Beale and the Wallabies will struggle. Miss both and forget it – the All Blacks will romp home.
Having said that, the All Blacks are very beatable. And that’s not bringing into play “choke” time.
The pressure on the men-in-black is massive to win a second RWC at home, another and very different form of choking.
But losing Dan Carter is as powerful a loss as Pocock would be to the Wallabies.
Carter’s goal-kicking can be covered by half-back Piri Weepu, who has landed 10 of 11 so far. Even Carter didn’t have a success rate as high before he was injured.
But replacement fly-halves Aaron Cruden and Steve Donald are many rungs down the generalship ladder, making Carter irreplaceable.
And that’s where the Wallabies must target, keeping fingers crossed the real x-factor Quade Cooper turns up to play.
If Cooper dances around his opposite number, and Pocock destroys either Cruden or Donald in defence, a RWC final awaits, if Wallaby inside-centre Pat McCabe plays.
After his courageous defensive display against the Boks with an injured shoulder, it’ll take McCabe and Ashley-Cooper to keep Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith quiet in the midfield to win through.
The All Blacks key to victory?
Sonny Bill Williams, the most under-rated player of the tournament and one of the most dangerous in attack.
There’s little doubt All Blacks coach Graham Henry will give SBW a roving brief off the wing, which will make him even more dangerous. Not knowing where he’ll pop up only adds to the aura.
So this promises to be a fascinating encounter, befitting the No 1 and 2 in the world.
And both sides will benefit from having South African referee Craig Joubert on duty and not a whistle-happy northern hemisphere ref with a different set of rule interpretations.
Fascinating alright, right across the board and the field.