On the eve of the Rugby World Cup 2015 opener, I found my mind racing in bed. I was thinking about Michael Cheika’s Wallabies and their chances.
To be specific, I was thinking about all of the talent left behind that couldn’t be squeezed into the 31-man squad.
By the end of the tossing and turning I had selected a Wallabies third XV that I’d like to share, just for the hell of it.
Front row: Faulkner Hanson Weeks
Second row: Carter Horwill
Back row: Higginbotham Vaea GillHalves: White Leiilifano
Centres: Kerevi Hunt
Wings: O’Connor Cummins
Fullback: MoggReserves: Robinson Fainga’a Alexander Butler Arnold Jones Stirzaker Debreczini
We can debate ad nauseam – and have done so already – about the pros and cons of Cheika’s inclusions and exclusions, but I think we can all agree that this hypothetical team looks pretty decent.
With these players, many of whom look to be available for selection next season, combined with a lot of great talent currently getting around in the NRC, the depth of Australian rugby looks strong.
In the meantime, I am sure Cheika’s Wallabies will do us proud in England. No doubt both England and Fiji will improve after that scratchy first game but I am feeling confident that the Wallabies’ first XV will beat both of them in the pool matches.
The theoretical ‘thirds’ would also have given it a red hot go if they had been given the chance.
Depth has, for a long time, been pointed to as one of the main problems with Wallabies rugby. However, this side shows the degree of talent that the Australia has – and has left on Australian shores.
Unlucky omissions
Inman, English, Hodgson, Neville, Dennis, Timani, Naiyalarovo, Wykes, Cotterell, Smiler, Morahan, Haylett-Petty, Harrris
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