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If Justin Langer wanted to recall Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh from long-time retirement to stiffen the current middle batting order, readers of The Roar would make their objections clear.
But Ponting (43), and the 53-year-old twins, would be far more likely to score more runs than those present, as compared to 34-year-old Adam Ashley-Cooper being a bonus to the Wallabies.
The prospect of him hogging the ball with supports in a better position to score sends shivers up the spine.
The last time he wore gold was August 2016 in the 29-9 loss to the All Blacks.
Ashley-Cooper only lasted 16 minutes before he was dragged for a concussion check, and never returned.
His replacement?
Reece Hodge on debut, and it’s Hodge who is out for the rest of the year after breaking his ankle at training, with Ashley-Cooper mentioned in despatches as his replacement.
No thanks.
For the last two years Ashley-Cooper has been playing for Kobelco Steelers in the Japanese Top League – and that’s where he should stay.
(Photo: AFP)
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has already resurrected Tatafa Polata-Nau and Matt Toomua from Leicester, and now they are back there.
So what’s the point of resurrection?
Cheika has many options living in the present while burying the past.
Israel Folau and Samu Kerevi are frontline contenders for Hodge’s 13 jersey with Tevita Kuridrani still on the injured list.
With Dane Haylett-Petty seemingly locked into fullback, Folau would be closer to the action at outside centre, and closer to Kurtley Beale as the only two x-factor footballers in the backline.
Cheika has messed up Beale and Folau in recent Tests by playing them both out of their accepted positions.
Sharing the centres might just be a blessing in disguise by accident.
Kerevi is in a very different situation.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
He’s been out with a bicep tear since the third Test against Ireland last June, but he did return for last Saturday’s Bryon Bay Sevens.
Hardly enough game time to take on the All Blacks, so a bench spot would be the answer.
There’s one more backline spot up for grabs for Saturday as Will Genia’s backup.
With the squad selection of Jake Gordon, surely that’s the end of Nick Phipps’ career.
Gordon automatically does what Phipps has forgotten to do – run with the ball.
There’s one more obvious change up front, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
And because it won’t happen, the All Blacks have an armchair ride to the victory dais.