Michael Cheika’s team announcement for the upcoming Test against South Africa reveals a well balanced starting XV.
The front row almost picks itself and the Wallabies are looking good with Scott Sio and Greg Holmes on the reserves bench.
Stephen Moore as captain is a good choice and there is no doubt he is the number one hooker in the country.
While I am a fan of the toughness of reserve hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, there remains serious doubts over his lineout throwing ability, which has always been the biggest weakness in his game. Understandably, Cheika will want bulk to match the South Africans, but it comes at a price once Polota-Nau runs onto the field.
Australia’s lock pairing of Rob Simmons and Will Skelton has a massive challenge as they face the great Victor Matfield and his heir apparent Eben Etzebeth.
The Wallaby lock positions are certainly not set in stone. It will be up to Simmons to shake off the tag of not being tough enough for Test rugby if he is to retain his position.
Skelton’s selection is no surprise with a great Super Rugby season under his belt after overcoming his early season lack of match fitness.
Nonetheless, Test match rugby is another level and the pressure will be on for an 80-minute performance.
James Horwill as reserve lock can probably consider himself fortunate to be on the reserves bench, after a forgettable 2015 Super Rugby season.
While Horwill has ample experience at Test match level, and has sound scrum and lineout skills, his defence and workrate around the park need to significantly improve if he is to feature seriously or at all in the Wallabies 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.
The Wallaby backrow selections are not surprising, and once again Cheika could have gone with a number of alternative selections and still sleep very soundly.
Scott Higginbotham is a good choice at No.8 as he brings speed, toughness and skill to this glamour position. Cheika has gone for the traditional open and blind side combination with the no nonsense Scott Fardy at No.6 and incumbent Wallaby No.7 Michael Hooper, at the expense of David Pocock.
While we could argue all year about which is the best backrow combination, the fact of the matter is that Australia is blessed with a plethora of world class backrowers, and no doubt Pocock will feature in the match at some point.
The halves combination of Genia and Cooper again is no surprise, and gives Australia the benefit of speed and accuracy of ball delivery to someone who can genuinely create doubt in the minds of the opposition. Experience in these two roles is of enormous benefit. While Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley can consider themselves unlucky, the decision to play Will Genia and Quade Cooper against the more predictable South Africa is a good one.
All eyes will be on Matt Giteau as he returns to the green and gold after four years playing in France.
While there has been speculation as to his ability to handle the pace of the game, you don’t get to play 92 Tests for your country if you are going to let that faze you.
The maturity that Giteau brings to the midfield will be of enormous benefit to the players both inside and out.
Wallaby No.13 Tevita Kuridrani should revel in the opportunities he will be given in this game with Giteau on his inside.
Provided the Wallaby forwards can deliver the platform and go forward, Giteau and co. are capable of creating a major headache for the Springbok backline, with the powerful Kuridrani ready to bust loose, the ever elusive Israel Folau looking to chime in anywhere, and the reliable finishers in Rob Horne and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Matt Toomua may consider himself very unlucky not to be in the starting 15, but he too should figure at some point in the match, along with fellow reserve back Drew Mitchell. Once again, Cheika is adopting a suck-it-and-see approach, which has some merit, as he searches for the best combinations to take the Wallabies through to the Rugby World Cup.
The thing I like about Cheika is he is not overdoing this, as he realises that every Test is precisely that – a Test. It is not a simple warm-up selection trial for the Rugby World Cup.
Both teams are representing their countries and all the history and pride associated with that.
This South African team will be no pushover and every player in the Wallabies squad will have to be at their best for every minute of eighty minutes to defeat them.
This is not just a game – it is far more serious than that.
Mike
Guest
Why assume that he "rewarded incumbency"? Given how different these two players are, that seems most unlikely. It is far more likely that it was a considered decision based on whatever the particular game plan is. And what is the relevance of any percentage of Roarers? It's just a very small number of fans who happen to have time to blog.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers Jez. Rats should win vs Norths. But today's game vs Uni will be the one to watch for I believe. I think Uni is getting a new coach? Or is it just the Stars?
Taylorman
Guest
Not a bad pick Connor, I was going for something like 15 so 21 is there or abouts.
Harry Jones
Expert
Hooper is a fine athlete with loads of courage. But he would not be an automatic choice for most test XXIIIs. Pocock would.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes he's actually their effective lock runner. Timani's meters per run stats are actually quite low.
