The Wallabies will be without halfback general Will Genia for their Test series decider against Ireland but at least have some good news on lineout general Adam Coleman.
While Genia was undergoing surgery on a broken arm on Sunday in the wake of Saturday night’s 26-21 second Test loss in Melbourne, scans have cleared Coleman of a fractured cheekbone ahead of the third Test in Sydney on Saturday.
Genia suffered his injury in a incident that drew the ire of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who claimed he had been “king-hit” off the ball by Irish prop Ciran Healy.
“We ran the play round the front and Will is the decoy around the back and he got king-hit from the side, it looked like a shoulder, and when you’re not expecting it that’s what happened,” Cheika said after the match.
Genia is expected to be sidelined until at least the Rugby Championship starting in August.
The Australians didn’t put the Genia incident forward for citing consideration but that doesn’t mean it won’t be looked at by independent citing commissioner Kiwi Michael O’Leary, who has 48 hours to do so.
Coleman went down to friendly fire, his head connecting with that of teammate Israel Folau in the second minute of the second half and he was replaced as large swelling appeared above his cheek bone.
Six Nations champions Ireland showed why they are ranked No.2 in the world as they fielded a full-strength team after resting several key players from the first Test.
They dominated the contest, including the battle of the breakdown and fed off an ill-disciplined display by the Wallabies, who conceded 15 penalties and, at times, appeared over-eager to make the big play.
Despite the small winning margin, Ireland dominated most facets of the game as they starved the home side of ball.
Cheika said his team also neededd to improve their kicking game, whi9h was wayward and ineffectual after proving so useful in the first Test.
Ireland also did very well to isolate Wallabies danger man Folau, who was a match-winner in game one.
“I don’t know if we played good enough to go two nil up,” Cheika said.
“I know we scored three tries to two but I just think we need to trust our systems a bit better.
“We gave away some 50:50s and we shouldn’t have that doubt and that will be a work-on for next week.
“We need to do what we do and the rest will turn out right because when we do do it, on defence or on attack, it’s pretty good.”
jimbo81
Guest
totally agree - his service is slow and over players heads or behind the runner. He is a complete liability. Just because he's a Dean's era reject and has somehow amassed more test caps than the next four halfbacks (all superior choices) doesn't excuse his selection (which stinks!).
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Yeh, If all you need is experience, bring back Greagan. Powel, Ruru and Gordon have proven themselves as in-form halfbacks in super Rugby. Anaru Rangi has been starting in front of Ulese. Cheika has had his head in too many scrums.
piru
Roar Rookie
I just don't get it at all backup positions always seem to go by default to the 'next best waratah'.
Fionn
Guest
The thing that gets me is that one of Phipps' best attributes is meant to be his running game, but I don't think I saw him snip from the base of the ruck once on Saturday?
piru
Roar Rookie
They could have picked me for 5 years, and I'd technically be experienced too Wouldn't make me a wallaby worthy 9 though
Fionn
Guest
I agree, Piru. Powell and/or Ruru should have been backed over Phipps in 2017 in my eyes. Then we wouldn't be in this position. Certainly, for this series Powell/Ruru or even Gordon (even though I'm not as enamoured with him as others on this site) should have been the reserve halfback. 'I don’t get this mindset – continually pick an underperfomer, then claim you have to keep picking him because now he’s experienced.' My exact thought, Piru. Phipps seems a really passionate bloke and no one tries harder, but he has had 7 years and 60 caps in the jersey and how often has he really showed himself a top international halfback?
