Like plenty of you last week, I wondered if Michael Cheika’s inner gambler was surfacing.
In something of a surprise move – Cheika named Queensland Reds fullback and multi-code convert Karmichael Hunt at inside centre to face Fiji in Melbourne.
I loved the call; let me be clear about that. But it had all the hallmarks of the rocks-or-diamonds existence that we’ve come the know the Cheika reign over the Wallabies. It could just as easily have turned out Rob Simmons and Will Skelton versus England last year, as it could have Michael Hooper and David Pocock at the World Cup.
Hunt himself admitted to training at fullback for most of the week in Melbourne, so there was even a little bit of surprise for man wearing the no.12 on debut himself.
But in hindsight, it really shouldn’t have been much surprise at all. Though he’s worn the Reds no.12 jersey just once in the last two seasons – and no.15 every other time – in truth, he’s played as the second playmaker for the side anyway, be that for Quade Cooper or Jake McIntyre at flyhalf. With Cooper pulling the strings in 2017, Hunt hasn’t had to be so focal in attack, but that has had the effect of him being somewhat more dangerous, asking more question of the opposition.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Furthermore, with the squad Cheika named for this month, the sheer amount of back three players – and some of them in pretty hot form – meant that Hunt was going to pushing it uphill to get a game at fullback. If he wasn’t being considered as a centre from the outset, then the withdrawal of Samu Kerevi ensured he was from thereon.
Whether Kerevi was in front of Hunt in the pecking order for the first Test of the year mattered not. But with Rob Horne coming into the side almost exclusively as a 13 option, Hunt was firmly in the frame.
Over his time as the Wallabies coach, we know Cheika has preferred a ball-player at 12 wherever possible. He’s always liked a straight-running, line-bending impact at 13, and has used similar options at 12 when forced. But if he’d had the ability to play a ‘second-five’ type of inside centre, he’s done it. Kurtley Beale, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Matt Giteau; they’ve all played a similar role outside a traditional flyhalf.
Hunt’s ability to cover several positions meant he was going to feature in the front line somewhere this month. I initially thought he might’ve been the ideal no.22, covering 10-12-15 all equally well in say, the last quarter of a match. It could easily have been the way to introduce him to Test match rugby.
But his tackling ability meant that starting him at 12 could simplify the Wallabies backline defence, and reduce the number of moving pieces from last season, where at times it chaotically appeared as though no-one in numbers 10 to 15 actually defended in the traditional position. And didn’t England enjoy finding space during the transition.
Now sure, Hunt’s defence on debut wasn’t necessarily his strongest suit. He missed two of his 14 tackles attempted, which isn’t terrible at all, but was guilty at times of being slightly out of position in the front line, and not necessarily wrapping up the ball carrier like we know he can.
That might be a result of not having a George Smith or Henrik Tui nearby, but it’s undoubtedly something to improve, particularly with a hungry Scottish side now on Australian soil. At the risk of invoking dangerous Wallabies scepticism and much mirth, fixing his defence will be easy.
Where Hunt shone was in attack, and particularly in the second half as the Wallabies regained the shape they managed to lose once Israel Folau went to the sin bin and for the rest of the first half.
Like he does with Cooper at the Reds, Hunt took the pressure and the workload off Bernard Foley, which allowed Foley to set up for subsequent phases; classic second playmaker use, and very similar to how Stephen Larkham played Toomua and Lealiifano together at the Brumbies.
Whereas Foley as first receiver provides the width for the Wallabies to play – and I though he played well doing just this – when the Wallabies needed to go forward, Hunt went into first receiver. He did this from second receiver often enough as well, but if there was room to be exploited out wide that needed a more direct initial route, Hunt took the first pass.
Now, I’m hardly about to put Nicholas Bishop out of a job here, but here’s but one example of Hunt providing the direction for a wider line break.
