If the Wallabies are to regain the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, and win the Rugby World Cup for a record third time, Michael Hooper, Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale must be there.
Hooper will be, as captain, for both, Folau will also be there as his contract expires after the Rugby World Cup, but Beale is still floating after this season and could be heading to rugby league.
Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
There are two Beales – the very rational and highly motivated centre, and at times the irrational player off-field. And the latter largely depends on how he’s treated on-field.
That comment gives the impression Beale has a fragile nature. It’s not meant to because Beale is made of far sterner stuff than that.
I expect Beale to cement a starting berth with the Wallabies after the Waratahs beat the Brumbies on Saturday, and the Crusaders the week after to capture their first Super title.
The Bernard Foley-Beale-Folau combination is vital to the success of both the Waratahs, and the Wallabies. That’s why Beale must prove to Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie he’s a far better overall proposition in the 12 jersey than incumbent Matt Toomua.
And when the Rugby World Cup is over, the fate of Beale and Folau in rugby will rear its head again. By then Beale will have been well and truly installed in the 12 jersey, but Folau could be a tougher proposition to stay.
Legendary rugby league coach Wayne Bennett would chew his arm off to have Folau back at home with the Broncos. By then Bennett would be in his second year of his second stint, and Folau would be the thoroughbred of his roster.
Having said that, it’s up to ARU boss Bill Pulver to make sure Folau stays in rugby. It isn’t a big or a hard sell. Being a first-choice Wallaby opens up many doors for post-rugby, while seeing the world in first class. Rugby league can never offer the same benefits, not by a long shot.
The bigger danger to retain Folau will come from France, with massively deep pockets from a huge television contract. Living in France, and constantly touring Europe in places the Wallabies rarely go, is mighty attractive for a young bloke who wants to see the world, and taste different cultures.
But there’s one more to look after – Henry Speight.
In September, the flying Fijian becomes eligible to become a Wallaby. The now Brumby is the most destructive winger in Super Rugby, and quite capable of upsetting the Waratahs on Saturday on his own.
To complete the picture, Ewen McKenzie is building a powerful roster to deliver the Wallabies must pressing targets – the Bledisloe, and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Nothing else matters outside those two cherished goals.
One-eyed jack
Guest
Who would have thought footballers only have half a brain?
PeteRob
Guest
Just a question on the 9,10 and 12 discussions... Who is going to be the goal kicker for Australia? I'm not convinced by foley, Beale is a long range specialist (50:50) and White is also inconsistent?? Can hooper kick? Toomua must stay at 12 in the wallabies! Foley is a solid replacement to cooper but in my mind Beale doesn't bring any more to the table than cooper and he can't kick. I'm happy with white and genia. White still is a bit green in the gold and will continue to develop. Looking towards the rwc I would like to see cooper at fly half with foley covering off the bench. Genia and white at scrum half. Toomua, AAC and kurindrani with kerevi as a option if he plays well next super 15 season... Sleight and JOC on the wings and falou at fullback. JOC actually has a good record when it comes to clutch goal kicking. A penalty kick might be all it takes to win the bled and rwc!!! http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/james-oconnor-is-worlds-best-kicker-under-pressure-study-shows-20140213-32n9t.html
clipper
Guest
Sounds like the Reds are close to signing - will have to see if it's enough time to get ready for the WC. Good luck to him - he had a good run in AFL, but think that at his best in AFL he would be an average to lower tier player in a team, whereas in Rugby his best could get him to the top tier.
Geroy Asap Bevie
Guest
I'm a proud QLR and Quantas Wallabie supporter But I'm just not a rugby fan tho Qaude Cooper inspired me to move from Lock to playing second-five-eight_and I'm playing my best rugby now_im 1.9cm_125Kg's and 18years old_ I have huge respect for QC-he played Kurtley Beale to fullback_Matt Toomoa to inside centre and Bernard Foley came in on the wing in the 3rd Bledisloe match Lastyear_
Harry Jones
Guest
Folau, Fardy, Moore; plus Pocock/Hooper.
Lord Bledisloe
Guest
Haha mate come on those trophies are made of plastic. You know ur scraping the bottom of the barrel when you mention winning the puma cup. Trinations in 2011 is all I'm seeing
Buzzard
Guest
BS!!! McCaw is better than Hooper even when McCaw is injured!
