The purpose of this article is to display the options Robbie Deans has when picking his Wallaby team based in form and past experience.
Out of the back line I believe there are only three guaranteed players in the Wallaby backline, all of which have found some form of the Super Rugby season.
These are our options for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.
9. Will Genia
He is the first of the guaranteed starters for this series. His decision making is crucial to win the series and he is by far the best scrum half in Australia and is regarded as the top in the world.
Other options:
Nick White – He was almost guaranteed his Wallaby debut last season but opted out to get a shoulder reconstruction. His form has developed and he has directed play efficiently for the top of the table Brumbies.
His quick ball service will catch out the Lions when he comes off the bench.
Nick Phipps – While the Rebels sit rather low in the Australian conference, their performances against New Zealand opposition have made them a really hard team to beat and Nick Phipps has been a stand out performer in offence.
While his error rate this season has been poor, his experience from last year’s European tour, will help if he is needed to face the British and Irish Lions.
10. James O’Connor
With Quade Cooper in constant dispute with Robbie Deans, O’Connor seems like the way to go for the flyhalf position.
Ever since the Rebels moved him to flyhalf they have scored 24 points or more per game. His isn’t a flashy playmaker but his ability to read the game and his composure under pressure will sit him as the leaden flyhalf in Australia.
His defence is worse than usual this season but he should be able to maintain the huge Lions centres in Jamie Roberts and Manu Tualagi with a strong defensive inside centre.
Other options:
Quade Cooper – I see Cooper coming in for game two or three in the series as a player to add some spark. His combination with Genia will be crucial as well as Digby Ioane who always looms on his inside shoulder.
His defence has improved this year as well as his error rate but he wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure defending at 10 and it would be stupid of Deans to pick Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback just to cover the inside channel when his playing so well at outside centre.
You can look at Cooper two ways: He could win us the series or lose us the series. Cooper’s unpredictable form is a problem if he is in the starting line-up.
Berrick Barnes – For me, he just hasn’t played enough rugby this season to be the crucial position of Wallaby flyhalf. Although his experience against the Welsh last year was phenomenal.
It will be interesting to see the results of the next few crucial Wallaby games against the Brumbies and the Crusaders to see if he will be a contender. He is a definite to the squad because he can play in many positions.
12. Pat McCabe
McCabe is struggling to make the Brumbies starting line-up because he doesn’t suit the style of rugby that the Brumbies play.
McCabe doesn’t really excel in Super Rugby at all but in international rugby he is at his best. He is exactly what a Wallaby back line needs; someone to hit the line hard and make the hard yards.
His defence his absolutely crucial against the Lions and that will place him ahead of Christian Lealiliphano. From what I have seen this season when he has come on for the Brumbies is that his ball skills have improved and he has some pace.
Other options:
Christian Lealiliphano – He has been one of the best players for the Table topping Brumbies let alone the competition this far. His move to five eighth was a fail against the Kings but he has solidified his inside centre spot in the Brumbies ahead of the top contender for Wallaby inside centre, Pat McCabe.
He may struggle to make the bench because of his inability to play multiple positions.
Ben Tapuai – At the beginning of the Super Rugby season, he was my top pick for Wallaby inside centre but his form hasn’t been great with him even getting dropped from the Reds starting side.
With an injury filled Wallaby side last year he was in top form during the European tour and played a crucial role in the game against England. He offers a strong left boot and his defence is strong.
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
Cooper is the second definite player to play in this Wallaby back line. In previous years he has been used as the player to fill in the gap of the Wallaby back line to make room for specialist position players.
He found himself on the wing, full back and even inside centre before finding his home position at outside centre.
There is no doubt he is the best defensive player in Australia and his attack for the Waratahs this season has won them games. His kicking game will help with the lack of kicking wingers.
Other Options:
Adam Ashley Cooper never gets injured so there is no point for a back up. Rob Horne and Anthony Fiangaa are next in line but are far off from a starting position.
11/14. Digby Ioane and Israel Folau
Digby Ioane is a definite in the Wallaby side because of his sheer pace and his ability to attract at least 3-4 players every time he touches the ball. His form at the Reds is back to its best.
Israel Folau, the man everyone has been talking about for the last few weeks should make the Wallaby side even with his lack of experience for the game. It has come naturally this season for him, picking up seven tries and earning four man-of-the-match performances for the Waratahs.
Whether you are a fan or not, you can not deny his finishing ability and his footwork to get around someone, one on one. An extra addition to his judgement under the high ball, which he rarely gets wrong, limiting some of Sexton’s kicking skills.
