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There needs to be some serious rethinking in the Wallabies’ camp in terms of both cutting certain underperforming players and also in terms of long-term strategy.
To that end, I start by asking a question: “What should the purpose of the Wallabies be?”
In my mind, the answer to that question is to be the best team that they can possibly be, in the long as well as short-term; as well as being good role models and representatives of Australia.
With that in mind, I pose three central ideas
1. The current Wallabies line-up and strategy simply is not good enough, and will only continue to deteriorate in quality as an already aged team ages further;
2. Too many of our established players are either in the twilight of their careers, and will not be useful going forward (except in terms of providing experience) or simply not good enough;
3. We need to build for the future: whether or not it currently appears our young players are good enough is irrelevant. We can only make do with the players we have got.
With that in mind I suggest the following plan for the Wallabies’ future.
We should build a team with as many of our young players as possible, with the knowledge that even if we struggle for the next 12-24 months it is the only possible route to competitiveness and possible success over the mid to long-term. If we train with a young team for the next three or so years we should begin to hit our stride just as we reach the next World Cup.
We cut all underperforming players who simply are not good enough, regardless of their past experience.
We start picking the best players in their position, rather than constantly picking (often sub-par) players out of position, thereby destroying our team’s balance and especially its ability in the set pieces.
We keep only those older players who either (a) are so far and away the best player in their position that it would ridiculous to cut them or (b) their experience is needed to support the development of the young players.
In my opinion, the aim should be not to use the Giteau Law except when absolutely necessary: such as when a foreign-based player is so far and away the best choice that any alternative is laughable. Using this criteria, the only player who possibly fits the criteria right now is Will Genia.
Now, these are the players I equivocally suggest cutting (at minimum):
1. Stephen Moore: I am a big Brumbies fan, and have huge respect and thanks to Moore. He has been class in the past. Unfortunately, he has been poor in 2016, and utterly garbage in the Tests against the All Blacks (particularly at line out and scrum time). He is getting on in rugby years now, and is also a terribly unpopular captain amongst referees, and results in us simply not having a proper relationship with them. A huge thanks for all your hard work and dedication, but it is time to retire with honour.
2. Nick Phipps: Big heart, but you’re a halfback with a pathetic pass (your best match in 2016 was on the wing), and that shoe-throwing incident was disgraceful. Goodbye.
3. Bernard Foley: Honestly, how bad does someone have to play in order to be cut? Foley has been shocking in 2016 and atrocious in the internationals. At the moment he can’t pass, attack or kick. Goodbye, Foley.
4. Dean Mumm: Okay off the bench in Bledisloe, but simply is not where we want to be, nor is he the future;
5. Sekope Kepu: Has not been good, displayed some bad antics in that stupid penalty in the second Test against the Darkness when we had the ball in hand.
With that in mind, the team I would field for the rest of 2016 would resemble the following (team not set in stone, and very open to switching starting/bench positions, etc).
1. Scott Sio
2. Andrew Ready
3. Greg Holmes
4. Kane Douglas
5. Adam Coleman
6. Scott Fardy
7. David Pocock (Captain)
8. Lopeti Timani
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Sefanaia Naivalu
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Israel Folau
15. Reece Hodge
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Allan Alaalatoa
18. Who’s our fourth best prop?
19. Rory Arnold
20. Sean McMahon or, if injured, Michael Hooper
21. Nick Frisby
22. Andrew Kellaway
23. Jack Debreczeni
I believe that team allows the best current opportunity for growth, while at the same time offering valuable experience in the form of Pocock, Genia and others.
Do you agree with my opinions regarding the long-term outlook of the team? Do you like the theoretical list I’ve put together? Let me know where you agree and where you think I have gotten it wrong.
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.