Kurtley Beale has welcomed the hot competition for a Wallabies midfield role as Matt Giteau ups the pressure on Michael Cheika to revive his glittering international career.
Cheika already admitted he’d been in touch with Giteau even before the 32-year-old helped Toulon to an unprecedented Champions Cup hat-trick at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Wallabies coach will include a maximum of 14 backs in his 31-man World Cup squad this year – and more than likely only 13 to accommodate 18 forwards.
He is certain to take at least two halfbacks to Britain – and three if he rules Giteau out as a back-up No.9 – plus probably five players capable of filling the back-three positions.
Throw in Tevita Kuridrani as a specialist outside centre and that leaves Giteau, Beale, Bernard Foley, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Quade Cooper and utility James O’Connor battling it out for presumably four or five playmaking spots.
But rather than fret about losing out to Giteau, Beale says it’s great to have the 92-Test star back in the mix following the ARU’s decision to relax its strict policy of not selecting overseas-based players.
“He’s one of the best players who’s ever played for Australia and still is probably one of the best first-fives in the world playing currently,” Beale told AAP.
“For him playing over there, winning consecutive seasons, I’m sure he’s got a lot of experience there and a lot to learn from.
“And for me as a kid growing up, you always want to play against some of the best and you always want to test yourself against some of the best.
“So to have him available now, that creates a lot of healthy competition throughout the whole first-five, second-five options and that’s important because they’re the generals out there on the field.”
Cheika assembled more than two dozen World Cup hopefuls on Saturday for a “morning-after” meeting following his NSW Waratahs’ spirited 13-10 win over the Brumbies in Canberra.
It was the latest in a series of similar gatherings and Brumbies captain Stephen Moore backed Cheika’s initiative to try to break down barriers between Australia’s state rivals.
“Since that type of thing started, I think we’ve certainly developed some mutual respect there amongst each other and we’re going to need that at the back-end of the year,” Moore said.
“We’ll all be on the same page there.”
Cheika invited 51 players from around the country to a three-day camp in Brisbane last month, but isn’t ruling out calling up others if it means strengthening Australia’s World Cup hopes.
“Obviously some players, as it gets closer, will know they’re going to be in so they can start to prepare,” he said.
“But there’s no advantage to close the door on anyone at this stage. The door only has to be closed when the team is finally picked for any given game.
“It’s all about playing good footy. That’s what you’ve got to try and select teams off and if people play good rugby then they’re going to get noticed.”
The two biggest World Cup certainties, barring injuries, are incumbent Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and former leader David Pocock.
The two flankers waged a hearty duel in Canberra on Friday night that ended in a split decision.
“The reason they are top quality players is because they play great every week. That’s the difference between good players and great ones,” Cheika said.
“You can’t have enough players like that.”
PeterK
Roar Guru
NH suites 2 big bashing centres like Kuridrani and Kerevi at test level more than playing a 2nd playmaker. Giteau was found out with his crabbing runs etc. If we had Larkham and 10 and Mortlock at 13 ok but we don't have that quality. The pack chosen is more important anyway for the NH. Need to drop ineffectual weak players like Carter.
Rollaway7
Roar Guru
Peter keeping mind that northern conditions is not suited for the all back line focused Australian way. Defence, cool heads and doing the basics right is all part of experience in big pressure matches. Id have Gits over Kerevi every day of the week for a RWC in the north. Not saying Kerevi is bad but consider the task and you will see this is not time for blooding players. One new player in at 12 can easily be exposed by the top 3 sides in the world. There is a place for Kerevi, maybe on the bench when the game is won but I wont start him
Taylorman
Guest
Whatever booma, I don't really care. The thought of basing your reason for being on waving a cheque book around the world picking up unwanted or ready for the retirement home players isn't rugby to me. Toulon have no heart in the game, just a big cheque book. Ooh Toulon won the title again. Well so they should if they can afford to buy every top name in the game in the NH and all the dregs of the SH still able to hold their own. Just glad McCaw doesn't have to belittle himself by running around the back blocks of France in some stripy funny coloured jersey that he never aspired to playing in. At least some can appreciate the real meaning of representing a side you truly believe in. A rare thing these days. Not saying the players don't deserve it, but neither is it real rugby...as I said, purely baabaas popcorn matinee stuff. Dial-a-player and we'll be there...
Taylorman
Guest
Yes the best oz sides have always succeeded through being positive, often outrageously so. 78 to 80, 84, 91, 99, 2011 were all very exciting skilful teams that boasted strong and talented individuals. Cheika is showing signs of wanting to harness a side that plays to a tune. The comments re halfbacks not kicking so others know what they're doing. The wanting to control the uncontrollable so with the half time ref visits etc. for me he's starting to come across as over controlling, and that always has a tendency to stifle individuality, and create tension when things go awry. When you need strong individuals to pull you out of the quagmire, they've already been stifled by then. Just a feeling mind you, but man does he have a job on his hands.
Mike
Guest
"the only way they have succeeded in the past" That's an interesting point. Even Australian fans often don't seem aware that Australia has had a number of different recipes for its few patches of rugby success. The style played by Rod McQueen's side bore little resemblance to the flat-passing game of the Ellas and Bob Dwyer. And Alan Jones' reliance on a superior scrum for the 1984 Grand Slam tour was different again. If there is "an Australian way", it can't be found just be looking at the last 20 years.
