The Rugby Championship might be taking a week off, but not the hard-working types charged with asking and tackling the big questions every Friday. Despite no Test Rugby this weekend, Biltong, Digger and I still had plenty to talk about.
Here are this week’s questions, and please feel free to post your own thoughts, or indeed lodge your own big question. The guys and I will tackle them during the day as we get a chance.
Brett McKay asks: If you were picking the Australian side next week, and wiped the slate clear, which players would definitely hold their spots?
As I alluded to this week, I don’t think Ewen McKenzie can just bring new faces in, but rather he needs to start from the bottom and work up.
And right at this time, I think the only certainties are James Slipper, Sekope Kepu (even I don’t think he was very good at Eden Park), Rob Simmons, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Israel Folau.
Michael Hooper will be a certainty too, but I do have to question his involvement. I really think the Wallabies need a proper over-the-ball hard-arse at the moment, and without one the Wallabies look and feel vulnerable. The worry is that to bring one in – knowing that Hooper won’t (and probably shouldn’t) be dropped – yet more compromises are going to have to be made in the pack.
I’ll also say again that the Bernard Foley and Toomua combination worked fine against France in June. I think we can get too hung up on x-factor sometimes, and the results of what can happen when that x-factor is missing its zip has been there for all to see in the last two weeks.
That said, and I go back to the point above about the breakdown, without a solid platform up front even World Cup-winning midfields will struggle.
Biltong: It is easier to look at those who have under-performed or have not worked.
Scott Fardy, for example. As much as I rate Fardy, you need someone like Jacques Potgieter, hard and physical, so maybe Scott Higginbotham would be an option. Wycliff Palu was completely absent without leave in Auckland.
Nic White is another one. Nick Phipps has made a difference every time he has come on, and is part of the Waratah backline that won a title. Matt Toomua is a good player but doesn’t fit. I’d move Beale to 12, and insert Bernard Foley at 10.
Digger: James Slipper, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley Cooper and Israel Folau. Yip, that’s about it. Now, who do you pick instead for the rest?
Diggercane asks: Will Argentina secure their first win in the Rugby Championship on their tour of the Antipodes?
They were mighty impressive against South Africa and they present a very real threat.
I do not believe they will win in Napier as I simply think the All Blacks have too much firepower, but based on last week’s performance they must be eyeing up the Gold Coast, especially knowing how good their pack is.
They have the tools but I am not sure they have the belief so I will say no, not this year. Back at home, on the other hand…
Biltong: Sadly I don’t think so, as much as they have improved. The one team that does have the ability to play on the back foot, depending on the opposition, is Australia. Be sure that Ewen McKenzie will swallow his pride and start with Phipps and Foley, moving Beale to 12 alongside Ashley-Cooper.
I also think the backrow will change and give Australia at least some parity at the breakdown. Argentina will target Australia as their pack will be seen as vulnerable, but I expect a backlash and the Wallabies will find a way to win.
Brett: If the Pumas’ first game on tour was the Wallabies and not the All Blacks, then I’d certainly give them a chance because they would still be riding their confidence from their impressive performance in Salta.
However, because they face a still-hitting-their-straps All Blacks side first, that confidence will have taken a few dents by the time they arrive in Australia. And that will make the fact they couldn’t hold out for 10 more minutes against South Africa at home all the harder to swallow, come the end of the season.
Biltongbek asks: Are tried and tested Super Rugby combinations better than untried “better” individuals in the Rugby Championship?
I certainly believe the collective can be greater than the sum of their parts. Simply selecting the best individuals does not guarantee success.
The Waratahs have shown with their backline combination of Phipps at nine, Foley at 10, Beale at 12, Ashley-Cooper at 13 and Israel Folau at 15 that this combination worked for a whole season not only in defence but also in attack.
I rate Toomua highly but it seems he has disrupted the flow and organisation of the Waratahs’ back line. Beale has been effective at 12 due to what Foley brings to the backline: space. With Beale at 10, it seems he has lost his effectiveness, and Foley is missed as he controls the tactical kicking better than Beale.
