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Two days ago, after a second hammering by the All Blacks, I posed the question: where are prop Taniela Tupou, lock Rory Arnold, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, and backrower Caleb Timu?
Yesterday, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika answered it by calling on all four in the 31-strong squad to meet the Springboks and Pumas over the next two weekends.
That’s just the start.
Cheika must select the quality quartet in the starting lineup for next Saturday’s clash with the Boks at Suncorp, and cast Michael Hooper aside as captain.
Only then will the Wallabies realise there has to be retribution after being beaten 38-13 and 40-12, giving up 12 tries to four, missing 83 tackles, and losing possession 39 times.
Those stats are an international embarrassment, and the squad should feel humiliated.
Cheika can ram home that humiliation by making six changes, the most telling of all installing the best number 7 David Pocock as captain and ending the Pooper experiment.
Why should the best seven be forced to play eight because Hooper is too small to play anywhere else?
Only Australia can do that, no other country in world rugby would dare weaken their top side.
Worse still, make Hooper captain when Pocock is the better leader.
Let’s not forget the Boks are hurting after being beaten by the Pumas last time out.
The Boks will run onto Suncorp ready to throw everything bar the kitchen sink at the men in gold who must retaliate with interest.
The likes of 135 kgs Tupou, and 208 cms Arnold, with Paenga-Amosa and Timu (both 117 kgs) will do just that.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Let’s hope Cheika selects this lineup to correct a whole series of wrongs:
1 – Scott Sio (47 caps)
2 – Brandon Paenga-Amosa (3)
3 – Taniela Tupou (4)
4 – Rory Arnold (15)
5 – Adam Coleman (25)
6 – Lukhan Tui (9)
7 – David Pocock (c) (71)
8 – Caleb Timu (2)
9 – Will Genia (vc) (92)
10 – Bernard Foley (60)
11 – Marika Koroibete (13)
12 – Kurtley Beale (76)
13 – Reece Hodge (29)
14 – Jack Maddocks (2)
15 – Israel Folau (66)
16 – Tolu Latu (8)
17 – Allan Alaalatoa (25)
18 – Sekope Kepu (96)
19 – Izack Rodda (9)
20 – Michael Hooper (84)
21 – Joe Powell (4)
22 – Dane Haylett-Petty (23)
23 – Tom Banks (1)
That’s leaving 66-cap Nick Phipps out, paying for his slow service.
It’s a pity Jake Gordon isn’t in the squad, as he would be the best back-up for Genia.
Also missing are hooker Tatafa Polota-Nau (84 caps), and utility back Matt Toomua (35) who are still playing for Leicester when the Wallabies are resting during this Rugby Championship.
They are either Wallabies or not. It’s impossible to serve two masters, let alone the debilitating extra air travel as well.
Cheika is the best man to coach the Wallabies, and he has the golden opportunity to win the last four games of this campaign which will silence his detractors.
He is very capable of winning all four, providing he puts his best side on the paddock.
Anything less, and he’ll need ear muffs to deafen the calls for dismissal.