Ahead of the Rugby Championship, there are plenty of positions in Michael Cheika’s Wallabies side up for grabs, especially after the disappointing series loss to Ireland in June.
That said, the hoodoo of Australian Super Rugby teams losing to our neighbours across the ditch was finally broken this year, with the Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels getting up.
Hopefully, we are able to carry some of that momentum into the Test series and take the Bledisloe back for the first time in 16 years.
So what line-up should Cheika pick if he wants to beat the mighty All Blacks?
Front row
1. Scott Sio
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Sekope Kepu
Although he did not play the entire season for the Brumbies due to injury, Sio has good scrum technique at loose head and is not afraid of a fight. Paenga-Amosa is in due to Jordan Uelese having a knee reconstruction, and he’s a hard ball-runner with a good throw at the line out.
Kepu is the Mr Consistent, week in week out he gives 100 per cent.
Second row
4. Rory Arnold
5. Adam Coleman
Two of the toughest guys in the team, these tall timbers will throw their bodies on the line no matter the circumstance. Coleman had a great year in Melbourne as captain and will grow in his leadership role at the national level.
Back row
6. Pete Samu
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. David Pocock
These three make it more difficult for the line out, but they are the most in-form players. The Hooper and Pocock combo worked well in the June series and Samu, who is about to play for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final this weekend, had a breakout year.
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Halves
9. Will Genia
10. Bernard Foley
Genia is coming back from a broken arm but, when in form, he is the prime halfback choice and can add some spark around the ruck – if he doesn’t do any box kicks.
Foley is the inevitable choice at flyhalf, no doubt for that selection.
Centres
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Reece Hodge
After years of being in and out of the Wallabies squad, Beale has been in fine form this season for the Waratahs, having found is true position at inside centre. He can continue the growth of pairing with Foley.
Although not playing at outside for the Rebels, Hodge is a utility who can play anywhere, and is a hard ball-runner with a big boot for good measure.
Outside backs
11. Marika Koroibete
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Israel Folau
These three played extremely well in the Super Rugby season. Koroibete is a human wrecking ball, Haylett-Petty a traditional winger and Folau is unstoppable in open space and great under the high ball.
There are a few surprises, but this is the starting team that should do it.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Why bother with Toomua at all, he's never been a player who has set the world on fire, and he hasn't done much in the NH Competition! He's a Dinosaur, ~ had it!!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Chris G, ~ You know as I do that Samu is a very good player who as a rule comes on as an ''early Benchie'' and more often than not he plays extremely well as he has done in the last two games for the Crusaders, he's a great player roving around at the extremes of the field where he compliments the outside backs, he's a ''rover'' loosie and a very good one at that, I'd have him in any run on Team whoever he plays for! He, like the rest of the Crusader Fraternity had a blast after the game last Saturday, and to say the least he seemed to be back where he wished he still was if you took any notice of the ''Afters'' when all the Bubbly was being sprayed around! Still can't see his logic in leaving a great set up to head to Australia, makes no sense to me!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Same here, Would like to see if Deegan (you will see him on Friday) can plays at an international level yet. Cotterel is my favorite 6 but can't complain about Tui. Samu at 8, but again, no complaints Would like to see DHP/Banks 14/15 but I will get lynched on this site for dropping Folau.
jimbo81
Guest
please please please let this happen
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Fionn Thumbs up! Cheers KP
John P
Guest
That is a superior team to what Cheika will select unfortunately. Banks for Maddocks only change for mine.That backrow is all mongrel .
Angelo
Guest
The forwards ok but latu should start and hanigan should not be in the squad. The backs not good peale has to be at 10 hodge 12 english 13 and put folau on the wing with dhp and banks to fullback
Carn Reds
Roar Rookie
My 2c's 01. Sio 02. Polota-Nau 03. Thor 04. Arnold 05. Coleman 06. Tui 07. Pocock 08. Timu 09. Genia 10. Beale 11. Koroibete 12. Toomua 13. Hodge 14. Folau 15. Maddocks 16. Latu 17. Alaalatoa 18. kepu 19. Rodda 20. Hooper 21. Powell 22. English 23. DHP
Yenda Ad Enthusiast
Guest
Time to Move on , has Hegarty ever played 13 at SR level? If I'm correct that would be a no and a potentially disastrous introduction into the test arena for him. I see him as Utility Play making back (10,15 and unsure if he can play 12). You'd much rather English over him in that regard as he is proven at 13 in defense and more potent ( deceptive pace). Agree Re: Hooper to Bench , but would like to see maybe one last go at Pooper against the AB's before it happens as not to rule out everything ( it'll be the straw that broke the camels back or a flick of a switch to devastating combination). We have 3 tests, so if it doesn't work in Test 1 (knowing Cheika though he won't change untill after Bled II) we still have time to test other options.Agree Folau can do the aerial high ball stuff on the wing provided he can shuffled around , personally DHP at FB and Banks and Folau on the wings is an amazing attack base , aswell more defensively solid to counter attacks and kicking. Yeh Foley's only there for his GK and Running Lines, so either Hodge has to be there (Centres or wing spot at the expense of either DHP,English ,Korobete and Banks) or Beale magically starts kicking and kicking well.
John P
Guest
Holloway needs to perform in super rugby first before he gets a gold jersey.
John P
Guest
And Robertson
John P
Guest
Fionn, Don't forget Cheikas Drew Mitchell Rob Horne and Leroy Houston failures.
John P
Guest
Yellow cards. Hooper adds yellow cards.
John P
Guest
Cheika only blooded players because of injury, and when he did blood thgose players if they made one error ( unless they were Tahs ) you never heard from them again.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Fionn. Samu has been coming on at 6 or 8 for the Crusaders. I see him in direct competition with Tui and Timu. His exposure to world class coaching and players over the last 3years would have him in my team.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Samu was probably our least effective player against the Irish, not sure why he makes the starting list least why he must start. Kepu and Tupou easily our form props, unfortunately play the same position. I’m a Sio fan, he did loads of hit ups against the Irish but just into contact and then to ground, hardly ever got over the gain line. Not picking Taf is madness, best forward for us last year.
TheReds
Roar Rookie
I would play Thor as he was the dominant tighthead this year against all the SA and NZ scrums. Play guys who can defend. Hanigan is really a weak player who is not test material.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Cheika needs to be a bit careful as to how he handles Pete Samu because he'd be back with the Crusaders in a heartbeat and they'd welcome him back without hesitation ~, and if he's good enough to play for the Crusaders, he'd be well and truly more than capable of running on for the Wallabies!
Yenda Ad Enthusiast
Guest
Cheers for the response, yeh I think Beale's a different player from the last time he played for the WBs ( and when he he's had a strong confident 12 e.g. Gits or Toomau, who aren't terrible either with ball in hand ;), compared to say an untested and raw 2016 Horwitz at the Tahs).IMHO his form gives him a handful of breathing space if he was ever thrust into 10, god knows Foley has gone through a couple oxygen tanks regarding that matter. Nothing against Foley I don't mind him as a player at all, however someone else at least needs a go at 10 in the next 12 months or else... Backline is looking special, looking like we'll match if not best most teams on attack.Combinations and defense needs to be settled though if we are any chance at getting Billy boy back. :))
Fionn
Guest
Yeah, I can fully understand that decision!