Spring is the time for new beginnings and fresh starts.
The change of season has certainly had an effect on Michael Cheika, but perhaps because it was coupled with talk of changing the Wallabies coach.
Two heavy defeats to the All Blacks last month – to end another bleak Wallabies winter – reinforced the cold reality that Australia were well off the pace a year out from the World Cup.
The Wallabies had chalked up just one win over seven Tests. New Zealand, Scotland and England had thumped them and Ireland had ground them down.
The chatter about ditching Cheika inevitably surfaced.
Fans’ expectations have always been high and after their poor performance, the heat was on.
There was an inkling Cheika wasn’t going to play favourites when he axed prop Sekope Kepu – a staple at the Waratahs and Wallabies – for the second Bledisloe Test at Eden Park.
But the big surprise came a week ago when he cut five-eighth Bernard Foley from the starting side for last Saturday night’s Test against South Africa.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It was a huge call, as the Wallabies coach had been loyal to Foley for years at Test and Super Rugby level. Foley had been below-par, but far from terrible, for much of this season.
He played with a rigidity that failed to inspire the backlines he was directing. Given Quade Cooper was out of the frame, the return of Matt Toomua from England finally gave Cheika another playmaking option.
He didn’t waste any time flicking Foley back to the bench. One could argue that Cheika had little to lose given his job security was fraying.
The Wallabies went on to record a gutsy win over the Boks in Brisbane, with Toomua solid in the number 10 jersey.
And now Israel Folau – fit again after missing two Tests with an ankle injury – has been moved from fullback to the wing for this Saturday’s clash with Argentina. Dane Haylett-Petty keeps hold of the number 15 jersey.
Folau hasn’t started an international on the wing since the 2013 Bledisloe Cup, having played fullback for his past 61 consecutive Tests.
It’s a positional change that many Wallabies fans have wanted for a while. He’s brilliant at fullback, but the proponents of the shift thought Folau could be a juicy target for cross-field kicks, though he could also get more chances to run in space.
Folau’s opposite number on Saturday night, Ramiro Moyano, scored a cracking swerving try against the All Blacks last weekend in Nelson. He’s 1.80m so not tiny but at 1.93m, Folau will have a sizeable advantage over him in aerial contests.
(AAP Image/Mark Dadswell)
There’s no doubt that Folau wants the number 15 jersey, and that makes the selection call intriguing.
Is it a coincidence that Foley and Folau are yet to re-sign with Rugby Australia for next year and have been dropped and shifted sideways over the last two weeks?
Is it a bit of a power play from Cheika, who would be aware of their pay and contract demands?
After all, it seems stunning that it’s September and the pair is still unsigned for the World Cup next year. It may just be a little nudge from Cheika to let them know they’re not indispensable.
It’s also intriguing because the Wallabies now have the curious situation in which the best fullback in the world, Folau, is playing on the wing and the best openside flanker in the world, David Pocock, is playing at number 8.
Do the three changes with Kepu and Foley to the bench and Folau to the wing constitute a selection shake-up?
If not a shake-up, then it’s some zealous stirring. They are certainly significant given the loyalty Cheika has shown the trio over the past five years.
Are there more changes to come from Cheika if he isn’t getting the commitment he craves and the balance he desires?
Will Pocock go to the number 7 role and send Michael Hooper to the bench? Will Hooper move to the centres? Is Sean McMahon going to be back from Japan? Will it be the return of Adam Ashley-Cooper? They are all either outside chances or long shots.
The next big selection call is surely Taniela Tupou to start in the front row.
double agent
Guest
Agree
double agent
Guest
I love Sam Cane he is a tackle machine but a turnover merchant he is Not.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Agree that with this backline you would need a real speedster like Rocket Rod Davies at 11 but having most of them playing in their preferred position is a good start.
Dave
Guest
'Brilliant' at FB and the 'best in the World' - I like you, are you a stand up comedian?
timber
Guest
Why? Pocock while outstanding over the ball isn't a ball-playing no7. Sean O'Brien is definitely in the frame and Cane is a more well-rounded player.