Digger: While it can be advantageous in some ways to utilise combinations, particularly defensively, it is by no means a guarantee that these would be as effective at the next level up.
I am always an advocate of picking the best player in their particular position, and if I look at the All Blacks I believe this to be true. The Chiefs, as an example, despite being very successful in the past few seasons, have often supplied fewer players than the Hurricanes and Blues despite those teams not even making the finals.
Ryan Crotty started on the weekend without much playing time with Conrad Smith and Aaron Cruden (if any at all) and played remarkably well. It is up to the coaches to employ tactics and game plans that suit the skillsets he or she has available, more so than relying on provincial combinations under different coaches and game plans.
Brett: The real answer is probably both yes and no. And both are correct. Certain Super Rugby combinations are certainly better, while others won’t be.
I’ve no doubt the Phipps and Foley as a halves combination is better right now than the White and Beale combination, and even the White and Foley combo from June. But for mine, Foley and Toomua are still the better midfield pairing if we’re persisting with the dual playmakers.
Would Rob Simmons and James Horwill work better than Simmons and Sam Carter currently are? Maybe, maybe not. Who can really tell? Although perhaps we’ll get a chance to see next weekend.
Damo
Guest
Really good perspective Jigbon. Most of these guys have been on elite pathways since they were about 12 years old. And still basic execution of skills falls apart when pressure is applied. The worst aspect is the inability to take advantage of opposition errors. These are the points in a game when the momentum shift is up for grabs- and for years we have wasted those opportunties with poor execution. When the AB's pull off a turnover you can almost feel the urgency red lights flashing. Opposition is vulnerable! Go! And they just keep doing the basics right until those moments appear. The interesting thing is that in years past we have probably had inferior teams on paper but we have had smart players and we have taken the momentum shifts when they have happened- and won games we probably shouldn't have. Unfortunately as far as selections are concerned we have got a bit of a silk purse/ sours ear problem at the moment. I think the best thing we can do is pick some players who we can be (reasonably) confident will ensure the game plan doesn't fall apart under pressure (Auckland) . I'm not sure they are perfect but I would pick Slipper, Horwell, Hodgson & Foley and give them that job.
Darth Vadar
Guest
Second that
Jigbon
Guest
Guys until the picked players can do the basics right and improve team work skills I don't think selection talk has any merit.until the pack and team hunts together, learns how to pass and hold the ball,learns how to drive at low height works as a team , support play, drives through the collision , chases kicks, holds the ball, learns how to pass correctly, wins the collision , support play , YOu get my drift ...then who plays where becomes less important. Man for man we are the equal of all teams ... it's the team work and ability to think and act as a team that is missing plus the poor basic skills. And finally we need topo to come in as a scrum coach. Or mike cron. Also the ability to release passes when in the tackle. The argies were very good at that the other day and the waratahs were improving at it last year. Keeps the ball live. I reckon there is plenty of guys to pick from but unless those basics are fixed we won't beat anyone regularly.
Fred
Guest
However it is is not much faster than the tight give that's for sure!
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Working well against France means nothing. They're a poor side. You don't beat the All Blacks playing the way you do against France.
