Anthony Faingaa says he is excited at the prospect of taking on a power-packed All Blacks midfield should he find himself back at inside centre for the start of the inaugural four-nation Rugby Championship.
The hard-running strong-tackling Queensland Reds back is in contention for a start at inside centre for the first Rugby Championship match against New Zealand in Sydney on August 18 after incumbent No.12 Pat McCabe suffered a leg stress fracture, that could sideline him for up to four Tests.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans could shift Berrick Barnes to inside centre now that five-eighth Quade Cooper is fit, but he has shown a liking in big games for a no-nonsense direct No.12 rather than a second ball player.
Faingaa, whose only listed Test start at inside centre was in his first run-on appearance against New Zealand in August 2010, spent time running in that position on Friday, the final day of the second national training camp.
While he hasn’t played in the position on a regular basis since early last year, Faingaa is confident he can adjust.
Sidelined for seven weeks by a foot injury, Faingaa said he was fully fit after being part of Queensland’s late-season surge to the Super Rugby finals. If he does get the nod against New Zealand, Faingaa could find himself up against two 100kg plus behemoths in Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams.
An eye injury will sideline 58-Test outside centre Conrad Smith for the first Wallabies encounter, leaving the way open for New Zealand selectors to recall Nonu and put him alongside Williams.
“They will definitely pose a great threat to us,” Faingaa said of Nonu and Williams.
“You’ve got to look at guys like Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, so they’ve just got a fantastic team.
“It’s just not going to be just the Ma’a Nonu and SBW show.”
Asked about the best way to stop offloading king Williams, Faingaa said “I think still low, but your second man has to be over the top quicker.
“I think both players, Sonny Bill and Ma’a Nonu, have got great leg speed, great passing and all the abilities.
“For us as a team, us as a backline, it’s going to be a big task and something we’ll look forward to.”
Faingaa felt midfield linchpin Smith would be a big loss for the All Blacks.
“I think Conrad is a big part of their team and culture,” Faingaa said.
“Obviously, Conrad has been around for a long time, so he does the things that you don’t really see, the kick chases, the little things at the breakdown.
“Making one-on-one tackles, scrapping the ball up and all the one per centers, so he’s definitely going to be a really big loss for them and I think it’s a great opportunity for us to play the All Blacks without him.”
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Cummins doesn't look to be in the 22 in the absence of a few injuries. Mind you, at the moment, there are a few injuries in the backs.
RebelRanger
Guest
Dear Deans, Please please please do this. Please. In fact, to aid you in your decision, I will start a Twitter campaign #HoneyBee4Wallabies Kind regards, All Blacks supporter
Toothless and ruthless
Guest
what about cummins on one wing
Sluggy
Roar Guru
"The wallabies have tried a robust in your face 2nd five for a few years now and it hasn’t worked." Agree. Deans has tried 17 or 18 centre combinations. The changes usually only come due to injury, but then he stubbornly picks the incumbent. EG at 12 since December 2010, Barnes to McCabe, back to Barnes, then McCabe back and Barnes to 10 with Cooper injured. At some point Mike Harris had a run there, I think as a replacement. And now with McCabe out again, Faingaa in at 12. Even worse, AAC, a player who has never let us down, and who could have cemented himself as one of the best 13s in the world has been played all around the back 4 instead of being allowed to settle in at 13. Which is why I think that with Cooper out he should play Beale at 10, Barnes 12, AAC 13, Digby on one wing, and Morahan and Turner can hold the fort at the back until JOC and Mitchell are good to go. As Cooper regains fitness and is used from the bench, Beale can always move to the back to replace whomever is having an off day. There is some talk of JOC being used as an impact player, but for mine that role should go to Cooper.
mace 22
Guest
I think barnes should be played at second five with cooper a 1st. The wallabies have tried a robust in your face 2nd five for a few years now and it hasn't worked. Let barnes in and keep him there. I really don't know to much about the wallaby backline but I do know that they don't consistantly pick the same centre pairing for what ever reason. So in my humble opinion. Barnes at 2nd five and horne at centre but who ever deans picks stick with them no matter what. The great centre pairings of today and the past are ones that have played together year after year.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Question to mace22 -as an AB supporter, would you rather see a Wallaby centre pairing in the McCabe/Faingaa style (and its looking like Faingaa/Horne atm) against them, as opposed to having a more creative 2nd 5/8 style player at 12?
mace 22
Guest
What great comments by anthony faingaa. Not giving the blacks any ammunition for the up coming rugby championship ( by the way I like the name of the new comp ). Go the blacks.