Hugh McMeniman’s immediate Wallaby future will be decided either tomorrow against the Lions or on Sunday against the depleted Waratahs.
The quality 29-year-old Force lock has been sidelined for two months with a fractured shoulder.
Force coach Michael Foley will name his lineups later today, facing the awesome task of playing two important games in just four days.
“It would be great to play against the Lions, but the Waratahs game is for points, the Lions isn’t,” was how McMeniman described the alternatives.
The inclusion of a fit McMeniman would definitely lift the Wallabies’s chances of beating the Lions in the three-Test series.
He played the last of his 21 Tests in 2005, and linked with the Force this season after two years in Japan.
The lock combinations of James Horwill, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, and McMeniman, with hopefully Sitaleki Timani if he doesn’t require surgery for his suspected broken thumb, would give Wallaby coach Robbie Deans a powerful selection base for the 4 and 5 jerseys.
But McMeniman is just as comfortable wearing the 6 jersey, providing Deans with a class option.
While McMeniman will be closely watched in whatever game he’s selected to play, so too will inside-centre Kyle Godwin.
The 20-year-old could well play the majority of time in both games, as an exciting prospect for the vulnerable Wallaby 12 berth.
Christian Lealiifano, Berrick Barnes, Paul McCabe, Ben Tapuai, and Rob Horne would all do an honest job there. But it’s Godwin who has the real talent.
He’s quick, with great hands, can beat a man on the inside or outside, and is a very reliable solid defender.
Godwin’s possible inclusion in the last six Wallaby squad positions available further clouds the issue.
As Deans said yesterday, selecting the final six will be harder than selecting the original 25.
The injured trio of Scott Higginbotham, Timani, and Digby Ioane have already been replaced in the 25 by Douglas, Ben McCalman, and Nick Phipps.
But what hasn’t been made clear is if any of the three are cleared to play by June 11, will they be among the six or additional squad members?
The answer to that question will make a huge difference to the selection process.
Right now there’s McMeniman, Godwin, McCabe, Tapuai, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Jesse Mogg, Paddy Ryan, Greg Holmes, Scott Sio, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, and Hugh Pyle all knocking on the door with Quade Cooper, and Kurtley Beale.
Robbie Deans was right: it will be more difficult to pick the six than the 25,
David Lord
Expert
Spot on Jiggles - Gray 208 cm (6ft 10) and 128kgs - Timani 203 (6ft 8) and 120kgs
David Lord
Expert
rl, we will have to wait until Sunday to answer the MMM status.
David Lord
Expert
Digby Ioane is as big a loss as David Pocock, and probably George Smith.
David Lord
Expert
KPM. let's face it, TPN is a failed Kamikaze pilot and long may he stay that way.
crash ball
Guest
gray is 6ft 10 or 11 and weighs close to 130kg
bennalong
Guest
Jutsie Diggers gets so much more involved than Tomane He plays a pretty special role and attracts a lot of players with his evasion and leg drive in the tackle. He has second rate hands but his workrate and predictable metres make him really valuable
bennalong
Guest
I'm with crashball. You're blinded by your prejudice Jiggles. Timani hurts blokes in tackles and running the ball. Simmons just doesn't have the impact or the agro to trouble the Lions tight five I bet you don't even watch the Tahs. You'd be averting your eyes or puking!
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Schuey indeed. It's amazing how few posters on here seem to realise the tremendous implications of all this, but instead indulge their pet obsessions about which reserve half-back is called up etc...
Johnno
Guest
He took Samoa on in 2011, and ran hard and hit the rucks hard. He ran hard at SBW and Ma Nonu in the Bledisloe last year.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
If Timani ever dominated anyone ever, it may mean something.
Johnno
Guest
Okay I have the Lion's list now Ricthie Gray 6'10 128kg you right he bigger and taller. But Alan Wyn-Jones is not bigger than Timani, He is 6'6 119kg. Timani is 6'8 and 120kg. And Paul O'connell is 6'6 and 110kg So 1 lion out of 3 is bigger than Timani.
Johnno
Guest
Are you sure I'm gonna check this,
crash ball
Guest
true.... its going to be hard to slow them dow when they have a 110kg giant named Roberts running at a no 10 and 12 channel that weigh less than him combined ringing wet though. but they'll communicate, have trust and we'll be fine.... oh dear
crash ball
Guest
statistics are; 'figures the simplest must understand, and the astutest cannot wriggle out of...... though some who read may wish to run away from them.' Lord Courtney it sounds like you're wriggling and then running for the hills to clutch at straws J2 & Jiggles.... wriggling and running boys
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Regardless of the fact that no one has ever been worried by Timani's size, Richard Gray is both taller and heavier than Timani. Put down the joint and walk away, Johnno.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Correction Justin... "He runs 10m gets tackled and stops [behind the gainline]."
Johnno
Guest
Gray is small he'd be scared of a big guy like Timani who is 6'8 and 120KG. O'connell and Wyn-Jones would be intimitated by Timani;s size. The old school bully schoolyard cliche's, until you find a bigger bully that's how Timani plays.
Justin2
Guest
You do realise that metres gained includes any metres prior to a tackle so if a back line plays deeper then players will automatically have more run metres. Timani is a case in point, he gets he ball well back at line out time playing in the centres. He runs 10m gets tackled and stops.
Justin2
Guest
The attack doesn't have to be about flick passes, simple skills executed at pace and under pressure can open defences. Paying narrow wont.
Justin2
Guest
It's a little more simple in theory. Slow their ball down, get off the line hard, communicate, have trust and execute your tackles. Then get up and do it again...