It will not be surprising to see Michael Cheika braving the Canberra chill to have a close look at a pair of Queensland Reds reserves this Friday night.
Kane Douglas makes a long awaited return from his World Cup Final knee injury, while Leroy Houston will begin to state his case for inclusion in the Wallabies line-up since coming back to Queensland from the UK.
Both players will most likely feature in the Rugby Championship at some stage, as it could be argued that their respective positions have been areas of perceived weakness during the England series.
For Michael Cheika, Kane Douglas brings some much needed size, impact and mongrel to the Wallabies second row.
While Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman showed glimpses of a bright future for Wallabies lock, a powerful player of Douglas’ composition would surely have added some needed muscle during the series. Sadly his cover of James Horwill was also slightly off the boil, possibly coming off an arduous European season and looking a bit fatigued.
With injuries to Ben McCalman and Dave Pocock, along with the waning impact of Wycliff Palu, if Houston can show glimpses of the line-bending force he has shown for Bath he has to come into contention for the Wallaby No 8 spot.
While Sean McMahon was gallant in his attempt to fill the important backrow spot, Cheika will surely look at other options for the gruelling Rugby Championship programme in late August.
From the icy sidelines in Canberra, Cheika will then shift focus to Tokyo where the Waratahs take on the Sunwolves. It will be perhaps an ideal game the NSW to blow some post Cook Cup cobwebs away, but also a potential danger game against unpredictable opponents.
Saturday night sees two more Wallaby contenders returning with Mike Harris and Laurie Weekes back in the mix for the Rebels against the Stormers. The Force round out the weekend for the Australian teams with their South African clash against the Cheetahs.
All in all, even if only the Brumbies and Waratahs are realistically still in this year’s Super Rugby race, the intrigue that other Australian teams will bring to Michael Cheika’s selection table should be well worth watching. No doubt we will all have much to talk about.
jutsie
Guest
I haven't been following super rugby that much this year, what happened to Fotu Auelua?
Browny
Roar Rookie
Geez I wish we toured an Aus A side as 'Junior Wallabies"... basically a development team strictly for the up and coming kids. I like what I've seen of Dempsey so far. Still very raw but there's aspects of his game that I like. Of the young kids I still think I'd prefer a back five of Arnold, Coleman, Holloway, McMahon and Timani. Got reasonably weight to the loosies plus all three can jump to varying degrees, Timani not so well obviously but he can still take a surprise one here and there. No dedicated jackal (ala Pocock, Gill, etc) but Timani and McMahon are ok and with Ready at hooker he takes some of that load too. I like your props but I'd probably also throw Tom Robertson's hat into the ring as a tighthead... he's looked pretty handy so far. Can we get Alo-Emile back? Haven't heard much since he left but i know he's been starting for Stade Francais at TH. He's still only 24 but contracted until 2018 at which point he'd become eligible for France... I'd hate to see him trotting around in Blue instead of Gold...
Squirrel
Guest
Brumbies by a cricket score
Bakkies
Guest
They've already lost Sa'a Faingaa due to the Moore move.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
I like Hooper's involvements, but they appear to less frequent than whats required. I look forward 12 - 24 months and could see a back row of 6: Dempsey, 7: McMahon and 8: Hollaway. I don't think Hollaway will be fit for the EOYT but would like to see Dempsey developed. Here is a pack that could be developed over 4 years in concert with some older heads; 1. Alan Alalaatoa 2. Andrew Ready 3. Sam Talakai 4. Adam Coleman 5. Rory Arnold 6. Jack Dempsey 7. Sean McMahon (C) 8. Jed Hollaway 16. Taniela Toupo / James Hanson 17. James Slipper / Sef Fagaase 18. Mike Alalaatoa / Tyrell Lomax 19. Blake Enever / Rob Simmons 20. Michael Hooper / David Pocock
Markus
Guest
I was also very impressed with McMahon in Sydney after a forgettable showing the week before. He could possibly be played at blindside flanker with a lineout jumping number 8, potentially 6 McMahon 7 Hooper 8 Holloway. I don't think would be a solution long term though. Really I see it being a case of McMahon or Hooper, not both.
