Wallabies coach Michael Cheika won’t alter plans to give fresh faces an opportunity against Ireland despite suffering the first loss of his tenure against France.
Cheika last week signalled his intention to make changes for Saturday’s Test in Dublin that would allow him to cast an eye over some players overlooked in recent weeks.
The error-ridden 29-26 loss to France in Paris showed the Wallabies are still coming to grips with Cheika’s new style but the need for more practice won’t put him off assessing other players.
“Tonight won’t change that idea, that’s pretty straight forward for me,” Cheika said.
“I’ve got a clear plans as to what we want to get out (of the Europe tour) around seeing different players playing.
“That’s not rotation, that’s giving players the opportunity to play in the new system and get used to that and see how they perform, so there’ll be a few changes, yeah.”
Centre Matt Toomua and winger Henry Speight are among players who could get their chance after missing selection for the Tests against Wales and France.
Cheika will also have the services of controversial playmaker Kurtley Beale, who was joining the squad in Dublin on Sunday along with young backrower Jake Schatz.
Beale was recalled on Friday, a month after the text messaging scandal which rocked Australian rugby, and Wallabies players insist his return will be a boost rather than a distraction.
“It’ll be great to see him come back into the side,” said Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman, who earned the Wallabies players’ player award against France.
“I get along with him great, so do all the boys.
“He’s very energetic in training and in the way he plays so it’ll be great to have him involved in the next couple of weeks.”
Australian players insist they’re making steady progress under Cheika, feeling the loss to France was down to silly errors rather than struggling with the new game plan.
“The times we did play that power game, we were on top,” McCalman said.
“We just released that pressure too easily.”
Demark
Guest
I like it
Karl K
Guest
Maybe we could see 10. Toomua 12. Cooper ?? Either way I think those two are our best playmakers and they need to be directly involved IMO. I'd also like to see Nic Frisby replace Nic white for the rest of the tour! Call me crazy :)
Ajax
Guest
Dude, no offence, but Toomua and CLL have both had plenty of chances to stitch up the 12 spot... neither of them has managed to nail it. time to look at new options methinks ;-)
44bottles
Roar Guru
The positions are probably more where the players will defend. The team seems to be using a 2 playmaker system at 10-15, rather than 10-12. So AAC is acting like a runner, off of Cooper/Beale. If you reshuffled the positions it would be a similar team to some of the suggestions. It's just the numbers on their backs have changed. Picture this: 9. Genia 10. Cooper. 11. Speight 12. Beale 13. Kuridrani 14. AAC 15. Folau Beale has just shifted back and pushed Folau out who has in turn pushed AAC in.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Some Force fans may need to correct me, but I'm pretty sure Tetera can play Tighthead, but is nowhere near as good at it as he is at Looshead, similar to James Slipper.
44bottles
Roar Guru
You look to have 2 looshead props in there, and if you're going to trial someone new at outside centre (to give Special K and AAC a rest) wouldn't Horne be a better/safer option as he has played there, as opposed to Tomane?
44bottles
Roar Guru
That's more because countries like NZ, SA, and Wales play their big centre at inside, while countries like Australia, England and France play the big centre at outside. More accurate to compare him to the smaller outside centres that NZ, SA and Wales are fielding (at the moment SA has a 12 at 13 so maybe you shouldn't compare him.)
44bottles
Roar Guru
Don't think Schatz can cover Lock competently if at all though.
Paul
Guest
All this team speculation just has me wondering how long it's been since we've seen a first choice 23 all ready and injury free. Not to say that every other team doesn't have the same issues but it seems like forever ago that we weren't wishing for player X to be fit at one point or another. For mine, the WC match day 23 will probably be. Slipper Moore Kepu Horwill Simmons Higgenbotham Pocock Palu Genia Cooper Speight Toomua (Possible to drop out if Hunt proves to be the goods with O'Conner coming into 12) Kuridrani O'Conner Folau TPN Sio Alexander (I'd rather not, but who else is there honestly?) Fardy Hooper Phipps Beale AAC
niwdeyaj
Guest
If you're picking foreign based players, George Smith could play with is his left arm tied to his right leg and still be more effective than Hooper....
DJW
Guest
Skelton? Did you not watch the France game?
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Because if AAC is at 12, 11,13 and 14 will not see the ball.....he is not a natural passer of the ball.
WoobliesFan
Guest
Beale at 15? You're nuts. That would be a disartser of epic proportions. See 2012 BC Game 1 for what Beale is capably of @ 15......one for the ages.
WoobliesFan
Guest
x2 I can knock Foley...I want to, but he's ok. Cooper off Foley works.....we need QC way before we need Beale. Better defence and under high ball. Phipps done...seen enough...Genia to come back.
Tigranes
Guest
I suppose the logic behind Beale is that he provides the x-factor that Ireland dearly lack and will compliment the overall speed, size and aggression of the Wallaby backline, who, IMO, will be far too much for the Irish to contain.
Mike
Guest
Agree, McCalman really impressed.
boomeranga
Guest
I agree Mike. I think he's performed pretty well since coming back in during the RC matches. Prior to this year he was all effort but little impact. The impact seems to be coming now.
Mike
Guest
Hi Pot Hale. What Paul said. No disrespect to Ireland, but if we lose to England and Wales in the RWC pool, we won't be meeting Ireland at all! Hence why there is more focus on England.
Mike
Guest
McCalman didn't do his prospects any harm on the weekend, IMO. I haven't thought that much of him in the past, he seemed a bit light and lacking grit for a test Number 8. But he really stood tall in the pounding by the French forwards. I can't remember him making any mistakes, whereas there were plenty by other better-known players. He kept his head throughout. Some players take a while to reach their full potential, maybe he is one of them.
handles
Guest
Only if Kuridrani is injured.