Image: FoxSports/Brett McKay
It’s simple stuff; Hunt’s immediate direction was straight at the Fijian defenders, and while he’s engaged two defenders himself and Dane Haylett-Petty’s out-in line engages a third, the space opens up out wide. The plan would’ve been for Folau to follow behind and create a four-on-two, and even if he was brought to ground, Foley is one of the three players outside him. The play could still have gone down that short side.
As it happened, Hunt went short to Haylett-Petty, who actually got a nice offload on the outside to Hunt, who’d trailed behind. Folau and Foley kept going wide, and this was the lead-up to Tevita’s Kuridrani’s disallowed try in the corner just after half time.
Note here, that Hunt’s run started just on the Fijian side of halfway. Later plays in this same passage had Foley kicking to the corner from first receiver inside the Fijian 22, while when Folau scored his second try five or so minutes later, the play began with a lineout back in the Wallabies’ half, and with Hunt going out the back to Foley, who had Folau running the out-in line with Hooper and Haylett-Petty following behind on the loop.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Of course, none of this suggests that Hunt is the finished product at inside centre; it would be ridiculous to judge or label any of the debutants after just one game.
But I think we’ve seen enough in one game from Karmichael Hunt at 12 to know he’s absolutely worth persevering with. There was plenty to like in Hunt’s ability to straighten and shape the attack, and if he can make game-on-game improvements from here as a Wallaby, then he’s got a healthy international future to look forward to.
And if the flow-on effect is that he pushes Kyle Godwin and Reece Hodge to new levels, or that Kurtley Beale doesn’t just walk straight back into the side on his inevitable return to the squad, then Cheika has played a smart hand at the first selection table of the year.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Peter, If you are going to play the stats game what is your statistical population? Does Folau attempt enough tackles for the number to have significance. He made 2 on the weekend. 1 Successful, 1 drew a yellow card. That is a 50% record and is current data and relevant at international level. Compared to DHP that is Woeful, - 20% worse. See, I can make stats lie too. I like DHP because he has proven, recent form of kicking and knowing where to stand. It is more than just at some secret training session. Hodge, Debracszeni, Kelaway, Lance, Morahan all know how and where to play the position and have years of experience doing it. I would pick any one of them ahead of Folau at 15. At the moment I like Hodge over DHP for 15, DHP over Hodge at 14
John R
Roar Guru
A wee bit concerning that the only two decent defending tens in recent memory, are also highly prone to concussion. There's probably a reason why NFL teams protect their quarter back at all cost
Neil
Guest
Can't agree on Horne, PeterK. Too slow for a winger but there is nothing wrong with his defence.
PeterK
Roar Guru
then how can you like dhp who tackles at a mere 70% success rate at f/b in super rugby , 3 years straight. He is a poor defender. Folau consistently has a better tackle success. have never said the tahs are a team of great defenders. Foley is poor, horne has been poor, most of the fowards miss too many.
bozo
Guest
Hunt has played lots of games in a number of sports but is he the future of the Wallabies. Hope he has been taking longevity tablets
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Mack Mason is in the pipeline. Give him some more airtime and see if he is cracked up for the job. Force, Rebs and Brumbies are using imports. Surely there is some local talent out there, somewhere.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I wish it was sarcasm, the Reds and rational Wallabies fans will lynch him if it is at Hunt's expense. He was up there as my man of the match. I can see beyond the try scorers, The real Heroes are the ones getting the hard work done. My forecast is that Cheik will finally see reason and put Folau on the wing. DHP will be the likely casualty to make make room for Beale. Karmichael and the Steam engine that is the is the TK train will be the mainstay of defense. Henry covering the getaways.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The 10/12/15 north south channels are fairly interchangeable, so good form at 15 could translate to 12.