Michael Cheika has named six changes to his starting Wallabies team from last week’s clash against the All Blacks, and it’s his bravest move yet.
Quade Cooper, Will Skelton, Matt Toomua, Henry Speight, Wycliff Palu and Nic White are the six changes to Australia’s run-on team, while Kane Douglas finds himself on the bench for the first time since his Irish stint.
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The bench follows a 6-2 split, with only Matt Giteau and Kurtley Beale covering the backline. Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley haven’t made this week’s cut.
The first of many interesting decisions, and possibly the most hotly discussed, is the inclusion of Quade Cooper at flyhalf. After a forgettable couple of games against South Africa and Argentina, many thought Cooper’s 2015 season was over in Wallabies colours.
Then came last week’s Bledisloe Cup opener, where Bernard Foley also played a shocker, being replaced by Matt Toomua not long after the 50-minute mark.
NiwdEyaJ wrote a great article, where he wrote “this often misunderstood creative genius necessitates the need for a second playmaker at No. 12 due to his elusive lack of play in the No. 10 channel”, referring to Bernard Foley as this “non-playmaking playmaker.”
While it was a comedic angle, it did raise some very valid points.
Bernard Foley is a great player, in my eyes. But Jay did raise a good point in the fact the Foley often needs a second playmaker outside him, leading to the prevalence of Foley/Toomua combination for much of last year’s international season.
Toomua is, in my eyes, a fantastic hybrid between a bruising, physical centre (such as Samu Kerevi) and a crafty, playmaking 12 (e.g, Matt Giteau).
For me, Toomua’s control of the game, physicality and straight forward running had him pinned as starting flyhalf or inside centre, with Matt Giteau either inside or outside him at 10 or 12. This would allow for a balance between playmaking and physicality that is so effective in world rugby (think Carter/Nonu).
Quade Cooper’s selection inside Matt Toomua for Saturday’s clash is a different sort of balance the Michael Cheika is betting on, but an effective one nonetheless.
After Australia’s win over South Africa a month ago, the Wallabies backline was criticised for moving far too laterally. Much of this criticism was angled and Cooper and Giteau. This wasn’t necessarily poor play from either, but rather just their style of play. The problem was, these styles were too similar.
When Matt Toomua came on to replace an injured Matt Giteau, it drastically shifted the game the Wallabies’ way through his straightening of the line.
Michael Cheika will look to emulate this on Saturday night, Cooper’s skill and passing game coupled with Tooma’s brutal running and vision.
It could be lethal.
Cheika is also looking for physicality up front, signalled by the inclusion of Wycliff Palu at 8 and Will Skelton at lock. Kane Douglas will intimidate off the bench. ‘Cheik’ doesn’t want forwards, he wants bulldozers.
Ma’a Nonu talked about New Zealand being “out-passioned” by Australia, and this is exactly what Michael Cheika is trying to replicate through his choice of an extremely physical pack.
He will likely let Skelton and Palu stamp their authority for 50 minutes, then bring on Douglas and Pocock to run riot on the Kiwi breakdown.
Cheika is keeping his opposition guessing each week, and this isn’t limited to the southern hemisphere sides. He undoubtedly has one eye on September, and he knows that it is harder to prepare for four or 5 possible starting XVs than one. England and Wales will have to learn quickly too, as they could be facing one of many Wallaby incarnations.
The All Blacks, too, would have been preparing for a similar side to last week’s. Cheika’s selection could have thrown a spanner in the works, as they now front up to a highly physical pack, not the mobile unit from Sydney.
A few weeks ago I wrote an article outlining how the Wallabies growing depth could win them the World Cup. Controversial as it was, Michael Cheika knows that depth is crucial throughout the seven-week marathon. His constant re-shuffling of teams tells us that much.
Cheika has shown he is keen to do things differently. The Australians’ humility and mentality that “the job isn’t even half done” was something we haven’t seen in years. In 2011, the Wallabies celebrated their Tri-Nations victory with passion, and went on to lose to Ireland in the pool stages in New Zealand in the semi-finals.
He’s shown bravery in these selections, retrospect in going back to selections that work, and foresight in building his depth.
The Bledisloe Cup is there for the taking, the Wallabies just have to break their Eden Park hoodoo first.
Rupert
Guest
peter your vendetta against the best no 8 we've had since Kefu is an absolute disgrace.
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
Can only hope Palu will be replaced before half time otherwise this game will be lost imo. The Q Cooper issue is a non event compared to this Palu stuff up imo. QC will do fine but Palu won't.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
His incumbents weren't eligible for selection... played a few tests for SA I believe...
