Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has had to make some hard decisions during his 42-Test tenure, none more so than who will line up at fly-half against England at Twickenham next weekend.
Both Bernard Foley and Reece Hodge have claims on the pivot position.
The game against England will be the most vital of the four-game spring tour with the Eddie Jones-coached side having won all four internationals against Cheika – 39-28, 23-7, and 44-40 Down Under, plus 37-21 at Twickenham.
Tomorrow morning Foley will be back on duty in the ten jersey after missing both the Barbarians and Japan games.
Against Japan, Hodge played his first Wallaby international in the 10, and turned in a blinder with Nick Phipps inside him.
Phipps had one of his best games in gold, but he will never be as good as Will Genia, who will return to duty after missing Japan with an ankle injury.
If Hodge can be mighty impressive outside Phipps, it stands to reason he will be even better outside Genia with quicker and more accurate service.
And there’s another bonus in Hodge’s favour – his monster goal-kicking.
Not only did he land nine conversions from as many attempts all over the park against Japan, he cleared the crossbar, kicking it higher than the goal posts.
And there are other bonuses in Hodge’s favour – he’s 23, Foley’s 28, and the Hodge physique is 191 centimetres and 94 kilograms compared to Foley’s smaller 182 centimetres and 80 kilos.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
I have always believed that the most important game for the Wallabies is the very next one, and that’s Wales early tomorrow morning AEDT.
But with Cheika it’s the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019, and all his planning and selections have been to ensure the Wallabies improve and increase their depth in every position.
And he’s delivered.
In 2016 Cheika selected 13 new Wallabies – Rory Arnold, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Nick Frisby, Adam Coleman, Allan Alaalatoa, Reece Hodge, Tom Robinson, Lopeti Timani, Sefa Naivalu, Leroy Houston, Tolu Latu, and Kyle Godwin.
This year it’s 12 debutants with Ned Hanigan, Karmichael Hunt, Richard Hardwick, Joe Powell, Eto Nabula, Jack Dempsey, Curtis Rona, Izack Rodda, Jordan Uelese, Marika Koroibete, Lukhan Tui and Matt Philip.
Nine of them are in the Wallaby 23-man squad for Wales tomorrow – Kerevi, Coleman, Alaalatoa, Hodge, Robinson, Hanigan, Hunt, Koroibete, and Philip.
The last named will be someone very special, as Cheika ups the ante in the size of his locks.
Philip is only 23, a former Australian Schoolboy, and Australian under-20 rep, but he’s a big unit and made a big debut against Japan.
He stands 199 centimetres and weights 117 kilograms, and against Wales he’ll be the bench support for Coleman at 204 centimetres and 122 kilos, with Rob Simmons’ 200 and 115.
That’s a lot of lock clout as Wales will find out, and so will the Wallaby front row of Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, and Sekope Kepu make their presence felt.
The trio is going so well they are starting to be compared with the 1984 Grand Slam front row of Topo Rodrigues, Tommy Lawton, and Andy McIntyre, or the 1991 World Cup-winning Tony Daley, Phil Kearns, and Ewen McKenzie.
Throw in number eight Sean McMahon’s powerhouse display against Japan, and the pack has improved out of sight and so has the scrum.
And while up front wins good ball against Wales, Michael Cheika will be closely watching how Bernard Foley returns to the fray, with Reece Hodge out on the wing.
PiratesRugby
Guest
From 35m.
double agent
Guest
Foley kicked 19 in a row. Lies Damned Lies and Statistics.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Many questions about what is the best back line for 2019. I feel that the Wallabies are moving in the right direction and two years more may be just what is required. Can Hodge run a back line under pressure? A year in that position running the Rebbles’ back line may answer that? Cheika is too conservative to gamble this month. Even if us curious ones want him to. Agree David, he is worth watching. Will he even get a kick at goal this evening? Nah.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Many questions about what is the best back line for 2019. I feel that the Wallabies are moving in the right direction and two years more may be just what is required. Can Hodge run a back line under pressure? A year in that position running the Rebbles’ back line may answer that? Cheika is too conservative to gamble this month. Even if us curious ones want him to. Agree David, Hodge is worth watching. Will he even get a kick at goal this evening?
Reverse Wheel
Guest
I’m simply stating the obvious. Given Hodge’s obvious shortcomings and inexperience, he will not be selected to start against world #2 England.
Honest Max
Guest
Hodge is 4 kg heavier than Foley, eh? Do your eyes work? The match programme says that Genia is 5’10”. You believe that too?
