Maybe it’s just because everything else going on in Australian rugby has deadened the memory a bit, but I can’t readily recall a more fascinating set of selections leading into the first Bledisloe Cup Test Match of the year.
The Wallabies desperately need to start The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe series well, not just for the obvious purposes of the respective competitions, but to strike a blow for optimism within the average Australian rugby fan. It’s actually hard to understate how good a win on Saturday night would be – everything won’t be rosy again, of course it won’t, but it would be a huge uplift for the game locally.
New Zealand, on the other side of the coin, will be equally as desperate to put the disappointment of the drawn series with the British and Irish Lions behind them, and re-establish themselves as the dominant team in world rugby.
And with the teams likely to be known over the course of today, it’s the possible makeup of both sides that brings a healthy amount of intrigue to the build-up this week.
It will be really interesting to see what the All Blacks’ back three and centres look like, where Israel Dagg might be the only survivor from the 15-all Third Test draw.
Australia’s backline could look very similar to the final June Test against Italy, but it could just as likely look totally different. Will Genia and Bernard Foley would appear to be locked into the halves, and Israel Folau will be in there somewhere, but how will the other positions be filled?
What is really curious about the Wallabies make-up is that the way Michael Cheika will want to play will quite likely involve players that don’t fit into the defensive strategy Nathan Grey will be wanting to employ.
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Where Cheika will be wanting to once again head down this mythical and supposed ‘Australian way’ and play with all-out attack, Grey will be wanting to get into the face of the All Blacks midfield and slow down, if not cut off the supply of ball to the fast men in the outside backs.
Where Cheika will be thinking along the lines of Kurtley Beale and Samu Kerevi, Grey will be wanting to find places for Reece Hodge and Tevita Kuridrani.
Certainly, the defensive performance of the Lions has provided something of a blue-print for other teams in The Rugby Championship. The fast line-speed in midfield and taking all the space away from Beauden Barrett was incredibly effective in slowing the All Blacks down, allowing the Lions to play the game at the pace they needed to, rather than at the pace New Zealand prefer.
If three other TRC defensive coaches haven’t picked the important bits out of the Lions’ shape for their own benefit, you would have to seriously question why.
Certainly, it feels like Beale will be named at inside centre for the Wallabies, though I would be pleasantly surprised and incredibly impressed if his game has changed so much in one English Premiership season that he would defend there as well.
And that means that again, the Wallabies will be having to over-complicate their defensive structures, requiring a musical chairs type of arrangement where players who can’t defend suitably head to the backfield, and those who can rush up into the front line. This has never been fraught with danger in the past, so why change now, right?
So if Genia, Foley, Beale and Folau seem locked in, who fits in around them?
(Photo: PaulBarkley/LookPro)
With ‘Super’ Sefa Naivalu out of action, Henry Speight and Dane Haylett-Petty probably loom for the wing spots, though Haylett-Petty’s injury cloud might actually open the door for Hodge, who would slot into a frontline defence position a lot better and adds another kicking option, both out of hand and extra distance from the tee.
I’d be surprised if Cheika suddenly decided to play Folau anywhere other than at fullback, despite most of his better work these days coming down the right flank. If he did – and I’d welcome that decision, for what it’s worth – then either Beale or Haylett-Petty at fullback would be a good fit.
And that just leaves the no.13 jersey. Again, I’d be surprised if Folau will feature in outside centre discussions, and it seems to be a Kerevi or Kuridrani decision.
For mine, this decision comes down to who plays at 12, both in attack and defence. If Hodge doesn’t start somewhere, then it nearly has to be Kuridrani at 13, and leading the defensive midfield press. If Hodge is there, then perhaps Kerevi can slot in there. I genuinely can’t split the two 13s.
Of course, who the Wallabies midfield will face is a bit unknown too. It was Ngani Laumape and Anton Lienert-Brown in the last Lions Test, but Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams will certainly be back in the mix. When a guy like France-bound Malakai Fekitoa looks unlikely to get a game, it’s a pretty healthy selection spot to be in.
The selection questions will be answered in the coming hours, and of course, the tactical and defensive questions will be figuratively and literally tackled on Saturday night.
Until then, we have intrigue. And it’s just about my favourite part of the first Bledisloe of the year.
taylorman
Guest
Part of the reason DMac and Squire are playing Sweden is because we've lost ...yet again...more players to the north. So yeah, we can say that missing players do make a difference in ways that other, namely northern hemisphere sides cant. Last time I checked they don't have 500 or so professional players in the SH to miss. Had Cruden, Luatua, Piutau, Nonu, Smith and several others been available we would probably have options, but we opt to look again to depth because playing the guys that haven't left gives us no better position after they leave. Now how good do you think the Lions or 6N sides would have been without being able to select from 500 odd pro's including around 100 test players. That is the SH position. So when you discuss relative strengths, send a few hundred this way, then send a team. We'd love to host them. But perhaps send their names first, as we've probably never heard of them.?
