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Michael Cheika has a very healthy problem to solve leading into the Wales, Italy and England internationals to complete the 2018 program.
Does he keep Israel Folau at outside centre, and have the blockbusting Samu Kerevi run off him, or switch Kerevi inside and have Folau looming in support?
Kerevi made a stunning comeback last night in Yokohama against the All Blacks. He’s just had a token appearance at the Byron Bay Sevens last weekend since rupturing his bicep against Ireland last June.
His powerhouse running gave the men-in-black plenty of defensive worries, and he tackled strongly.
One of his bursts ended with Folau slicing his way to a five-pointer late in the second half.
Kerevi was a shining light in the 20-37 loss, where the Wallabies lifted their game for most of the 80 minutes. Their mistakes, however, gifted the All Blacks three of their five tries.
Make mistakes against the world number one side, and they immediately dish out severe punishment.
Samu Kerevi. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
For example, bench hooker Tolu Latu fed a Wallaby lineout on attack, but was a metre off the line. How could anyone be so far out?
From the scrum, Beauden Barrett scored.
Later Latu was involved in a scuffle with his opposite number to cop a yellow, and again the All Blacks were on the attack.
When he returned he wanted to go on with it until his props Scott Sio, and Sekope Kepu, ordered him to zip it.
Sadly, Latu isn’t the brightest lettuce in the vegetable garden.
Nor lock Izack Rodda, who was twice guilty of knocking on at critical stages.
Despite the loss, there were a number of pluses.
Kepu’s 100th cap was a highlight, the first Wallaby prop to achieve the feat. The way the side restricted the All Blacks to 17-10 at the break despite just 34 per cent possession, and 28 per cent territory, bodes well.
That was no mean feat, as was having to overcome a 12-5 penalty count.
There must be something wrong with the official Wallaby tackle count of 66 from 86. I reckon the majority of them were in the first half as the Wallabies defended courageously against a mountain of possession, and territory.
So there was a lot to like about the Wallabies last night, even though it took the season result tally to only three wins from 10 starts.
Michael Cheika has a solid platform to build on after the superb second half comeback against the Pumas, and last night.
Australian coach Michael Cheika (AAP Image/Darren England)
Bring on Wales with renewed confidence.