Michael Cheika has challenged one-cap Wallabies lock Adam Coleman to “make a name for himself” and grab the opportunity he says incumbent Rob Simmons has let slip.
Coleman will start alongside Kane Douglas in the second row for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand – the fifth lock combination fielded by Australia this year.
It comes after the All Blacks picked apart the Wallabies lineout during last week’s 42-8 drubbing in Sydney, prompting Cheika to dump chief play caller Simmons, recall Scott Fardy from the bench and give Coleman a second bite at international rugby.
Coleman, 24, made his Wallabies debut off the bench in Australia’s third Test defeat to England back in June and now gets the chance to make the position his own.
“It’s a big deal for him, he’s coming up against some pretty handy players,” Cheika said.
“But I back him, he’s a very good young player and this will be the start of something for him.
“It’ll be also a chance for him to make a name for himself.
“We’re trying to find that (lock) combination, obviously.
“That’s up to players to stand up and say ‘this is the position I have, I want to keep it’.”
Simmons, meanwhile, has been dropped by Cheika for the second time in three months, this time banished to the National Rugby Championship to find some form.
The 27-year-old will make his NRC debut for Queensland Country against the University of Canberra on Saturday.
“He’s clear on the criteria we’ve spoken about,” Cheika said.
“Now it’s someone else’s opportunity. His (next) opportunity won’t come until he gets to play a bit of footy.”
riddler
Guest
spot on twas.. we agree on this one.. he is far from the problem in the piggies..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's the best line exponent in Australia, and regularly has one of the highest work rates in the team (runs/rucks/tackles). He has his weaknesses but also has his strengths and fills a role.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Line outs account for 50% of test tries... Another genius comment from you...
Mike the Oz
Guest
Absolutely agree. Cheika has targeted a few interesting individuals. Arnold, Sio, Simmons, Kerevi. Yet players who's for is incredibly poor and are costing us dearly such as Foley, Moore, TK and previously Phipps were/are still heavily supported and in the side/squad. It stinks a little bit. And I believe he is doing long term damage to Foley by playing him so out of form.
Daz
Guest
I don't know what Simmons has done to Cheika? For mine Simmons doesn't show enough mongrel but he's still an essential player and it's not his fault if Cheika only really gave him two line-out options against one of, if not the best line-out exponents in the world. I simply can't recall a Wallaby being so publicly chastised by his coach in all my years of watching rugby. I was and am a fan of Cheika but this behaviour is hardly a good demonstration of his man management skills.
Paul
Guest
Yes, it was the Waratahs that broke his nose and got it all infected..
PeterK
Roar Guru
I do not want Mumm in the side. However to be fair he was one of the better performers for the wallabies in the drubbing they got. Never said he was good mind you, just in the top half of wallaby players that night
Martin Roche
Roar Rookie
Yes the issues seem to surround a tahs-centric view of the Aus rugby scene. McMahon is still not starting and he has showed himself to be a great defender and carrier.
Squirrel
Guest
Lineouts are overrated, and Simmons is crap at them and cannot run it up. Qld come last for a reason. Their forwards are soft.
Rebellion
Guest
This selection shows why Cheika will ultimately be a failure as an international coach. He is too in love with hos old Tahboys Hooper, Douglas, Phipps, Foley, Mumm and previously Palu to ever consider dropping them. I'd particularly like to know how Dean Mumm has survived and the little midget remains immovable at 7.
Hello
Roar Rookie
I dont think some people realize how difficult ian be to call lineouts. When everything is going right it is easy and anyone can do it, but when under pressure and calling defensive lineouts your caller can make a real difference. Agree Simmons has no ball carrying ability that I have seen and he needs to work on his entire offensive game.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Surely the elephant in the room is Will Skelton on the bench! My god, what has that player done to deserve a call up?? He's had a poor season and played terribly against the poms. We need speed, power and discipline at the breakdown and instead we get Skelton and Mumm. Meanwhile Timani and Arnold sit in the stands.
Chivas
Guest
No, he takes fall for being a blouse.
The Desert Nut
Roar Rookie
It's about time. For a lock forward, Simmons has repeatedly struggled to get over the gain line, getting knocked backwards by men a foot shorter than him. How hard is it to train one of the locks to call the line out properly? I think if Coleman is able to get the line out functioning reasonably well on Saturday we won't see Simmons back in the line up anytime soon. I am a fan of Douglas. I thought he was one of our stronger players during the world cup, so hopefully he can start to provide more grunt as he gets used to playing rugby again after his injury layoff.
Timbo (L)
Guest
Urrgh, So, the line out was horribly understaffed due to poor selection and Simmons takes the fall for it?
Xiedazhou
Guest
Its hard to believe that Cheika is not biased. Simmons has hardly been the worst Wallaby performer over the last 5 Tests, yet he is the guy singled out by Cheika. Kerevi too was made the back-line scapegoat. Meanwhile Foley remains in the starting team, and Mumm in the side. No doubt Horne would be there also, if not for injury.