With all of the controversy surrounding the back-line selections of the Wallabies over the last few weeks, it hass been very easy to overlook the impact (or lack thereof) of the forwards.
In rugby, the backs can only excel when the forwards dominate. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but in Test match rugby, the forwards must build a strong platform, provide quick ball and give the backs the space they need to score the tries the Australian public so strongly crave.
It is for this reason that the Wallaby forward pack deserves far more scrutiny than it is getting. While I know that we are on our 91st choice hooker, the simple fact remains that there are very few intimidating Wallaby forwards and without intimidation and aggression, open play ‘go forward’ and breakdown dominance aren’t going to happen.
From one through to 8, there are few there of whom Test sides would be afraid. To fix this, particularly against top-quality teams, the Wallabies need to pick genuinely aggressive forwards to create the dominance needed to provide the backs with good ball.
To return to the top of the world rankings, the Wallabies need to address their forward selections and I believe we need to completely change the way we think about forward play to focus on aggression and dominance. My controversial (and assuming fitness) Wallaby forward selections are below.
For me, one to three are sorted. James Slipper, Stephen Moore (when fit) and Sekope Kepu need to make up the starting front row. They give the combination of scrummaging and around the field contribution necessary from a front 3.
I would pick James Horwill and Sam Carter as my locks for their abrasive qualities. Both of these players excel when given a licence to go out and really rip in and we need that aggro.
At six I would pick Scott Higginbotham. While he has been questioned internationally, he is a damaging ball runner, has great skills and is a breakdown menace at his best.
Seven is David Pocock. While Mike Hooper is the incumbent captain, his lack of physical presence at the breakdown counts against him and Pocock (if he can regain form after two years out) is a clear choice for mine.
Number 8 is controversial but I would pick Will Skelton there. A huge man with incredibly soft hands and damaging ball running, he always gets over the advantage line and provides an incredible brace at the back of the scrum. While Wycliff Palu is the form Australian 8 in Super Rugby, he disappears in tight and intense Test match rugby and we need our 8 to be a rock.
With these forwards providing a platform I believe the Wallabies can bring back some of the fear factor into the Test arena.
Old Bugger
Guest
Haha....I like that God - definitely a God of Rugby.
Daz
Guest
With all due respect OB it's even more simple and elementary than that. It's almost biblical. God decreed that it is far more holier to give than to receive and he meant that to take effect from the kick off.
Brett McKay
Expert
Forced change for tonight: Josh Mann-Rea has come onto the bench for tonight, Saia Fainga'a is making the mercy dash home for the birth of his child......
Magic Sponge
Guest
Hodgson and Higgers should be on . Mongrel and agro is required give the fans something. According to roarers and esp qlders it is all about the lineouts and Simmons
Cortez
Roar Rookie
No mention of Hodgson who is the only forward with genuine agro and mongrel - something the Wallabies desperately need. And I guess you could say Horwill is 'abrasive' - if you broaden the definition of 'abrasive' to the ability to break down and cry on the field after a game.
BRAMS Brams
Guest
Just send all Aussie boys from age of 5 to 18 to New Zealand to grow up and learn rugby. Problem solved.
Old Bugger
Guest
Its the old eye for an eye scenario. If you're getting bashed then you gotta get up and return serve on the bashing. If the WBs dont show any agro, then it will be more than a bashing - it will be an unmitigated smashing. I'm counting on the last game embarrassment to bring out their agro.
Daz
Guest
Spot on Dave. Rugby in NZ is open to all whereas in Oz it's restricted to a much smaller demographic and that's one of the reasons why the darkness are so good. Rugby is the equivalent of our league over there. They draw upon a much more diverse gene pool. People who have to fight hard to get anywhere in life. And mothers, god bless em and love em, should be banned from attending footie games where their son is playing.
Falco
Guest
Yep, I agree Dave H. For that and other reasons the ARU MUST have a concentrated push into traditional League areas. AFL has done it successfully so why can't, or won't, the ARU! Oh hang on, Pulver is GPS boy. Has he ever been west of Matraville?
Squirrel
Guest
Skelton has to be in the 2nd row. Fardy is useless. Higgers should get that. POC is just hope he may not come back and he will go to 6. Hooper will keep 7 till he retires
watcher
Guest
I don't think the Wallabies will get anywhere with Fardy at 6. Such a vital position and he is not fast, particularly big, strong or tall. He is an honest trier who hasn't made been able to make the jump to international level. Higginbotham is the man for the job IMO. As far as your number 8 goes, I think Skelton would be a disaster there, Palu will not go down as one of the greats, but he is a competent skilled intyernational. Skelton is still a little green but should make it as a lock. As far as the aggression goes Colin Meads taught Martin Johnstone in his King Country NPC days that when you have the ball you can do what you want to the opposition. Conversely you have to be more controlled on defence. The Wallabies front rowers, particularly props have ben weak for years and have perfected the collapse, often getting opposition teams penalised. In the backs, Genia is the best no 9, his form has been patchy but form is temporary and class is permanent. Foley is your best no 10, I think Beale could go well on the wing, sort of a Corey Jane clone. Converting average paced big mid fielders is not working. Keep Ashley-Cooper (greatly admired by Kiwis) and Toomua. It appears to me you pay too much attention to the All Blacks rather than developing your own standard. The standard produced in Sydney was never going to do it in Auckland. However it appeared to me that was the case that that standard was sufficient .
Dave H
Guest
One of the hardest things to teach young Aussie blokes is that CONTROLED aggression is Ok on the rugby field and to a lesser degree in every day life. They are constantly told that violence is a bad thing and struggle to grasp the concept of aggressive behaviour in the right circimstances as being suitable as compared to emotional or uncontroled violence which is of course unacceptable anywhere. I blame the "wussification" (new word) of men in this country by the PC society we live in. Add to this that in Australia most of the rugby boys as opposed to league boys come from very stable supportive homes and attend private schools where they are sheltered from most of the adversities of life they simply do not develop the life skills or the confidence to deal with facing up to violence offered towards them even if it is in the controlled environment of a rugby game. I cringe every time I hear a mother on the side line complaining about how rough the boys in the other team are and this is especially evident when playing a team from one of the newer clubs formed of late in working class suburbs. Incidentally the 2 best performing clubs in my area playing junior finals this weekend fall into that category. There is agro coming into Aus rugby but considering the demographic these boys come from and thier non attendace at the righy schools getting selected for regional reoresentative duties is unlikely.
Christopher from cape town
Guest
U guys beter not make potgieter from the warathas a citizen coz i c this perhaps happening!please create your own forwards in some secret ozzie lab somewhere....
Harry Jones
Expert
Skelton at 8 would completely disrupt your 9; his immense bum would eclipse all hopes of sighting the ball.