The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Australian rugby's talent stocktake part 2: halves and inside centres

Roar Guru
21st September, 2013
Advertisement
Nic White looked right at home as the Wallabies starting No. 9. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
Roar Guru
21st September, 2013
26
1751 Reads

After looking at Australia’s forwards yesterday, today we assess who is permitted – if not necessarily primed – to pull on the gold jersey for Australia wearing 9, 10 or 12.

All of these names have shown some sort of ability at some point during their careers to achieve this objective at Test level.

As I mentioned in my previous article, it’s not the individuals that are called upon due to injuries that make the All Blacks the best team in the world, it’s how the team responds when these individuals are brought in.

Scrumhalf
Will Genia and Nic White: Will Genia has obviously run into a patch of form that’s well below what we’ve come to expect from him, which has opened the door for the skilful and exciting Nic White.

White’s long and tactical boot is a great asset and has even more value in a team without of anything comparable.

It’s a great benefit for the Wallabies to have two strong options at the base of the scrum pushing each other to be the best.

Luke Burgess: He’ll no doubt be looking to add to the 37 Wallaby caps he accumulated before linking up with Toulouse in 2011.

Nick Phipps: Still young with a lot of experience. He may provide the missing link between a large pack and an exciting backline for the Waratahs.

Advertisement

Nick Frisby and Ben Lucas: Lucas has been a valuable contributor at 9 for the Reds in the past but in more recent times his speed and kicking ability has been utilised in the back three.

This has given Nick Frisby the opportunity to take over as Genia’s back up and he’s left an impression whenever he’s been called upon.

Flyhalf
Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua: This pair look to be leading the charge at 10, with Quade being given another opportunity most recently.

I have no problem with this and believe he can definitely add value to this Australian side moving ahead, however I would have preferred it if Ewen McKenzie gave Toomua more of an opportunity than just two tough games against the current world champions.

Regardless of who starts, both will continue to be extensively used into the future.

Bernard Foley: He had an outstanding 2013 for the Waratahs and I’m sure a Wallaby debut, if due to injury, won’t be too far away.

Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau: Both now based overseas but both are experienced Wallaby campaigners who possess the ability to play 10 and 12 at the international level.

Advertisement

At 27, Barnes is hopeful of returning to Australia following a stint in Japan. Giteau isn’t as sprightly but if his form for Toulon is anything to go by, he’s still capable of playing on the game’s biggest stage.

Inside centre
Christian Lealiifano: In his first seven Wallaby appearances he’s been solid without being spectacular.

It’ll take a bit of time to transfer his impressive Brumbies form onto the tight and unforgiving international platform but for the time being he provides us with a trusty sharp shooter in front of the sticks (despite some wobbles on the weekend just gone).

Ben Tapuai and Anthony Fainga’a: Queensland’s most common centres over the last few seasons have experienced some contrasting form in recent times.

Fainga’a kicked off his international career in 2010 and has since spent a considerable amount of time at both 12 and 13 for club and country.

He suffered a form slump in 2012, which gave Tapuai an opportunity to lock down the 12 shirt for the Reds and he took it with both hands. ‘Taps’ was rewarded with a number of starts on the Wallabies end of year tour and he didn’t disappoint.

This year they’ve done a switcheroo again, as Fainga’a became the Reds dominant performer in the midfield, while Taps has found himself on the outer on a few occasions.

Advertisement

Currently Fainga’a is injured and unavailable for the Wallabies, while Tapuai was a part of the 31-man squad to tackle the Lions but hasn’t been given a starting or bench spot this year.

Both solid 12s on their day.

Kyle Godwin: The Zimbabwean born, West Australian has put himself firmly in the sights of the selectors with an outstanding year for the Western Force.

Despite it being early days, he’s definitely been earmarked as a star for the future.

Jono Lance: He’ll find it tough going next year in a talent-packed Tahs backline but don’t be surprised to see Lance turning heads when given some opportunities in his more preferred position in 2014.

Mike Harris and Pat McCabe: Heaven help us if we have to dig deeper into the barrel past the five names mentioned above but, as this is a demonstration of depth exercise, two guys with a decent amount of Wallaby experience are worth a mention.

That said, in McCabe’s case I really hope we’ve seen the last of his Wallaby caps.

Advertisement

I hope the ARU are looking at ways to increase their share of Australia’s sporting pie but with money not exactly growing on trees at ARU headquarters, what’s really required is smart investments.

What’s not constructive is this kneejerk reaction that blames a lack of depth when the Wallabies lose a handful of tough games, followed by the subsequent suggestions that clearly haven’t been thought all the way through.

The depth is there to perform at the Test level and even if it wasn’t, a third tier isn’t going to have a direct impact on what’s available for the international squad.

That’s what we have a second tier for and, as this audit shows, it’s doing a reasonable job.

close