As we approach the Test season, it seems that much of the makeup of the Wallaby backline will unravel from what Deans’ decides to do with Quade Cooper and the number 10 jersey.
Let me state from the get go, I have far from been Quade’s biggest fan. In my opinion, his first test cap in 2008 was given to him far too early. I wouldn’t have had Quade in until late 2010 at the earliest.
As he began coming through the Reds and setting the Super Rugby world alight, I always thought that his style of play wouldn’t be effective in the Test arena where that extra half a second to create something magical doesn’t exist. The game is far too tight and Quade’s flair and brilliance just doesn’t have a platform to launch from.
His performance during the 2011 Super Rugby season with being a key member of the Reds emphatic rise to the top meant that Deans couldn’t not pick Cooper at fly half in a World Cup year. What followed though was a ‘perfect storm’ of factors that combined against Quade in what had the potential to be a happy year for the young number 10.
The first factor that worked against him was completely his own fault and it comes back to the fact that his style of play isn’t suited to the test arena. He didn’t adapt his game and treated Test rugby like a run around with the Reds where the gaps and time exists to be able to play his game.
However his poor performance at the games showpiece event isn’t all his own fault. Another factor that contributed was the rock that plays inside of him also got the yips as Genia’s attacking style of play and crisp, clean ball deteriorated.
Combine this with the fact that Deans’ put Pat McCabe on Quade’s outside shoulder – unable to pass and was there to effectively ‘truck it up’ and tackle. Having a guy that couldn’t link up with and unleash the talented outside backs that the Wallabies possess was a terrible decision in itself, but it also applied some extra heat on Quade that he clearly didn’t need.
It was obvious he was out there to try and do everything himself and in the pressure cooker that is the World Cup, he crumbled. Having another ball player alongside him like Barnes or O’Connor on a more permanent basis would have made the world of difference to not just Quade’s performance but that entire backline.
Looking ahead to the future, as we begin planning for England 2015, I think Deans should slot Quade back in at 10 and give him the opportunity to make that Wallaby jersey his own. One would hope that Quade learnt a lot from his experiences last year and he’s made the changes that are required to perform at the international level. If not, Deans can say he tried and then look at other longer term options.
Other than Cooper, I believe Lealiifano has finally put a solid case forward for test selection and if Cooper can’t operate as an effective fly half at test level then he’s our go to man. The other two options we have to take over the play making reins are O’Connor and Barnes however I believe the best position for both of these guys is at inside centre.
However, hopefully Cooper hits his strides and we only have to go to Lealiifano as a backup. Another factor that suggests happier times are ahead for Quade in the Wallaby gold is the fact that Genia seems to be firing on all cylinders again and hopefully is ready to carry this form into the coming international season.
Outside of the 10 jersey and Deans needs to put the McCabe at 12 experiment to bed. We need to come to terms with the fact that we don’t have a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, de Villiers or Roberts type player who can put defenders on their back and offload in contact.
I’ll concede that McCabe has improved during this Super Rugby season (learning how to pass was a big contributor to this) but he’s still a poor option to employ in order to use this game plan. We don’t have anyone in the mould of the players listed above but there’s no reason we can’t have a 90 kilo ball playing 12 to execute an effective attacking game plan and I believe we have some great options for this at our disposal.
I believe James O’Connor (when fit) is our best long term option for this position. He’s proven himself in playmaking roles at Super Rugby level and during tests when he’s been given the opportunity. He showed a few shudders in defence this year but usually he’s rock solid and I’m not going to let a few off games for the Rebels change my opinion of his defensive game. He simply needs to be closer to the action where he has the opportunity to play to his true strengths as a rugby player.
As mentioned previously, Barnes is another solid option for the 12 jersey but I believe that over the last season and a half Mike Harris has played himself into the position of being JOC’s backup.
At outside centre, Adam Ashley Cooper is our man. Since Stirling turning 60 and begun sliding off the Test selection radar, who fills the 13 jersey has been a contentious issue. The main reason for that is the fact that Adam Ashley-Cooper has taken on the Mr Fix-it role of the Wallabies and whatever Super Rugby team he’s played for.
He hasn’t had the chance to really make outside centre his own and I believe if he’s given this opportunity he will shine. His speed and ability to run hard lines coupled with his exceptional ball skills make him a Brian O’Driscoll or Conrad Smith style centre and he just needs time to grow into this role and become as influential as these great 13’s.
Behind Adam Ashley-Cooper is Horne. Obviously he’s been a bit hot and cold in more recent times but I still believe he’s the heir apparent when Ashley-Cooper’s time is up. There’s also Ant Fainga’a and Ben Tapuai however I believe both of these guys are better 12s but due to the strong depth we have there, they could be used at outside if need be.
There are also a few other guys getting around in the Super franchisers who have the potential to pressure Horne for that backup role and keep Adam Ashley-Cooper on his toes. Rory Sidey, Mitch Inman and Andrew Smith all have considerable size on their side and could possibly make the step up to test rugby at some point in the future.
In the outside backs we have Beale and Ioane who have locked down the full back and a wing role respectively. Moving JOC in creates a hole from last year’s back three that needs filling and I believe it’s a simple case of going back to the future with Drew Mitchell taking the vacant spot.
Drew’s finally back playing Super Rugby and if the rugby Gods can smile on him from here on in he absolutely has the ability to lock away a spot in the Wallaby backline.
Our depth in the outside backs looks strong for the future with a combination of established stars, up and comers and league converts to call on to sit on the bench or when injury has its say. Lachie Turner, Rod Davies and Mark Gerrard have all had Test experience and I believe have more to give at this level.
Luke Morahan and Dom Shipperley have well and truly arrived on the big stage with the Reds this year with Morahan set to battle the Brumbies Jesse Mogg for the right to be Beale’s backup. Nick Cummins has the potential to feature in future Wallaby squads but being a part of the worst backline among the Australian franchises isn’t helping his cause. Throw in two league converts who have shown promising form early on in their professional crossovers and it’s safe to say our quantity and quality in the outside backs looks strong.
This backline and these names have obviously been thrown together assuming all are fit and ready to go. That seems to be the real challenge these days. And as important as it is for the future success of the Wallabies to have our strongest team on the paddock to build combinations and momentum, we do have some quality players from 10-15 to slot in when someone in the goes down.
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