Presumably like everyone was, including the man himself, I was absolutely stunned to see Blake Enever’s name on the Wallabies’ spring tour squad announcement media release.
Enever’s Brumbies and Canberra Vikings teammate Rory Arnold’s persistent knee injury was enough to rule him out of the tour, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika explaining in the statement, “Rory has a tear in his muscle and it’s come away from the quad, so he will have an operation to fix that and he will be out for about four to five weeks.”
All makes logical sense. Perth Spirit and now ex-Western Force lock Matt Philip was included as well, which helps his quest to find a Super Rugby home for next season.
Philip’s inclusion was pleasing not just because plenty of people have been calling for it for bloody ages now, but because there hasn’t been a better second rower in the NRC this season – including Lukhan Tui.
It was pleasing to see Tui’s injury from Saturday wasn’t as bad as first thought too, even if it keeps him out of the first game or two.
AAP Image/Craig Golding
Of Philip and Enever’s inclusion, Cheika said, “We could’ve gone with the tried and true guys, but I wanted to give the opportunity to two new younger guys who have had good Super Rugby seasons, and I think Matt Philip has improved out of sight from game one to the final round.”
Philip had an excellent 2017 at all levels, and certainly didn’t look out of place when he came on for the Barbarians.
Enever also had a good Super Rugby season, and he carried that through to the NRC, but he only started a handful of games for the Brumbies, so I wonder how he’s suddenly slipped ahead of his skipper, Sam Carter.
Carter was one of the Brumbies’ most consistent forwards in 2017, form which he’s also carried through to the NRC and Barbarians as well. And he regularly played 80 minutes in whichever jersey he was wearing at the time.
I’m happy for Enever, but if you were looking for a consistent lock who had a strong season, Carter would’ve been the guy.
Regardless, the inclusion of Philip and Enever is another nod to the NRC, allowing the players on the fringe to keep performing at a higher level than would otherwise have been available. We’ve had conversations about whether the Wallabies should take the best performing NRC players on tour in years previous, and it is good to see that kind of recognition.
This applies to the selected development players, too; Reds and Queensland Country flanker and Australian Under-20s Player of the Year Liam Wright – who also didn’t look out of place in his cameo on Saturday – and Melbourne Rebels and Rising young-gun Jack Maddocks.
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But at this point, the reasoning given behind Maddocks’ inclusion is more than a bit puzzling.
Cheika explained his entry into Super Rugby this year impressed him, and that there “is just something about him”. That is certainly true; in less than a season, he already looks like he’s going to be a handy player.
But Israel Folau’s absence from the tour is where things take a curious turn.
“We’ve got Dane [Haylett-Petty] who’s out and Israel who’s not coming, and I wanted to start getting another genuine fullback,” Cheika told rugby.com.au on Sunday.
“[Maddocks has] got that little bit of x-factor. Everyone else in that backline, we’ve been working with this year and I feel like I wanted to continue that.”
So he’s effectively saying he wants to look at blooding another specialist fullback, despite the squad also containing Kurtley Beale, Karmichael Hunt, and Reece Hodge.
Maddocks is going be a very good player, but if another ready-to-go fullback really was required, then Tom Banks is really stiff for missing out.
Cheika even admitted as much: “Banks trained with us and is definitely in calculations. He had a fine game [on Saturday, for the Barbarians] and will look forward to Super Rugby next year.”
Worryingly, there’s still no obvious back-up flyhalf, though Cheika suggested to rugby.com.au that Beale and Hodge are the likely deputies at 10.
I don’t quite get this, just as I don’t get that Cheika wants to have a chat with Queensland about where Duncan Paia’aua plays next season. If Paia’aua genuinely is in the long-term plans, that would be an easier case to make to th Reds by taking him on tour as the backup 10!
Regardless, and realistically, these are minor quibbles about a squad that looks solid on paper, and which is definitely moving in the right direction two years out from a World Cup.
And while it’s great to see these players all being recognised, it’s also nice to be talking about players being unlucky to miss out on selection. The more ‘unlucky’ players we have in Australia, the deeper the talent pool gets.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Philips turned up at the Force mid way through last year and was immediately a regular player. Banks had played for the Reds. A player turning up and immediately doing well isn't the result of your system.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Meakes has 35 handling errors for the 2017 Super Rugby season. The players with more are 9/10's, or wingers/fullbacks who receive a number of kicks per game. Next best Aussie 12 in Paia'aua, who had 31 which is still high.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Where his talents were nurtured and developed to world standard. Banks and Mason had their starts with QLD country. Brumbies rightfully get to claim credit for Banks. It is all about where you started playing good rugby. You will be claiming Hodgo and Coleman as Tah's next. I don't know what your crusade is to discredit the development work that was done at the Force, but it is getting tiresome with your wafer thin, irreverent, inaccurate arguments on the topic.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
To put your data in context, How do the other 12's go? And what is your source?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
He hasn't been dropping passes all season. That is your fantasy. I concede that caked a lot in the BaaBaas Game but he was getting some pretty rubbish service.
