Australia beat Wales last weekend in an exciting clash that showcased a marked improvement in execution and decision-making in a year that has been difficult for the Wallabies – to say the least.
Quade Cooper is now showing the benefit of time in the saddle and the confidence that comes with putting multiple wins together and this flowed into the rest of the back line.
Many praised Cooper for his contribution in the Wallabies’ first try but for me, the try belonged to Joe Tomane who had his best game in an Australian jersey.
The skill to tap forward and regain a pass that was high and behind him and then quickly recycle inside was more valuable than the space that Cooper provided.
Roarers will probably debate that, but either way, the ability to finish those opportunities is something that has increased markedly over the November tour.
If the disappointment of the Lions series loss and Rugby Championship failure were rock-bottom, then Ewen McKenzie has done a credible job of putting Australia back on the upswing.
Putting trouble-makers into leadership positions has been a long-used tactic for coaches to turn a team’s fortunes around (think Troy Flavell for the blues or Dylan Hartley for Northampton) and it has been a solidifying factor in McKenzie’s attempt to create a new image and ethos for Australia.
Underlying these changes has been the performances and development of the less established players in the team.
In the backs, as I mentioned before, Tomane has gone from strength to strength, Nick Cummins continues to be rock solid, Tevita Kuridrani has shown he will be a player for the future and Israel Folau has had possibly the best rookie year of any Australian player ever.
In the forwards, Michael Hooper completely out-played Sam Warburton and continues a good year, Scott Fardy provides a wide running game and some well-needed mongrel to the pack and Ben Mowen has been astute with his captaincy.
So, with these players going well and things looking up for Australia, the big question is, what do you do with the established players that will come back next year?
There is an argument to be made that all the mentioned players above could be replaced by the injured. Think of these returning players:
Kurtley Beale, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Wycliff Palu, Hugh McMeniman, Pat McCabe, Henry Speight, James O’Connor (assuming he wants to play) and then a number of fringe players like Jesse Mogg, Rod Davies and Jake Schatz.
Is McKenzie going to be loyal to the players who have turned around the public perception of the Wallabies or is he going to go back to the players that were a part of a team that put the team into a downward spiral?
It’s an interesting problem given that most of these returning players offer compelling arguments as to why they should be selected.
On the one hand, there are several world class players there that could offer points of difference in big games and on the other hand, this would be a slap in the face to the players that have served him well on this tour.
One thing is for sure, McKenzie can’t afford to backtrack on his ideology of turning around team culture.
Hopefully the standards that have been set on this tour will be applied to returning players as well and if this is the case, then Australia can look forward to a much better year in 2014.
bennalong
Guest
The Super 15 will throw a cat amongst the pigeons as Cheika's boys show the others how to play Rugby McKenzie has relegated many to the second rung for dubious reasons and there will be a lot of passion out there Then we'll see the biased anti -Tah brigade eating crow Form means Super 15 form, and players coming back from injury may take more than 6-8 weeks to hit their straps Leaving out Hooper for Pocock would be madness. The role of pilferer is now spread across a number of current Wallabies including Fardy and Mowen, as well as Hooper. Hoops adds another way of linking between forewards and backs, and in the Tahs will play off the back of the lineout, bringing in Izzy, Betham or Crawford. Foley will show too how Hooper is not being fully used under McKenzie via Cooper. Foley has made the most of his limited opoportunities under McKenzie, but will add to his tally of line breaks and putting his outside talent through holes The Tahs pack will show that Fat-Cat is worthy of a start and Tatafu will keep Moore on his toes (though that bloke has been a revelation and I'd think of him as captain material) Having said all this I don't have problems with the current Wallaby selections and am a big fan of Mowen and Fardy. If they continue their form against Wales at the breakdown, Higgers won't get a look in. He will not be a full eighty minute player by selection time and, like Pocock, will be used off the bench for impact I'm getting excited already
nanas
Guest
There is always next year. Wallabies finished the EOYT on a high. I think Ewan will maintain the momentum won as form is best guide for selection. Still work to do to get the job done against the Blacks and Bok next year. Toomua and Kurandrani will probably return to the starting team relegating Lealiifano and Tomane to the bench. Back row likely to stay the same with Fardy at 6 covering 4 and 5 when the returning players strengthen the bench depth. Robinson and Alexander are on notice from Sio and Ryan. I would like to see a 2nd XV given game time - Sio, TPN, Ryan, Douglas, Kimlin, Gill, Pocock, Higgenbotham, White, Beale,Tomane, Lealiifano, Godwin, Speight, O'Connor. I would rather have Kilmin and Godwin in their best positions however back up second row and outside centre are holes that need filling.
