The Wallabies leave for the United States on Saturday, where they will bunk down for a two-week camp at the famed University of Notre Dame, Indiana, either side of the Test against the US.
The ‘Fighting Irish’ will host the Wallabies upon arrival until Thursday, when they head to Chicago to take on the Eagles at Soldier Field, the home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, on September 5.
The Wallabies then head back to Notre Dame for another week, before departing for their Rugby World Cup base in Bath on Sunday, September 13.
What’s known of the touring party is that the 31-man Rugby World Cup squad will obviously be going.
The ARU will today announce an extended touring party made up of players from Michael Cheika’s ‘train-on’ squad of David Dennis, Tetera Faulkner, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill, Sam Carter, Samu Kerevi, Christian Lealiifano, Taqele Naiyaravoro, and Nic White.
When it was initially named, there was assumption and even reporting that all 10 players would be going to the States to complete Rugby World Cup preparations, but since then it has been clarified that only “some” of the extended squad will go.
Just how many “some” is will be known today, but a Wallabies source told me between two and four additional players will go.
And that tells me that the experimentation of the Wallabies’ campaign thus far is set to continue for at least another week. Some of it will be by necessity, resting a few weary bodies here and there after a tough but successful Rugby Championship.
So who of the 10 extra players will go? NRC selections provide a bit of a clue.
Firstly, we can eliminate centre Samu Kerevi and backrower Scott Higginbotham, who have both been named for Brisbane City to play in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. The Wallabies fly out from Sydney Airport tomorrow morning on QF11 at 9:50am (AEST).
Similarly, prop Tetera Faulkner has been named to come off the Spirit bench in Perth on Saturday afternoon, so we can rule him out as well. This was something of a surprise – a sixth prop would come in handy over the next fortnight.
Locks James Horwill and Sam Carter haven’t been named by Brisbane City and NSW Country, respectively, and a conversation I had after Country’s win last weekend in Sydney gave me a very strong indication that Carter will make the flight after a successful 50-minute comeback from a knee injury. And the suggestion was that Carter wouldn’t be there to hold tackling bags; game time against the US is likely.
Taking two extra locks will allow Cheika to manage his tight-five players during the training camps. The images that emerged from training this week, in which Will Skelton and Kane Douglas had to pulled apart, tells us that nothing is being held back, and that blood will be – and is being – spilt.
As reported in yesterday’s NRC preview, hooker James Hanson will squeeze in one more NRC game prior to joining the Wallabies, with the Stars all but confirming for me they don’t expect to have Hanson for the next few weeks. Dave Dennis is being spoken of in ‘father figure’ tones for the young Stars players, and there was no indication he would be missing games.
Scott Sio has been mentioned as cover at hooker for the World Cup, but Hanson’s presence in these initial preparations should alleviate concerns. It wouldn’t surprise if Stephen Moore was rested from the Soldier Field Test, with Hanson deputising for Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Likewise, taking Nic White back to the States – he was over there on promotional duty before the Argentina Test – would give Will Genia a little longer to get over any lasting effects of his injury, too.
Lealiifano and Naiyaravoro are in London this weekend for the Barbarians versus Samoa match, and though it would be an easy flight over the Atlantic to join the squad, there’s no need. The cynic in me might see Naiyaravoro jetting in to earn the one cap that might thwart Scotland’s plans, but then that would fly in the face of selecting seven outside backs in the original 31.
This puts Hanson, Horwill, Carter, and White on Saturday morning’s flight. After the Notre Dame Camps, expect Horwill and White to be released to their future European clubs to commence training and just, you know, ‘be in the neighbourhood’.
The US Eagles Test represents Cheika’s last chance to try things, but also the last chance to manage a few bodies. Once the team gets to Bath, they all have to be fit and ready to play against Fiji in Cardiff on September 24.
Tah Mate
Guest
I think the Pooper should get as much game time together as possible. Make their link solid and bring on the subs later in the game. They need to hunt as a pair.
Tah Mate
Guest
Yeh Redback, because Phipps and Foley have had no success together in recent years, while Genia and Cooper have really tested the oposition particularly the ABs. Genia sure lead from the front this year for the Reds and Graham should be coaching the Wallabies- he was sensational !! All the Wallabies play with such confidence when Cooper has ball in hand, they might not know if he's going to throw it at their head or feet but at least they can be sure he wont take it to the line. Nice choice.
