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For my own interest as much as anything else, I thought I’d look back on who I’ve picked in the teams of the week each week so far and see if I can identify front-runners for a Wallaby spot.
I know there is a lot of water to pass under a lot of bridges before this needs to be done for real, and I fully expect some guys we know are class to rise like cream to the top.
On the other hand, there is nothing better for Australian rugby than to have a lot of good challengers for each position and I hope we see some of them oust the incumbents and inject some freshness into the Wallaby squad down the track.
I’m also aware of the perils of picking a team based on counting of who has been in team of the week the most. And for that reason I have broken away from this simple arithmetic derivation in some positions below.
1. Scott Sio
At loose head the leading candidate at the moment appear to be Scott Sio. He has made my team of the week twice, with James Slipper and Toby Smith my picks in the other weeks.
While I freely admit to not being a grandmaster in the arcane art of front row play, I feel at Wallaby level we are due for a bit of a regime change in the props and Scott Sio looks to be the up-and-comer.
2. Stephen Moore
While the honours are shared two each to Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau, I had to make a choice and I chose Moore.
3. Ben Alexander
I have picked a different tight-head every week so far – a clear indication I don’t know what I’m doing.
Ben Alexander has not been clearly head and shoulders above the others but there is no noticeable up-and-comer that looks clearly ready for internationals in this position.
And since I have picked a relative newcomer on the other side of the scrum, I figure an old head on this side is probably warranted.
4. Rob Simmons
I’ve picked Sam Wykes twice in this position versus Rob Simmons once and High Pyle once. But I have allowed Rob to nab this spot for reasons of balance in the team.
As you’ll see if you read further, I’ve made some picks that would lead to a less-than-exceptional lineout.
5. Kane Douglas
This is a controversial one. I’ve picked Kane twice, James Horwill once and Sam Carter once. It’s obviously a huge call to not include the former captain but I just feel Kane’s form is slightly better this year so far.
6. Scott Fardy
Another position in which I’ve picked four different players over the first four weeks in which Australian teams have played.
One of them – Sean McMahon – burst onto the scene in the Rebels’ first game. His form since has been good but, like the rest of the Rebels, not quite what it was in that first game.
I’ll give the kiss-of-death now and say he certainly looks to be a really good option in a year or two though.
Angus Cottrell is another that deserves special mention.
7. Michael Hooper
Hooper won a lot of accolades last year and this year he is so far playing even better. I picked him two out of the four weeks, with the balance made up of Matt Hodgson and Liam Gill.
So sad David Pocock is not in this race any longer this year.
8. Ben McCalman
Another controversial choice. Pre-season everyone was thinking this would be a race between Scott Higginbotham and Wycliff Palu but Ben responded to being largely written off and ignored in the best possible way.
He has been fantastic at the back of a scrum that has often been under tremendous pressure and, let’s face it, that’s probably good practice for the Wallabies.
9. Will Genia
Another tough and perhaps controversial choice. I have picked every Australian halfback option here over the four weeks to date – Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Nic White and Genia.
Actually I didn’t pick White – I picked Alby Mathewson but I also admitted at the time I was breaking my own rules and if I had to pick I would have picked White. White was also unlucky to have not been picked last weekend.
While I have been heavily critical of Genia to date, Scott Allen wrote an interesting piece analysing his game recently and, as usual, he’s right.
While Genia hasn’t been as noticeable with his linebreaks recently and his kicking has been woeful at times, he has been pretty solid and consistent in the basics of getting to the ball and getting rid of it quickly and accurately.
Nic White deserves to continue as Genia’s understudy and his energy would be a massive shot of adrenaline for the team as a sub.
10. Quade Cooper
One of the easier picks, Quade has made my team of the week three out of the four weeks.
Contenders are obviously Matt Toomua – who I’ll agree was unlucky to miss out last weekend – and Bernard Foley – who many said was lucky to have made the weekend before.
11. Nick Cummins
Have you seen that recent post-match interview yet?
For that reason alone he almost scores an honorary place in the team but he has also won this spot twice, beating out Tom English (another Rebels first game wonder) and Robbie Coleman.
12. Matt Toomua
Ok, so Matt Toomua hasn’t got into the team of the week once – certainly not in this position. The players that have are Kurtley Beale and Pat McCabe.
However, playing Beale next to Cooper is just way too risky.
Pat McCabe would be a good option. He has played fantastically this season – the best I’ve seen him play – but I won’t repeat again the message I’m constantly bleating on about in relation to him.
13. Tevita Kuridrani
He has won this two out of the four weeks and done enough to show Adam Ashley-Cooper’s days here might be drawing to a close.
Another up-and-comer is Chris Feauai-Sautia, who is also playing the best I’ve seen him play this season.
14. Jesse Mogg
Yet another controversial choice since I’m well aware a) Jesse hasn’t played at all on the wing this season and b) when tried here for the Wallabies in the past was less than stellar.
But with Henry Speight out and in any case the honours being shared equally by him, Rod Davies and Lachie Turner, there were no standouts and Mogg has done enough to earn another shot.
15. Israel Folau
Shared the picks in this spot with Jesse Mogg but I can’t go past big Izzy.
So there you have it. I know it’s early days but let me know what you think? I’d also welcome thoughts anyone has on the captaincy.
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.