Rouaan
Guest
Can somebody tell Cheika to practice 'set-moves' for high kicks on the attack for Folau to chase. These kicks should come down on different places (eg. under the poles, in the corners etc) and either in the goal area or on the goal line, to create doubt in the defense when the Wallabies are on attack. I'm sure opposition backs will feel that pressure...OR are they leaving it for the World Cup ???
Suzy Poison
Guest
Sorry Sheek, you are a wise head and I respect your views, but tomorrow night will prove whether Cheika and Larkham know what they are doing. At the moment the jury is out. Steve Larkham great player..but not necessarily a great coach. Seen not so much at Brumbies that would differ from Jake White. If anything Brumbies scored more tries thru rolling mauls under Bernie. The classic case of Martin Johnson England coach proves a great player does not often make a great coach. If I was Aussie, I would have had a trial match, as the first match is often rusty. And not selecting Pocock is....well controversial, at least. Just cos Bernie was an absolute legend player, does not mean he is a legend coach. But we will find out tomorrow.
IvanNel
Guest
I dont mean to be a naysayer - but whats different this year for Aus? Like always, they have a backline riddled with superstars, and some decent forwards.... does that automatically translate into performances? The only thing that i can see changing, is their ability to blow more smoke up their fans backsides. Everyones forgotten the dismal performances of 2014. That said, Aus have always had a good team, and I do expect them to be better than last year. Heres where Saturday is lost for them 1. Locks - Expect Matfield to poach ball all night long. 2. Loose Trio - Hooper is good, but he will be smashed off ball too easily - Aus should have started Popeye and given hooper last 20. The current crop will not match the intensity cleaning and gainline advantage of a Coetzee Louw and Burger. 3. Slow backfoot ball for awesome backs has never turned into anything. We know how wonderful Quade is when he receives a ball with a Burger down his throat (no pun). 4. Boks new midfield combination is as predictable as Cape town weather. Two loose cannons with enormous talent and ability to read play. Slide in LE Roux and you have defensive worries. I suspect the boks will score 4 tries. 5. No warmup - 6. Because i said so. (and i prayed to santa claus all night)
Phantom
Roar Rookie
In my opinion Australia has one world class loose forward and certainly not the plethora that this writer maintains. Amazingly he has been selected to play from the bench. Saturday night will tell if this decision was right. I think probably not.
splinter
Guest
Hi Harry Cheika being shrewd Hooper to start put pressure on the backline very mobile even if Boks secure ball Oz not worried as Pollard or Pienaar will kick backline is an improvement but what about experience
AussieinNZ
Guest
When will Wallaby selectors quit putting plodding midfielders on the wings? It's been going on for years now and has never worked!
Joeys 78
Guest
What is all this nonsense about what AAC weighs, how about a getting your collective heads around what I actually said, namely we seem very reluctant to select specialist wingers. We seem to think that having good footballers rather than speedsters who understand the position intimately is preferable. If you go along with that thinking, I suggest you think that a wing just makes up the numbers. That sort of thinking talks be back to U10s when you picked the weakest smallest guy on the wing.
Markus
Guest
Burger's lack of fear (I still wouldn't be fronting up to him mind you) has been compensated for with a much better all-round game. He runs smarter instead of just running directly at defenders, and his offloading game has improved significantly.
Markus
Guest
If it were anyone but Matfield next to Etzebeth it is likely Etzebeth would be both the rock shifter and the lineout expert. He's just that much better than the rest of the Springbok locks.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah it happens, last year it happened in the one week with the same sides. A gutsy draw they should have won to the Eden park flogging. Sure the weather played a part but just shows what can happen.
RF
Guest
AAC is 98kg, we had a bit of a chat at the grand prix in melbourne a couple of years ago. I am about 80kg and I can tell you he's a hell of a alot bigger than me. Also Rob horn might not top the wright charts but he plays like he's about 105kg. that bump against the ba baa's was awesome.
Ged
Guest
We will see, look forward to replying come Monday.
RF
Guest
Roarers I think the time has come for us to get behind the Wallabies. The match day squad is the strongest we've had for many many years. It's experienced and laden with leaders right throughout the field. It's not the flashiest, biggest and most powerful team we've ever seen but i believe it is the most reliable and organised team we can field. As a result I think you're going to see a fast, accurate game with very few errors from the men in gold.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Are they not in the Pacific Cup and why?
Akari
Roar Rookie
I suspect that Hansen is the same by persisting with Woodcock and Mealamu and, despite the s15 evidence, he is likely to persist with these two and play them back into form. Whether persisting with Plan A is the right way to go will only be answered in due course. Hansen will be judged a genius if it comes off and the same with Cheika.