After a few weeks off, the Wallabies are back in action early Sunday morning (Australian time) to take on a formidable Barbarians team laden with All Blacks, Springboks and of course former Wallaby Nick Cummins.
As the first match of Michael Cheika’s tenure as Wallaby coach, it will be interesting to see the composition of this Australian side given there are less than ten games to be played between now and next year’s World Cup.
The Barbarians match serves as a timely opportunity for players looking to impress ahead of the European tour and World Cup.
The enormity of this opportunity has been overshadowed by off-field and administrative indiscretions, and while there has been much discussion regarding the ARU’s troubles, there has been a lack of on-field talk about team selections given they have a new coach.
Let’s get down to business.
In the front row, Tetera Faulkner has been solid for the Rebels but is somewhat of a surprise selection. Will Cheika give him an opportunity to build depth behind James Slipper and Sekope Kepu, or will he continue the use of experienced campaigners Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander If there was ever an opportunity to build depth, particularly in the front row, this is the game.
Rob Simmons and Sam Carter performed admirably against the All Blacks in Brisbane, but Cheika may use this opportunity to test Will Skelton in tight. Another player who could use some miles in his legs is James Horwill; this might be the kind of game to play him back into form. It will be interesting to see where Luke Jones figures in Cheika’s equation and whether or not he will be used in a similar fashion as the Waratahs used Jacques Potgeiter.
With no Scott Fardy there will already be a change in the number 6 jersey, will there be others? Will Cheika use Scott Higginbotham at 6 and move Ben McCalman to 8 or does he give Sean McMahon his first taste of international rugby at blindside flanker? McMahon is good in the air, is physical without being abrasive and can run the ball. There is also an argument for Matt Hodgson to start at 6, which allows Michael Hooper to play a looser game. Hodgson will be where most good flankers should be – sniffing around the ruck. Luke Jones may also feature in this position.
The inside backs may present Cheika with his biggest headache. Does he continue his Waratah pairing of Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley at 9 and 10 respectively, or will Will Genia and Quade Cooper be given an opportunity to reclaim the Test jerseys they donned in brilliant fashion on last year’s Spring Tour? Phipps had his best game for the Wallabies in his last start against the All Blacks, while Foley was solid and made some poor decisions in attack. Genia and Cooper have both made low-key returns via the NRC and may need time to get back into their natural rhythm.
The fate of these four players is crucial to a Wallabies World Cup tilt next year. Matt Toomua may also be the joker in the pack. The 12 jersey is also under a cloud with the form of Christian Lealiifano, Matt Toomua’s comeback from injury and Kyle Godwin’s tour selection.
In the outside backs the Wallabies are more settled. Tevita Kurindrani is a lock for the 13 jersey, as is Israel Folau at 15. You can pencil in Henry Speight’s debut on the right wing, leaving Adam Ashley-Cooper and Joe Tomane fighting it out for the left wing.
Off-field issues aside, this is an exciting time for Wallabies fans. There are a number of prospects waiting to make a name for themselves and a number of senior players who must ward them off to secure their place at next year’s World Cup. Here’s hoping these men of gold will lead Australia into another golden age.
Hertryk
Guest
Hodgo Captain! YeeHar!
Bakkies
Guest
'However, it seems that Jake White, Mckenzie and Cheika all approve (or past tense approved!) of his style as they all persisted with his selections.' White didn't originally he opted for Ita Vaea due to his size. Hooper then decided to leave and had made his decision before White made him his number one.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Is that the officially named side? Mostly got the starting team if so. Just Luatua/Thomson switch and Cubelli in at 9. My bench was a bit off though.
atlas
Guest
Nick Cummins trials with pom poms in his new role of cheerleader for Barbarians http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/10/29/1414598468549_wps_37_LONDON_ENGLAND_OCTOBER_29.jpg all in the spirit of rugby!
Bunratty
Guest
The Force be with you.....good job!!
Brian USA
Guest
Toomua could certainly slot in at 10, but I feel as though he plays a different style than what the Wallabies want out of their 10 at the moment. He fits the 12 mold very well, especially in combination with Cooper. CLL certainly played well last week though and will push Toomua for time.
atlas
Guest
team named Angus Ta’avao - on Saturday I saw him play as part of NZ's ITM Cup winning Taranaki team (a sell-out crowd 21,500 at New Plymouth), and a news photo of him drinking (was it water?) from the Cup. Form tighthead of ITM, see how he goes at a higher level. Barbarians XV: 15 Tim Nanai Williams, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tomas Cubellil; 1 Matt Stevens, 2 James Parsons, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 4 Dominic Bird, 5 Alastair Kellock, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Matt Todd, 8 Steven Luatua. Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Thomas Du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Matias Alemanno, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Joaquin Tuculet, 23 Marnitz Boshoff.
Chan Wee
Guest
Barbarians: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Al Kellock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 James Parsons, 1 Matt Stevens. Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Matías Alemanno, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Joaquín Tuculet, 23 Marnitz Boshoff. Date: Saturday, November 1 Kick-off: 14:30 GMT Venue: Twickenham Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Gregory Garner (England) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Timekeeper: Roy Marfleet (England) Assessor: Stephen Leyshon (England)
AndrewWA
Guest
Obviously those with later engagements are providing clean-out support. i.e. those with less early engagement than Hooper. Providing clean-outs is probably one of the least effective components of Hooper's game. He needs to be 1st or 2nd so that with his strength and stability he can survive the opposition cleanouts.
