Quade Cooper was, from a Wallaby point of view, the biggest disappointment of the last Rugby World Cup, sadly limping away from the campaign with his tail tucked behind his busted knee.
Selected by Michael Cheika on the bench for this weekend’s fixture against Wales, an opportunity to steal first choice 10 Bernard Foley’s starting jersey is beckoning.
Cooper has a very real chance of redemption at Rugby World Cup 2015, to become to the Wallabies what Mitchell Johnson became to the Australian cricket team during the last Ashes series.
I hear the concerted sighs from south of the border – yes, Bernard Foley has been solid for the Wallabies, but is he the man to help hold aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy?
Foley is akin to the Wallabies backline what Peter Siddle is to the Australian bowling attack. You will get 100 per cent and he will never let you down.
It can be argued that solid, no nonsense flyhalves win World Cups aka Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh, Joel Stransky, Johnny Wilkinson and Stephen Donald (by default).
The only one I would paint with the razzle dazzle adjective would be Stephen Larkham. Larkham was prominent in an exceptional backline where every single player was a dangerous, world-class player.
We can go with the safe bet – in 99 it would have been Rod Kafer – or we can put defence testing players in all positions.
Michael Cheika now has this backline ‘cattle’ at his disposal – Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano and dare I say Kurt Beale, James O’Connor and possibly even Karmichael Hunt.
Let’s not go with the safe option, let’s select a backline that can destroy opposition defences.
A backline using this blueprint would be more than formidable and would look like this.
9. Will Genia – hopefully at full fitness and match confidence. He has the best pass in the game and when the box kick is removed from the armoury one of the most dangerous attacking halfbacks in world rugby. 2015’s George Gregan.
10. Quade Cooper – taking the ball to the line combined with pinpoint well timed passes plus using the cut – out pass a little more sparingly. Our Stephen Larkham.
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper – one of the best finishers in the game and mr consistent of the Australian backline. Can sniff out the tryline where most others fall short. Ben Tune version 2015.
12. Matt Toomua – brick-wall defence, tough as teak and an excellent foil to the playmaker inside him. Running good lines and able to break tackles and link with outside support makes Matt Toomua our Tim Horan.
13. Tevita Kuridrani – human battering ram and muscle in defence. Running one off, being put into gaps by well timed cutouts or simply off the shoulder of his inside centre bruising opposition defensive lines, Kuridrani is our Daniel Hebert.
14. James O’Connor – excellent footwork and the ability to sneak through gaps and create something from nothing. Subtle chip and chase game making him our Joe Roff.
15. Israel Folau – unmatched skills under the highball, speed, power and x-factor. If anything, Israel Folau is Matt Burke with a V8 engine, slightly improving on his ’99 counterpart.
There are of course a number of quality permutations. Speight, Beale, Tomane, Lealiifano are all players that have special attributes. Flyhalf is arguably the most important key to the Wallaby backline puzzle.
After a successful 2013 Spring tour combination with Matt Toomua end of last year, Quade Cooper, Ewen McKenzie and the Wallabies promised so much leading into the 2014 rugby season.
I do not wish to enter into the Ewen McKenzie – Kurtley Beale debate, I do not know all the facts. The only fact I know is that Ewen is no longer the coach and Michael Cheika has taken the reins.
As a longtime Reds fan, I have taught myself to look at positives after disappointing campaigns, and one of the biggest positives I felt from this season was the further maturing of Quade Cooper as a backline leader.
I believe that the Queensland backline was let down by a forward pack lacking the grunt and mongrel that took teams like the Waratahs to higher honours.
It can be argued that depth was also tested by the horrific run of injuries to key backs, least of which was one Will Genia not playing at 100 per cent. This did no favours for the mercurial flyhalf, the stars truly not aligning for what promised to be a breakthrough season which instead ending with shoulder surgery.
Coach Cheika has impressed so far with his selections and there seems to be a process where players are being given fair opportunities to show their wares at the top level.
This Spring tour promises to show what direction the team selections will be going in – the lifeline given to former stars Genia and Cooper two of the biggest points of interest that I am sure will create healthy debate.
The bottom line is, if these two players are at the top of the game, Webb Ellis could well be getting a third set of Wallaby fingerprints on it come October 2015.
vaguely
Roar Pro
None of these backs are going to win it if the forwards don't win us the game. Here's my improbable lineup that no one is going to read or care about: 9 Genia 10 Foley 11 Folau 12 Lealiifano 13 Kuridrani 14 Speight 15 Beale Reserves Phipps O'Connor Ashley-Cooper Reasoning 9 - I liked what I saw with Genia and Foley at the end of the Wales match, with Genia injured Phipps was the best 9 in the country, which says a lot. 10 - Look at the the 10-s that have won World Cups. Foley is the sort of 10 that could win a world cup. Carlos Spencer, the man QC idolised, is the sort of player that doesn't. 11 - Maybe a big call moving Folau out of fullback, but I think enough people are crying out to move him onto the wing, I don't need to beat a dead horse. 12 - The position I am least sure about, Lealiifano seams to be the right choice. He has the combination with Kuridrani and there is a point of difference between them, which is a must have. 13 - Kuridrani is the only person who can stop Kuridrani from owning this spot 14 - I am hoping Speight can follow in Kuridrani's footsteps and grow into the test spot. 15 - Contentious, I know. At Super Rugby level the Beale and Foley, drift and direct combination worked well. But he doesn't defend in the line, and has a good kick, so moving to 15 when he can inject himself when he wants is probably the better move. These three reserves can cover the backline, so they are a no brainer. The unlucky man is Horne. But while JOC is still ineligible, he could cover that spot on the bench.
