On the same day that Rod Kafer excitedly described the new and improved collaboration between Super Rugby coaches and the Wallabies staff already this year, Samu Kerevi was named in a new position for Queensland.
It’s March. It’s only the third game for the Reds. The Wallabies’ first Test for 2018 isn’t until June.
Everyone’s feeling their way, and no one will be getting stressed about what number Kerevi has on his back.
The same would apply to any other of Australia’s Test hopefuls. Michael Cheika and the rest of the Wallabies coaching staff will just be happy that they’re all fit, feisty and getting a run.
But it’s worth pondering how a power struggle would unfold if Cheika feels the Wallabies’ needs aren’t being met leading into the three-Test series against Ireland.
The whole increased cooperation model has come about because Cheika fumed last season when his Wallabies squad assembled for the June Tests. He believed their fitness and conditioning levels were well below where they should have been for elite rugby professionals.
He made a power play and has evidently got a bit of a result. But how far does the partnership go? How much influence does Cheika really have over Australia’s Super Rugby coaches?
Kafer, in his new role of Rugby Australia’s head of special projects, spoke in fairly abstract terms about the set-up on Thursday.
“The interaction between the Wallabies coaches and the Super Rugby coaches has been fantastic,” Kafer said.
“That high-performance structure that Ben Whitaker has put in place… has been really well received.
“The Wallabies staff will know what they’re getting out of their players.
“(They) are working around the country to get one-on-one interviews with all of their players in Super Rugby camp, with the state coaches.
“It’s never happened before.”
So imagine a hypothetical in which by late April, no one is putting their hand up to be locked in as Wallabies outside centre, and Cheika feels Kerevi is the man for the job (it’s an entirely legitimate scenario given he’s played at No.13 for the Wallabies previously and Kurtley Beale, if fit, is rock-solid for the inside centre spot).
But Kerevi is still in the No.12 jersey and carving up for the Reds.
Does Cheika sit down with Brad Thorn and, in the national interests, put the heat on him to pick Kerevi at No.13 (it’s apparently where the Reds vice-captain prefers to play too)?
You could imagine Thorn’s reaction, a first-year head coach trying to turn around a struggling club. He wants to win games any way he can. You would assume he couldn’t give a damn that Cheika would rather Kerevi audition for the Wallabies at outside centre.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
A positional confrontation might not be too common. Who else might be playing in a position for their Super Rugby side different to where he’s likely to be considered for the Wallabies? Ned Hanigan? Dane Haylett-Petty? Reece Hodge? Even Michael Hooper and David Pocock?
You could argue that top-tier players should be adaptable. They should be prepared to switch positions now and again.
But Cheika would probably counter with the line that what the average rugby fan would regard as subtle differences between positions can be magnified at international level. Hence familiarity is paramount.
Perhaps even more pertinent in the collaboration – given that fitness is likely to be a major theme – is the scenario in which some Wallabies probables are pushing through the Super Rugby rounds in May with a few niggles.
If the Wallabies coaching staff are privy to injury reports and updates – or get wind of them in some other way – then who wins out? Who gets their way – Cheika, who wants the player to rest before the first Irish Test, or the Super Rugby coach who wants the same player on the park and pushing through?
What if Bernard Foley and Christian Lealiifano get injured soon and Cheika is keen to see if Quade Cooper still has something to offer?
What if Thorn refuses to pick Karmichael Hunt even after he’s served any punishment that may have been dished out by Rugby Australia?
It’s a familiar dilemma – club vs country. So how much influence does Cheika really have?
Kiwi in us
Guest
I agree that the fitness issue is the important first step here. Cheika should be able to send and get feedback on fitness on all prospective WB whom he might bring into camp.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Out of Position, you ask "why Cheika puts them in a totally different posistion from the norm'" ~ reason being is that Cheika is not a good Coach and to put Kafer in a position such as he's been gifted is ridiculous, Kafer wouldn't be aware if he was up himself!!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Karmichael Hunt should never be allowed near a rugby ball again, in any shape or form, if he was back home in New Zealand, he would've been banned for eternity after the first episode, end of for him! ~ Exceptions are being made for this guy and I suppose one could say "cut him some slack'', you may do just that for a good player, but he is not, like Quade, a good player!