Noodles
Guest
David has a habit of making comments that, aside from their provocations, don't add up. This one is unfair to both players. Hodge has had a start in a key position and did OK. Let's hope he continues to develop since it would be truly fab to have a backup at 10. Foley has pushed himself hard to become an aggressive player at the advantage line, sometimes (as per the ABs test) a little too aggressive. His approach is admirable and is building a style in the backs that is growing to be impressive. What we need, David, is to settle our squad and core players - with a pack that is becoming consistent and damaging making options for a backline that is settled in its thinking and option-taking. Some people think enjoying rugby is all about Sunday morning coaching. You just have to accept that its only really about the players on the park.
waxhead
Guest
hahahaha - D Lord with his stupid stupid articles again :)
PiratesRugby
Guest
True, Hodge's passing was serviceable but too often poor. But Foley isn't a great passer. Hodge's kicking in play was also poor, which is about par for Australian fly halves since Larkham left. Hodge didn't assert himself as the playmaker but it was only his first game. That little inside ball to Speight was a beauty though. His running was okay. His tackling was magnificent compared to Foley's turnstile. And yeah, the kicking for touch and for goal was faultless. Unlike Foley's unreliable pop gun kicking. So while Hodge did not put in a gold medal performance, Foley does not set a high standard either. But Cheika will always stick with Foley. Whatever they put in the water in Sydney that makes people think that Foley is anything more than a mediocre provincial flyhalf obviously effects your brain the same as it effects Cheika's.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Simon, --- the issue I have and it could have been the game, the opposition or the game plan but Hodge did reasonably well as a first outing - and will be okay as a "filler" if necessary - bUT - what I did not see, was the instinct of a 10. Good 10's have an instinct for the position and are generally born with it!! For me Hodge will be a filler and never a permanent 10.
Wombat
Guest
The only thing Hodge has over Foley at 10 is his kicking for touch and perhaps goal kicking. His restart kicking is average at best. Foley will start all 4 games at 10 but Hodge will be shd start somewhere in backline. Last weeks team performance against JAPAN!, was not a great performance considering the opposition,in my opinion. Genia & Foley will help steady the ship, Kerevi needs to step up in defence & I think Wales will target him. Izzy F not playing is a huge lose.
Cynical Play
Guest
You forgot The Highland fling of Haggis and the Battle of Eccy Thump vs the Samoan "Siva Tua" war dance
Sage
Guest
Me either! The Welch singing, the French anthem vs the Haka, the enthusiasm of a Dublin home crowd. Real rugby on a true international stage. I know the Dublin game is sold out and the others are close or the same I think. Can't wait! Make sure you record them tony to enjoy at your leisure.
Pat
Guest
Beale stepping in as first receiver a significant amount of time didn’t hurt. Hodge being the reason why we scored our tries is fantasy. He can’t even pass both ways. Foley is our best 5/8 by far, to suggest Hodge has a look in after 1 test against Japan is ridiculous. Cheika is rightly looking to build depth and options should Foley be injured
tonyBBB
Guest
Cannot wait for REAL international rugby tonight!
Sage
Guest
Can't see too much worry, just WB 10 chat which is pretty common here as you'd know from your hovering.
RahRah
Guest
Cheika will pick Foley and give him the kicking duties even if he loses a leg overnight.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
David We love your enthusiasm but I agree with Jeff. I too prefer Nick Bishop’s analysis of Hodges performance against Japan. He has not been truely tested by a Tier 1 rugby team. I do find it encouraging that Mick Byrne the Austrialian skills coach has big wraps on Hodge. Let’s all see how it rolls out. Perhaps Hodge can undertake all the kicking in the future if he proves more reliable than Foley. On my count he has got 11 from 11 if one includes the last two kicks against the All Blacks and nine against Japan.
tonyBBB
Guest
Manu Tuilagi exclusive: Money must go to the Samoa players - they need it Mako Vunipola’s suggestion for the England players to donate £1,000 each is very good. The money would go straight to the players, instead of to the Samoan Rugby Union, because if that happened it would be the exact same thing as before. The players will not see a penny. Firstly, I do not think it is the Rugby Football Union’s problem to pay the Samoan union. Samoa are playing in the match, so maybe they should get a little percentage. The RFU’s donation of £75,000 should go straight to the players. But in terms of helping, it is maybe World Rugby which should step in. I am gutted to not face my home country at Twickenham. But hopefully there will be more games in the future and I will get an opportunity. There is no frustration back home that I am not playing for Samoa instead of England, especially with the current situation. I have known since last week about the debt. There was a story in the local newspaper, that the SRU was £1million Tala (£300,000) in debt. It was always coming, with the way they run the SRU now. The problem of the boys not getting paid shows on the pitch with the lack of performances. Money is one of the main issues. The boys are getting paid the same, or less, now than in 1991. You cannot develop a team like that. The problem is the people who are running the game in Samoa, across the islands. If we are given money now, then the problem will still be there.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Can I suggest you beat Wales first before worrying who’s going to play fly-half against England?