Smiles
Guest
There has been alot of knocking of Kurtley Beale recently. I'm a big Beale fan. But also being a Joeys Boy, I appreciate the value of solid defence. With the depth and options we now have (and with more to come) in the backs, I see Beale as an impact back, which is a wonderful luxury to have. One, many international teams would be envious of. So I think Link may have this right if he is thinking that way. This is no slap to Kurtley. If you play in a team, you go where you are needed and can have the greatest positive impact with your skill set. Running guys ragged and chiming with Israel in the second half seems like a a pretty effective weapon to have at one's disposal. Make no mistake, Australia will need a world class bench along with the 1stXV to win a Rugby World Cup. I feel Link may see his bench as playing a much more important role than our last coach. He will be looking to leverage the skill set of every squad player to suit the conditions faced. I support this as it makes Australia a much more difficult proposition than our previously one dimensional approach (and builds our depth). This is squad approach is especially valid in a tournament scenario of the RWC. This this is where the culture Link is creating will be the glue that holds the squad together. The Team must be greater than the individual. Kurtley will need to decide whether he can help build something other than his ego (we all have one) and bank account. He needs to decide if bringing Bill back and winning a WC is worth the sacrifice of being, in his eyes, a bench player. They are wonderfull goals to have for any rugby players career. "Cometh the hour-cometh the man". I hope Kurtley can make a decision to be part of something special where the whole squad will have a role to play. It it is clear that if we have players of his calbre on the bench ready for their time, a WC will be in our reach.
Firstxv
Guest
Its a tall ask the more you look at the numbers... Although theyve won their last 7 tests, theyve not beaten any vs the top 4. In terms of the 3 sides last 18 tests: Oz 11 wins from 18 with really only one Lions win from that lot worth anything. SA are now 16 wins from 18 matches and NZ are 17 from 17 going for the record. That basically means Oz probably face a combined NZ SA challenge that together is probably the strongest it has ever faced in terms of wins. All this confidence on the back of one or two sxv sides. gotta give it to them...confidence sure is a lovely thing.
handles
Guest
RIghto. Australia won the Cook Cup in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. Australia won the Mandela Plate in 2006, 07, 08, 2010, 11 and 12. Won the Hopetoun Trophy in 2004, 2006 and 2013 Won the Lansdown Cup in 2003, 05, 06, 08, 10 and 13 Won the James Bevan Trophy in 2007, 09, 10, 11, 12 and 13 Puma Cup, etc. etc. One Trophy?
handles
Guest
HE was outplayed by Gill in the second half three weeks ago!
Magic Sponge
Guest
Agree Andy , Tackling is about commitment, get a defence coach to work with you for half an hour every second day after training and it would be fixed. Not being able to tackle is pure laziness and arrogance at that level.
Harry Jones
Guest
Far and away? He was outplayed by Louw I'm 2013, pretty comprehensively. Let's see how 2014 goes. Hooper is a very fine footballer. But not a consensus World XV opensider.
Starchild
Guest
I knew a tea leave reader. The problem was though, she would smoke them before reading them. The predictions were always very weird.
Jokerman
Guest
Interesting article. I just wonder if Lordy read those tea leaves correctly.
bryan
Guest
Now that is an exaggeration... Players everywhere are one dimensional. I'm not a huge AFL supporter, so I can't name names there, but take football. Arjen Robben is 1-footed, Beckham, Ronaldo has a great right and a pretty average left.
Zero Gain
Guest
Heis not a crap flanker, he is very good at the game he plays but test rugby is different. Plus he is very entertaining to watch as well.
Zero Gain
Guest
Good question. Pocock obviously if fully fit., otherwise? Actually, I think Hooper should be on the bench and come on with around 30 to go. I repeat, he is an excellent player but I just think we need more muscle to counter his likely opponents.
TMAC
Guest
I can't see how you could rate Kurtley Beale ahead of Matt Toomua. We will see how KB responds to Toomua drifting up on his inside shoulder and cutting him in half this weekend! Pressure games need good decisions, not half baked/ low percentage/ soft, options. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
AndyS
Guest
It is a bit of an aside, but it is a pet hobbyhorse of mine. The weakness shown in some of the basic skills indicates to me the real shallowness of the talent pool available to Rugby in Australia. A player wouldn't even be considered for the VFA if they couldn't tackle or pass equally well off either foot or hand, yet rugby routinely has players that have to be hidden in defence, or have weak long passes, or pass poorly to one side, or can only kick on one side of their body, or kick like a popgun. Hope to God the NRC does at least something toward upping the bar that defines what it takes to be a professional rugby player in this country and the standards that need to be maintained to stay there.