Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has shown his hand by naming his best 23 for the World Cup opener against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium, with the kick-off live on Fox Sports and Gem at 1.30am on Thursday.
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Thankfully the normally fearless Cheika has not been reckless, as he proved to be at Eden Park for the Bledisloe decider last month.
In that match he bumped David Pocock to the bench, sacked Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley and installed Nic White and Quade Cooper as the halves, and promoted giant lock Will Skelton to the starting line-up when he was far more effective off the bench.
Whatever possessed Cheika to make those radical changes for such a vital international are best known to Michael Cheika.
In the wash-up, the All Blacks hammered the Wallabies 41-13 to ensure the double drought of Bledisloe-Eden Park continues for another year – and White didn’t even make the World Cup squad.
On the credit side, by the time the Fiji clash is done and dusted, Cheika’s top 23 will have collectively passed the 1000-cap barrier – that’s a wealth of priceless experience as Fiji is about to find out.
That’s not for one moment underestimating Fiji’s rugby ability, nor their ability to create havoc up front with a strong pack that won 11 turnovers to just four against England.
One thing the Wallabies forwards must do is hunt as a pack, and not fracture as England did. There are 351 caps in the Wallabies pack, and having played a lot together they wouldn’t be likely to fracture.
Nor should the Wallabies underestimate the size and pace of the Fijian backline that boasts a livewire half in Nikola Matawalu and behemoth winger Nemani Nadolo with his 196-centimetre, 129-kilogram frame ever ready and willing to burst through defences.
My team of three days ago had only one change to the one Cheika has just named – Joe Tomane for Rob Horne.
If Nadolo plays on the right wing, Cheika’s spot on naming Horne to mark the big bloke, as his defence is much tighter than Tomane’s.
Nadolo’s scored 10 tries in his last 10 internationals, as one would expect from a Jonah Lomu lookalike. He is an awesome talent.
But where the Wallabies have it all over England is in their brilliant men in gold backrow of Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, and Pocock. They will give the Fijian backline no room to move, and be ever ready for turnover ball.
Those three will be the key to a Wallabies win to kick-start their World Cup campaign with five points, including a four-plus try bonus point.
It would be an ideal way for the Wallabies’ best 23 to be ready for the all-consuming England and Wales clashes to complete the pool program.
The team
1. Scott Sio (10 caps)
2. Stephen Moore (96)
3. Sekope Kepu (56)
4. Kane Douglas (16)
5. Rob Simmons (53)
6. Scott Fardy (24)
7. Michael Hooper vc (46)
8. David Pocock (50)
9. Will Genia (60)
10. Bernard Foley (21).
11. Rob Horne (27)
12. Matt Giteau (96)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (24)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper vc (108)
15. Israel Folau (33)
16. Tatafa Polota-Nau (54)
17. James Slipper (68)
18. Greg Holmes (18)
19. Will Skelton (12)
20. Dean Mumm (37)
21. Nick Phipps (32)
22. Matt Toomua (25)
23. Kurtley Beale (53)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Also would just be happy with the win and no injuries.
44bottles
Roar Guru
You can leave a msg for the editors if you need it out quicker. (ie. before a game starts) I think it's usually posted the next day, but send Patrick a msg, and he might be able to make it come out quicker.
Dave
Guest
Video link?
Dave
Guest
I don't boo FYI, but I understand those that do when they are baited to do so by players who's egos are bigger than their brains. Personally I think it s time to move on from such behavior.
Dave
Guest
Union, Did you not watch Foley blow a three man overlap off turnover ball against the USA? He threw a pass 10 metres forward, that bounced far short of TN before rolling into touch. Pockock will steal the ball, but Foley will not be able to use it as he lacks the skills to do so. You probably forgot this because fox barely mentioned it and didn't even use Foley's name when it happened. We heard plenty however when AAC left his wing when Quade held up three defenders to create an open run down the wing for him, but instead the ball goes into touch. Cooper is a playmaker. He creates opportunities for his team mates. He cant catch the ball for them too
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Everybody just attributed Toomua's kicks to Cooper, that's how he got the blame. Cooper's kicks were generally adequate to good. Not worthy of praise, but no fault in them.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You disagree because you miss my point. His worth ethic came from being discarded by 3 teams before arriving in Japan and realizing time was running out on his career. Look into Nadolo's own words and you'll see he even admits this. The Crusaders did not see his potential and unearth him, they picked him up after he finally knuckled down and performed consistently. The Waratahs decision was vindicated when he didn't last a full season and his next 2 teams.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Foley wasn't considered one of the best on the Spring Tour. He was criticized for our poor attack.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He came off the bench for 3 tests in 2014. He started 2 tests in 2015 and came off the bench in 2. That's 7 in total. In at least 3 of those 5 bench appearances, he did not even play at 10.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Yah, I think a bonus point is being a bit optimistic. They should win by a decent margin, but 4 tries is a big ask.
Tissot Time
Guest
Hopefully he will get the opportunity to express his full potential in the Crusaders environment like a few other unwanted journeyman have over the years.
Tissot Time
Guest
A few other unwanted journeymen have down well in Crusaders environment including Nadolo. Now Volavola will have his chance too.
Not Bothered
Guest
The ave score between Aus and Arg is 27-16. Aus has been foxing since 1979! Now thats dedication Simon.
Not Bothered
Guest
All he did was kick goals? Pffft, thanks, now I dont need to point out how ridiculous you can be. Cooper was actually good in his error riddled match in which he was yellow carded whilst giving away a penalty try, he kicked 2 whole goals. Besides it was everyone elses fault. Foley has never played well, even when he was considered one of the best players from all teams on the spring tour, all he did was kick goals. Brilliant. Now pick Cooper and blame everyone else when he su©ks again.
Not Bothered
Guest
Oh, only games where he starts count. I am amazed at how you guys can keep the Cooper excuses rolling out. Cooper has played about 9 games for Australia since 2013, not 2. Cooper fans constent deflections speak volumes. Its everyone elses fault and Cooper hasnt played anyway but thats only because of the rich dictators in NSW who plot to put Foley in there.
Birdy
Guest
Was that before or after the incident when Chris Robshaw brought a chainsaw onto the pitch and cut off his Fijian opposite number's head? I thought Robshaw deserved at least a Yellow for that.
Adrian
Roar Rookie
And again...spot on
Adrian
Roar Rookie
Right again Rugby
Adrian
Roar Rookie
Spot on Rugby
Rhys
Guest
Little harsh on Mumm, he has been our best lock this year