AndrewWA
Guest
Good article SK. Michael Hooper is a terrific player who is quick and a good ball carrier and often gets over the advantage line. Comments such as "he is quick to the breakdown from set pieces" may be a perception, but are not supported by close observation of the RC Tests. He is sometimes quick to rucks but nowhere near as often as others. In Bled 3 Hooper had the 2nd highest ruck engagement but only had early engagement (1st or 2nd) for 63% of the 51 rucks he made. (Attack - 32 @ 58%; Defence - 19 @ 73%) Those generally slower than Hooper were: Higginbotham (35 at 42% early), Slipper (31 @ 48% - 69 mins), Horwill (12 @ 58% - 15 mins) and Mann-Rae (10 @ 60% - 10 mins). Those generally faster to rucks than Hooper were: Fardy (39 @ 69%), Simmons (53 @ 72% - most ruck engagements for Wallabies), Hodgson (24 @ 79% - 21 mins), Leali'ifano (35 @ 80%), Kepu (32 @ 81% - 69 mins), Fainga'a (38 @ 82% - 70 mins), Carter (34 @ 85% - 65 mins), Alexander (13 @ 85% - 11 mins), AAC (17 @ 88%). Carter, Kepu and AAC were particularly quick to rucks in Attack. Fianga'a, Carter, Fardy, Hodgson, AAC & Higgers were particularly quick to rucks when Defending. Most other players were not in double figures for rucks made. Hooper's timing of engagement has been much the same for the other Tests during the RC. I've gathered this data myself from replays of the games.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Yeh, I picture Halai or Osbourne being a powerful wing, and likely Cummins on the other wing. The centres seem set. Wasn't sure if Tuculet or Nanai Williams was better, so gave it to the NZer as Kirwan would probably know his play better than Tuculets.
Rebel
Guest
Sam, you may have mistaken it for his old Shute Shield club, the mighty Southern Districts Rebels, I can forgive that mistake. Happy for him and hopefully another 'Rebel' in gold.
AndrewWA
Guest
Suggest Hooper needs a rest as he's had a loooong season, has played well and has had to handle some off-field dramas as Captain. In a number of tests he has been totally spent after 60-65 minutes with a drop-off in involvement and intensity. The Baa Baas game may be a good game to give Hodgson a start at 7 and maybe Macmahon off the bench. We should learn from Dean's poor man-management in not resting Pocock when opportunities arose leading up the last World Cup and for not having a No 7 to cover the inevitable injury. The lack of a 2nd No 7 in the squad certainly contributed to our loss to Ireland. Would also like to see a Cooper/Genia combo given a chance to show if they still have what it takes.
Chan Wee
Guest
Has thompson played 8 before? Boates may be on the bench as a 6 , 8 Also Tavao may lay the next one as he is just after the itm final. He would start with Tuculet coz he is a more 15 and have TNW on the bench as a utility back (probably :) )
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
I know who Id pick. 1) Oost 2) Schwalger 3) Stevens 4) Kellock 5) Bird 6) Luatua 7) Brussow 8) Thompson 9) Cubelli 10) Slade 11) Cummins 12) de Jongh 13) TNW 14) Halai 15) Tuculet
44bottles
Roar Guru
Why would they call a scrumhalf to replace one of only 2 1st 5s? Someone else must've replaced him if he was pulled out. I'm pretty sure Boshoff is in though. Cubelli was one of the three original halfbacks. He may be up there ahead of Tanaka or Pretorius, but I thought Tanaka was the best and Pretorius makes a bloody good impact.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Cmon Genia pull your finger out and get that 9 jersey. Skelton get fit and cement the 2nd row position and then oz will be a chance once squeaky gets back
Demark
Guest
Samuel I would like to see Cooper at his best at 10 I do rate Toomua but happy to bench him with CLL and KT in the centers CLL was just too good at 12 to replace him after only 1 return game lots of good options in the backs just wish we had a few more 1st class forwards to pick from
Samuel Kyriakidis
Roar Rookie
Appreciate the kind words Demark. You're onto something with giving Hooper a rest. It would provide insight as to how the rest of the forward is travelling without him, even for 20-30 minutes. I would like to see Jones at 6 throw his weight around, which he seems to enjoy at SR level. He would more than cover for Fardy's loss in the line out. On the topic of Fardy, he appears to be have been underutilized at line out time this season. Whether that was up to McKenzie or Simmons remains to be seen. Godwin is also another player I would love to have a closer look at, but CLL sparked the attack in a way the Wallabies haven't seen all season against a quality opposition. With all this debate about Cooper and Foley, what are your thoughts on Toomua slotting in at 10?
Demark
Guest
Well done Samuel and thanks for bring rugby back as a first choice topic. Happy to let you have your '1st post card' for Faulkner and laughed at armchair's comment regarding Hoopers loose play as I thought the same. Great opportunity for Coach to change things around a little bit would like to see Hooper rested and experiment with Hodgson McMahon Higginbottom McCalman Jones combo's Whilst I am a Pocock fan I agree with comments above that whilst we the public have mixed views on the way Hooper plays 7 he is obviously pleasing those at the top and is playing the way they want him to play otherwise he would be dropped. With Fardy out we lose a true line out option and I just don't see how Skelton can slot into the mix II know he has a fan base out there but for me he is just too slow and appears not fit enough to play at the top level yet CLL great effort last match but would like to Godwin off the bench for 30 min or so Phipps harshly judged by some he plays with a lot of courage and Genia will need to come back to his best to replace him and no doubt Genia at his very best is then out best option Thanks again Samuel great to discuss rugby again