Halfbacks Nick Phipps, Nic Stirzaker and Nick Frisby have three Super Rugby games to impress Wallabies coach Michael Cheika before the three-Test series against England.
The Waratahs’ Phipps has the Bulls at Allianz, the Crusaders in Christchurch, and the Chiefs at Allianz, three tough games that are must wins if the Waratahs are to top the Australian Conference to automatically qualify for the finals.
Rebels captain Stirzaker, born in England to South African parents, qualifies to play for all three countries, but a Wallabies berth tops his bucket list. The Rebels have the Brumbies and Force at home, with the Chiefs away in between.
The very talented Queensland Reds’ Frisby has the Crusaders and Hurricanes away, and the Sunwolves at home.
A fourth Nic, as in White, is playing at Montpellier with his former Brumbies coach Jake White in charge, but with only 22 Wallabies caps is well short of the “Giteau rule” 60 caps to be recalled.
But the only non-Nick halfback – Will Genia – has 66 caps and is well to the fore in Cheika’s thinking to be in the Wallabies squad to meet England at Suncorp on June 11, AMMI Stadium on June 18, and Allianz on June 25.
Genia’s changed his mind, having called halt to his international career after the World Cup.
“I’m only 27, and I was really impressed with Michael Cheika and the way he had the whole World Cup squad working as one – I want to be a part of that again,” he recently said.
Cheika has tough decisions to make with the No.9 jersey.
All things being equal, Phipps would have the inside running with his long-term pivotal partnership with Bernard Foley, who will definitely be the No.10.
Phipps has the natural ability to cement the berth, providing he stops being a traffic cop organising his backline, and chirping with referees.
Just get in there and service the backline with speed and accuracy, and stop the referee from regularly calling “use it”.
Stirzaker and Frisby are genuine contenders, giving Cheika alternatives if either Phipps or Genia are injured. But it’s a Phipps-Genia, or Genia-Phipps combination which will bring back memories for Genia.
When he first cracked the Reds halfback job in 2007, Eddie Jones was his coach, now coaching England.
And while the Wallabies halfback head-to-heads will prove interesting, nothing could possibly match the coaching head-to-head between Cheika and Jones – two hard-nosed Randwick orientated mentors.
Fireworks come to mind. Don’t be surprised if one tells the other to get nicked.
Vesi Tagoiaega
Guest
He didn't win the RWC with the old players he had too which mean old heads or new he will still get the same results hope he doesn't end up like Ewen Mckenzie all talks but no substance
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Likewise I can only assumed you missed the game where Fekitoa was absolutely skinned by Kerevi.
Fox
Roar Guru
"NZ centre combination this year is the weakest it will ever be" You are kidding right? You must have missed that game this season between the Highlanders and the Brumbies where Fekitoa skinned Kuridirani to put Ben Smith in for a try and Fekitoa outplayed him in that game and especially in the second half. Charli Ngatai will be 12 I suspect and he has been the form 12 of the comp so far in my opinion, Has bagged four tries in one game alone this season and he is very complete footballer. Better than any 12 here in Australia right now. He pretty much has no weaknesses in his game and it takes 3 or 4 player to get him to ground sometimes in a front on tackle. He has superb vision, Strong defender and he is deceptively quick with a brilliant step, So I think you are kidding yourself there my friend and they have plenty of world class back up as well Genia is past his use by date as first choice half back for a number of reasons - bench only for me
Jack
Guest
Don't have to be better than Carter and Nonu. Just better the Foley and Beale - a much easier task
bennalong
Guest
Are you asking why Big Kev was dropped by McKenzie? Or why he wasn't chosen for the World Cup? He was brought back by Cheika. He didn't choose him for the World Cup. Genia was brought back by Cheika too. He went to the World Cup. Bias? Pfffft!
Mel R
Guest
lol
John R
Guest
The only logical discrepancy I can think of is that Fox is reporting on total metres run, where Vodacom is reporting metres run past the gain line? Either way, Fox is putting their reputation on the line publishing these stats on a weekly basis, so I can't imagine they'd take that too lightly. And by the same token, nor would Vodacom/ESPN
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
http://www.espn.com.au/rugby/playerstats?gameId=276541 ESPN also has 19 meters. As I noted, ESPN and Vodacom have the same stats generally. Vodacom claims theirs are provided by Opta: https://rugbyfromawheelchair.com/2014/03/03/download-the-vodacom-super-rugby-stats-app-now/ Not sure where Fox Sports Fantasy stats align, though I have heard a lot of conjecture in the past about Fox Sports Fantasy stats and their accuracy.
jason
Guest
So why was HORWILL dropped?? ,BIG KEV redeemed himself?? Clear bias mate....He wanted DOUGLAS SKELTON and MUMM..
John R
Guest
Kerevi is going to be mortified that he missed out on his coveted back row and front row positions, seeing as that nasty 'Checks' has picked some Waratahs ahead of him for those positions. Good call Len.
jason
Guest
He will pick Douglas, because he is a NEW SOUTH WELSHMAN and a former TAH..
Len
Guest
Well you might be in for a rude shock Jeznez regarding checka being conservative in his selections,Word on the street is that Checks will select Jed Holloway and Tom Robertson from the TAHS for the JUNE SERIES.. That is a slap in the face for Kerevi who was the best centre by a mile in OZ in 2015 and was this year till he broke his hand against the CHEETAHS...
John R
Guest
Mate if that's the case then I'm all for it, if Frisby is really better then let's get him in there, and get him plenty of minutes before making him our starter. As for the Vodacom stats though, I'm not sure how they are so different. I grabbed my stats from the Fox Sports website (http://www.foxsports.com.au/fantasy), which are provided by Opta (at least Fox Sports are listed as a client on Opta's website). The stats from that website are consistent with what they publish for the Fox Sports Labs team of the week as well. I'm not sure who provides Vodacom with their statistics? Given the varying data you've provided, it's clear they aren't coming from the same source though :D If we look at James Slipper as well. Round 11 - Vodacom says he ran for 19 metres, Fox is saying he ran for 53 metres - http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/fox-sports-lab-selects-its-super-rugby-team-of-the-week-for-round-11/news-story/73eda98406bf7fa2624867238e94eee4 If they (Vodacom) prove to be more accurate though, then I'm all for it, and I'll be going there from now on.
taylorman
Guest
Yes and I think NM Skudder is well back by then...sooo... NMS, Mackenzie, B Smith, Dagg, Naholo, Fekitoa, Crotty, SBW, Ngatai, Savea all options fro 12-15 by then... 10 players for 5 positions...hmmm...Hansen may as well toss a coin.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Give it a rest. Really. He could be accused of being conservative probably but that is plain silly. Are you telling me he wouldn't now pick Douglas as he is playing for Qld? Also, it's Cheika.
jarijari
Guest
David, definitely Stirzaker and Frisby should be on trial against the Poms. Genia looks like he can't cut it any more and Phipps is a bit dodgy. Let's see how good these blokes are.
soapit
Guest
i'll take our 13 options thanks
Not Bothered
Guest
If SBW goes to Rio he can and probably will play in the RC because the RC is still being played 11 weeks after Rio Olympic 7s have finished.
Not Bothered
Guest
SBW, Ngatai, Fekitoa, Crotty. All would start for Australia. If anyone thinks NZ will be weak in the centres then they dont understand rugby imo.
bennalong
Guest
Agree Peter but Genia is slower than Phipps too In fact Phipps's perceived deficiencies (or areas in which he 'could do better') in passing, running breakls and kicking may all come from his time under Cheik Mind you I don't think Genia is going to be up for test rugby