hoqni
Guest
Of course, if I can pick the team, then, the superb-in-defence Matt Toomua, will not be my 10.
aussikiwi
Guest
Kuridrani was very ordinary also in his first couple of tests. A few games later he has the mortgage on the no. 13 spot. I think Speight will be the same on the wing.
Browny
Roar Rookie
There's a couple of questions to be asked about Naiyaravoro; is he fit enough for test rugby, especially if we're going to opt for a 6-2 split? There's definite potential for a man of his size with a good skill set but at this stage is it just a case of 'the Skelton of the backline'? I hear you on the bomb but I think the old Darren Lockyer special crossfield kick would be an interesting one to see too. Anyone remember that grab he took for the Maroons where he took it in the air and then rotated to place the ball down for a try before leaving the field of play?! Magic.
R2Sydney
Guest
Australia, please put enough pressure on the W coach to force him to play with Q Cooper and W Genia. Thank you. While you are at it, play Kuridrani, O'Connor and Folau as well as keeping Hooper as captain. Do you have a choice? Maybe not, but play them anyway.
Rob9
Guest
Good thing we pick professionals who play alongside whoever they're told to play alongside. I'd say Genia's no exception. You're also making some very sweeping generalisations and drawing some very long bows that really hold zero sway. You think that because White kicks more than Genia and Phipps that that somehow limits Toomua's playmaking ability. I'm sorry, but the real good thing is that you're not in a position to pick our test team.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Nope I thought he was rusty as heck and his service could have been faster. BUT I don't think his fall from grace has been as far as most people suggest.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
You mean mistakes like the thousand missed tackles from Foley leading to tries? Cooper's defence is much more solid these days as we saw last week when he man handled one of the big barbarians
hoqni
Guest
I think Genia will be unhappy with Toomua at 10. Toomua has limited 10 plays as he receives fewer balls from White. Genia kicks less with Cooper. And Foley takes more passes from his 9 than Toomua. The good thing is Wallabies have Cooper and Foley
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Agree Cooper is sublime at times at his best would probably pip Folely for run on duties. BUT I do fear that he may struggle next year in Super Rugby if the Queensland forward pack is as average as they were in 2014. If Cooper can't get decent ball from the forwards then he won't be able to run back into form. If I was Cheika I'd be making sure the Reds forward coach is ensuring the forward pack has their weet-bix on game day. Without them we won't be able to judge Coopers return to form properly.
Rouaan
Guest
Can Taqele Nayarovoro be added in the mix. You need players whom the opposition fear to turn the game on its head just by their pure size, speed, determination etc. Opposition teams will have to rush to him if he get some space, which can relate into getting space and quick front-foot ball. He was Cheika's experiment and project, so he should develop more next year and play more for the Tahs. On another note, when will we see the bomb put up for Folau on the opposition try-line?
Rob9
Guest
You lost me??
huh
Guest
Dude it was his debut - not sure why you're so quick to write him off? He just needs a bit more game time with the Wallabies and his confidence will blossom. He is arguably the best winger in Super rugby, he has the class to thrive at test level.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Glad you're a Genia fan - so am I. But even we can't change facts. First try at the 24 minute mark - one step sideways and slightly backwards to his right, then a short pass in front of a running Carter. Second, one step sideways to the line then a nice float to a charging Robbo. Both less than 2 metres out. Good stuff. What of the general field play, though? Did you really think it was Test standard?
hoqni
Guest
Truth has no space here
hoqni
Guest
I think Genia has the best pass. Smith has the second best pass, but the best kick for a 9
hoqni
Guest
You would have one very angry 9!
hoqni
Guest
To be fair, Larkham was also under pressure in the many matches and the Cup was won with all round performance. It is the No 12 jersey which is up for grab : CLL, Godwin, Hunt, who knows, can come and make a fist out of it. The 10s for RWC will be Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley. Any coach knows that these are the 2 to take the World Cup. At RWC, barring other factors, it will be QC:BF 70:30, but during this spring tour, it will be 40:60. Foley needs to see how it is done, and once he is in sync with how Cooper does it, it does not matter who do you play, because the Wallabies will be dominant. Now make sure the No. 8 can get the ball to Will Genia.
RobC
Roar Guru
Nice example of a kick with a good chase! And a nice break by ex-Reds Samo. Fending off future-Reds player Adam Thompson
RobC
Roar Guru
X-FACTOR by GEN-Y ZZZZZ....