Former Wallabies fullback Chris Latham believes coach Ewen McKenzie will be well rewarded by keeping the faith in under-fire novice Jesse Mogg for Saturday night’s return Bledisloe Cup battle.
As exciting as the prospect of Israel Folau being shifted to No.15 is, Latham says big-kicking, long-striding Mogg has the ability to develop into a long-term Test fullback, and expects him to show his true colours against the All Blacks in Wellington.
The Brumbies custodian endured a forgettable run-on Test debut in last weekend’s 47-29 loss in Sydney, highlighted by a poor missed tackle for a second-half try to Conrad Smith.
There’s been fervent calls for McKenzie to move Folau from the right wing to the fullback position for more attacking opportunities after barely touching the ball in his Bledisloe debut.
But the Wallabies coach has indicated he’ll keep his backline intact, and make just one change to his starting 15, with Brumbies lock Scott Fardy set to replace injured Hugh McMeniman (shoulder) at blindside flanker when he names his team on Thursday.
On flying into Wellington on Wednesday McKenzie backed his incumbents – also including rookie five-eighth Matt Toomua – to stand up and deliver at Westpac Stadium.
“They are all up to it,” he said. “We picked (Toomua) in the first place.
“I don’t really pick people or get rid of people on one game.”
That would be applauded by Latham, an attacking marvel of 78 Tests over a decade, who took a long time to settle in the No.15 jersey after a rocky five-year apprenticeship.
“I rate Jesse Mogg quite highly,” Latham said on Wednesday. “He’s got a lot of potential there.
“You need the backing and the confidence of the coach (to perform).
“His first Test, if anything, he was just probably guilty of trying too hard.
“In that position of fullback, and I’ve been there myself, if you make mistakes they are generally exposed and seen a lot more.
“I think it would be a bit harsh to not pick him this week.”
While Latham dismissed the option of switching James O’Connor from the left wing, he did admit Folau’s X-factor provided a luring alternative at the back.
But he also felt there was an element of risk in handing the code-hopper the No.15 jersey as he’s yet to still mastering the defensive and positional aspects of the position.
The All Blacks, even with a fourth-choice flyhalf, are experts at exposing minor weaknesses and there’s concerns Folau could be “found out” due to his lack of experience.
“It’s a tough choice,” said Latham, a member of the last Australian team to beat the All Blacks on NZ soil, way back in 2002 in Dunedin. “You’d be a silly man to question his ability to catch a high ball and kick.
“My hat goes off to him with his talent and what he’s shown thus far with the limited experience he has.”
Likely Wallabies starting team: Jesse Mogg, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Matt Toomua, Will Genia; Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Pray tell 'Dave' if we don't pick our fly half from Super 15 where pray tell would we get him from, the Yellow pages perhaps! McKenzies team has enormous potential and there were glimpses of it, so don't despair! An untried combination against some of the most savvy rugby players in the world, one little blemish and you are punished, that was the synopsis of the Sydney Test, However in the final analysis the 46 players that played are all Super 15 players, the difference being is some of them adapt faster than others, some will never adapt and that is why we have our George Smiths, McCaws your Dan Carters and Quade Coopers. There are the Legends, the Greats, the good players and the also rans but all brothers in rugby none the less!!the secret is, never forget it's only a game, it's when you do that the whole spectacle loses it's magic!!! Kinda like Peter Pan and Never never Land !!!
Mike
Guest
Dunno why your reply disappeared Shop - I agree, 10 years was an overstatement because Larkham was still playing in 2007. It just *seems* like 10 years...
walshie
Guest
The Wallabies team lacks currently a dominant forward, a backrow that gets to the breakdown early, and a leader at number 10 who is a General on the field.respected by other players who will steer the backline rather than the existing arrangement where they appear to lack a plan. Surely the priority is to decide who in the team or otherwise who can fulfil those needs in time and not to stick with players who are good players but are journeyman lacking the potential to improve to that level. Folau is clearly a freak ,he is simply wasted; he must be used in a better way. . I personally hope Cooper, Beale and O'Connor grow up in attitude as they are a core group with that potential. When will they realize their immature behaviour is a distraction and handicaps their on-field performance. As to the forwards, To my mind there is no freak forward in the current team - Mckenzie knows that he has to experiment with some unknowns including tall timber players . Rome was not built in a day.