Fionn
Guest
Arguing that Phipps has the experience and therefore he should be Genia's backup becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy where no one else ever becomes the backup. I'd like to see Powell start, but Phipps is playing fairly well so hopefully he can put in a good showing as he will almost certainly start.
piru
Roar Rookie
Ruru and Gordon spring to mind - Louwrens too I don't get this mindset - continually pick an underperfomer, then claim you have to keep picking him because now he's experienced. If Cheika really wanted to set a cat amongst the pigeons, he could pick Ian Prior and see what happens
Phil
Guest
Realist,who else could he possibly pick?I have never been a big fan of Phipps,but he is now the only experienced half around and he did actually play pretty well when he took over from Genia on Saturday.Would you throw an inexperienced 9 up against Conor Murray and co.in a series decider?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ha ha true, i think the no excuses part was for wins only.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I have to agree with a lot, but Phipps doesn't miss many tackles... he is a very fit player, who covers well at the back. But everything else is pretty accurate if you ask me... I can't see why we can't have another halfback starting... no matter how big the game is... but the issue is that Phipps monopoly on the jersey has meant others probably worth looking at haven't been give a go.
waxhead
Guest
OMG cynical play your judgement of rugby players is as bad as it gets. Yes.... as THE worst halfback in international rugby Phipps has lots of experience in..... - gifting oppositions minimum 1 seven pointer every game - usually 2 tries. - making multiple passing and knock on errors. - poor open field kicking. - missed tackles and silly mistakes. - poor pass accuracy. - slow passing speed off the ground. Aust has 5 better halfbacks and you suggest we should play our worst huh :) It's been an ongoing disgrace that Phipps is even in the squad.
Cynical Play
Guest
The only 9 you can throw into to such a big test is Phipps. No one else has got the big game experience. If he keeps his kick at home and gives good service then that’ll have to do.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I'm a fan of Powell, and I'm happy for him to get some game time experience in a big match like this, but I think we need an experienced player to start in such an important game. Phipps may not be Genia, but his work this year has been much more accurate than the critics on this site (who are unable to let go of his poor performances in the past) will admit. He also has a long term understanding with Foley, Beale and Folau, which is not something Powell, Ruru , or even Gordon has. Choosing him will mean some changes in tactics - he doesn't box kick as well as the Genia of late, for instance. And he doesn't carry the same respect as Genia, but Genia is not available and he'd be at least ahead of the other available 9s in this.
Realist
Guest
So Nic Phipps - the player of the series (for England) when they drubbed Australia 3-0 two years ago is first pick. When will Chieka realise that he has lost so many genuine Wallabies fans through his personal favourite Tah picks which don’t represent performance nor fairness in Australian Rugby. It’s like selecting Bernard Tomic as Australian of the Year...I can’t wait until this clown and his B-Squad are sent packing next October.
ThugbyFan
Guest
ARU website story of the two major injuries (W.Genia and A.Coleman) seems fairly confident that Cian Healy will be cited for the shoulder on Genia. tbh I didn't see the incident so its a mite hard to comment. If it's a shoulder bump, as Danny above suggests, then fair enough it's an on-field penalty but that's as far as it goes. If its a trip as Timbo says it may be, and the result is a broken arm/wrist, then a citing might happen. A shame for Willie G as he has been playing quite well, albeit sporadically due to injuries. Wasn't this his 2nd game coming back from an injury with the Rebels halfback Michael Ruru starting their last 3-4 matches? Bernie Foley thinks Joe Powell will be reserve with Nick Phipps starting in the 3rd test. Comments? :)
MH01
Guest
Geez - was chieka no quoted days ago , accepting the outcome and no excuses . And here we go again - king hit. The guy has to be the worst looser in sport. Naturally nothing is his fault, and there is always someone to deflect the attention on .
eagleJack
Roar Guru
King hit is a poor choice of words due to its association with being punched. But Genia was definitely taken out without the ball, as he followed the play. Of course it was missed by the officials.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I think the Rebels should stop releasing their players for Wallaby games. If there is no prospect of winning, why risk injury. ;) Ads will be sporting a shiner today, not his first though. He has had his lip opened up a few times, cheek spacked about and nose bloodied. A real Team player. Ginea will be missed, I whish him a speedy recovery. Perhaps Michael Ruru wil finally get noticed by Cheika. Or not....
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Cheika should choose his words more carefully. ;) The Fox footage was obscured but it looked like a bump or a trip to me.