To the most diehard of Wallaby faithful, come the end of a dire Super Rugby season and sub-par June series. Not much was there to be proud of about this team and code in our country.
In the last four matches however, I have seen the Wallabies play with a renewed vigour, calmness and patience. Against the Springboks in Bloemfontein, we saw for the first time, an Australian team playing with confidence and cohesion in their play for the full 80 minutes.
Of course it wasn’t the complete performance by any means. But gee, it was worth the late night viewing.
It can’t be expressed enough how much this game locked down a few lingering issues that now to me have clarity. The debate about moving Israel Folau onto the wing or centres should now surely be over. Marika Koroibete and Reece Hodge have left daylight between their closest rivals in Henry Speight and Dane Haylett-Petty respectively for wing positions.
Koroibete in his debut was magnificent and looks truly set for Test rugby. It’s early days of course, but he has the perfect mix of pace, size and finishing that is required of wingers in the modern game. He would really have to play himself out of the jersey if sanity persists. Please note this point Chuckles’!
Hodge on the other hand is an excellent defensive player and secondary foil for either Bernard Foley or Kurt Beale with his massive kicking game. He is also someone that knows how to run good lines on attack and can draw other players in well with a strong passing game.
People argue that Beale can’t defend in the 12 channel, but besides one bad miss on Sia Kolisi against South Africa, Kurtley was otherwise outstanding in defence. His composure and maturity on attack confines to shine through and I honesty believe he is the missing piece to what Cheika sees as forming a 10-12-15 ‘Holy Trinity’.
Foley has copped a lot of criticism since the World Cup as an unsatisfactory choice for Fly-Half and one of Micheal Cheikas so called ‘Protected Species’. It was fair to say he had a very mediocre Super Rugby season, but then again who didn’t?
Since the return of Beale, and the addition of Hodge on the wing to share the kicking duties. It has allowed Foley to take the line on more and play the expansive running game he likes to inject his runners with while on the go forward.
Echoes of his 2014-15 form is slowly returning and the value he brings to this team. He set up each of the three Wallabies tries, two from superb passing and vision. The last from a scintillating break down the right side in the second half.
In turn, Folau this year has been able to roam more freely through the centre of the field looking for gaps to exploit. His tally of 11 tries, is already a record for a Wallaby in a Test season and their is still the Spring Tour to come.
Marika Koroibete (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
To keep this article short, sharp and too the point. The Wallabies starting back line should for now on paper be as follows.
9 Genia
10. Foley
11. Hodge
12. Beale
13. Kurindrani
14. Koroibete
15. Folau
Chekia is getting pretty close to his end game now. The World Cup will be here before we know it and he is going to have to have formed a settled team by early next year. This is the time, here and now to decide on what works and what doesn’t.
The Wallabies are now in a much healthier spot for potential Test position depth. Players in Christian Lealilifano, Matt Toomua, Karmicheal Hunt, Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Petty are a good selection headache to have.
The problem for Cheika is finding a good balance. With the backline though, I honesty think my nine through 15 is the best way going forward.
I will save talking about the selection problems with regards to the back row for another article. Though, he has made obvious errors in his selections at times, he is the man to take Australia to the 2019 World Cup. There is no one else who could be appointed realistically at this point, and reshape the entirety of the Wallabies’ problems.
Though there will be people read this article and feel that we are still a million miles off the pace and have no hope for improvement. I dare say it was a joy to truly see two teams, desperate for victory in the face of adversity. Putting on display, a wonderful spectacle of running rugby for the full 80 minutes.
Lastly, before we go despairing about not challenging the All Blacks consistently – a team that’s playing simply majestic rugby and undoubtedly the best international team in rugby, if not world history.
Coinciding with this, is England’s post World Cup Eddie Jones Renaissance. The second best team the Poms have ever produced after Martin Johnsons 2003 World Champions. We have to acknowledge, to our pain that it was the boys who sing ‘Sweet Chariot’ that completely caught us off guard and exposed our flaws for all the world to see, sweeping the Wallabies 0-3 at home.
Once we conquer these demons, then we can look across the ditch to truly attempt to stop a rugby dynasty.
