So far this season, the Australian Super Rugby backlines have been somewhat mediocre. With that in mind, who will be the Wallabies’ centre pairing when the side is selected?
One of the main reasons the Wallabies were not able to win the World Cup, and have not been able to win back the Bledisloe for over a decade is due to their lack of a solid centre combination.
For years we have seen the likes of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith for the All Blacks. Nonu has always found it easy to get over the gain line and Smith has had arguably the best defensive organisation in the world.
Now with Sonny Bill-Williams in the equation, the All Blacks have even further depth in the centre role.
South Africa have always been known for their size and speed in the centres, with guys like Jacque Fourie and Jean de Villiers giving the Springbok attack not only threats to beat you on the outside, but also the ability to run over the top of you.
What about the Wallabies? Robbie Deans has attempted to provide that needed grunt in the centres with the inclusion of Pat McCabe, with his hard and straight running lines. However, McCabe has been reasonably quiet this season.
James O’Connor is best suited at inside centre, where he can play the role of both a play maker and a ball runner. But his injury means that someone else must step up.
Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes and all the other Waratahs inside backs have been the most disappointing this season, due to the team’s poor form.
But I believe that Adam Ashley-Cooper is still a likely candidate for the outside centre position, as although he hasn’t been in the best form in Super Rugby, he has the uncanny ability to step up, and produce outstanding performances at test match level.
So for me, he would be my pick for outside.
However Anthony Fainga’a must also be considered, as his thundering defence was one of the key factors for the Reds resurgence this season.
Although he still needs work in attack, I would have him on the bench as an impact player to provide some physicality in defence when needed.
As for inside centre, the number of players available for this position is a very worrying sign.
Berrick Barnes has not played to his full potential this season, and is much better at number ten than inside.
Pat McCabe is the likely choice for coach Robbie Deans however another option for the Wallabies is Mike Harris.
Although born in New Zealand, Mike Harris has an Australian born Grandmother and is therefore eligible to play for Australia.
With James O’Connor out, and Pat McCabe being out of form, I believe it would be a good opportunity to give Harris a go, and see what he is capable of in test match rugby.
His solid kicking game, steady defence and good decision making in attack ensures that he could be able to play test match rugby, and play it well.
The centre combination is of the utmost importance for the Wallabies at the moment, as the upcoming matches against Wales could prove decisive in this area.
The Welsh centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies were one of the standouts during the World Cup, and their combination was one of their greatest weapons during the Six Nations victory.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Nonsense. The head coach is the boss, the selector and the assistant can only offer advice. Deans could possibly have pleaded for hours to keep Cullen where he was. You don't know at all what Deans' position was, only Mitchell's. Just a cheap shot at Deans, nothing more.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Mitchell and Deans were both selectors and Deans was the backs coach. They were both involved in the decision to play MacDonald despite the fact that Umaga was fit. Their reason for doing it was that Spencer couldn't kick goals and MacDonald had taken over the goal kicking. Tana hadn't played much rugby since the Tri-Nations and they didn't think he was match fit and the only other alternative was Nonu who they weren't going to play in a semi-final. MacDonald had been awful against Wales, but like most of the All Blacks came right in the quarterfinal against South Africa where the team played well and gave everyone (themselves included) a false assurance that the team was heading in the right direction.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Mitchell was the head coach and selector don't be ridiculous.
Jbob
Guest
This is my first post although I've been reading the roar for years. I've finally caved, for a few reasons: 1 - sheek, very insightful as well as respectful comments, I enjoy reading your interpretations 2 - KPM aka if they're not islander they're not powerful. My continued reaction to your comments is that you don't seem to value any form of subtlety in a player. To me, Larkham would never have got a run at 10 in your team as he wasn't flashy. A team full of flash without substance is not balanced. Btw, you state tomane as being a potential wallaby centre. When have you seen him pass the ball, or draw a man and set up another? We have decent cattle contrary to your thoughts, but if our ingenious coach would stop picking players out of the positions they became established in, we might see that. On another note ( trying my best not to rant), a faingaa trained and also played at 10 for a while, so where do these comments come from about a lack of attack, is this based on his appearances at 13 when he is picked out of position, being natural 12 with a strong all round game? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Adam-15
Roar Pro
i've never agreed with this thought in the past but i think digby should be given another shot at 13 at this point in time anyway. There's a lot of wingers around lately that could fill his spot and he is often drifting into midfield anyway for the reds, he's really picked up his work rate and you can tell his keen to run. Everyone says he needs the space on the wing but i think he can still be very powerful in midfield. Maybe his passing will hinder this option and i think with McCabe as well it could get bogged down easy. But tell me would you rather McCabe + AAC, McCabe + Horne, or McCabe + Diggers? I'd take diggers. i think the backline Jameswm posted was awesome and i fully agree but right now this option is very possible.
glacier
Guest
KPM i understand Seuteni is a product of the South Australian School rugby system - and then onto represent Australian Schoolboys - and not Qeensland's.
jeznez
Guest
He was, think he shared the SJC best back award with Matt Burke from memory.
Red Kev
Guest
Or MacDonald - I knew who I meant, and so did you all.
Red Kev
Guest
Cullen at 13 anyone? It's not the players, it's Deans, he's crap.
jeznez
Guest
Brett, that was brilliant!
Turnover
Roar Guru
Yeah I remember it and it was a disaster. '99 World Cup with Cullen at 13. Oh dear.
Justin2
Guest
Peter Jorgensen? from memory was a schoolboy freak too. I always reserve judgement on players who, like Sautia looks, are much bigger than their opponents in junior age groups. It means didly squat quite often as the smaller kids eventually "catch up" and suddenly the advantage the "prodigy" had is gone. Its almost like a pis..ing contest "I spotted that kid when he was 18, I told you so" blah blah blah. Just let them play and develop and see how they handle the step up to professional rugby.
Max Power
Guest
Before you go any further proclaiming Sautia et al as the second coming of christ remember this Scott Daruda, Lloyd Johansson and Leroy Houston all showed tremendous potential and went away on Wallabies end of year tours. All three of them struggled to make an impact at Super level with only Johansson still with a Super contract. I'm not saying players such as Sautia, Seuteni, Rapana etc don't have loads of potential but it doesn't guarantee they become the superstars you claim they will. Having talked to someone who played Australia schoolboys with Sautia he is from all reports an extremely lazy trainer, regularly sitting out tougher training drills and sleeping in the gym.
Justin2
Guest
Good point Ric, but you never know he might be talking about some 15yr old who he has read about on the internet...
PeterK
Guest
Justin - I said potential. 1/2 of a game is enough for me to say give him more time starting so we can evaluate him properly. I am NOT calling for him to make the team this year or even next year. What I am saying lets develop him and potentially he COULD be very very good. I have seen enough of Taps to put him well behind the best centres in the world. Not close to Mortlock or Herbert form our recent better centres. Not close to Nonu, SBW etc.
Justin2
Guest
Sorry KPM, I mean PK - one half of footy and we are making judgements on an 18yr old? Please... how many matches have you seen him play against adults exactly PK?
sittingbison
Guest
hehe he DID get in the last word %)
PeterK
Guest
Taps is probably the best we have right now with Cummins close behind. However I think FSetau has more potential, ie Taps IMO at best would be a good test player, but FSetau at his best could be a very good test player (or better). I would love to see him start against Brumbies and see how he goes there.
Charlie Hodgetts
Roar Rookie
Nah I don't know of him sorry.
Riccardo
Guest
One would hope that KPM is referring to Andre Taylor from the Hurricanes, Justin.