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Blah Blah Blah. 2015 was 2 seasons ago, Get Jesus and Moses in the back line, their form is just as relevant, Like Folau, Jesus wasn't that good at defending against Italians either. My bias is against players with rubbish defense or missing skills, not the Tahs specifically, it just seems to work out that way. Cooper is also on my list along with Scott Sio, giver of Scrum Penalties. In unrelated news, Tahs seem to have a lot of points scored against them, this is highly unexpected for a team of players with such great defenders. Peter, your stats, claims and posturing have more holes than a Swiss cheese factory. The evidence doesn't support your claim.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The controversy comes from binning Hoops, Not from naming Smith. There is so much Hooper love out there, Tah's fans would be jumping from the top of buildings on the ironically named George street if he lost his beloved #7 Jersey. Hoops would be lucky to get a bench spot because I can't see him covering 6 and Lock like an normal #20 does. Smith would need to injury cover Higgers and Tui and he isn't a great target in the lineout. Liam Gill on the other hand...... We still seem to be trialing 6's, an uninjured Tui could make a real difference. The Reds back 3 would make even the AB's sit up and take notice on how they are going to manage those stooges.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
No extinguisher required here... You have 2 tight heads. Speght or Niavalu for your jet shoes. DHP over Beal at the back. I like a bit more D than A back there Kerevi is broken, keep Hunt or if you must have Beale, put him there. Would like to see Gordon get a run but we might need to wait for Italy to be safe. Powell is an equally sound choice. Tolu over Moore? it's a tough choice. Equal parts good and bad.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Don't Get me wrong, Rosco is still great at getting around the field, he his more mobile than Mumm and just as good in the air and way harder over the ball. But when you are comparing him against Mr Fardy, he is a half a yard or so slower getting to the rucks. It is a pretty high bar. Don't think 8 is a good fit, I don't think he has the finesse and play-making running but that is just on gut feel. He has spent a lot of time at 5 because of the injury toll at the Force he is good at it but better at 6. With Stunder, Hardwick and Naisarni the back row is pretty well covered. The ability to move into lock is just another tick in the positives column. Philip doesn't have the speed for a 6 and probably not the raw strength required. I think he is just fine in at 4 to Coleman's 5, Add Ritchie Arnold in there and the 4 of them make a formidable Lineout, Maul, Ruck and ball carry group of hard men for the force. Yes, RHP has been a bit undisciplined in the past but full credit to him, I think he has toned it down enough to still annoy the opposition (as a 6 should) but not attract the attention of the ref. Giving a balanced commentary, I think Ned Hanigan is doing OK as well. My 6 preferences in order: Fards. Rosco, Ned, and Dempsey if he can get his previous form back after his injury. You could add Angus Cotteral's form from the last time he played but that is meaningless if he isn't match fit.
Neil
Guest
Marto, QC is no where near our best 10. You need to move on from 2011. If not Cheika, then who? Stiles? Link wont come back. He doesn't need the grief from armchair experts.
Marto
Guest
zubrick @ That will only happen if Chieka is sacked.Foley will be persisted with until 2019 ( Our demise)...Meanwhile our best 10 Quade is on the bench or not even picked. if Michael Cheiaks doesn`t like Quade for personal reasons, pick Hunt, he is certainly our next best option at flyhalf after Cooper. Bernard " The error prone non tackling one dimensional no attacking game " Foley needs to go real quick, before its too late.
Neil
Guest
Same old, same old, Marto. Do you think Stiles is ready to step up?
Paul
Guest
Sarcasam Timbo ( L) but the truth nonetheless. We all know Coach Cheiks wants Kurtley back in the run on team.12 could be it.
Marto
Guest
Foleys former club coach is now Wallaby coach .Foley Hooper and Folau will never be dropped under Cheika ..It`s been three years since Cheika took over and all 3 have never been dropped from the starting 15, even when in atrocious form and the team balance has been out of whack .Time to petition for Chieka to be sacked ...
Link
Guest
183 CM 188 CM 193 CM
Neil
Guest
Well, TWAS, I thought my memory must have gone from QC's performances last year, so I went back and checked the game reports. The most favourable Wellington review was "a mixed showing" at 10. Played ok against the Boks in Brisbane, but Foley was playing at 12 as a second playmaker from memory. Still am not inspired.
RahRah
Guest
And aircraft fly in feet as well