Fionn
Guest
I don't know if it is being scared of contact, his tackling technique is just so bad. It was like he was embracing Kolisi to give him a little kiss.
Fionn
Guest
I'd start him at 12 over Beale. Beale's defence is not good enough for him to play as an inside centre at international level. 9. Genia, 10. Foley (I would still prefer Cooper but it will never happen), 11. Koroibete/Hodge, 12. Hunt, 13. Kuridrani, 14. Folau, 15. Beale; 21. Powell, 22. Kerevi, 23. Banks Even if Folau plays with the 15 on his back he will essentially be playing 14, like he already does. Defence is massively strengthened this way.
Fionn
Guest
I think I owe you an apology, scuba, apparently reading is not my forte tonight as I misread that as 'I disagree that we need a back up #10.’ Please accept my apology :)
scubasteve
Guest
grammar was never my strong point :)
Fionn
Guest
'I don’t disagree that we need a back up #10.' Oh, good lord.
scubasteve
Guest
Cooper's superior defence???? I have seen turnstile's at the Suncorp Stadium stop more people then Cooper. I don't disagree that we need a back up #10. I suspect Beale could play that role well if given more runs at it. Folau, Beale, Kerevi, all need to step up their game plain and simple. Be the best in your position globally. For Beale it should be straight forward, we know he can tackle, just bring it every game. Its attitude. Folau needs to learn to kick and defend. Again not to hard if willing. Kerev - defence. In fact as I write this, Grey needs to fix not just the positional defence but the attitude as well. The skills seem to be getting better. Hooper/Pocock will work well as team. McMahon is not the long term 8. And Dempsey and Hanigan will get there with time and I predict after the spring tour will be pretty good. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with Arnold's brother? Is he just not as good? Imagine two of them on the field in fine form. Being honest we just don't have the cattle today. On our day with everyone playing 100% we will make the finals come WC time. We also need a touring barbarians team/B team. Send them off to compete offseason club games if necessary (or in the NZ domestic or SA domestic comp). Blood some guys like Banks, RHP, Phillip etc etc. Don't put them as Wallabies (they haven't earnt the Gold yet). Just put them as development team.
Gepetto
Guest
We cannot go to the World Cup with one #10. Bernard will not last the distance playing decent footy. Cooper has to be picked for his superior defence and his late in the game impact in attack. Hunt is too old and injury prone. Duncan Paia'aaa is the rising talent at 12. Surely Phipps days are numbered?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Don't get caught up on the number on his back. He plays the roaming 15 insert role in attack. Beale played the traditional FB defense role. Izzy roams in attack and hides on the wing in D, Exactly how you have described it. So no change needed. (Assuming you are OK with ballast in defense)
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Hodge trusted the system, the system failed, it's not his mistake. If Beale had stopped him and Hodge had committed to the tackle also, we would be blaming Hodge for a 2 on 1 tackle leaving the other 2 runners unmarked.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Nice wishlist. I can't appear a hypocrite though, Lauwrens has been out injured and to meet my criteria needs to prove himself in a handful of SR games. The Dempsy selection on only 1/2 a game was a disgrace. Ruru is doing great work for the team formally known as Western force and at the spirit. Putting my bias aside, He, Gordon and Powel should all be getting a run at the title. Stirzaker deserves some cops as well. He does well when you put some decent inside backs behind him.
MakeRugbyGreatAgain
Guest
Surely Hodge should play fullback and move Issy to the wing. Let's face it Issy is sublime ball runner but is not comfortable kicking in general play and has little or more ability to apply/relieve pressure through tactical kicking from fullback. To be a great test fullback you most be a good tactile kicker. Hodge on the other hand has that ability twith his kicking game. If you moved Issy to the wing and allowed him to roam in attack i don't think you would lose much and as the blind winger he would be a massive threat.