Bakkies
Guest
Cooper should go he must get sick of being the scape goat in the Wallabies. I often wonder if he was chucked under the bus in that interview he did about the toxic environment in the squad because no else would and he was one of the amigos who were allegedly causing a divide between them and the senior players. He shouldn't have been picked to start at Eden Park but with Cheika's bizarre selections I actually wonder what his attitude towards the match really was. As for O'Connor Mourad thinks he is signed to come back eventually. When they may happen could be subject to change. He has an ex Aus under 20s player at flyhalf at the moment.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. Look forward to watching more of Samu K. Oh well, its a loss to the WBs, a win for City. I do prefer Samu in Gold
ohtani's jacket
Guest
"Wallaby players who have the ‘potential’ to be considered as a best in his position in the world “after the RWC, not now our kiwi friends’ include; Moore, Fardy, Simmons, Kuridrani, Speight and AAC." There's no way AAC will ever be considered the best wing in the world. He's an excellent player for the Wallabies, but he's 31 and has played over 100 tests. He's nearing the end. Same for Moore. I can't see Fardy or Simmons being regarded as the best players in their position. That seems like a long shot. Speight hasn't shown the potential to be the long term Australian winger let alone best in the world, and Kuridrani would have to really lift his game from where it's at.
Mike
Guest
Nothing is impossible in French rugby.
Mike
Guest
We can't disagree with you, we are laughing too much.
Mike
Guest
I am sure I read the word "potential" in there somewhere.
Highlander
Guest
Brett, do you know if the commercial arrangements will require the Aussies to play the more high profile players, for the want of a better expression, those Googleable by a U.S. audience. I wouldn't be surprised if they are required to play Folau, Moore, Skelton, Genia, Cooper, Pocock and Hooper
Jarijari
Guest
But he wouldn't get a run.
Jarijari
Guest
Hanson not picked chief.
Jarijari
Guest
Nor will George unfortunately. You could put Izzy in the lineout though.
Jarijari
Guest
Brett, the experiment, the way it's going, will continue until uh, if and when we get knocked out. I'm still prepared to give Cheik a go, he's three from four this season but it has to end at some stage, particularly with the 9-10-12 combo and the tight five, that's half the team. Then there's Pocock/Hooper, oh well we start with Folau and Moore and ...
Brian USA
Guest
I would also rest Toomua to be honest. He is one of the most important players in that back line (whether starting at 12, or coming on at 10 and changing the attack), and has had some head knocks this season. I'll be at the game, and would love to watch Toomua, Moore, Hooper Pocock, Folau and all those guys play live for the first time, but the important games start in a few weeks and cant risk injury to your star players before the big show...
Birdy
Guest
"Wallaby players who have the ‘potential’ to be considered as a best in his position in the world “after the RWC, not now our kiwi friends’ include; Moore, Fardy, Simmons, Kuridrani, Speight and AAC." Lostintokyo, I would suggest for virtually all non-Aussies that list is a bit bemusing. I can't imagine many outside Oz putting any of those players (with the very slim possibility of Moore) in the current top 3 in their position in the world. For the RWC to change that perception the WBs would need to win it and those players have stellar tournaments.
idiot savant
Guest
Ok but only 4 of the ten are going to the US according to Brett above. A half back, hooker, and 2 locks. I was really speculating about the locks. I think White will play to spare the possibility of injury to the No 1 half Phipps (unless Genia is not yet ready), and Hanson is maybe just keeping up with lineout calls etc or Moore is getting a rest. What does 2 locks going to the US tell us? Particularly as Simmons and Douglas both need game time? Is Simmons not fit yet? Is Skelton or Mumm getting a break? If its a training issue why do the locks get a spare on both sides and not the back row? No biggie, just wondering out aloud.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
agree with you Brett. I see the relationship to what he is doing to what the AB's did in '07. The big difference is though is that Cheika is trying to build depth quickly where the AB's didn't have to. I think Cheika knows that he could play the same combinations & field a better team but injuries would cause havoc with that in the RWC.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Heard a decent conspiracy theory the other day. What are the chances that Toulon are cracking it over Cooper with the threats in the media etc to push the ARU to release JOC? The old 'if you l;et JOC comeback to us now we will forget about the contract at young Quade signed in error'.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Sabbath boys Sabbath (OO days not Dio).
Shane D
Roar Rookie
I believe it would be better to give Skelton more game time. He seems like one of those blokes that needs to keep on the field to maintain the fitness.