Chivas
Guest
I know it and I feel so ripped off. I absolutely love Freuan's style and it kills me he isn't able to get his work rate up. To me it's actually a real surprise he is able to stack up in SR. He is only their purely on his immense skill and capability. That in itself is no small thing considering how low his workrate. Such a shame. I pray to the rugby gods that he may make a full recovery. My cousin died a couple of days ago. He was the first person in NZ to have open heart surgery and survived with replacement valves and eventually a replacement heart. When he got a replacement heart, he commented how thankful he was to be able to be able to play with his children. He had no idea what he was missing living in a permanent haze of tiredness. Many pass negative comments about Freuan being lazy, but heart conditions are extremely crippling. Go well Robbie I say!
rl
Guest
he's unlucky - but he's sure to see some game time during the RC, especially if Mogg doesn't come good.
Choc Frog
Guest
Agree, I was at the game on Sat night and Mogg didn't look like a test player. I could hear the AB supporters laughing at his attempted tackle on the rampaging Conrad Smith on the replay. Izzy at fullback and Honey Badger or Tomane on the wing. While I am at it James O'Beiber needs to sit this one out as well.
Shop
Guest
Skelton was very impressive on the NSW tour of Argentina a couple of weeks ago. Like the idea.
Gali
Guest
I am guilty for agreeing to get rid of Mogg from 15 to the Wing. When I should be having Faith in our boys Go Wallabies lets win this.
Shop
Guest
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Mogg imo is too flakey at the moment, I wouldn't be picking him on Saturday and I had him out of my 23 for last Saturday. He was poor in S 15 Final and again last Saturday. Izzy to Fullback needs to happen, he has to get his hands on the ball far more. Cummins is abbrasive and reliable which is what you need in spades against the AB's.
Ryderam
Guest
The kiss of death from one of the worst defensive fullbacks I can remember. (Latho was a champion with the ball but always lined up in defence on the other side of the field to where the attack was.) The Wallaby line up should be identical to the 1st test except change Nic White for Will Genia. That way we will a 100% effort from our halfback for as long as he is on the field. RR
mark the realist
Guest
Honey Badger is fit and playing for Southern Districts this weekend .Icant work it out
scottmit
Roar Rookie
He was in the original squad and he wasn't dropped last week so...
Mike
Guest
There have been problems with all our test fly-halves. But I would be wary of assuming that Toomua and Foley will be any better. We keep telling ourselves that we can just pick the right person from S15 and the flyhalf problems will disappear. It hasn't worked that way for 10 years, but somehow we keep thinking that change is just around the corner... The success of a flyhalf is very much bound up with the style, cohesion and skills of the rest of the team. Toomua, Foley and Cooper all do well in S15 because of the way they fit into an overall scheme by their coach. Until we fix other issues with the Wallabies, I doubt that any test flyhalf will do much better than what we have seen already from Cooper, Barnes, Beale, O'Connor and now Toomua.
GWS
Guest
He does look lathamish but he must tackle
rl
Guest
Agree, Mogg deserves another chance. But the hook might come out if he plays the same this week. Is The Honey Badger currently fit?
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I suspect and hope Link will stick with the same players... but I also wouldnt be surprised if he gets the back 3 to continually rove and shuffle positions during the match.
Buk
Guest
Fruean is a massively talented centre, but he had heart problems and surgery several years ago, before he started Super rugby, and recently more problems. Apparently due to his heart issues, he can not maintain the very high aerobic work rate that the All Black selectors expect. So they have publically acknowledged his undoubted talent, but also explained he will not be considered for test rugby under the current circumstances.
jutsie
Guest
mogg deserves another go but i would like to see izzy at 15. Maybe mogg on the wing or cummins on the wing and mogg on the bench?
js-nz
Guest
Yes indeed you need size. In 2014 with conrad smith taking a sabbatical you could potentially be facing an out side three of Nonu, Fruean and Savea. None of those guys are small, and all punishing runners. Of course that depends on Fruean making a full recovery, but if he does, he'll be in the ABs before long. The Wallabies need at least one 100kg+, strong runner in the backline somewhere.