He is occasionally found out of place in defence which could cost him if the Lions play a territorial game.
Other options:
Joe Tomane – At the beginning of the season he was in my Wallaby back line and he hasn’t done anything wrong to drop out of it. The game this weekend will be a great match-up between himself and Folau.
He is a great finisher but is often shadowed by is opposite wing Henry Speight who is ineligible to play for the Wallabies until the end of year tour.
He does lack Test experience with only one cap from the horrific Wallaby loss against Scotland early last year. It is a contest between him and Folau for that wing spot.
Nick Cummins – Only just getting back from injury Nick Cummins seems ready for Test rugby. His sheer pace and his recklessness is something we need in the upcoming series. He was one of the best players on the overseas tour last year and could find himself on the wing again this year despite there being less injuries.
It is quite a close contest between these three wingers from a thriving Australian conference.
15. Jesse Mogg
With Kurtley Beale now out of the picture, Jesse Mogg is the only true fullback option for the Wallabies. He has been electric this season picking up five tries in the first few games and while he had a shocker against the Crusaders, his form has been consistent.
His boot is where we will need him most and it is especially important because of the lack of any kicking wingers. I’ll add him to list of definites.
Other options:
Berrick Barnes
Berrick Barnes was apart of a successful experiment by Robbie Deans last year playing Barnes at fullback. Barnes’ kicking will make a crucial difference. He is a definite bench player for this Wallaby side.
There we have it, a Wallaby back line that will be very competitive against a strong British and Irish back line. Here is the back line:
9. Genia
10. O’Connor
11. Ioane
12. McCabe
13. Ashley Cooper
14. Folau
15. Mogg
16. White
17. Barnes
18. Cummins
Stay tuned, my Wallaby forwards coming out later this week.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
I would love for Barnes or cooper to be at 10 and 12 (doesn't matter which one gets which position) and for JOC I would love him at fullback or wing if beagle is fullback
Parisien
Guest
Good point NOS - if the Wallabies win with O'Connor or Barnes at 10, you wouldn't change, and only if they lose would you consider changing your 10, which Deans did last year and it backfired. I think win or lose, he'll stick with the one player: Cooper, Barnes, O'Connor, or Beale (unlikely) at 10. After the Tahs match, I wouldn't be surprised if Barnes has worked his way back in. I too would prefer to see O'Connor at wing or fullback, and Deans may already be thinking JOC /Barnes combination for 10/15. Can't wait to see the squad tomorrow. Di you watch the H cup? Toulon were bit lucky to win in the H cup final, Clermont dominated for most of the match and had most possession and territory. Didn't like Amitage's showboating before he's even grounded the ball in Toulon's breakout try, and thought Vern Cotter was unwise to remove Brock James who had a fine match (MOM for me, along with Rougerie) and perhaps he would have slotted the lat minute attempt at drop goal whereas Skrela was never good at this, and failed. Will Toulon now party hard and fade next weekend against Toulouse or have new self-belief and collect both titles? And how will Clermont recover in time for Castres?
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
100% agree with Justin2 on McCabe....he doesnt make a hell of a lot of ground and is often held up in contact giving slow ball...not what you want from your ball carrying centre..
Reginald Munday
Guest
Don't be surprised if Rob Horne (unless injured) is on the bench. Deans's love affairs take more than just a lot of poor performances to douse.
Malo
Guest
Barnes secured 10 awesome display tonight. Why risk Cooper especially if he uses the wallaby jersey to wipe his arse.
A Different Cat.
Guest
I wouldnt pick McCabe at 12 because I think Lealiifano, Tapuai and Horne are all better options there. I doubt McCabe will be the test 12. Despite what people say, McCabe was probably the best option when he was picked but I dont think he is now and so he wont be picked.
Justin2
Guest
Joc is a great attacking player but he isn't a 10. McCabe is a defender but only average in attack. The are better balanced players at 12 to be chosen like taps or CL.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
No expert but me backline would be 9 will genia 10 quade cooper 11 ioane 12 berrick Barnes 13 acc 14 folau or JOC 15 JOC or Beale JOC his best position is fullback for sure don't forget he did score a hatrick in that postion for the wallabies
Soapit
Guest
How will we know if we like it without reading it? Might need to rethink ur strategy there.
Soapit
Guest
Pretty sure he wasn't playing 12 that year tho
Rhys Maiden
Roar Pro
I believe Cooper will always be that player who comes off the bench to win the game and people will think he should be in the side. For me it is the same situation with Scott Higginbotham. A great impact player off the bench but not so affective as a starting player. You just get the feeling Cooper will lose us the series with a crucial error. My main reasoning for picking O'Connor at 10 is his defence which will be our weakness if Cooper is picked to start.
