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.
Olly
Guest
Hahahaha. I can't argue with that.
Johnjohns
Guest
You do though. Your constant negative articles of Hooper never provide good reasoning, just numbers around captain win percentage and players preferred 7 in super rugby. You dont give a good alternative to not playing Pooper and your two captain options have played less than 10 making your comparisons pointless. Where was your review of Pococks sub par game, both personally and as captain? I personally believe you have become a tabloid writer and have latched onto the now boring but popular with the uninformed Poey over Hooper is the saving grace discussion.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
Does that go down as a try assist to Folau?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think Ben Smith would disagree that he never passes. Although, to be fair, that was again right to left, it’s his left to right which exists in theory alone.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Good for you! ????
Olly
Guest
Setting up tried???? That involves actually passing which is something he never does. He always goes himself or throws a silly pass when in contact that stops all the momentum.
Hoy
Roar Guru
How many times do we have to read "Cheika has a solid platform to build on" or similar? The fact is he has never built on any solid platforms. He has had 4 years to "build" on solid platforms, and all we get are repeat platitudes about being able to build from "that"...
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
He only does this when he has space. aka FB or Wing.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Isn't that what you want from a 13. Hard Ball runner, who breaks the advantage. Especially if you have Beale at 12, you need a player to straighten and get over the advantage. If he does this often enough, players will look to be ready for the offload, and thus you get more momentum forward.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
I have said before Kerevi will be a next superstar, a decent bloke fully committed to being the best. He will make it bigtime.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Samu looked good when he came on. The team looked more direct and benefited from him being on the field. The rest of the debate is irrelevant. If he is fit he should start as NONE of the other backs had the presence that he had.
Buk
Guest
An entertaining match, with some bright spots. But still some simple inadequacies, such as throwing the ball in straight, and covering a shift of attack to the blindside - quite possibly a consequence of the complex musical chairs defensive system. I thought Simmons played a very good game.
Karl Knuth
Roar Pro
My '19 team. Hanson, White, Gill & Fardy are quality that we dont have in Aus atm and so badly need. 1. Slipper/Sio 2. BPA/Hanson 3. Tupou/Kepu 4. Coleman/Simmons/Fardy 5. Tui/ Rodda 6. Higginbotham/Dempsey 7. Pocock/Gill/Hooper 8. Nasrani/Timu 9. Genia/White 10. Cooper/Lance/Foley 11. Folau/Korobeite 12. Toomua/Kerevi 13. Kurindrani/Petaia 14. Naivalu 15. Banks/DHP
Kane
Roar Guru
It reflects more on David’s intelligence really.
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
What has Rodda's intelligence level got to do with him knocking the ball on, David?
Kane
Roar Guru
2/10
Kane
Roar Guru
Wait so is Genia a better captain because of his 50% win rate which includes captaining 25% of his tests against the USA?
Stu
Roar Rookie
“…isn’t the brightest lettuce in the vegetable garden". Love a good mixed metaphor!
Stu
Roar Rookie
*loosing.. Ah, one of the classics!
David Lord
Expert
Matey, I have never blamed Michael Hooper for loosing, not even for losing???? I contest his continual selection as the second best seven to David Pocock, and the third best captain to Pocock, and Will Genia.