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This week I put forward my case to dispel the idea a lack of depth is to blame for the Wallabies recent woes on the field. Now I’m going to run through a ‘stocktake’ our Wallaby squad worthy talent to use as my evidence, starting with our forwards.
I can assure you that there will be some players who you’ll hope to never see in a Wallaby tracksuit. But the point of this exercise is to dig up every last bit of talent that if required, they could at least plug a hole with the right team around them.
We have the individuals who can adequately ‘fill in’, but what we don’t have is the team formula that makes their transition into Test rugby as seamless as possible.
Without further ado, here’s a position by position summary detailing Australian rugby’s current depth situation.
Props
Unfortunately our scrum has been stuck in reverse since the IRB brought in the new engagement laws and it’s no huge secret the front row represents the greatest issue for the Wallabies.
The shining light is we’ve got a healthy supply of young props, which is promising considering most of the world’s dominant scrummaging practitioners are older than the average rugby player.
Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson: At 28 and 29 respectively, they’re the two older heads in the front row.
James Slipper and Sekope Kepu: A few years behind but there’s a good argument to suggest these two should be our starters until some better options can be identified.
Paddy Ryan: Also in his mid 20s, like the two above. A cap to his name in 2012 against France and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
Dan Palmer: A big loss for our front row stocks. Hopefully he’ll return from Grenoble better for the experience of packing in a northern hemisphere scrum or two.
Scott Sio: Generation next with a few caps to his name already.
Paul Alo-Emile: Keep an eye on this young Rebel for the future.
Hooker
Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota Nau: Moore’s more consistent throw has him slightly ahead of the injured Tah. However, we are missing Taft’s physicality and ability to soften up our opponents.
Saia Fainga’a and James Hanson: Reasonably lightweight but both have shown their value for the Reds over the last three or four seasons.
Albert Anae: The prop come hooker is the Reds’ larger option at number 2.
Locks
Since Nathan Sharpe’s retirement, finding a long term partner for James Horwill in the second row has presented an issue.
Jame Horwill: Captain Courageous (most of the time) and it will be good to have him back at Newlands.
Hugh McMeniman: If he can keep himself out of the casualty ward, he’s our man to team up as Big Kev’s fellow ‘bash brother’.
Sitaleki Timani: He can be a bit hot-and-cold but in his half hour against the Argies he showed why most of Australia should be holding its breath hoping his French deal falls through.
Rob Simmons: Another of the hit-and-miss variety but to his credit, 2013 has been more hit than miss.
Kane Douglas, Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville and Sam Carter: Beyond the four pillars mentioned above, there’s still a significant amount of young talent who could have an impact on the Wallabies.
Will Skelton: The 21 year old man mountain is another exciting Wallaby prospect for the future. Prior to his start against the Lions, his fitness was under question but his 80 impressive minutes showed that he’ll more than be up to the intensity and physicality of Test rugby after some more game time with the Tahs.
Blindside
Scott Higginbotham: We’ve missed his physicality around the park this year.
Scott Fardy: The journeyman has done a more than admirable job of filing in for Higgers during the Rugby Championship.
Peter Kimlin: Played most of 2013 at lock but he’s spent plenty of time at 6, which is his best position. Kimlin was one of Australia’s form forwards of the 2013 Super Rugby season and he’ll be a great loss for the Brumbies and potentially the Wallabies.
Dave Dennis and Ed Quirk: Dennis has a reasonable amount of Wallaby experience and Quirk is a consistently hard worker for the Reds and could be a back row star of the future.
Openside
A position where the Wallabies are blessed for talent, with each candidate bringing something different to the table.
David Pocock: Still our first choice 7. His pilfering skills and his ability to slow down our opponent’s front foot ball would be invaluable to the style of game the Wallabies are trying to employ.
Michael Hooper: Consistently one of the Wallabies best forwards week in, week out this year. But his pace and ball-in-hand abilities may be better served coming off the bench in the last 30 to 20 minutes when the game is a little more open.
Liam Gill: Probably our most well-rounded 7 and also presents a legitimate option in the lineout.
George Smith: At age 87 he showed he’s still up to the pace and rigors of Test rugby. Gee it would have been great for Australian rugby if we could have held on to him for one more year.
Beau Robinson: Not on the same level as the four names above but a fearless, ‘no-frills’ openside who played a big part in the Reds’ championship season.
Number 8
Ben Mowen: His ‘lead by example’ captaincy style justified his surprise promotion to the Brumbies top job in 2012 and his most recent elevation to lead the Wallabies on the weekend.
Wycliff Palu: Another one troubled with injury in recent times but Cliffy’s Lions series showed there’s still a considerable amount of fight left in the veteran.
Jake Schatz: Unfortunate to miss out on his Wallaby debut against the Springboks but, at 23, Queensland’s best player for 2013 will be sure to play a role in the Wallabies back row in future.
Fotu Auelua: Obviously not an 80 minute player but his powerful runs and his rib-arranging hits make him a valued 60 minute contributor, possibly as impact off the bench.
Some of the players named above are still very fresh, with some development ahead of them. Others we’d hope not to see in Wallaby teams of the future.
But it gives you some sort of a snapshot of the quality and depth of Australia’s professional rugby talent.
Personally, I believe it’s not a bad picture.
Now I’m under no illusions this somehow stacks up when compared to the impressive production lines of New Zealand and South Africa.
But what I believe it does demonstrate is we have the talent and depth to put together a successful national squad.
We’ve achieved this position despite the absence of an expensive national and semi-professional third tier and I’d suggest the implementation of one will have a limited impact on our Test playing stocks.
Certainly not enough of an impact to justify the costs involved in establishing and maintaining such a competition.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.