After the Wallabies’ preliminary 39-man squad for the England series was announced, large sections of the media focussed on the possibility of Karmichael Hunt donning a gold jersey.
I understand the appeal of Hunt’s story. The prospect an athlete could reach the pinnacle in three different sports is amazing. In fact, just being selected in the squad proves that Hunt is a superbly gifted athlete.
The truth is though Karmichael Hunt should not be in the match-day squad for the Wallabies. Looking at the current squad, he’s my third choice fullback.
Instead of picking Hunt, I would like the selectors to reward Australia’s form fullback, the Western Force’s Dane Haylett-Petty.
The Force fullback has been a stand-out performer in a dismal team. The stats prove this. In the first 11 rounds of the competition Haylett-Petty’s carried the ball 137 times for 786 metres. He’s made eight clean breaks, beaten 35 defenders. He has contributed an impressive 11 try assists.
His numbers are far better than Hunt’s, who has only carried the ball 549 metres and has made five clean breaks.
While Hunt started the season brightly, his form has dipped in recent weeks. A groin injury has also hindered his progress. Based on his performances this year, I would not feel confident if he was the Wallaby number 15.
Numbers are not everything; I like what Haylett-Petty would bring to the Wallabies. He’s got a big boot and is a solid defender. He’s also excellent under the high ball; nullifying a potential area England will look to attack.
Haylett-Petty’s fine season is in stark contrast with his provincial side. Not only are they worst attacking team in the competition, but the Force’s risible performance against the Blues shows they bottle it in tight contests too. It makes Haylett-Petty’s form even more impressive.
Selecting him at fullback would also free up Folau to play in the centres. I was initially sceptical of the move, but the former fullback is relishing getting his hands on the ball more.
Friday’s clash against the Chiefs showed Folau at his devastating best.
The former number 15 scored two tries, made seven tackle busts, three line-breaks, four offloads and ran an immense 213 metres. He terrorised the Chiefs. Imagine if he replicated that sort of form against England?
It would be carnage.
When Folau is in this kind of form he should be in a position to touch the ball as much as possible, and playing as a centre allows him to do that.
I understand Michael Cheika may wish to be more conservative. Folau will do a solid job at 15; and he may want to stick with a centre pairing with Wallaby experience, like Tevita Kuridrani and Christian Lealiifano.
I don’t think Kuridrani’s form warrants Wallaby selection, and I would seriously consider Samu Kerevi instead if Cheika wanted to keep Folau at fullback. However, I understand why the Wallabies coach would err on the side of caution for a big series against England.
But I would urge Cheika to be bold. Haylett-Petty’s excellent form means moving Folau would not be as big of a risk. And I always like to see the national selectors reward in-form players.
Hunt may be a Wallaby in waiting, but if it were up to me, he would be waiting just a little bit longer.
RobC
Roar Guru
Maybe the NZ WAL game will be like people who play my golf with me. Single handicapers, end up with tennis scores.
RobC
Roar Guru
Here's some stats for DHP and K: K runs more metres / carry, a higher pass ratio, more offloads: - DHP ran 146 times. 852m (12 games) => 5.8m / run - K ran 75 times. 549m (10 games, 1 game playing #13) => 7.3m / run - K offloads every 9 carries. DHP does it every 12. - DHP has 1 pass per two carries. K has 1 pass per carry - K has 2 try assists. DHP has 1 Where DHP clearly leads K in tackle and line breaks: - He does 1 in 4.4 carries - K? 1 in 3.2 carries Whats the diff?, imo: - K whilst himself is a strike weapon. - He is surrounded by and leverages other strike weapons, thus less runs per game - DHP is the strike weapon. Leverages less on others. - The biggest diff -> DHP is fit. K has an groin injury he cant shake
Jerry
Guest
To be pedantic, the RC didn't exist in 2011.
bazza
Guest
England 2-1 probably unless : Kerevi must be selected at 12 or 13, we will then have two world class outside backs and have a good chance. I await Chiekas massive call..
Jason
Guest
I agree with ken We scraped home in Brisbane in the 79 min against SA. We won a game in Sydney against AB`S ,then get smashed the next week in NZ. We didn't play in SA. We scraped home against Scotland. Couldn`t score a try against Wales. We struggled against Fiji to score a 4th try. We got belted in the RWC final... We have gone backwards buddy.
ken
Guest
And won what trophy that we haven't won before?? 2011 we won the RC ??? What have they won that we we haven't won for a while my little namesake under Chieka ??? ????
SP
Guest
Get off your self-righteous high horse. Hunt wasn't a dealer. He bought some charlie a couple of times for some willing friends. Big deal
JJ
Guest
I've written to Mel above - he was never convicted of "drug dealing" so it's best to look at the facts. Possession of a class A drug - guilty. Made a mistake, paid for it, worked the proverbial to prove it was a one-off mistake and has earned his reward. I suggest there are people on high horses, throwing stones (to mix my metaphors)
JJ
Guest
Mel I think the notion that he's a "drug dealer" is a little bit overwrought. He had drugs yes, and he intended to distribute them to friends at an end of season party but he's hardly Pablo Escobar. Also, by your logic, how many people are bad role models. Kurtley Beale, Julian Savea, Zac Guildford - the list goes on. All have had off-field dramas, but most people realise that this is real life - people go through ups and downs and hopefully come through it for the better. That for me is a role model
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
England looked good
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Ken, what games were you watching? They grew an arm and a leg to win Bled test, then the Quad-Nations, then every game at the World Cup, but one. A damn good effort from a coach who was part time till end of Super season. If you don't see that as punching above your weight, then you don't follow the game closely.
Jason
Guest
9 Phipps 10 Foley 11 Kerevi 12 Hunt 13 KurIndrani 14 IZZY POP 15 Tom Petty
ken
Guest
" Cheika has this uncanny knack of getting players to grow an arm and a leg when they pull on their national colours " That didn't work in the Bledisloe cup or Rugby world cup.....
ken
Guest
Savea made the AB`S
Jerry
Guest
Cause he's not quick for an outside back. He's not slow, but he's not quick. Ben Smith is a quick fullback. Cory Jane is a slow wing. NMS isn't particularly fast either. Folau is just average for pace.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Did anyone see the Wales vs England game? NZ must be laughing if that is the Welsh team. England looked good but its so difficult to say just how good as Wales were pretty pathetic.
Jerry
Guest
He might be as quick as Fatty Po Po current version of Savea, but Savea smoked him for pace in a Bled a few years ago chasing a kick.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
I don't think TN is qualified for the June series. More likely E.Nabuli or T.Kuridrani depending on who is best at right wing.
Jerry
Guest
I don't think either of those are great examples, to be honest. On the first, Ben Smith actually did catch up to him but just too late. On the second, it was actually on his 10m line and there was no real chase other than one guy who had to turn. I'd back a lot of forwards to have run that one in.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Folau burned off the AB off an intercept on the WB 20 m line a few years back. He ran 80 m with no-one near him. Also in last years Bled in Auckland (I think) Folau caught a kick on his 25 and motored all the way to a try. He may not be express pace but he definitely has speed. With regards to D.McKenzie, he has fabulous acceleration to his top pace, but like Folau is not express.