Ignoring Rebels lock Cadeyrn Neville in the Wallaby 22 to meet Scotland in Newcastle tomorrow night doesn’t make any sense.
Neville is an obvious selection this winter. It would have been far more positive to blood the strapping 23-year-old standing 202cm (6’8″ in old money) and a 120kg mobile giant against Scotland, the weaker of the five nations the Wallabies will face in Wales, All Blacks, Springboks, and Argentina.
Instead the Wallaby selectors – Robbie Deans, Tony McGahan, and David Nucifora – have opted for veteran warhorse Nathan Sharpe and Sitaleki Timani in the starting lineup, with Rob Simmons on the bench.
It’s not that Sharpe doesn’t deserve selection, but he’s hanging up his boots at season’s end. Now is the time to build, not superannuate.
As for Timani, he’s been in the lack-lustre Waratahs pack that has lost a record 10 Super games this season, six on the trot, and Timani hasn’t been a standout like David Dennis, Kane Douglas, and Wycliff Palu.
But Neville has been a standout in the far less representative Rebels pack, even though it’s his first season of Super rugby, and only his third in the code after switching from rowing.
Talent is talent, it’s recognisable from game one, and Neville has put in every week.
Maybe I’m sounding off too early. Have the selectors inked Neville in for the first Test against Wales next Saturday? Hardly likely, but an alternative.
Neville apart, the selectors have done a pretty good job with just four days in between two Tests. The lineup for Wales will be named on Thursday.
The selection of Berrick Barnes in the contentious No 10 slot will prove a point.
When he’s played there for the Waratahs, and even at inside-centre, he’s kicked the casing off the football, driving fans and television viewers bonkers.
If Barnes feeds his Wallaby backline, then we will all know Barnes has been under instructions from Waratahs coach Michael Foley to kick, kick, kick.
If he continues his kicking spree, then we’ll know both Foley and Deans have taken the negative route to gain territory. Precious few teams can win without ball in hand, counting on mistakes from the opposition.
The selection of the centres is also interesting. Pat McCabe and Andrew Smith have been the best midfield combination of attack and defence in the Australian Conference, and one of the major reasons why the Brumbies lead the Conference.
But the Reds pairing of Mike Harris and Anthony Fainga’a have been given the nod.
At least McCabe is on the bench, while Harris will be the goal-kicking option if Barnes has an off night.
And it must have been a toss of the coin naming Reds Luke Morahan as full-back ahead of Waratah Bernard Foley. The same could be said about Brumby winger Joe Tomane’s selection over the Reds’ Dom Shipperley.
The big pluses?
David Pocock as captain, where he’s been destined to be for three years, and five new caps – the tireless Dennis, the Waratahs’ most consistent performer all tournament, Harris, Tomane, Morahan, and prop Dan Palmer, with flanker Michael Hooper on the bench, and a potential sixth new cap.
In the break-up, the Reds show the way with five in the backline, and nine in the 22, Brumbies six, Waratahs four, Force two, with bench half-back Nick Phipps the sole Rebel.
South African Jaco Peyper will referee tomorrow night. Compatriot Craig Joubert will take over next Saturday.
Derm
Roar Guru
Absolutely agree. Barnes is lucky/foolish to be still playing.
joeb
Guest
He does seem to be struggling, yes. Let's hope he shrugs it off tomorrow night. ;)
apelu
Guest
Just noticed the lock paring of Sharp and Timani is the same one that was embarassed by Samoa last year. Dean is fortunate the Scots are here for a good, paid-for holiday.
rl
Guest
can't have it all AH - the bench needs to provide cover for come other positions as well. Not that different to the ABs really - say Carter and Cruden go down, things start looking a bit ropey there too. But it probably does show that a Lucas or Foley on the bench has merit (as opposed to having both McCabe and AAC who would seem to be not that much different in terms of positions covered), particuarly in the absence of the quality "all rounders" like Beale and JOC.
ted
Guest
"It’s not that Sharpe doesn’t deserve selection"....the guy is so ineffective....I don't think he should be in squad at all.
MYOB
Guest
i used to be the biggest critic of Andrew Smith but im starting to see the positive side of him, sure he's not the most flashiest or talented outside center in the world but he does the little basic things right, running hard and tackling hard, with little touch up on his attacking skills and im sure Deans and his selectors will starting taking note.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Yep, and who's next?
Amateur Hour
Guest
I think Barnes is definitiely better suited to 12, however, I think he is the right selection at 10 given the circumstances. My sense is that he's constrained by the Tahs' coaches and playing style and will do much better in the Wallabies set up. My concern is that our bench backs are carbon copies. No varietey and offer no comform should Barnes and/or Harris (who has already been injured this season) go down with an early injury. It smell too much like not taking cover for Pocock to the WC. Ben McCalman at 7, anyone....?
Justin2
Guest
Harris will be the back up, though he isnt much of oe at that level. I find it pretty amusing that we didnt even take a back up 7 to the WC and now Deans has two on the bench for the first Test of the year with Hooper probably to replace Pocock (though one of Dennis or Higgers may come off also).
jameswm
Guest
Harris is fine as injury cover at 10. McCabe woud come on at 12.
Phil
Guest
Agree, would love to have seen Foley there in particular considering other selections. Foley Barnes McCabe would be my 10,12,13.
rl
Guest
Well, I for one would MUCH rather watch what is apparently a repeat of "Big Momma's House" than our national team playing. Quality, quality television and no doubt a sure-fire ratings winner. Great decision ARU & Channel 9.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Is anyone else concerned re lack of proper cover at 10? Barnes will have to be subbed off even if he cops only a minor head knock, due to his recent problems, and that only leaves Harris (not a true 10) to steer the ship. Hate to think what happens if he goes down too. i saw Genia running at 10 recently against the Sharks, I think, and that didn't fill me with confidence. Wouldn't you normally have cover for 10 on the bench, rather than starting both players who can cover that position? The omissions of players like Bernard Foley and Ben Lucas may come back to haunt us. McCabe and AAC basically cover the same positions as each other. Why select them both?
Justin2
Guest
Correct, repeats of old movies on Gem and Go. Melbourne get it at 1140pm
Phil
Guest
David Lord, sorry to get off topic, for what it's worth, I'm a big fan of Neville and Hugh Pyle. The future looks bright with these 2. Timani has been soft and better fire up on Sat.
Phil
Guest
Sat's game is on at 7:40pm in Sydney but not in Melb? Totally agree, why can't they show it on one of their other channels? And why did the ARU sell out their fans for money from Channel 9. I can easily go to the pub, but wanted to watch with my son, who I just bought a Wallaby jersey. The ARU just don't get it.
Justin2
Guest
And it is the same for Saturday nights match. I am away for the weekend (with no Fox) so not happy to watch it at 1140pm. They only have 3 f,,cking channels yet cannot show it on any of them in Melbourne live? What a joke...
Phil
Guest
Can anyone tell me why the ARU seem to be happy to let channel 9 show the Wallabies game at nearly midnight on Tuesday??
Jutsie
Guest
Im not a vuna fanboy, but I reckon he has been improving his defence this year and its undeniable that his attacking skills have gone up another level. He handled tomane pretty easily on friday too
Justin2
Guest
EG - that was my point and I think DL has measured them on their around the ground play and not on the set piece which is so crucial at Test level. They have some technique issues in contact that need to be addressed also.