Much of the debate about Michael Cheika’s management of the Wallabies squad in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup next week has centered on the revolving door of the scrumhalf and fly-half combinations.
Cheika has been seemingly trialling Phipps, White and Genia at 9, and Foley, Cooper and Toomua at 10. There is even a suggestion that the selection door might continue to spin during the tournament, in defiance of the sporting truism that a settled team is a potent team.
The other big debating point has been the set piece: the focus, in fact, of the entire Super rugby season.
The assumption in the professional and demi-professional punditry has been that Cheika has in contrast got the outside backs, particularly the left and right wing positions, pretty well sorted. I don’t think this is the case.
In his squad of 31, Cheika has five wing options in Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Joe Tomane and Henry Speight.
The coach has a bunch of robust and capable finishers here, with two of the group – both Mitchell and Adam Ashley-Cooper are 31 years of age – particularly seasoned.
But really the only one of the five capable of keeping an anxious opponent awake at night in anticipation of game day is Speight, and he appears – unless his training load post SANZAR suspension got the better of him in the Eagles fixture – to be badly down on form and confidence.
Fear, or at least uncertainty, is one of the key weapons of the coaching armory. At the moment Cheika doesn’t have that fear factor in his options at 11 and 14.
I suspect the Wallabies will remain a respected rather than a feared team. Ireland bullied them in the pool stage of the previous World Cup; our opponents this year will be looking to do the same.
Bizarrely the most exciting wing option, NSW Waratah’s Fijian-born wing Taqele Naiyaravoro, has returned home from the US Eagles game, where he scored a corner try with his one touch. He will now sort through his visa papers before heading off to play with Glasgow Warriors.
Naiyaravoro bears comparison with Jonah Lomu by reason of his height (1.94cms), weight (125 kg), speed, and power. He also has good hands, and can hurt in defence; his crunching tackle on Blues winger Frank Halai in this year’s Super rugby tournament was both clinical and emphatic.
Purists will say that he has some things to learn about positional play, is slow to turn, and needs to extend his repertoire of evasive skills. But he’s been playing rugby half his life, and is no newbie Sam Burgess.
There’s been a lot of talk about the Wallabies being outmuscled in the tight five. But if Naiyarovolo isn’t picked on the wing, opponents will be quietly planning to outmuscle the Wallabies out wide, too.
Earlier this year I interviewed Michael Cheika, and in the course of our chat asked him about Naiyaravoro’s fate.
“He’s not going anywhere,” Cheika said.
“I know how to keep him. I’ll make you a small wager that he will be playing his rugby in Australia next year.”
Well it will be a tragedy if he’s not!
It’s not only a question of how to keep him in Australian rugby; it’s how to utilise him in the World Cup. And here I remember a conversation with Robbie Deans, also in the course of a journalistic interview.
I asked Deans if Australian backline play had become too dependent on ball movement and footwork, when sometimes you just need a bloke who can run over the top of another few blokes.
Deans agreed, saying it was important to have line breakers and line benders in the backline, and he was moving in that direction. He used the example of Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.
Naiyaravoro wasn’t on the scene then. He’s new to it even now. But the thought of him running off Kuridrani would make a dramatic impact to the look, feel and psychology of the Wallabies, even before the first blow of the whistle.
It would make for a more balanced side. With genuine threats out wide, whoever plays fly-half will also find space opening up, as defences spread, for the short pass and the inside pass to straight runners and loose forwards.
Naiyaravoro is young, just 23, and a work in progress.
But remember that Lomu was just 20, with only two All Black caps to his name when he tore through the 1995 World Cup like a cannonball.
Cheika clearly appreciates the importance of height, heft and physical dominance, for Will Skelton possesses these attributes, together with a decent pass for a big man: although his effectiveness is limited by his inability to get a good pass away in contact.
Cheika needs a monster running at speed down the sideline, as well as one powering away in the engine-room; and Naiyaravoro is the real deal just waiting for the ARU to make him a good deal.
Speight is the other. He doesn’t quite have his fellow Fijian’s physical presence, but he makes up for it with athleticism and vibrancy.
David Campese said in a column last weekend for the London Daily Telegraph: “I think Australia have a decent chance but I would say we are about a year off being a really good team.”
He’s right. In a year’s time Naiyaravoro, if handled cleverly, will be playing on one Wallaby wing and Henry Speight on the other; and that’s the year we’ll reel in the Bledisloe.
For a number of reasons Cheika may be thinking that they are not quite ready yet. They need to be made ready.
Luke Slattery is a freelance writer, editor and journalist. He has written for The Australian, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Monthly, among many others.
Mel R
Roar Rookie
Nice comments guys.Could I just say that in Australia there are so many competing codes with union.If we played NH rugby here where do you think the fans would go??? Cheiks and Mckenzie have always tried to produce a team with a bit of everything, just like the way it way back in the amateur days.If its attractive and winning rugby the fans will come, thats where the buck stops....and starts of course ;)
Shane D
Roar Rookie
This would be the same Lomu who nearly missed the cut for the 1995 RWC squad as he was unfit? That AB professional system was really humming alright.
Dave_S
Guest
Peter, I agree we need to focus other than on having the best wingers in the world, but re "northern hemisphere Tests are all decided in the TIGHT 5", we don't have to play the so-called NH style of game. Generally the Wallaby way is to establish sufficient parity in the tight 5 to then outscore them through tries from the back line. Rugby will die in the a&se in this country if we try to market a tight 5 oriented style. For better or worse, the typical Australian fan wants more razzle-dazzle than that.