jeramiah
Guest
Slipper Hansen Is sio even available Horwill Simmons Cotrell - the young force blindside Hodgson Hooper Phibbs Foley Falou Toomua Kurindrani Aac Beale Res Robinson Alexander TPN Fardy Higgers White Godwin Betham Mc kenzie should put Skelton in the NRC tell the coach to play him till he can't run then sub him more game time and getting him fitter can only be good for him and Aussie in the long run
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The first step in the right direction for Australia needs to be the Super franchises buying into the idea the Wallabies success is going to ultimately strengthen those franchises by winning back supporters across the country. The Wallaby coach needs the full support of the franchises and working together ensuring players are playing in the correct positions at club level in preparation for test level is a step that needs to be taken now. This shuffling around from test to club is not working.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
"I personally think that at international test level game plans need to be simple" Absolutely. That is why guys who have very very good core skills and low error rates thrive at the top level. Guys like Crotty who may not have the X factor of a guy like Fekitoa or Rene Ranger type player always seem to transition faster to the highest level because "xfactor" often results in errors and at test level one or two crucial errors can cost you the game and your position. Mat Toomua is the type of player i think oozes test rugby class and skill set and he should be a building block for Australia to work around going forward. I still don't see a world class long term test flyhalf in Australia at this stage.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Matfield is a good addition for the Bok. Let's be honest they don't lack grunt in that pack it's direction and leadership they can often miss and Matfield will give them that, along with a rock solid set piece. One player i would genuinely fear as an All Black supporter coming back to the Boks is Bekker, he was absolutely brilliant before he left, that was a huge loss imo. Bekker and Etzebeth would be scary.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
X factor in what? Super rugby is a different kettle of fish from test matches. Who is that X factor that can go to 12? i can only think of one guy who could have genuinely given the Wallabies X factor and test quality at 12 in along time and he was a Justin Bieber lookalike who never got a chance to show what he could do there. Australia need to stop playing musical chairs and Toomua is the best long term option at 12 and i think he should remain there all season.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
That's exactly the loose trio i would go for. Also think Toomua is the right man for 12 long term for the Wallabies and partnering him up with Kuridrani is a good idea. Not a fan of Beale in 10,12 at test level, not against the top teams anyway.
Marty
Guest
Drew Mitchel also wasn;t bad when he wasn't hopping. Rotten luck those legs of his.
Marty
Guest
nearly always an excuse for mostly negative and occasionally great. Lets face it, regardless of this X factor, any player that can't handle their defense obligations and needs to be continually shifted to cover the fact that they're a tackling liability has no right to be there. Learn to tackle, put your balls on the block or GTFO. Simply put, x factor players are responsible for contributing to match losses way more often than their little x factor step/pass/line break is responsible for winning in a close encounter.
Mike
Guest
Watching the game.
Harry Jones
Expert
Who is the fastest current Wallaby? Hooper? Beale?
Fred
Guest
Harry- good to hear we are agreeing the hell out of each other- we have no genuine pace till digby is back
Jack
Guest
IMO the current challenges faced by Australia are not resolved by selection changes. Many selection changes proposed by Roarers involve replacing one so-so player with another. Each has different strengths and weaknesses with neither being head and shoulders above the other. The key is for the ARU to invest in developing the profile of rugby in this country at school and club level so that rugby can attract a larger share of the available top athletes. The financial footing of the ARU needs to be addressed through greater media dollars either via NRC or club rugby level and S15+ revenue share negotiation. With greater financial security young players can see a better professional future with rugby than is currently available. Or at least can compete against the better funded (actual/perceived) competing codes Invest in coaching and development at state level academies both in terms of the facilities and their coaching and scouting personnel. Take a 7 year approach to develop young talent with world class skills who can be the national players of the future. In the mean time stick with a core selection of Wallabies (warts and all) and try to get the best out of them as a team until the investment in junior rugby can start to bear fruit. I know that this is idealistic dribble, but I just feel we would be better served in the long run if we spent more time and effort on trying to raise the overall talent and skills of Australia's playing stock instead of constantly bickering over selection decisions with respect to the current wallabies.
Harry Jones
Expert
Sheek, even with JOC's new generation attitude, to me, he's always arrived on the playiing field, super-fit, ready, and gives his all. Tackles very well. Runs just as hard as AAC, but with a few more tricks. Very good boot. Dunno. I think Link was disproportionate on his "punishment." And the last time OZ scored more than 2 tries against SA, JOC-Genia-AAC-QC-Beale were on the field, in the right spots. Got to have speed on the edges, or it's the highway to hell up the middle, where big Boks await; and long-range tries by the Boks like in Brisbane/Cape Town last year.
Fred
Guest
I think it's clear Aust coaching are committed to a second fly half, so really thats toomua as the only realistic option in that case-but if we went a hard an straight inside centre to be honest my choice would be fainga,
Fred
Guest
Alexander is a choice there, arguably a better one