Phil
Guest
I think Will got the result he was looking for!Only thing is that it has taken the focus of the article away completely.A rather silly statement to make if he wanted the article to be taken seriously.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Spot on! Hanson gave a great interview after the AB's game, praising Smith's skills at fullback but adding that his ability to play 14 gives Hanson more flexibility with his selection and game plan. This is the mark of not only a great fullback but a great player. Nobody is saying Ben smith is the worlds best 14 (He would make my list though). It is an insult to the position to put Folau on the same sheet of paper let alone use the phrase "Worlds Best". It is time for people to turn off to the Fox Fake commentary, Ignore the highlights reel, take off the sky blue monocle and start actually watching the game. it is 80 minutes long, not 80 seconds. Watch what Folau does for the other 78 minutes 40 seconds and ask yourself if he is adding value. Apply the same critical eye to B.Smith, Dagg, Banks, DHP,.......any international fullback, and it is chalk and cheese.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Folau Best fullback in the world. Bah, Humbug. Doesn't make my top 20.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Bit high as an 8 when considered that "timber" has him as only good on 2 of the 7 things a FB should be able to do. "Folau is excellent under the high ball and is a brilliant ball runner, but he’s below average in kicking, defence, positional play, passing and work rate".
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Will, you are dreaming. Folau the best FB in World Rugby is a statement that is beyond a joke. It lacks any clear demarcation of research. Ben Smith wins hands down. Folau cannot kick properly; cannot position himself correctly in defence; he does not go looking for the ball; and he does not know when and where to inject himself into the line in attack. So he does the highball well. Woop! Woop, that does a great FB not make! And his jumping is something that has been weakened by the referees now looking at it clearly.
Boomeranga
Guest
AAA started the season as reserve loosehead and is now starting tighthead. Kepu starting tighthead and is now reserve loosehead. AAA has done well but it all seems a bit confused.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I think you might have it back to front. Hoops is the 1 trick pony causing the selection problems. Poey, because he is the better all-round player can play 8 as well as the 7 that he is one of the worlds best. Folau is a joke when compared to other 15's but he wears the jersey, but doesn't play the role. Foley, Beale and DHP were doing that for him.
Bluesfan
No. Sean O'Brien is class and has being particularly tough for the AB's to combat - and that's a pretty good mark of a player. Sam Cane has a pretty good game - outstanding in both attack and defence. Pocock is fantastic at 1 thing - breakdown - exactly what else does he offer? Pretty clear that Pocock has lost a bit of speed over the years - be very interesting how the loose forwards go this weekend with Hooper out - Samu/Pocock/Tui - not a lot of speed there. Amazing how many good 7's there used to be - think 2015 WC and now it's pretty hard to bring up a list of names.
AussieSamoan91
Roar Rookie
Any team without Simmons, Hanigan, Robertson and Phipps would make me happy... But I hope towards the rugby World Cup we’d have a team that shapes up like this. Positions that I’ve put multiple options because no one has really kinda “owned” it so it’s anyones guess. 1 Sio 2 TPN 3 Ala’alatoa 4 Arnold 5 Coleman 6 McMahon 7 Pocock 8 Samu/Timu 9 Genia 10 Beale/Foley/Cooper 11 Hodge 12 Toomua 13 Kuridrani 14 Folau 15 DHP 16 Faingaa/Latu/Paega-Amosa 17 Kepu 18 Tupou 19 Phillips/Rodda 20 Hooper 21 Gordon 22 Kerevi 23 Banks/Maddocks
Grugby Fan
Roar Rookie
You have to be kidding?
Grugby Fan
Roar Rookie
Another writer giving titles to Pocock and Folau that are just not warranted. To say these guys while awesome rugby players are best in their positions in the world does those better well rounded players who present skill sets and stats that far exceed these two is really dissapointing. Folau granted is in the top 5. Pocock the one trick pony and bloody good at it is a problem for selectors.
waxhead
Guest
Imo......long overdue run on selections should be Tupou to front row. Pocock to No 7 and captain. Hooper sent to bench replaced by hard working line out jumper with serious mongrel. ie Not dud Hanigan. Phipps and Hanigan dropped from squad completely.
Bluesfan
What about Sean O'Brien Sam Cane Kiloysi - though he plays more like a 6 Bit of a paucity of good 7's currently really
Tony H
Roar Pro
100% He's faster, better kicking game, better around the rucks and better organiser in defence.. But hey.. Israel sells jerseys.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Best fullback in the world? Dear God, that's a hell of a reach. I need to stop reading Roar "experts" this morning, as their outrageous declarations are making me too angry to get work done! Next you'll be claiming that Folau invented the question mark.