PiratesRugby
Guest
Hopefully none.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
If you are looking for speed daemons, Drop Folau (He isn't that fast by comparison) 10. Maddocks 11. Koroibete 12. Hodge 13. Niavalu/English 14. DHP/Naivalu, 15. Banks
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Hodge is gaining the title Mr Fixit, and as far as the Rebels are concerned, they will be happy to have him in the starting 15 - anywhere from 10-15. When you look at his list, 12 is th only spot left. English is a 13/Wing. DHP and Maddocks are Wing/Fullbacks. Niavalu is a Wing/13. Jack D is a 10/15 wich pretty much leaves the 12 spot up for grabs. Billy Meakes or Hodge. I feel bad for Billy, but someone needs to sit on the bench. As the season progresses and the inevitable injury toll mounts, we will see some shuffling.
Kane
Guest
The head coach and assistant coach are employed by the NZRU and have their salaries paid by them also. All other coaches are employed by the franchises.
Kane
Guest
The clubs aren’t the ones that pay the players. I imagine as the NZRU are writing their pay check they’ll have some say.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Pretty sure that it is the players that have the last word about where they wanna play. It is a myth that NZR and the AB's coaches micromanage the Super Rugby teams.
Out of position!
Guest
I've said this time and time again, that playing player about of position is the weakest link of the Wallabies! A player thrives in a position all year, gets familiar with it and dominates in it, is selected in the Wallabies squad, BUT then Cheika puts him in a totally different position! Why? When it comes to the All Blacks: Do we see say, Retallick, packing down at blindside flanker? No Do we see say, Crotty, starting on the wing? No Do we see say, Ben Smith starting at 13? Not recently. Yet, blokes like Hanigan, Hodge and Folau/Hunt get constantly shifted around. It's frustrating too watch!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
What a great message to send to all prospective Wallabies - Kerevi has the 12 Jersey, Beale most likely 15, Folau 14 (At last!) The spots are tied up, you have no chance. And Conversely. These guys have secure spots, just like last year, you don't have to try hard at super rugby, your name has already been stitched onto your wallaby Jersey. I know very little of this is supported with actual statements but there is little chance that this won't be the outcome.
PeterK
Roar Guru
even quicker 10. Maddocks 11. Koroibete 12. Hodge 13. Naivalu 14. Banks 15. Folau.
soapit
Guest
i thought there was a more formal situation tho with nzru being able to dictate at least what team players play for?
John R
Roar Guru
Don't dare to dream Fionn. You're a Wallabies supporter!
Fionn
Guest
Add in Hooper, Naisarani and Tupou in the forwards also...
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Boring!!! Yawn!!
John R
Roar Guru
Well when you put it like that. Oath, that's serious gas aye. Hodge looks like a giraffe when he runs, but he's actually pretty bloody quick isn't he.
Fionn
Guest
Imagine the post-2019 speed of a team with 10. Maddocks 11. Naivalu, Koroibete, Daugunu (sorry for spelling) 12. Hodge 13. Perese 14. Banks 15. Folau. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but surely that would be close to the fastest international team in world rugby?
Fionn
Guest
Paul, I think you're 100% on the money with all of that. Nick Bishop seems to think that Hodge will be best suited to 12 anyway, so maybe it's for the best. I just don't like seeing Kerevi and Hodge both playing 12 when we already have Beale there. But maybe Perese will be awesome at 13 and prove every decision right.
JP
Guest
Sorry Fionn St.George Queensland Reds team to play Bulls 6:45pm kick off, Saturday 10 March, Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane 1. James Slipper (C) – Bond University 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Sunnybank 3. Taniela Tupou - Brothers 4. Izack Rodda - Easts 5. Kane Douglas - Norths 6. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland 7. Liam Wright – Easts 8. Caleb Timu – Souths 9. James Tuttle – GPS 10. Jono Lance – University of Queensland 11. Eto Nabuli – GPS 12. Samu Kerevi – Souths 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths (50th Queensland/Super Rugby cap) 14. Filipo Daugunu – Wests (run-on debut) 15. Aidan Toua – Easts 16. Alex Mafi – Bond University 17. JP Smith – GPS 18. Sef Fa’agase – University of Queensland 19. Harry Hockings – University of Queensland 20. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland 21. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland 22. Hamish Stewart – Bond University 23. Duncan Paia’aua - Norths