Connor33
Guest
Yep, I agree. Perhaps more a finisher than creator, but you need a good mix of both. His work off the ball in defense is exceptional as he plays at 13 in the line for the Tahs and Wallabies.
Dave_S
Guest
I certainly rate SK (a rare delight for us Reds fans this year) but I still hold out hope that, next year, one K Hunt will be settled as a Wallaby 12 or 15 (Izzy to the wing).
Dave_S
Guest
I'm not sure what's belittling about it. @Super-Human "Lomu in this day and age would be even more of a beast. The training the AB’s would have had him in would have given him an amazing skill-set". It's a very interesting issue to consider. It seems to be settled science that there is a limit on human physiological improvement - we've seen significant gains over the last several decades, but no-one seriously thinks we're going to see 100m run in 5 sec or teams of 10 foot tall basketballers. Jonah was already a physical freak - but would he have been significantly better today with the aid of better science? The ABs can only dream ...
Dave_S
Guest
Connor33 and Drak, I have tempered my view in light of your submissions in reply, see above. Unless Your Honour has further questions, the applicant closes it's case :)
Dave_S
Guest
In hindsight perhaps I've been a little harsh dragging AAC into it - I just youtubed a highlights reel and there is some nice work from him over the years. I certainly would have him in the side, after Izzy and along with TK he is one of the few clear picks - every side needs a Mr Reliable and AAC fits that bill very nicely. But most of his best work is (good) finishing rather than creating - perhaps my memory is a bit selective - and ultimately my point is simply that I would like to see more of the half chances turned into scores. As I indicate below, I'm constantly surprised at the relatively mundane skill sets of our full-time very highly paid Aus back line "stars" when compared to so many of their club-level cousins in league. Passing, catching, footwork (and I think even even field vision) can all be enhanced thru training, we don't seem to do enough of it. The fact that we can't settle on a skilful, clever and consistent Wallaby 9-10-12 combination is an indictment on rugby development in this country. I said below I've always rated Mitchell as a finisher, I was very sad to see him go and very happy to see him now available.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The Wallabies have two tests in NZ next season: 27 August 2016 v Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington 22 October 2016 v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland For some reason, Eden Park is being used for the third Bledisloe test and not the Rugby Championship. Anyway, you might be a year out on your prediction.
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
Another silly article continuing the Aussie obsession with backs they don't need. The penny never drops with many people that northern hemisphere Tests are all decided in the TIGHT 5. Aust has more than enough fire power in the backs & the big N has done nothing more than score a few good tries in Super Rugby against lower ranked teams. He's not picked for this RWC because he didn't deserve it.
soapit
Guest
they are different in that all nations have learned techniques to at least attempt at big fast men. think of lumos game against ireland where he was swatting them away like they were under 7's. they just had no idea how to stop him.. just wou.dnt happen now doesnt mean much tho. you only pay who they put against you at the time.
the french
Roar Rookie
Thanks Luke. A good little observation. Saw Naiyarovolo earlier in the year play in Melbourne vs the Rebels and he did a Lomu on the rebels backline. He single handedly destroyed them. You are spot on in saying that if we need someone who would keep backliners up at night, that a him. He is huge, seemed quite fast and looks to me ready to play for the WBs in the RWC. So to me he should be in the team instead of Speight especially if he s out of form. He would be a good sub for Mitchell or AAC. Get him in the last 20 min and he would carve open any defence.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
lack of speed in the backline is an issue, I still think Speight should be picked, he was average in Chicago but he's no outside centre. Given the backline is uncertain, combinations are important. I would start with this group against Fiji. Genia Cooper AAC Toomua Kuridriani Speight Izzy
AJ
Guest
I agree, I think we will field a better team at the next RWC. That said, let's have a go, we're not expected to make the finals, get up it!
somer
Guest
It's the Pacific Island teams who do most of the poaching. Half of the Samoan team is made up of Kiwis.
Noodles
Guest
Very ordinary???? Mitchell and AAC are world class finishers who we've seen go round, past and over many an opponent. Speight is untested and Tomane needs to improve his handling and position relative to the ball carrier. But it would seem to me that - assuming our forwards can get reliable, consecutive possessions on the front foot - we also have Folau and Kuridrani offering sixe and great lines inside our wings. And, if all goes well, Giteau and Toomua will be doing clever, challenging things in close. In any case of all of this is a third order issue if we dont smash people up front and handle/kick the ball with intelligence.
chucked
Guest
connor33, agree with you on Two dads cooper- he's in the team for exactly the same reasons Conrad Smith is in the team...experience and a cool head. that's needed in the centre position
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Ben deserves his spot ...Cheika should punch himself for not giving him game time with the Tahs..Ben NEVER waned to play for Fiji...he only did it because then he won't be a 'foreigner' in NZ as island capped players are treated as locals in NZ super rugby teams..the Fiji team named is not the BEST...there are 3 players in the 23 that should NOT be in the 31 member squad..
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
nah naivalu is eligible around February 2017....
Stray Gator
Guest
Hey Luke! Thanks for your piece. And welcome to the Roar. Used to buy the Oz just for your column. FWIW, I agree with your overall sentiment - not sure we quite have the fear factor thing happening. TN may have delivered that. Still, my gripes are far fewer than I feared they might be, this time 12 months ago. I reckon the boys will do us all proud.