Ozinsa
Guest
To me the selection of QC at 10 indicates Cheika thinks he is his best 10 but hasn't shown it. If he shines at Eden Park he's locked down the starting gig for the RWC and if he fails may not even make the squad. Personally I'd prefer we didn't experiment in this game and went full throttle for the Bledisloe but second guessing Cheika so far this year hasn't worked too well so I'll shut, cross my fingers and cheer for the boys on Saturday. Interesting selection Douglas. Given he dragged he and Mumm from nowhere you'd have to say that indicated he didn't rate his incumbents at all. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Browny
Roar Rookie
I'm expecting Cliffy has instructions to go 100% and we'll see Pocock before half time. All Blacks are renown for hitting the scoreboard in the 5 minutes either side of half time (more so than other teams) so I think they'll inject a fresh Pocock for that period after the first 30-35 minutes of trench warfare.
maxxlord
Roar Rookie
The rotation is excellent. In such an environment, particularly where the bench has played so well, you realise that you are on the park to perform a specific role for the TEAM and not necessarily because you are the best player available in that position. Ego is cut out because the guy on the bench, or out the 23, WON the game before and played well. Won't be hearing any Beale stories or anything like that because he is too busy trying to break into the team. Nic White lit a fire under Phipps, Douglas and Mumm are hovering around Skelton. All of this is healthy. Add to that the ability to change the game completely with your bench, and the wallabies are headed the right way. Its all down to Cheika being a better man manager than Deans and not having a Di Patson around.
DaniE
Roar Guru
My feeling is somewhat different... sometimes I feel the recent selections are made just to mess with our heads! After each game there are numerous numerous posts on here regarding player performance and abilities, and then countless lists of who will be/should be playing in the next match. Each time so far, the official team named has included choices so far off left field it's left many gobsmacked. Reward for good form? Punishment for poor performance? Not consistently applied. Other scenarios like Douglas' inclusion today, even Speight's after his long break from suspension, and the ultimate, throwing Quade Cooper into the lion's den in Eden Park are more than just eyebrow-raisers. I hope that method abounds in this madness. Sometimes I wonder if Cheika looks online at internet opinion and has a good laugh about all we have to say!
PiratesRugby
Guest
Douglas hasn't played since March? The ABs must be trembling. The author enthuses about the physicality Skeltonne will bring to the game. Like he did against South Africa?
Merino
Guest
whether it comes off or not that Chieka is a smart guy
Ged
Guest
I think the biggest issue is picking Skelton to start with only 2 lineout jumpers and a much weaker scrum when Skelton is on. I hope he goes out there and proves me wrong but I think the wallabies should have started with Mumm instead even if we lose some impact at the collision we gain in our scrum and lineout which will be vital in the wet conditions. I hope Skelton is superb at scrum time but if not we are in for a long night.
Daveyboy
Guest
How about a blowout and Cooper jobs Richie!! Ah, we can but dream.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Think Quade is a bad selection. He wasn't part of the win last week and now he's going to be facing something of a backlash that he wasn't involved with. ABs will want to target anyone who doesn't have the winning confidence of last week. This is less about skill levels and more about attitude. NMS gets a chance to prove he's the real deal and with Piutau, Savea form a top wing trio. Even muttering so of Naholo making it. It was a hair line fracture so maybe something in this witch doctor thing?
WQ
Guest
They've made the final of the Bledisloe Cup, who knows if they will make the final of the RWC2015??
Jerry
Guest
Apparently Hansen is considering taking only 3 locks to the RWC so as to have an extra loose. It might be a trial run rather than a reactionary selection.
Kian Bone
Roar Rookie
Certainly agree with the point that Cheika is keeping opposition coaches guessing. Clearly Hansen was planning for the Pooper in not selecting a reserve lock and going for two loosies on the bench in Kaino and Cane. Cheika is selecting for the conditions of a slippery Eden Park while Hansen is selecting in response to a strong Wallaby performance at the breakdown.
Digs
Guest
Based on the player selection and weather my prediction for the Wallaby game plan is that this will be very much forwards orientated for the Wallabies. Quade is there for his kicking and counter attack. He and Toomua will play field position kicking for the corners. Wallabies will continually carry the ball close to the ruck and Quade will be looking for inside runners with the outside backs coming in to see if they can find holes in the defence. Quade and White will drop back in defence looking for opportunities for the counter attack with Folou. It won't be pretty but potentially effective.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Not quite as Cane is on the bench.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
That would be... depressing...
Simon
Roar Pro
I agree Palu can go "missing in action" as you say, and that's a good point. I get the feeling Cheika has put him in the side with the INTENT of bringing physicality, whether that plays out is a whole different story. It will be interesting to see how he fares. Judging by Cheika's work so far, however, something tells me he knows something we don't on the Palu front. Whether that's a return to form, or minimising 'Cliff's stint to a shorter time (45 mins/50 mins), I don't know. This team selection and the choice of Palu in iffy form all add a heap of sub-plots to Saturday's game, and I'm really looking forward to it. Cheers.
Boosho
Guest
All my life I've been waiting to see, just once, a Wallaby blowout. Even at the height of the McQueen era we never blew them away. I'd love to see it just once, especially at Eden park. What a fitting send off that would be for Dad's Army!