Saturday afternoon at Allianz will be the last chance for Wallabies centres Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani to cement their berths against the All Blacks and Springboks in The Rugby Championship.
Both are graduates of the Jake White-Stephen Larkham school of booting the ball into opposition territory and hoping for the best. Neither fit the Ewen McKenzie strategy of running the ball.
The two best attacking units in the Wallabies backline, Israel Folau and Nick Cummins, have only scored two tries between them in two Tests against France as a result, and Cummins’ try was set up by Folau.
These two cannot be denied again. France will be a far tougher proposition tomorrow than they were in last Saturday’s tryless 6-0 contest, the scoreline a result of the Wallabies failing to play McKenzie rugby.
If the Wallabies try that trick against the All Blacks and the Boks, they will cop a caning.
The All Blacks have been in trouble twice against England in the past fortnight, but have found a way to win by scoring tries. The Boks have made Wales look ordinary, also scoring tries.
And scoring five-pointers is the only way the Wallabies can regain the Bledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship. Bernard Foley will add the extras with his accurate boot.
And it will be Foley who will set the backline alight if McKenzie reverts to the obvious centre pairing of Waratahs Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The Waratahs are on top of the Australian Super Rugby Conference and second on the overall table, thanks largely to Beale and Ashley-Cooper being in red-hot form.
More importantly, it’s only Beale who can regularly release Folau to do his customary damage. While he’s at it, Beale can also release Cummins.
These are two very different centre combinations. Toomua is a better defender than Beale, but Beale is by far the better attacking unit. Ashley-Cooper hasn’t the physical presence of Kuridrani, but he’s a better defender and more consistent line-breaker.
Ashley-Cooper still has a problem passing the ball after making the break, but overall he’s still a better proposition because of his understanding with Beale.
And the Waratahs pairing brings Rob Horne into play. He has been a revelation for the Waratahs this season with his strong running and devastating defence.
The only weak link in my backline is halfback Nic White. But with Will Genia injured and Nick Phipps no better alternative, McKenzie’s options are limited.
There’s one part of White’s play McKenzie can control. Tell the Brumby if he box kicks just once, he’s going to be dragged immediately and never selected again. If that deterrent doesn’t work, White has no right to wear gold.
Regardless, having a great backline doesn’t mean a toss if the Wallabies forwards don’t produce good, quick and controlled ball.
I’m waiting for Scott Sio to return to the front row, waiting for Nathan Charles to be the No. 1 hooker as his lineout feeds do Tatafa Polota-Nau off the break, and waiting for lock Luke Jones to partner Will Skelton.
Wycliff Palu has again been given the nod at No 8. As the most injured forward in recent Wallabies history who isn’t David Pocock, Palu is a Russian-roulette selection. On his day he’s dynamic around the park, but those days are well apart.
Has anyone ever done an analysis on how many hours and days Palu has missed through injury since he debuted as a Wallaby in 2006? It would be substantial.
The Wallabies are on the brink of great moments of rugby under Ewen McKenzie, but those moments must be consistent, not spasmodic.
McKenzie can’t do it from the stands. His troops have got to do it on the park.
And Saturday afternoon is the best time to start.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
Wow, not sure what you have been watching, but both those players have played well. One of the reasons Toomua is there is for his defence. I note that Basteraud walked over KB late in the match giving France momentum. Toomua's defence and level head is needed. The real problem is that he needs a KB or QC inside him.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Not that Lawdy will notice.
Charlie
Guest
I thought it was James Fielen that scored that wonderful intercept.
Liam Ovenden
Roar Pro
He hardly got a single judgement right in this article.
Blah
Guest
Blah
Guest
Massive Likes to this Comment. I never got why Ewan never asked Larkham to switch Toomua and CLL at the brumbies when Jake White Left for the good of the Wallabies
Bmwwilliams
Guest
How can Toomua and kuridrani cop blame for anything when the glaring weakest point in the backline (foley) avoids it? White should be benched and Foley dumped completely as soon as the reds pair are available.
Oscar Redding
Guest
Agreed.
Blah
Guest
I know this is an extremely Stupid Idea. But I'd really like to see what Izzy could do at 10. Sure he can only pass to his left and he's never really had to do any organizing before but He adapted quite well to fullback. And there is a history of Fullbacks converting to become five eights in australian rugby. With a capable ball playing Inside center like (Foley NSW) or (Tamoua Aus- in a tour game against a club side) I'd really like to see what he could do
OutsideCenter
Guest
Slightly agree with you but foley's line speed isnt great and toomua is generally aligned with the rest of the backline
bozo
Guest
Why is isn't there a report on the Roar about the game against France?
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Looking very good there macca.... clearly your not a QC fan, but I think he'll walk it in ahead of Foley... it's also looking like JOC will be back and if he's sorted out his attitude he'll force his way back into the team somehow... I'd have him on the wing and AAC on the bench... sure, he's a better 13 than Kuri at the moment but AAC has the versatility to play 13, 11, 14 and 15 so we're much better served having him come off the bench. I'd also like to see CLL and Toomua switched back at the Brumbies... wasn't so long ago that CLL had a ripper season at 10 and everyone wanted him ahead of Quade in the Wallabies.... then along came some injuries and now for some reason CLL is at 12 and Toomua at 10 for the Brumbies... Toomua has shown he's a great 12 so CLL's best form for the Brumbies was at 10 so why don't they reinstate this combo? I think 10 is CLL's best position and if he can find his form there again, he'd be my backup 10 for the Wallabies with Toomua at 12...
DMac
Guest
No. White was awful.
riddler
Guest
Jack.. best post have read in a while!! 100% agree on a aac murdering tries and kb is becoming graham hick like..
Aussie James
Guest
I agree the sooner this guy gets fired all the better for rugby
niwdeyaj
Guest
Yeah, but CLL isn't a waratah...
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
A Waratah support piece without any regard for any other Super team, or the Wallabies chances. I had promised myself never to read his stuff, maybe its an annual reminder!
Billy Bob
Guest
I agree about izzy at 13. Defensively he would be on another learning curve, but in attack he would be frightening. If Beale was on the field, he or AAC could drop back to 15 and let izzy run in the 13 channel, where he currently makes his metres now. Yesterday's game has shown what Link is intending in terms of development. Inwardly and outwardly he is ticking boxes. Carry on.
Clifto
Roar Pro
What about 1967 - the last time Grammar won GPS! Them's were the days
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Thanks for the gold star Gator. Mum will be pleased. ;) On a side note - I liked the way the Wallabies did not let up until the final whistle was blown. Ewen & Co are doing some good work there.