Markus
Guest
I'm now of course realising how ludicrous it would be for any Australian team to be thinking "no thanks, we have no need for/already have too many big, fast, ball running lineout jumping number 8s in our squad".
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
"While Sean McMahon was gallant in his attempt to fill the important backrow spot, Cheika will surely look at other options for the gruelling Rugby Championship programme in late August." I thought Sean McMahon was superb in Sydney and was more deserving of the man-of-the-match than Michael Hooper. His ball running was dominant, his defence hard. His issue is where does he best fit the Wallaby puzzle? If I were Cheika I would play McMahon as #7 and look to use Hooper as impact if at all. I would like to see McMahon work in tandem with Pocock.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Fix the headline, people.
CUW
Guest
if brumbies are smart they will pick up either Higginbotham (provided he is returning) or Adam Thompson for next season. people are talking about Pocock leaving , but then he was never at 8 for brums. dont know how good the rookie 8 is but atm, they just dont have a good 8. haven't had one for many years since Vaea got injured /sick. mowen was a 6 moolighting at 8 .
Reds Tragic
Guest
Red Block - Mack Mason is injured.
PeterK
Roar Guru
If ready is not preferred and starting over moore by the end of next year he should leave. He is playing better than moore is and he is improving whilst Moore is on the decline.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I would like see Higgs at the tahs replacing Dennis and Palu.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Mason is out injured. Moore will be a mentoring bench player. Ready is the future for the Reds and Wallabies.
Dave_S
Guest
Was Moore 3 years? I thought it was only 1. I agree 3 years would be odd, he's not that good and it could only encourage Ready to look elsewhere. Hopefully he'll be used as a mentor and backup for Ready and the latter will be the run-on choice. Ready is probably the Reds biggest improver this year. Smith is surely there to bring Gunn along and/or as a place-holder for Gill's return.
Red Block
Guest
I was of the belief that the Reds were going to start blooding Mack Mason (the U20s fly-half) and then in the next year or two, they'd have two young 10s ready to play. Sadly he's not even on the bench. It also hard to believe that the Reds are re-building when they sign Moore, Smith, Douglas and Houston. It would appear they are chasing short-term success rather than building a solid base as they did in 2009. The signing of Moore for three years is particularly puzzling, given the form of Ready. Moore looked slow, angry and frustrated during the England series.
Dave_S
Guest
"Still have concerns about the 10 jersey…." yep me too Will, but what are the options? Short of Quade coming back and apart from Foley, there's so little talent around. There's barely anyone worth poaching from another Aus franchise, maybe Jono Lance? Jake Mac was starting to progress before the break, these next few games will tell I guess. Fortunately the halves combo has at least been a consistent pairing, I think there's something to be said for persistence in that part of the team.
Will W QOS
Roar Pro
Me too Left. Re: Reds Coach, the fact the Moore and now George Smith have signed is reinforcing my Laurie Fisher theory. No sure what that spells for the Reds but surely under a coach like that the forward pack will improve further. Still have concerns about the 10 jersey....
Markus
Guest
It won't happen, but I would love to see the Brumbies pick up Higginbotham as a number 8. After losing Mowen, Auelua, Vaea and soon Pocock in the last 2 seasons, what was once a Test strength back row is now looking very light.
Leftarc
Guest
Genuinely looking forward to the Reds v Brumbies game. Fresh new faces in the Reds (Tongan Thor!) vs some experienced Wallabies with some residual English hurt in the Brumbies. The Reds are already planning towards next year (A Faingaa is apparently benched), once they get the coach sorted (please anyone but Lancaster), 2017 should (emphasis on should!) be a good year for the Reds.