The Wallabies have lost premier lineout jumper Rob Simmons for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand as he is to undergo wrist surgery.
The 52-Test veteran will also miss next week’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland but is expected to make a full recovery from the scaphoid surgery before the Wallabies take on the USA in Chicago next month in the lead up to the World Cup.
His injury gives former skipper James Horwill a likely chance to return to the starting team, with no other player to be called into the squad for Saturday’s game at Sydney ANZ Stadium.
“Obviously we’re all disappointed to lose Rob,” said Wallabies coach Cheika.
“We’ve been able to build some real depth in the lock position, and Rob’s injury presents an opportunity for another player in the squad to stake their claim.”
Ash
Guest
Our line outs have actually been pretty good.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yes, start Arnold, Kerevi and a few more fringe players and rest Pocock, Hooper, Folou, Kiridrani Cooper, Foley and a few more. The ABs did it against SA in 2011.
Best_Game_On_Earth
Guest
Hey Steve no backup halfback?
Zero Gain
Guest
Yeah, but Peter is correct in that if you don't give them a go we will never know if they can lift and become good test standard players. I think Cheika has stuck to the established players and favours his Waratahs.
Harry
Guest
My definition of world class = can match against anyone in the world. Its class, not individual best.
Zero Gain
Guest
Ask Simmon's Mum?
Zero Gain
Guest
Nice of you to say that OB. And yes, I think he is a key player for us.
Daniel Bryson
Roar Rookie
I'd also put England's, Courtney Lawes in that bracket.
Chivas
Guest
Absolutely Pirates. Disgraceful what has happened to Higgs. One moment he was the best player in the world and the IRB player of the year at the time (Read) was trash. How the mighty have fallen.... but then again maybe these guys look best in fantasy teams. Sometimes Pirates, the cupboard really is bare and putting lipstick on a pig don't make them more appealing. The guys you mention are average to good SR players. I don't see any of the names put forward as taking Australian rugby forward or being better than the encumbent, so why should they get a shot. Heard of needles in haystacks or turning over rocks looking for diamonds?
Mike
Guest
I like your reasoning James.
PeterK
Roar Guru
No Machooka. It has been pointed out that Argentina would have been a great game to try 1 or 2 new players.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ PeterK So... we chuck 'em against the almighty ABs, eh ?
steve
Guest
My team: Skelton and Palu have not impressed but been given plenty of chances (Skelton 2015 & Palu past 4 years) Bring Mumm in for Simmons Give Arnold a go Call up Kerevi as inside centre Slipper Moore Kepu Horwell Mumm Hooper Fardy Pocock Phipps Giteau Tomane Toomua Kuranrani AAC Folau Hansen Sio Holmes McCallum Arnold Cooper Kerevi
PeterK
Roar Guru
Machooka - So? By definition all new blood has no test caps. Just because someone has played tests does not make them better. The only way to find out if new blood is better is by trying them to find out. I forgot to include Stirzaker in that new blood list.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree but the point is Red Kev stated they were only jusifiably better only in my mind as opposed to Simmons only being better in his, the irony. By asking for some evidence that highlights how subjective he himself is being whilst accusing someone else of it.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I agree Jones should not be written off after last year. I was suggesting Cheika wrote him off after this time, agree rather unclearly , it does read as if I too had written him off.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Onya Brett ..well picked up ..this is not court of law..
Markus
Guest
Hopefully, training with the squad will help him get as far away from his previous Wallaby form as possible.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ PeterK I hope you don't mind but I'm going to butt in here... your answer to @eagleJack carries a caveat. It's the words 'super rugby'... and therefore unless these newbies are battle-harden in the test arena... forget it ! Correct @eagleJack it's EOYT for them. Or 2016 Tests. Thanks again
Council
Guest
Good old provide evidence. Haven't heard that for a while.