Rhys Maiden
Roar Pro
Fiangaa should never have gotten a Wallaby jersey in the first place. He won't even make the squad IMO
Rhys Maiden
Roar Pro
Which backs do you not agree with. Let me guess, Pat McCabe and James O'Connor because they aren't the best attacking players
Tricky Dick
Roar Rookie
I notice plenty, sir. If you are ok with a Fullback who has made zero clearance kicks all season (as far as I've noticed, and I've tried to watch most of the Tahs games) playing against a NH team that is certain to play a fair bit of field position kicking, then I have no argument for you and will agree. However, in my personal opinion, given the probable tactics of Sexton/Farrell and Halfpenny, I'd prefer a guy in the back that can do more than run back kicks wearing the 15. I agree wholeheartedly that Folau is too talented and mercurial to sit the bench. But if he's on at 15 and Digby on one wing, depending on who's the other wing, you have the short-kicking Genia and someone not named Quade at 10 as your only clearance kicking options. Not such a great look, says I.
slaven
Guest
Nicely put CB. My thoughts exactly.
mh
Guest
bob dwyer still thinks its the 90's, rod kafer is as much a failure as a commentator as he was as a coach and as a player, and eddie jones continued to use second five eigths despite that every other major nation was moving toward a more robust somatatype... and it was a factor that cost him his wallaby job. giteau was as much a liability as the front rowers we had in the mid 2000's.
niwdeyaj
Guest
Go tell that to Eddie Jones, Rod Kafer and Bob Dwyer... None of them picked McCabe or Horne at 12 in their XV selections. But what do they know about rugby...
TembaVJ
Roar Guru
Agree but Phipps delivery is much much slower then Ginia, giving the 10 outside Ginia more time. All will be answered soon, but I think you will find the first match at suncorp will be Cooper Ginia besides what all the journo's think.
Crash Ball2
Guest
Wayne Smith wrote a good article in The Australian recently at the heart of which was the premise that before you select the team, you decide upon the playing style. I agree. It would be fair to say that (historically) Wallaby glory has chiefly been built upon the semblance of parity at the set piece and the impact zones, fierce competition at the breakdown, creativity and ambition across the flanks. More important for me personally, it is the type of play that cemented me as a fan in the first place, and has kept me a disciple of the Gold jersey ever since. Win or lose, I love the intent that flows from a team selected and mandated to play to their strengths. I respect and respond to that courage. This isn't to say that I don't also enjoy the confrontational, muscular game of the Boks, the laissez faire Jekyll and Hyde of the French or the consistent, all-round brilliance of The Blacks. I do. But they possess cattle of a different ilk. And I'd like to watch a Wallaby team that recognises and embraces their "Rugby DNA" (copyright: Biltongbek). Do I think leaving out Cooper is a mistake? Yes. But not in singularity and not because I don't think O'Connor is an exceptional footballer. Rather, because Cooper excels at a the style of attacking game I believe the Wallabies would be most successful adopting: flat to the defence, bolstered by a three quarter line who possess a triple threat, bodies in motion, running angles and with the constant threat of distributing to our classy outside backs. Defensively, Australian backs have also taken a big step up and guys like Lealiifano and Tapuai are very good. It's pointless for example, selecting Cooper at 10 if you are going to neighbour him with a (gutsy) bantamweight crash baller. In this instance, go the whole hog: select Barnes at 10 who can sit comfortably the pocket, pass short or kick, fast wingers that will chase high balls or long punts all day, play position, defend hard and look to win through penalties. It won't be pretty, it won't win any new fans, but it can work. I want more than that.
A Different Cat.
Guest
Why is my comment awaiting moderation? If you think the article I am saying was anti Deans was the Roars IV where pie charts were used, its not. I was referring to an article in which a link was given on this site to Green and Gold Rugby where the numbers were not only doctored and manipulated but in a couple of instances were completely fabricated to make Robbie Deans look bad. Also multiple people on this sight have said that Deans sacked G.Smith, Deans sacked C.Cullen, Deans said "tries are not important", Deans said "there is no room for G.Smith in the Wallaby squad" and many many other things that are not true. Is that not odd? Come on, is it normal to just slander a coach because you dont like him? If you dont like Robbie, thats fine but why make lies up to make him sound bad? I find it extremely strange and find it quite bizzare that the hate is so strong when often based on nothing but a lie rather than what he has actually done and why. Dont you moderators?