How new Wallabies coach Michael Cheika treats Will Genia, Will Skelton and the uncapped Kyle Godwin and Henry Speight will be key moments on the Spring Tour.
The 33-man squad leaves today for a five-game tour, playing on successive Saturdays throughout November.
It’s ideal the first game is more of a ‘social’ outing against the Barbarians before the ones that really count against Wales, France, Ireland and England.
Only John Eales Medal winner Israel Folau at fullback and outside centre Tevita Kuridrani are assured of their positions.
But Genia is the key.
As he proved in the past, Genia’s right up there as one of the best halfbacks in world rugby, and it’s vital he gets back to that lofty standard as the starting element of the Cheika backline.
Nick Phipps and Nic White have been the selected No. 9s under Ewen McKenzie with Genia injured, but the Queenslander is the best of the three when in form.
Godwin would have made his Wallaby debut much earlier had he not been a victim of persistent injuries. He’s a quality inside centre in both attack and defence, who will relish playing under Cheika.
So too Brumby Speight, without peer as a winger in Australian rugby. The flying Fijian has had to wait for his eligibility to qualify, before being hit by hamstring injuries.
Now he’s fit now and raring to go.
Skelton, despite being a behemoth lock, must have been invisible to McKenzie, but he will be very visible to Cheika.
The 22-year-old, with his 203-centimetre, 140-kilogram frame, will create havoc for many years to come. He proved that for the Waratahs in their Super success.
But the backline holds the greater interest.
There are three half-backs on this tour: Genia, Phipps and White. There are three 10s: Bernard Foley, Matt Toomua and Quade Cooper. Finally, there are five wingers: Speight, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Joe Tomane, and uncapped Tom English – which would seem to be an embarrassment of riches for a five-game tour.
That will give Cheika some headaches as he realises only too well that with no dirt-tracker games mid-week, players can get restless with training only.
A potential backline to test the water against the Barbarians? Genia (9), Foley (10), Ashley-Cooper (11), Godwin (12), Kuridrani (13), Speight (14) and Folau (15).
Despite recent turmoil, many exciting days are ahead for Australian rugby.
Rouaan
Guest
Pocock should more than cover Beale's channel on defense. If Pocock is in the team, people will not tend to attack directly in that 12 channel of Beale, as they will run the risk of being turned over so close to Poey. Can Hunt perhaps play 12? Can somebody shed some light on it?
Tony H
Roar Pro
well played indeed
Could've been
Guest
Yes foley missed the last tackle of the game I'm not a huge fan of his but not Beale or cooper would've done any better. The defensive problem lies elsewhere. After being a horwill fan for a long time and not understanding his dropping I can now see why. He was already calling out to the ref as AB no. 9 went past him. He has let himself down several times in defence during RC not to mention how ineffective he has become for a big guy at breaking the gain line. Hopefully Skelton and carter can make a better go of it.
Justin3
Guest
Cheika will have to alter his game plan. He won't have a physically imposing pack at his disposal like he does at super level. This will be his biggest challenge and those believing Australia will play like the Tahs may be sorely disappointed.
Crazy Horse
Guest
No one has any fear of Beale in defence.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Just like to point out that whilst Godwin has been playing 12 at the Force he is a genuine 10/12 who can also play 13 if required. he was the Australian Under 20s Fly Half.
wapter
Guest
9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Speight 12. Toomua 13. Kuridrani 14. AAC 15. Folau
Rob G
Guest
He will bring the best out of cooper......filling water bottles can take some time for players like quade to learn.
LukeR
Guest
I don't think Foley is a bad defender. He couldn't make the decisive tackle last week, but generally makes good tackles. He's definitely better than Cooper and Foley. I agree with those saying Toomua is a better 10 than 12.
connor33
Guest
Agreed.
Brian USA
Guest
I would like to see the Reds backline look something like this: 9. Genia, 10. Cooper, 11. JOC, 12. Kerevi, 13. CFS (if the dude can stay healthy), 14. Turner 15. Hunt, With Frisby, Taps, and Kuridrani on the bench As for the Wallabies: I think the Barbarians game will see this lineup: 9. Phipps, 10. Foley, 11. AAC, 12. CLL/Godwin 13. Kuridrani 14. Speight 15. Folau
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Marto, I'm guessing your a Qlder like me. This is off the topic at hand, but I would really love to see the Reds next year with Genia, Cooper, F-Sautia, JOC, Keravi, Turner/C.Kuridrani, Hunt (bench backs: Frisby, Ant Fainga'a, Turner/C.Kuridrani). That's a pretty formidable backline for S15. Then it's all down to Adam Thomson helping to get enough grunt from the piggies...
OJP
Guest
well played blindside
Rouaan
Guest
For the Wallabies to become more potent, they need more points of difference-players than they have now. Opposition teams should fear you when you announce your team. To be honest, I don't think the top 5-8 teams in the world have any fear when Wallaby teams are announced. Seeing that we are talking about the backline, I will suggest a backline that can be feared; 9) Genia 10) Cooper 11) Taqele Nayaravoro 12) Beale 13) Kuridrani 14) Speight 15) Folau Each single one of these players will keep more than one opposition player busy and worried, if they begin to run... I appreciate all the talents of AAC, Honey badger, JOC, Toomua, Tomane etc. BUT nobody has any FEAR when they play against them.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Speight yeah no Tomane
s.t.rine
Guest
If Genia resorts to box-kicks I want him on first plane OUT of Europe. S T
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
If you don't want To'omua at inside centre, then the 10 has to be a good defender....Beale or Foley are therefore not an option, until they learn to tackle.
Kerry
Guest
Folau's biggest problem is that after playing two years of playing rugby in the FB position, he still doesn't know where he should be on the field or exactly what he should be doing??? To me he does not appear to have the brains or ability to play rugby union. Looking back to the last three tests in the Super Rugby the Waratahs obviously did not include him in their play - they just didn't have confidence in him. They had fifteen people on the field but only seemed to have 14.
Daz
Guest
Nope, the darkness select on character mainly. I've read so many articles in the kiwi press about players with all the skills, the power and the potential to be glorious but who are deficient in attitude and character and whose player resumes are hit with the stamp "never to be promoted". They never raise their heads above the NPC for fear they are not "good men" who will bring the game into disrepute. We need to be similarly ruthless and have ruthless standards for the men in gold who carry the aspirations of a nation.
Max Power
Guest
He was playing and defending at 13 in 2012 and had a lot of bad reads hence the missed tackles. This year he defended at 12 so Beale could be hidden from the front line and didn't make as many misreads. He is a fantastic tackler, not always the best defender.