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Michael Cheika has announced a 36-man train on squad ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship, with most of the squad having featured in last year’s Rugby World Cup.
27 players to be exact.
But as we look at the next four-year cycle, towards Rugby World Cup 2019, what does the future hold for the Wallabies?
There has been a lot of debate that Australia lacks player depth, but there is no need to panic.
There are currently six overseas players eligible under ‘Giteau’s law’, but only really two, maybe three, should be looked at heading into the next Cup; Kurtley Beale (27) and Will Genia (28).
James Horwill at 31 is a long shot, but with plenty of depth in the second row in Australia, I’d hesitate to call him up. Cheika apparently agrees.
Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell, both 32, may be good options this year through to next year to help develop talent. In the long-run though, there are in-form wingers ahead of them.
I struggle to see Giteau, at 33, progressing any further on the international scene after 2016. His Toulon contract is up next June, so a full retirement could be on the horizon.
But what of the talent who don’t qualify for ‘Giteau’s law’ heading overseas this year?
There are nine competent players heading abroad, with only one included in the current squad, Matt Toomua (26).
Toomua will be greatly missed, though with this move, we may finally get to see the Bernard Foley-Beale 10-12 axis – which worked so well for the Waratahs – at international level.
As for the for the remaining eight, only three have been anywhere near the Wallabies set up under Cheika: Greg Holmes (33), Joe Tomane (26) and Liam Gill (24).
Tomane and Gill are the big losses, especially with the form Gill has been in the last two years. It’s a shame he has been overlooked so many times with the stats he produces, but a two-year stint in Toulon should see him get more physical, which is what Cheika wants.
Tomane is a fantastic attacking player who would have been a clear replacement for Mitchell, and it’s unfortunate Jake White is killing Montpellier with all the imports this season.
Holmes was left out of the recent squad as well, a call criticised by many, but at the age of 33 and a stint at Exeter, I’d praise Cheika for looking to the future in Tom Roberston so soon, rather than leaving it to 2017 after Holmes has gone.
Luke Jones (25) is another strong prospect we lose to Europe, but again, like Gill, he could be back in time for 2019. Perhaps Jones should have left it a little later in announcing his departure. I’m sure that’s been a massive influence for the Wallaby selectors.
That leaves us with Dave Dennis (30) and Jake Schatz (26), the latter of whom is out of a contract at the Reds and probably heading overseas.
Dennis has made little impact on the international scene in recent years and Schatz has been hit by injury after injury after injury.
Mike Harris is also heading north, and at the age of 28 he could have been a possibility in the Wallabies environment. However with younger players developing, on top of Quade Cooper’s return, Harris would have found it hard to get back in the Wallabies squad.
So who is going to replace these players? There is more than enough talent coming through to keep the Wallabies afloat, with at least two up-and-comers per position.
Loosehead prop
Allan Alaalatoa (24) – Included in the current squad, but being behind Scott Sio and James Slipper, it’s difficult to see him getting much – if any – game time this season.
Les Makin (24) – Can play on either side of the scrum, which not many players in Australia can do.
There’s also Pettowa Paraka (22), who stepped up to the mark when filling in for James Slipper at the Reds last year, likewise this year when needed.
Hooker
Andrew Ready (23) – The obvious choice and is the in-form Australian hooker right now. He’ll be on Spring tour later this year, especially with two mid-week matches to be announced.
I fear he’ll be dropped to the bench when Stephen Moore heads to Suncorp Stadium next season, which could either make Ready a better player competing with the Wallabies captain, or massively damage his development.
Tolu Latu (23) – Has already been in the Wallabies environment, in 2014, and was probably fourth choice last year, but injury at the start of the season has seen Hugh Roach (23) really step up to the mark.
Tighthead prop
Tom Robertson (21) – Possibly second-choice tighthead in the Wallabies this year, pending on where Cheika sees Toby Smith. The worrying factor is how Daryl Gibson balances his development, with Sekope Kepu returning to the Waratahs so soon.
Taniela Tupou (20) and Sam Talakai (24) – Both are of the same standard and maybe not quite ready for the Wallabies, but with Holmes leaving the Reds, both have a point to prove in the NRC to earn the starting number 3 jersey at Queensland next season.
Locks
Lukhan Tui (19) – A very physical player who needs another year or so, but being in the same squad as Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas should see him improve vastly, especially under the guidance of Brad Thorn.
With Simmons out of contract at the end of 2017, he is one player we could let go while he is still young enough to represent the Wallabies and is eligible under ‘Giteau’s law’.
Tom Staniforth (21) and Blake Enever (24) – Ones to watch at the Brumbies as strong young talent.