Akari
Roar Rookie
I obviously disagreed with both your assessments, Neutral, as none of those players made the tests against the Lions. I think a Roarer made the observation that the heavy artillery is likely being saved for the Boks and prolong a career as in Kaino's case and I have no problems with that. Tu'ungafasi and Romano are in the featherweight category but I suppose can be rated as heavyweights against the WBs forward pack. Romano unfortunately have not been the same player since his return from his major injury and there's been very little shown and he's been back a few years now.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I think the main point both me and ShaneD are making is your statement that tomorrows teams are a B-team. It is not the optimal AB's team, but it is pretty far from the B-team.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I have no problems with the points you raise, Shane D. I nevertheless can come up with points against all those players as I have followed their careers over the years but are rather moot to say the least. I gave the WBs a chance of an upset until the team was announced yesterday afternoon. The best that team could possibly do is keep the score line to within a 15-20 points defeat I feel. We'll find out tomorrow.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes agree following the French series, their main problem always being not being able to being Superxv form to the top, the Lions style clearly the way forward for the Boks. Coetzee needs to harness rather than suppress the atacking style now though I agree particularly re 10, though in that firey little blonde l think theyve a good 9?
Ben
Guest
No, any kick from a penalty to touch has to be a punt, not a place kick. Have a look at the rules.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
The other main interest for me is how SA go this year, and start to produce sides from teams with feet in both camps. Certainly, agree with this. But to be fair, the Springboks looks interesting already this season. Really curious how they will perform against the AB's in a couple of weeks. The big difference I see between them and the AB's at the moment is the quality of the halves. In my book, Springboks does not have anyone close to the quality of Aaron Smith/BBBBB/TJ/Lima.
Ed
Guest
Thanks for the correction Neutral.
Muzzo
Guest
Agree with that T/man, as we will all know, after Saturdays encounter, whether Shag, was right or not..
cuw
Guest
any idea how much the clothing contract is worth? its 'ASICS" right?
taylorman
Guest
Here's a novel idea...just turn up, play a good game, collect the pay check and go home. Don't arrive on the field with a Greenpeace flag, don't give a house away to a supporter that couldn't afford a match ticket, just play...and come off when either everyone else does, or when someone else is ready to give their all. Everyone else does without a hitch it seems...
taylorman
Guest
Yep me too, that's flippin annoying as half the circus will be about that. ALB is the future and it's time Hansen pushed more for 2019 positions. Why a 32 year old who hasn't ever nailed the starting spot and is at that age hauling in red cards is even on the payroll is a mystery to me. It may not be intentional but after being stood up by Tim N Williams v Samoa and the red I'm confused as to how his actual form rather than rah rah merits a start. Perhaps the lure of his old stamping ground might sell more tickets to his League fans is part of it? Hopefully there's not another chapter coming out of this match and SBWs efforts comes and goes without fanfare...but somehow I doubt that will be the case.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Have to disagree with calling this a B team though. Mackenzie has earnt his selection on the back of stand out form. He is a swap in for J Barrett. Romano has played 26 tests & is a proven performer. Ofa has been in the system for 2 seasons now & the AB coaches see him as the heir apparent to Faumaina. Squire doesn't need to play the power game that Kaino does. He will be used as a wide runner ala Read with the skipper moving into the thumper role. The reality is in the modern game the coaching staff have to manage the players workloads & you can't play the same players every test match.
taylorman
Guest
Yep fair points and Williams did cost them first test but two of those raw and a tad unlucky ball chases knocked him back but he came back with class, had easily the best single run of the series from any player of either side and finished strongly. Hogg was just this tours unlucky one and unfortunately goes back to a side which for a few more years will have its ups but mostly downs. For sure the Lions were underrated by many, me included, it's just what becomes of it that's now the interesting thing. The other main interest for me is how SA go this year, and start to produce sides from teams with feet in both camps.
cuw
Guest
another issue was the reluctance of the refs to penalize Lions' on 2 things - slowing ball at rucks and the tactics at lineouts. at rucks they did just enough to slow the ball by toppling onto the wrong side , warburton and SOB. of course in the 2nd test it was possible as kaino was not there to man-handle them. am sure nz were irritated that refs kept on warning Lions not to do it time and again but never gave a card or more penalties. at lineouts they never maintained the gap. also kept on shouting nonsense so the calls got drowned. in the 3rd game nz sort of countered by taking their lineouts quickly. despite people's perception of Peyper, i thought he was the one that helped NZ , compared to the style of French refs.
cuw
Guest
i think they will have a time chasing after Dmac if he plays the Chiefs style. but i suspect the all black coaches will have him play a more sedate % game , rather than the Kamikaze chiefs attack :)
cuw
Guest
@ Highlander i just wonder if it has anything to do with Crockett being 6' 4" . so basically u have 2 props who are of the same size . laulala is much shorter . Jeff TA is also listed at 6' 4" , but he has not really been favored. i think he played one game , when laulala got injured.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Hi sheek Well, I think you understand that my comment was a little bit tongue in cheek. When thinking about it, I could actually be completely wrong here also. Someone who wishes that Sanzaar and ARU shall implode completely, and still expect things in OZ rugby be dandy, well... that is optimistic, to say the least ;) Seriously, I really enjoy that you play counterpoint a lot. You are one of the reasons why I enjoy reading the comment sections so much at the Roar. And I am with all the way about French Vanilla. Combined with fresh strawberries... my mouth gets wet just thinking about it.
Akari
Roar Rookie
It's more the selections at 6, 15, 16, 18 & 19 Shane D & Neutral. With the exception of Harris, none made it in the Lions tests. Squires was admittedly injured then but I am not sure he'd had made the team ahead of Kaino and Harris may not have made it either if Coles was fit. I agree that Squires is a quality player but lacks the power that Kaino or Ardie brings. It will be interesting if all 5 are retained in the tests against the Boks.
MitchO
Guest
cheers. One of other Force watches says Rona has a good short kicking game at least. It is not far from having a good short kicking game to kicking like Foley so fingers crossed.