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With all the buzz going on around the announcement of the Wallabies squad a few days ago, I have decided to hop on the bandwagon and share my take on how our 23 should look like for the first Test against the French.
Let’s start with the front row, the choice of James Slipper and Ben Alexander with Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu on the bench is a rather conservative one.
However, it is my opinion that Australia is in dire need of a strong Test-quality tight five. Scrummaging has been an issue for the Wallabies for a long time and it will continue to be an issue until we get some real talent coming through from Super Rugby level, especially in the prop department.
I took this mindset with me when selecting my starting locks. The inclusion of Rob Simmons was imperative due to his line out calling. It’s also worth noting that though his form was nothing extraordinary during Super Rugby, it was not poor either, so he deserves at least one or two starts to redeem himself in the Test arena.
My exclusion of James Horwill in favour of Luke Jones will probably be a controversial one, though. Horwill has been very disappointing in his loose play for a while now, so I don’t see the harm in blooding in a promising young player as early as possible, especially since the rest of the pack is experienced.
The back row is quite straightforward due to the tight holds that Scott Fardy and Micahel Hooper have on the number six and seven jerseys respectively. I chose Wycliff Palu at eight as I share Phil Waugh’s sentiment in that he is integral to giving his side good go-forward ball. Big, imposing, destructive runners who consistently get over the gain line are just what the Wallabies have been lacking these past few years. And with Palu starting at the base of the scrum and Will Skelton most definitely coming off the bench, that problem has been partially rectified.
Palu’s match fitness is indeed questionable so Ben McCalman will most likely get 20-30 minutes of game time, either at six, seven or eight. The beauty of this Wallabies back five is it’s versatility. Fardy and Simmons can play both lock and blindside while McCalman can possibly be used anywhere in the back row.
Now on to the backs where most of the selection headaches lie. My selection of Nic White at scrum half took a lot of thought. Will Genia is a world-class player, no doubt. If you look at my profile description, you would see that I had indeed penned him down as my favourite player. However, I think it’s safe to say that he’s not in the form of his life right now. White is very close behind and has three big advantages going for him – general kicking, place kicking and his combination with Matt Toomua.
Especially with Israel Folau not being too proficient with the boot and Kurtley Beale inconsistent with it, White’s boot in general play would be paramount if a territorial game plan is required.
Furthermore, with Beale and Matt Toomua as the halves combination, his place kicking would also be vital. Speaking of Toomua, a team that will assemble less than a week before the first Test needs combinations to form as soon as possible. That’s when the relationship between White and Toomua will come in handy. Though Toomua will be playing at second five-eighth, he will doubtlessly slot into first receiver from time to time, making a solid partnership there very useful.
Kurtley Beale at 10 would provide the creative spark that the back line needs, which I fear Bernard Foley just may not be able to deliver. Both Pat McCabe and Adam Ashley-Cooper have to be somewhere in the team so I decided to chuck them onto the wings. I personally feel that Ashley-Cooper should be starting at outside centre but Ewen McKenzie doesn’t seem to see it that way with Tevita Kuridrani being the only 13 named in the squad.
With so little time for preparation, McKenzie must find a balance between tinkering with promising new combinations and making sure some existing combinations from Super Rugby follow through.
Hopefully a 3-0 series whitewash will result.
Here is the side I would pick:
1. Slipper
2. Moore (vc)
3. Alexander
4. Jones
5. Simmons
6. Fardy
7. Hooper (c)
8. Palu
9. White (k)
10. Beale
11. McCabe
12. Toomua
13. Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Folau
Reserves:
Polota-Nau
Sio
Kepu
Skelton
McCalman
Genia
Lealiifano
Horne
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.