Jed Holloway (23) – Played mostly at 8 this year, and pushed Wycliff Palu out of the starting XV many times, but the second row is more suited to his qualities.
Blindside
Jack Dempsey (22) – Possesses great ball-carrying abilities, which, other than Sean McMahon, the Wallabies lack.
Jordy Reid (24) – can play at 6 or 7. Is stronger over the ball when at 7, but a great ball carrier at 6.
Openside
Sean McMahon – It’s hard to believe that he’s still only 21 and has nine caps to his name, but he’s definitely the form 7 in Australia this season, off the back of a great World Cup last year.
Colby Fainga’a (25) – Still needs time to develop, but is one to watch at the Rebels.
Number 8
Lopeti Timani (25) – Can play 4, 5, 6 or 8, but his ball carrying and line-out abilities mean he’s more suited for number 8. He plays like a younger Palu, and I think Cheika see’s him in this role.
Michael Wells (23) – Had a strong performance when Jarrad Butler got moved to 7 with David Pocock injured. We should see more of him next year with Pocock on a sabbatical.
Ross Haylett-Petty (22) – Has a point to prove come NRC time, but has been a flickering light at a struggling Western Force side.
Rob Leota – Keep an eye on 19-year-old Leota at the Rebels. This beast of a player made his Super Rugby debut in 2016.
Scrum half
Nick Frisby (23) has two international caps already and made the final cut for the Rugby Championship. Probably should be Genia’s deputy but I fear Nick Phipps will be ahead of him, and may even start.
Nic Stirzaker (25) hasn’t shot too many bullets this year, but based on his 2015 form is one for the near future.
Joe Powell (22) hasn’t really had a chance this year, being stuck behind Tomas Cubelli, but Cheika sees something in him. His passing from the floor is spot on, he just needs to develop his running game.
Fly half
Jack Debreczeni (23) – Came into a bit a form in the latter stages of the season. He’ll hopefully return to his 2015 form during the NRC to push for a spot on the Spring tour.
Jake McIntyre (22) – A consistent player at the Reds this year, but with midfield combinations changing most weeks, it’s difficult to gain any confidence or form. He will probably drop to the bench if Quade Cooper returns next season.
Centre
Reece Hodge (21) – Can play wing, inside centre and fullback. He made the final cut in June with the Wallabies and is in the current train-on squad, and I guarantee he will be on the Spring Tour for those mid-week matches.
I just hope they find a constant position for him, otherwise he could end up like Mike Harris, being moved around every week, hurting any sort of development, or a chance in the international arena.
Kyle Godwin – Still only 23, and with a move to the Brumbies on the horizon, it’s now or never for Godwin with Toomua out of contention come 2017.
Henry Taefu (23) – Played well in his final few games for the Reds and has a fantastic boot on him for tactical kicking and at the posts.
Samu Kerevi (22) – Do I need to explain? Number 13 is his position, not 12. Regardless, he will probably remain in the Wallabies squad for the rest of the year, and hopefully Stephen Larkham and Mick Byrne can develop his passing and kicking game to be an option at 12.
David Horwitz (21) – Played 12 at the start of the season in place of Bernard Foley (Beale was at 10) and played really well, shame he got dropped so easily, but an option at 13 and 10 as well.
Sione Tuipulotu (19) – One to watch at the Rebels, a fantastic physical specimen with great pace and a real bolter for the future.
Wing
Tom English (25) – Been in and around the Wallabies squad in the last two or so years but never been given a chance. Hopefully his defensive abilities shown in the later stages of the season will see him finally get a cap.
James Dargaville (24) – Needs to come looking for the ball more often, he has great pace, just confidence an issue leaving the wing. With Tomane gone, he’ll be more of a consistent starter.
Sefanaia Naivalu (24) – Will probably be capped this year as soon as he is eligible in September, surprised there was no mention of him by Cheika yesterday.
Chris Kuridrani (24) – Doesn’t have great deal of pace, but he’s a great tackler. Saying that, I’ve been made aware he suffered from a nasty ankle injury earlier in the year, so hopefully he’s fit and ready to go in 2017.
Fullback
Andrew Kellaway (20) – Took the Waratahs number 15 jersey and made it his own this year. I expect to see Folau remain at 13 next year and Kellaway at 15.
Brett McKay expressed his fear that Kellaway’s development could be dampened with the way the Waratahs move their team around in attack and defence.
I share the same fear, that with Kellaway defending on the wing, he’s not going to get any sort of clearance practice in a real game situation.
Jonah Placid – Another option, at just 21 he hasn’t had a great deal of chances at the Rebels, but if you look at how he played for the U/20s last year, he should defiantly get a chance next year.
So guys, who have I missed, and what would your ‘up and coming’ starting XV be?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.