winston
Roar Rookie
Who would you have ahead of Nonu?
Fair go
Guest
Totally agree. Treasure the shirt, play for the team. And, please, get Kimlin back!!!!
Markus
Guest
"Just how long does it take IRB to make a decision" Depends on what the decision is for, I guess. They seem to be pretty prompt in their decision making when it comes to suspending Southern Hemisphere players.
RF
Guest
Pocock, Higgers, Beale, Godwin. Will all wear gold in 2015 I am almost certain of that. If Beale sorts himself out he'd be a great back-up 10 that would take nothing away from Australia's attack if QC gets injured. For Godwin...Would love to see him against Wes Fofana next year.
Ben
Guest
There is a name i haven't heard from in a while...how is he doing?
Edward Pye
Guest
Poor writing on my behalf then ;)
Westie
Guest
Pick on form not reputation
The dazzle
Guest
Form, form, form. There is a long season ahead & anything can & will happen. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Recent experience suggests that no-one is guaranteed a place in the team, regardless of reputation. Link plays form. If you're out of form then you make way for someone who is in form. Good. In any case, it is too far out to say who'll be lining up for the internationals next year. Remember this time last year Higgers was a bit a nutter who went missing for large parts of every Test. Six months ago he was the best forward in the country and probably in the S15 and widely respected as a leader. Now... Who knows? Let's just sit back and savour some lovely wallabies rugby from the EOYT. Next year will take care if itself. Merry Xmas Roarers!
Honest Pete
Guest
whatever your relationship with Hansen is, Westie, the point is Australia don't have many world class players, but Pocock and Genia will not be dropped by the national team at this stage in their careers, which makes them automatic selections
Bakkies
Guest
Fardy should play in the row and he offers a lot at the breakdown. Simmons is a liability. Having another forward who can pilfer might mean that the Wallabies could field a real impact player like Auelua off the bench rather then waste a bench spot on another 7 that might get 5 mins in some games.
Westie
Guest
Hansen doesn't have the nutsack to drop nonu. Even though he deserves it.
Harry Jones
Guest
As an unbiased observer, OZ needs Fardy to start. Sets a tone.
Honest Pete
Guest
"having to earn it" is one of many rugby cliches bandied about...every team has players that are automatic selections. You think Folau won't get selected next year if he has an average Super season? take Nonu for instance the last couple of seasons, average at best in Super rugby yet the coaches know he steps up for the All Blacks and will continue to be selected while he's fit.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Pyle i/o Douglas
Bakkies
Guest
You need an extra prop
atlas
Guest
Cannot find any announcement from ARU or IRb re Henry Speight's eligibility application. As at last month the ARU appeal had not been resolved by the IRB's three-person committee reviewing Speight's case. If they make him sit out three consecutive years it is September 2014 till eligible. This is most recent reference I could find http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/speight-hopes-injury-woes-will-soon-end-20131108-2x7c7.html I thought a result would have been publicised. Just how long does it take IRB to make a decision - either a player can do a seaosn overseas (ITM Cup) or he can't - easy?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Pocock will be an automatic selection? Horwill, Genia, Cooper and JOC wernt and Pocock wont be. He will have to earn it and thats how it should be imo.