Gepetto
Guest
Simmo is on his way to 100 tests as all the hot prospects sit about in rehab. Quade will be fit and well to lead the Reds to the top of the table in 2018.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So Meakes has been getting hospital passes all year then?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
My point is he hasn't. He averages something like 3 knock ons per game across the season. I certainly see the positives that you have noticed. But there are negatives too.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I like MacCalman's work but with only 2 games this season hasn't earned his spot,....yet. Same applied to Dempsey, 56 minutes of SR, he regained his form playing internationals, not the right time, and reeks of favoritism, in this case it payed off.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Yup I rate Banks higher than Mattocks, but Have Mattocks on one to watch list. He will get the most bang for buck from a tour. Neither would get minutes on the field, so benefits need to be considered from a player development perspective, not who deserves a run in a gold Jersey in a practice match. And as I play my broken record. Folau is a fullback in number only, performing 25% of the traditional duties - insert and attack. I am hoping that Cheika is looking into a more traditional structure to simplify the plan. A roving Folau on the wing (like the mob have been screaming for 8 months) and a traditional fullmack makes more sense. The only problem is how to reconcile the Hunt and Beale problem. They either share 12/15 or, pick 1 or the other. And bring in Banks/DHP/Mattocks/Hodge in at 15.
piru
Roar Rookie
We'll have to agree to disagree TWAS - he has been brilliant for the Force, particularly in combo with Rona and Lance
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Watch a Force or Spirit game once in a while, no, wait, you probably will have to next year with the Rebs cannibalizing the Force lineup, Billy included. When Meakes isn't given an unsympathetic hospital pass you might notice how well he can carve up the defense. Probably more of a second 5/8 than an inside center. I prefer Hunt, if only for his phenomenal work rate in defense and ability to bend the line with ball in hand. He is the guy we need to take the burden off Hoops so he can go back into the into the forwards and help solve the gaping holes at the rucks and breakdown. A pairing with Beale would have the 2 of them swapping attack/defense could be an effective partnership,
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Through the ranks? He was picked up by the Force on the back of 2 NRC seasons for the Sydney Stars. The Force didn't even initially recruit him. They brought him in mid-way through the 2016 season FROM SYDNEY after injuries.
Hoy
Roar Guru
TWAS, it is simplistic because it is pretty simple. Cooper jumped into the Folau tackle. That is a sure fire way of it ending badly for one party at least. When a player targets Quade he generally does make the tackle, but it isn't ever a low driver... it is a body hug and down they go. He has a technique problem. I agree when they try to beat him, he throws an arm out and ends up in trouble... he throws an arm out because his body position is still very much upright too much of the time. He needs to recognize that he needs to go low and drive in. Of course that is simplified, but again, if a defensive player has problems going high when an attacking player looks to step them, then that defensive player has an issue with his/her technique. It is really that simple. I agree with you that Brisbane City has really woeful defensive structure. There are massive holes everywhere and it seems like they all are tracking support players, and no one actually looks to tackle the ball player.
concerned supporter
Guest
Fionn, You write some extremely good posts on the Roar, but it is getting pretty tedious your love affair with Tom Banks and your Bernard Foley disdain. (i think Tom Banks is a good player,but you seem to be going overboard) Cheers.
Fionn
Guest
James, I don't think he has much more strength through contact if I'm honest. Hodge definitely has more than DHP but for such a big bloke I haven't found him overly powerful as of yet—definitely nothing like Koroibete or Naivalu. He is also slower, his acceleration much worse and he is far less elusive than Banks. Watch that clip of Banks setting up the 2nd try from 1.55min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijopLJoUg7Q He can kick it further, but we all know how inaccurate Hodge's boot currently is. I think Hodge is rightfully ahead as he has the runs on the board at international level, he's shown he can handle the step up. That being said Banks was far more impressive at SR level, and I just think that with his better speed, acceleration and elusiveness he will make a better longterm outside back, especially on the wing. I think Hodge will eventually be found out to be a centre.
concerned supporter
Guest
Who needs Melon, Reece Hodge was No 10 & Captain of Manly Colts premiership winning team of 2013. Hard to see how the Waratah people considered A. Kellaway, R.Robinson & D. Horwitz above R.Hodge & J.Maddocks.
GusTee
Guest
Good article and conclusions, Brett. You see its because the ARU saw the light and moved from 5 SR teams to 4. Oh bugger, we haven't had a season of that yet to see if the proof of the pudding truly is in the tasting. REALITY CHECK: YOUR GOT IT SO WRONG ARU (or whatever you now call yourselves) SO WRONG! MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.
GusTee
Guest
Sad but true. I think his spark expired in the second or so minute of his first period as captaincy.
GusTee
Guest
M. Philip selected for the Wallabies Spring Tour? Who? What? When? ......... Oh, you mean the MATT PHILIP, yet another guy who has made it through the ranks of the Western Force to be counted as a great Wallabies prospect. ARU (or whatever you now call yourselves) YOU GOT IT SO WRONG! Good on you Matt - all the best to you, mate! MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.