Will Genia returns but Will Skelton has been axed as the Wallabies look to restore pride and snare some silverware on their two-match tour of South Africa and Argentina.
Three weeks after opposing the All Blacks, Skelton was left out of an injury-hit 28-man squad that will complete the Rugby Championship with Tests against the Springboks in Cape Town on September 27 and the Pumas in Mendoza on October 4.
Coach Ewen McKenzie on Wednesday opted to take a bare minimum of three second-rowers in his tour party with starting pair Rob Simmons and Sam Carter, plus former captain James Horwill.
Horwill was preferred ahead of Skelton for a reserves spot in narrow home wins over South Africa and Argentina, while the 135kg NSW Waratahs lock failed to impress in the NRC for the Sydney Stars.
McKenzie said in addition to Skelton desperately needing more game time in the NRC to regain match fitness ahead of the Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe, the 22-year-old was lacking the necessary lineout prowess to cope with the Springboks’ world-class set piece.
“Playing against the (Victor) Matfields and the like, you’ve got to have a lot,” McKenzie said. “There’s a lot of microskills.
“Will’s a young guy who’s developing. We threw him in the deep end a bit with France to see where he’s up to.
“He’s a guy we like; he’s got a lot of character, he adds to the group, but he’s still a young player.
“So he doesn’t tick every box.”
The coach has selected 16 touring forwards and 12 backs, recalling veteran NSW prop Benn Robinson for the first time this year as well as Genia, who returns from injury to add pressure on fellow halfbacks Nick Phipps and Nic White.
“Will’s actually been working really hard. He’s looked really fit and enthusiastic,” McKenzie said.
“He’s in a good frame of mind mentally. In the end, it will get down to form and what we need on the day – but he’s in the mix.
With hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau among the long list of 13 tour contenders unavailable, the fairytale story of 33-year-old coal miner Josh Mann-Rea remains alive.
Ninth-string rake Mann-Rae, who sat on the bench for the full 80 minutes against the Boks in Perth, will compete with Saia Fainga’a for a reserves role behind James Hanson.
Vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper has overcome a nerve problem affecting his neck to be set for his 98th cap in Cape Town, where he’ll likely replace Peter Betham (foot) on the wing.
While the Bledisloe Cup has already been lost for another year, the Wallabies can regain the Mandela Challenge Plate with success over the Springboks.
McKenzie said it was imperative his side delivered at Newlands after losing fans’ respect with their 50-21 loss to the All Blacks last month in Auckland.
“It’s another significant moment,” he said.
“The next 10 days, there’s opportunities there that can create reputation and create credibility.
“We’ve been pretty consistent, but we still haven’t won everyone over and we’re our own toughest critics and we need to keep at it.”
Magic Sponge
Guest
Go Cheika. He should get the gig asap. Link has lost the plot. Its amazing they played in the same team with Eddie Jones and Kearnsy. They would know each other well.
dmac
Guest
Cheika never has been a 'toe-the-line' kind of guy. They didn't want to give him the Tahs job for that reason, and there'll no doubt be similar concerns when the Wallabies job is on the line. But his players love him and they play hard for him.
Common Sense
Guest
Call it Karma. Ewen did the exact same thing to Robbie Deans when he publicly rubbished suggestions that Quade Cooper couldn't defend his channel and was pushed to fullback.
The Battered Slav
Guest
Yep, the campaigning has begun in earnest.
Adsa
Guest
Cheika is positioning himself for Wallyb coach next year after the World Cup.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Wow, a super 15 coach would never show public dicensen like that in nz
Chan Wee
Guest
oooopppppsss trouble in paradise :D "" Waratahs head coach Michael Chieka has defended Will Skelton's fitness and conditioning after his release from the Australia camp. "He's just a huge guy. We have to make sure we can control ... and he has to learn to control his condition. His body is growing whether he likes it or not. We have to manage that," said Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie earlier this week. Chieka has defended his player in response, underlining how unhappy he was with the comments. "At the end of the day he has been in their camp for the last three weeks, eating their food and they've been training him. He doesn't get unfit by himself," Cheika told the Daily Telegraph. "I find it disappointing a player's fitness is being talked about like that in the public domain when they're dealing with him on a day-to-day basis. I don't understand that player management. "Talking on Willy, as one of my players, a Waratahs player, I am not pleased with that. I don't agree with it, and I am not happy about it. "I don't think that it's right. We will just have to agree to disagree. "He trained hard with us, and ran hard and he was ready for whatever he played. Whether it was 80, or 50 or 40. He'd give his best. "If training camps aren't for training then what are they for. I am not sure." ""
kibui b
Guest
Not much of a shake up, writing has been on the wall for Skelton, and Genia was always going to be welcomed back into the fold once he had a little game time. I'm surprised that Link called Fat Cat, but until Sio is healthy, he is probably a better option than Cowan. There really isn't any depth behind the current squad until the current charges are healthy again.
flying hori
Guest
Take your A game with you Eweeeen, as for sure the mighty Boks and Pumas will have theres, your luck is about to run out!
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
we tried to support Skelton in the lineout, but we got crushed ;) All jokes aside, I think we are getting sick of seeing our friends in NZ having all the fun, so unless the wallabies start to dominate opposition teams like the AB's do, then we will type our angry comments and have a good laugh.
Nick Cross
Guest
Trolltastic
Magic Sponge
Guest
Roarers are really giving it to the Tahs players. 2 tries Hooper is getting crucified even though he won the wallabies the test. Skelton is again getting no support. Foley make one mistake for going for the tryline and he is the worlds worst.. What is going on with the roarers this week. Lets see how these qlders go in SA, should be funny.