With their backs to the wall and their coach’s future being questioned the Wallabies have it all ahead of them when they take on the All Black-defeating Springboks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
One thing the Wallabies, former players and the punditry alike can all agree on is there simply must be change if they are to be any chance of an unheralded redemptive victory.
But change to what exactly – the game plan, the coach, the selections?
In his article, ‘Wallabies plan isn’t working – it’s time selectors tore up the script’ printed in Fairfax on September 23, eminent rugby scribe Paul Cully was on point in his opening sentence simply, “It is time to be bold”.
Amen brother, pour yourself a Bushmills! Whilst Cully went on to advocate the selection of Rob Simmons, Bernard Foley, moving Israel Folau to the 13 jumper and the selection of unfairly maligned Ned Hanigan to the starting pack, I can only find communion with him in the latter.
Few would doubt the untimely sabbatical of Lukhan Tui will test the Wallabies ability to move the ball over the advantage line near the breakdown, something the powerhouse blindside flanker has brought to the Wallaby game this season. Few would also doubt that the athletic mop, Ned Hanigan simply does not have this grunt in his swag yet his lineout ability determines Hanigan must start in the six jumper.
Ned Hanigan of the Wallabies. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The lineout has at times been nothing short of shambolic for the Wallabies this season. At times the Wallabies simply could not win their own ball, and seldom have they really caused an opponent’s lineout any turbulence.
I can therefore understand why the call for the re-selection of Rob Simmons would be attractive as the 88-Test veteran has largely earned his stripes due to his lineout ability. But is this a bold call and will this cure other issues experienced around the lineout? I say no.
The Wallabies ability to defuse an opponent’s lineout either in the throw, or as the platform is setting on the ground has been consistently substandard in this Rugby Championship. The attention to detail specifically the lack of urgency to react coupled with ineffective body height and positioning has cost Australia yards and points against the Springboks in Brisbane and I predict will do the same in Port Elizabeth unless this is rectified.
What is required is hard shoulders and those who relish in the physical contact. That is not Rob Simmons. That is Adam Coleman, that is Rory Arnold that is Angus Cottrell.
Adam Coleman of Australia (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The Springboks are all too ready and primed to continue the victory lap and will demonstrate to their supporters their inherent style of rugby that is predicated on set piece dominance and zealous aggression designed to annihilate all in their path.
Whilst Hanigan is not touted as a ‘tough guy’ in the mould of a David Codey or a David Carter the Wallabies can ill afford to play a short back row against a team that seeks set piece dominance therefore Hanigan simply must be selected on that basis. This however calls for a complete bold think of the balance of the back row.
Boldness would see David Pocock moved to the 7 jumper with hard-nut debutant Angus Cottrell to start in the 8. This would allow a lineout option, coupled with a running 8 and the world-best open side to actually play in that position.
Furthermore, I would invite the Wallabies to tweak the game plan and look to take the Springboks on closer off the ruck thus allowing the Wallabies to hunt closer as unit as opposed to stretching the backline with endless out-the-back plays that have become endlessly predictable. I challenge the Wallabies to be bold and take the Springboks on up the middle.
Does anyone else recall the disappointment that fell on Australian rugby when we learnt that Taniela Tupou was ruled out of the Sydney Bledisloe? Surely he was due to start in the run on XV? Why not now? I would start him along with Folau Fainga’a as Totafu Polota-Nau has not brought the game a player of his experience should have in this campaign.
Taniela Tupou of the Wallabies (second right) celebrates winning a penalty. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
The Beale experiment at fly half must be consigned to the rubbish bin however I would not recall Bernard Foley. Although I am an advocate of Jack Maddocks playing in the fly half role in the near future now is not that time.
Instead I would play Matt Toomua at 10, with Kurtley Beale reverting back to his best position at 12. I have not yet excused Maddocks from duty, and would start the rising star in the full back position.
This kid simply needs to be closer to the ball, in more space. I would allow license to attack and select Haylett-Petty and Folau on the wings to chaperone Maddocks.
This of course means that Marika Koroibete would move to the bench. Whilst Koroibete brings speed and presence, the Wallabies require creativity more so at this time as they simply have become too predictable.
The past few days has been an interesting one on the global sporting landscape. Tiger Woods has won for the first times in years. In the NFL the Cleveland Browns won their first game in over 600 days off the back of a college walk-on quarterback by the name of Baker Mayfield and Collingwood are into the AFL final.
Redemption is real. I say tear up the old plan and tear up the middle! Redemption awaits.
My matchday 23
1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Rory Arnold
5. Adam Coleman
6. Ned Hanigan
7. David Pocock (VC)
8. Angus Cottrell
9. Will Genia
10. Matt Toomua
11. Dane Haylett-Petty
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Reece Hodge
14. Israel Folau
15. Jack Maddocks
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Sekope Kepu
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Izack Rodda
20. Caleb Timu
21. Michael Hooper (C)
22. Jake Gordon
23. Marika Koroibete
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Wallaby Jordie Petaia is in doubt for the rest of the Super Rugby season, and potentially Australia's Test series against Wales, after suffering a…
Four years after getting a taste of international coaching, Geoff Parling will return as the Wallabies’ new lineout coach. The Roar can reveal the…
Rugby in Australia is often not well represented by Rugby Australia. To be Australian in Australia is often to raise one state over country.…
If there's one thing Australian rugby is good at - and at time of writing, one thing might be all we can hope for…
After losing Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight to suspensions, the Queensland Reds have copped another blow by losing Seru Uru for up to six…
Speaking on the Roar Rugby Podcast with Christy Doran, Matt Toomua believes that removing restrictions entirely will open more doors than close for the…