Fionn
Guest
Oh, I agree that the problem is the gameplan, Timbo. What makes it worse is that Cheika picks ball-runners in the back-row (except for Hanigan, who is just there for the line out), while forgetting that in order to run the ball you need to retain possession, and to do this you need back-rowers who are going to attack the breakdown and wins lots of possession. So instead we have a bunch of guys picked for their attack and no one picked for their defence or ability to retain possession. 6-7-8 next year should be Fardy-Pocock-Naisarani with Hooper off the bench, but that boat has sailed. Ideally, I would have wanted the following team next year 1. Sio 2. TPN 3. Kepu 4. Arnold 5. Coleman 6. Fardy/Valetini 7. Pocock 8. Naisarani 9. Genia 10. Lealiifano 11. Naivalu/Banks 12. Hunt/Kerevi 13. Kuridrani/Hodge 14. Folau 15. Beale/Banks 16. Anyone but the Doctor 17. Uelese/Latu 18. Ala'alatoa 19. Phillip 20. Hooper 21. Louwrens 22. Hunt/Kerevi 23. Banks/Naivalu/Hodge/Beale If Beale can't sort out his defence or high ball taking then there will be trouble. I think it was just a bad match though, his high ball taking is much improved on a few years ago. That's a team that can utilise Folau in attack and under the high ball, but can also retain possession well.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Right now Hunt has to force his way in. He isn't ahead of Foley, Beale or Folau. I'd start him on the bench and really, he could cover 10-15. He's the perfect guy if you want to play a 6:2 bench. Kerevi would be the other bench back, but both are 12s more than anything else.
Kane
Guest
He might get sick of it or get his fix in before the game
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Let's not delude ourselves, call a spade a spade. Folau plays a shallow 14 in defense and some form of 15/13 insert hybrid in attack. The number on his back is not representative. It is the perfect attacking role for him and if he is in the side, that is where he should play. But I like my players to be able to defend as well, and for a 14/15 that means patrolling the backfield like a space invader. At international level you can't cherry pick the parts of the job you want to do. You need to do all of them That Ledys tackle was made from his hiding spot on the wing. A yellow card would have lost the game. #EpicFail and this isn't an anomaly. There is an established history of poor 1-on-1 defense. I have no real problem with Foley and Beale hanging out in the backfield but a big guy like Folau has no excuses. He should be stopping guys the same way Hodge and TK do. So what Jersey? 11 There are faster Players like Marika, Henry and Sefa 13 TK, Kervi and Hodge are all better defenders and offer a good attacking platform 14 Least objectionable but Wing fullbacks need speed and a decent kicking game. 15 Needs Ben Smith Vision developed from years playing the traditional role. There are many better. Izzy in the back field is like a scared toddler lost in the long grass. Fullbacks start playing rugby when they were 6 years old, (I am sure B. Smith started en-utero) and develop a spidey sense from the sheer number of games they have played. Code hoppers with no experience need not apply. So, Sorry, No room in my side for him. I would rather have someone with 90% of his attacking skills and 200% of his defending skills. Banks, DHP, Hodge, Niavalu all offer a more balanced package. My problem is probably more with Chieka than Izzy. Cheika's plan assumes you will have the ball 70% of the time, taking the emphasis off defense. Until the plan fails like it did against the Scots.
Bing
Guest
It’s just something I remember an ABs coach did to a couple of ABs back in the 90s. Maybe Cullen and Lomu?
Schlongy McWollah
Guest
Matt Toomua???
Hoy
Roar Guru
Everyone calm down.... Folau won't ever get dropped. As I said, he is a bit of a protected species... but he isn't a great all round footballer. What I was suggesting there was Beale to the back, but our last line of defense will be even less that there is now... and the wingers? One will be Folau, and the other? Anyone's guess... but as suggested above, it would appear no matter what his shortcomings are, DHP would be high up on Cheika's list. Ahead of DHP I would have Hodge, Super Sef, Koribete... To pick my preferred backline from Cheika's list of acceptables... Genia Foley Koribete/Super Sef/Hodge Kerevi Kuridrani Folau Beale Again, I do have worries about the last line of defense with Beale... He had 1 good game, and now he is back to being scared of the contact...
Tissotime Time
Guest
Also noted was Folau's indecision in whom to cover left him covering no one
Youvereadmyarticlesb4
Guest
That's the great conundrum, I eventually after Sunday morning had to put to rest. If it looks like it may work, chuckles and co stop changing all the time.