Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie looks poised to resist wholesale changes to the side that swept France, with Pat McCabe looming as the man to lock down the vacant wing spot for next week’s Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks.
The squad trained as a whole for the first time on Thursday afternoon after 11 Waratahs players joined the camp in Bathurst for the Bush2Bledisloe campaign.
While the Bledisloe Cup opener is still nine days away and the session was only an opposed training run, it still gives a strong indication of the side McKenzie intends to name on Tuesday.
McKenzie is poised to make just two forced starting changes to the side that beat France 50-23 in game one despite several Waratahs players – including Kurtley Beale and Nick Phipps – staking strong claims for selection during their Super Rugby title win.
Brumbies comeback king McCabe was seen training in the wing spot vacated by Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins.
It would be a huge reward for McCabe, who hasn’t started a Test since November 2012, and broke his neck for a second time when he came off the bench against the British and Irish Lions in June last year.
As widely expected, Western Force frontrower Nathan Charles was training in the hooker role following knee injuries to rakes Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Workhorse Sam Carter also looks as though he’ll hold onto his spot at lock ahead of Waratahs giant Will Skelton and former captain James Horwill after missing the final two matches against the French with a sprained ankle.
Likely Wallabies starting XV: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe, Bernard Foley, Nic White, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (capt), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Nathan Charles, James Slipper.
Firstxv
Guest
Beale? Around 2010 I thought he was the best fullback around, about the time when he scored tthat pickup from a sprawling Carter to run 60 meters untouched then kicked the 45 m penalty vs the Boks to rip the match off them. As part of the fab 5- JOC, Cooper, Ioane, Genia and Beale were superb in linking with one another. Pity fame got to them all too quickly.
bennalong
Guest
These mini pieces....are they 'leaks'' Where does the 'poised to resist changes' come from?
bennalong
Guest
Absolutely correct Fancy a Brumbies fan waking up to the obvious!
bennalong
Guest
Absolutely!
Jerry
Guest
"the IRB nominations were right to not only select him as the best fullback in the world" They never did. The only time he was ever nominated, Mils Muliaina was also nominated so at best you could say they selected him as one of the two best fullbacks.
bennalong
Guest
McKenzie came in talking of including form players. He stuffed the last Bledisloe completely. Remember? But Adam Ashley-Cooper on form has to play 13. On form Kurindrani, only 4kg heavier, wouldn't make the team. Look at the second test against the French. Jakeball! White and his stupid box kicks, and when not kicking himself making Toomua first receiver instead of Foley so HE can kick the bloody thing! Toomua should start at 12 for offensive defence but Beale on at 50. Phipps should start to keep a 9/10 combination Kane Douglas should be in the 25. He's contracted 'til end of year and the back row with Simmons jumping needs grunt. I suspect McKenzie will be wary of too many Tahs because he'd be terrified of being compared with, or beholding to Michael Cheika, the prince with eyes on the crown
Xenomorph
Guest
Rob Im trying to decide, hmmm, to take your word for it or the IRB nominations and general consensus of the rugby world. Ive decided to say that at least he was one of the top 3 and although Kearney and Mils were up there at the time that I think Beale was the best at the time and the IRB nominations were right to not only select him as the best fullback in the world but one of the best 6 or so players on the planet. You guys can chose to pretend this wasnt the case and pretend he wasnt voted as the best Aus player at club and international level from any position and you can chose to pretend he wasnt thought of by many as the best player in the world full stop but if you are suggesting thay he wasnt a good fullback then thats bat-sh..-crazy imo. Perhaps just about every award he could have been nominated for didnt consult peoples opinion about his tackling before nominating him and in most instances handing him the award? I dont know, its possible I guess but Im sick of this revisionist history, if he was up for those awards and in most instances won them the chances are that he was probably going pretty well and if anybody remembers it different they should consider why and if, perhaps, they themselves are wrong about said player. Sorry I know you just said he wasnt the best but sheeeeeez... You THINK he wasnt the best in the world at the time Rob but others thought otherwise, a lot of others. I apologise for the rant.
Andy
Guest
Forwards look too lightweight for me. Can see this pack grtting Not overly fussed about the backs. I do think having more Tahs starting would be better but it's not like they are being replaced by average players. All very capable IMO as is McCabe
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
'Except for when he was the best option at 15 in the world' He never was. His defence was actually worse in the bad old days.
Xenomorph
Guest
Except for when he was the best option at 15 in the world Markus? 44 Bottles, 10 & 15.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I've always thought Beale is a good footy player, I just don't know in what position
44bottles
Roar Guru
I believe that covers most internet discussion, not just this section.
Xenomorph
Guest
Link hasnt chopped and changed? Hes done nothing but. Tomane, Cummins, Betham, Folau, AAC, CFS, JOC and now perhaps McCabe have played wing and soon you can add Speight to that list. Hes swapped the players around constently. Just to remind you, only 3 players (imo) will start in the same positions from game 1 of the RC in 2013 and for NZ it will be (imo) 11.
Xenomorph
Guest
I cant explain why somebody guessing and saying its not a guess has everyone believing that its the team Ewens selecting. Nobody knows what Ewens going to do and I highly doubt that McCabe will play wing.
Ajax
Guest
Cannot believe we are picking the same lineup that failed last year. Toomua is pedestrian at best. .. Nick White is an accident waiting to happen at test level... great.. another rugby championship down the drain.
SandBox
Roar Guru
May have been worried he'd slip over, again
Starchild
Guest
I was a little disappointed not to see Tatafu Polota-Nau in the mix. I worked in a bakery as a teenager (Not for long - I'm an artist) and his pie throwing skills make mine look pretty amateurish.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
concur with this RK, that said I'd be happy for Tomane to get a start to add some genuine speed out wide. If McCabe is picked he will be like Badger and wont let the team down. I wouldn't mind seeing AAC come into 13 at the hour mark and Tomane on. Likewise KB on at the 50-55 minute mark. If White kicks it too much he will lose me for good. He has a good running game so use it man !
MJB
Guest
Hey, don't come around here with your facts! This section is reserved for baseless hyperbole from armchair experts.
MJB
Guest
You're thinking of Speight.