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NSW Waratahs flyer Tom Kingston is being tipped as a possible Wallaby this season, but who should join him on the short list for a start on the Aussie flank?
Digby Ioane surely has a mortgage on one side, even considering his recent four-match ban from Super Rugby. But if there is one wing spot available, who should it go to?
Australian wingers (and NSW players) Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner are out with injury, as is fly-half Quade Cooper. This could mean one potential winger, James O’Connor, could be handed the number 10 jumper and free up a spot.
Clouding the issue further is an injury to Wallaby fullback Kurtley Beale, and the constant movement around the backline of Waratah Adam Ashley-Cooper. Fullback, wing, centre – Ashely-Cooper has more positions than the Kama Sutra. Deciding which is his best is not straightforward.
Adding to the headaches is what to do with the Wallabies’ five-eighth spot. Should it go to the conservative Berrick Barnes or the livewire O’Connor? The pair can also play three positions – 10, 12 and 15 – so it may be case of finding space to fit them both.
The Wallabies’ disappointing loss to the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup semi-final had the backline team sheet of: 15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Anthony Fainga’a, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper.
At this stage you would say Fainga’a and McCabe might be lucky to hold on to their centre spots. McCabe, who can also play fullback and wing, may be moved around while Ashley-Cooper and O’Connor may move closer to the action.
With the Wallabies Test season kicking off against Scotland in Newcastle in June, this would be a good time to trial some new talent on the wing. The games against Wales in Brisbane will be very tough and there will be no margin for error against the Six Nations champions, or in the new Rugby Championship.
Waratah Tom Kingston has acquitted himself well this season, despite his young age and relative experience. The 20-year old Sydney Uni speedster has only a handful of Super Rugby games under his belt but has been one of NSW’s best so far. If not this season, Kingston is definitely one for the future if he keeps playing like he has.
Rugby league convert Cooper Vuna has also been touted by some as a possible Wallaby, but he needs to improve his defensive skills. A damaging runner with the ball, the Melbourne Rebel is not a strong defender and still needs time to learn the ins and outs of rugby.
Fellow convert Joe Tomane had a blistering game for the Brumbies on the weekend, scoring two impressive tries. Again, it is too early for a call up for Tomane now but 12 months down the road it could be a different story.
Perhaps the three knocking hardest on the door, along with Kingston, are the Reds pair of Dom Shipperley and Rod Davies and the Force winger Nick Cummins.
2012 could be the year for the 24-year old Cummins. The ‘honey badger’ had a great 2011, and has graduated from being a former Sevens player to being on the fringe of Wallaby selection for two years.
Davies has also been on the fringe in the past, but has suffered several setbacks with injuries. With speed to burn, Davies made his Wallaby debut in the disastrous loss to Samoa last year. The 22-year old will need to hit top form to earn another crack in the green and gold.
Davies’ Reds teammate, 21 year-old Dom Shipperley, only made his Super debut last year. A regular scorer of last-minute match-winning tries, Shipperely raced away in the dying stages of the first round against the Tahs to win the game.
He did the same for a Queensland XV rep side against Japan in 2009, again for Brothers in their semi-final against Uni in the Queensland club comp in 2011, and last year in his second Super Rugby match for the Reds against the Force in round 17. Shipperely may be the biggest bolter of all, but his genuine pace and ability to find the line is surely needed.
Whichever way the Wallaby selectors go, there are some big choices to make in the backline as the Super Rugby rounds roll on and Australia’s date with Scotland nears.
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.