Boomeranga
Guest
With his background he adds more than most IMO. He actually knows and follows the two hemispheres. You'd do well to come down from the pulpit for a while.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah that's a real good point about the AB's. Hansen is very loyal to his incumbent players. When selecting his first team for the year he will always pen in who was first selection for the last test six months ago, and start from there. He can do that because they've usually won the last test. That is why there won't be many surprises. Issue will be whether to bring in Sapoaga for the RC. Other than that, I wouldn't expect many newbies, even though several are putting their hand up. Cheika isn't in the same position. With the last tests being mainly lost he may want to go on form but that has its own issues. It's not as clear to Australians in general that sxv form is irrelevant to test match rugby, unless they've proven themselves previously. New players like Stirzsackers and oldies like Giteau appeal for various reasons and that is Cheika's challenge. Can he tell before putting them into a test that they'll go up a level. My concern with Cheika is the type of style he wants his team to adopt this year, the concern being does he want to accentuate the positives of oz rugby- the only way they have succeeded in the past, or does he want to deploy spoiling tactics in the knowledge that he genuinely feels he can't select a side capable of beating all this year no matter who he selects. Time will tell...
Mike
Guest
You could well be right. Here's my version: 1. Robinson 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Simmons 5. Skelton 6. Fardy. 7. Pocock. 8. McCalman 9. Phipps. 10. Foley 12. Horne 13. AAC 11. O'Connor 15. Folau 14. Speight 16. Latu 17. Slipper. 18. Holmes 19. Jones 20. Hooper 21. Stirzaker. 22. CLL 23. Kuridrani And there will probably be changes after a few more S15 games!
Mike
Guest
You could just as easily make a case that its our teams with new blood that lost most to AB's Boks and England. The ABs have had a remarkably stable team over recent years. Arguably, their stability has been one of their greatest strengths. They don't just go changing players on a whim because of the latest performance in S15. Yes, players get changed, but there has to be a really good reason for it. But since the discussion is about Kerevi, I don't know that it matters anyway. He's a new player who has shown some promise, and I agree if he goes in anywhere it would be at 12. He could be given a run in TRC. Is he in the RWC squad? (which doesn't necessarily matter, but just curious).
Taylorman
Guest
And Nic, once again you add zero to the conversation...touché.
Taylorman
Guest
You make it sound like we care. No one in NZ follows these guys. If Chris Jack lost his contract, too bad. Rocks should have lost his, but they kept him on seemingly forever as he clearly wasn't performing to the reasons he was contracted, unless of course Toulon are better than the ABs. Ever see NZers on these boards yapping about NH club rugby in a positive light? I don't. A few might come out on seeing this but I can tell you it's a non event in circles here. Once they're gone, they're largely forgotten. All you are proving with Chris Jack is my point. Some think it's a holiday. Many more will be under performing and getting away with sub par performances. They're making a laughing stock out of the whole business.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I like these get togethers Cheika is assembling, curious to know do they do any field work or is it breakfast / lunch meetings etc.. Either way good to get all the Walla hopefuls together.
Trans Tasman Diplomat
Guest
Nickoldschool makes a statement (based on his experience living in both hemispheres) about the attitudes of a certain SH nation's fans, and in sails Taylorman with living proof.
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
Quade Cooper had a fantastic 2011 Super Rugby season and played very well in the RC. He had a disastrous RWC and badly injured his knee in the last game. He's never been the same player again. Those knee injuries are a lot more permanently debilitating than most people think. Very few players who suffer these injuries come back to the same level of physical performance...they just can't. They haven't got the support structures in their knee that enables the quick acceleration and their agility is considerably reduced, they can't change direction as quickly as were able to before. Players in certain positions are affected more than others. Genia also had a serious knee injury. He used to be the best half back in the world in 2011, now he can't even start for the WB's. A bit of that is to do with lack of confidence and form but its mainly due to not being able to get that rocket acceleration he used to have and can't cut inside like he used to do. Hes still got some serious speed but he needs longer to wind up. Aaron Cruden is another who will struggle once he comes back from his second serious knee injury. Nobody touched him, he went to prop off his leg and the knee gave way..again.His knee is shot, he can't prop off of that leg now, he will have to change the way he plays.
Westie
Guest
Cooper hits harder than lilo or gits
Bakkies
Guest
Chris Jack thought he was on a holiday. Got benched and his contract was torn up. Treat it like one and you will get dumped. De Wet Barry spent most of his last seasons at Harlequins in the second team.
Bakkies
Guest
John Smit could barely get a start for Clermont despite being Bok captain.
Taylorman
Guest
You're dreaming. Our guys pull the wool over the NH all the time. You don't actually think they want to match the standards here? Why would they? It's a holiday for most. Chance to make some money, travel. The fact that some do surprises me. the variation in motivation across all the SH players will vary so much you can't gauge how good the side really is. Arrogance? Arrogance is you thinking you know our own players better than we do.
Harry Jones
Expert
French club rugby is no joke. Nobody just waltzes in and takes over. Habana had one of the best transitions, recently. But plenty of big SH stars have struggled.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Well still much, much better than what he did in France. It took him 29 long matches (towards the end of his 2nd season) to score his first try with Bayonne.... that's pretty long for 'southern stars" who are supposed to score solo 80m tries according to their home fans (who don't know anything about European rugby)! The great thing about Rokocoko is that (unlike his supporters back home) he is humble and didn't mind having a go at himself, joking with his Bayonne forwards that they were scoring more tries than he was. I sometimes wonder how can the same country produce such great guys like most AB and kiwi rugby players in general and at the same time defensive, arrogant and petty minded fans. That remains a mystery.