Maybe it’s because I’ve been pushing myself into cricket mode over the last week, and maybe it’s because they’re always a bit ‘out of sight, out of mind’ in the lead-up to the first Test of a Spring Tour, but I haven’t heard a lot from the Wallabies as they steel themselves for Wales this weekend.
Like the Australian cricket team, the Wallabies find themselves less than twelve months out from a World Cup steadfastly of the belief that ‘our method can be successful again’ despite most other nations – and the game itself – moving onto newer and better methods.
Worryingly, neither side look capable of recognising the obvious need for a change of approach. In the context of full-blown change currently sweeping through the offices and boardrooms of Cricket Australia, it’s actually quite an accomplishment to avoid it.
Our cricketers at least have a full home season ahead of them and plenty of opportunity to review their approach against three different opposition over the next four months.
The Wallabies have three opportunities against three opposition over the next three weeks. And then nothing until the middle of next year.
So what will – or what should – we see from the Wallabies over these next three weeks?
I’ll hop straight back on a well-ridden hobby horse of recent weeks and again push the case that the Test against Wales this Saturday really should be the one in which Nick Phipps or Jake Gordon – and I don’t even care which one – start at scrumhalf.
Will Genia has played nine of the possible ten Tests in 2018 to date, and was replaced in all but one of those nine Tests – the loss to South Africa in Brisbane. Of those eight Tests he was replaced in, only the second Test against Ireland in Melbourne was injury forced.
Will Genia (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
But of those remaining seven Tests in which Genia was tactically replaced, the fewest minutes he played was 68, against Argentina in Salta.
Of the seven chances Nick Phipps had had opportunities to make an impact, or dare I suggest attempt to apply some selection pressure, he has played a grand total of 62 minutes. Even having played 53 minutes when Genia was injured in Melbourne, and starting the following week in the Third Test against Ireland in Sydney, Phipps hasn’t played three full matches worth of Test rugby in 2018.
Joe Powell came on in that Ireland Test in Sydney toward the end, but also went unused when Genia played the full eighty in Brisbane. He was sent back to the NRC for game time, and then not selected for this tour.
Jake Gordon remains uncapped, though surely that won’t still be the case by the end of this tour. It shouldn’t be the case by Sunday morning, if any sense is applied.
Contrast this with how so many other of the top nations are getting game time and building depth in their specialist positions – Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara across the ditch being the obvious example – and the maddening over-reliance on Genia becomes clear.
I stand by my opinion previously that Genia should’ve have been left at home from this tour. There is literally nothing to be gained for the Wallabies in him starting and playing deep into these three Tests, and they should have been used to get more minutes into Phipps and Test rugby exposure into Gordon and Powell.
So will Gordon get a debut this weekend in Cardiff? Could Phipps get a rare start?
Jake Gordon of Waratahs. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
The same argument could easily have been applied to the hooking position, but like Powell, Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been left at home for reasons unknown, with Tatafu Polota-Nau re-joining the squad this week. This almost certainly means he’ll play this weekend.
I will argue that Folau Fainga’a starting will at least give him more exposure the set pressure is on from the start, and equally, there could be benefits in seeing what Polota-Nau can produce at the back end of games. But applying my own logic around the need to build depth for specialist positions, the Wallabies really should be trying to straighten Tolu Latu out, too, despite the penalty risk (or worse) his game currently offers.
We know David Pocock can play blindside and we know he can play no.8. But where else might Michael Hooper be effective? Is there any reason he couldn’t play another backrow position the same unique way he plays on the openside?
Again, there’s nothing to lose in trying Hooper at either 6 or 8 over the next three weeks. I’ve long thought his wide-running but busy-defence game would be suited to no.8, so why not try it? If that the allows Pocock to operate back in his natural openside habitat, then why wouldn’t you try and play to that very obvious strength?
David Pocock and Mike Hooper (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Could we see three different front rows start Tests on this tour? How can the Wallabies get the best of tightheads Allan Ala’alatoa, Taniela Tupou, and Sekope Kepu in the same game?
How can we balance the lock mix so that the set piece starts the game well, and the requisite bench impact and chance of lineout steals come through late in the game?
And what of the outside backs? Is Jordan Petaia so good that his age doesn’t matter? Does starting Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside centre mean Israel Folau’s job becomes simplified on the right wing with the added plus of the midfield defence vastly improved? If he’s to come off the bench, when is the right time to unleash Samu Kerevi?
We will know the Wallabies side for the Wales Test soon enough, and indeed, it may even have been announced by the time you’re reading this.
But how many of these questions will be met with surprisingly fresh answers?
And will these three Tests be seen to be the experiment opportunities that they obviously are? Could we see the first adjustments toward the Wallabies charting a new course for next year’s World Cup?
Ronaldo Andrews
Guest
I know they were "naughty boys" but perhaps Cooper and Hunt should be forgiven, both are far better players than the existing members of the WB back line, who seem to have no idea of what the basics of the game are, let alone what the game plan is, that's of course if there is such a thing in existence.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
The issue as I see it is that Toomua is a better 10 than Foley and a better 12 than Kerevi, while Kerevi is a better 12 than Foley is a 10, which means: 10. Toomua, 12. Kerevi is superior to 10. Foley, 12. Toomua.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Yes Fionn, I see your point but I agree on your other point, "if not better at 12". That is how I see it. And I see the reasoning by jeznez on using him as our No. 10 backup as we do not have one unless QC plays out of his skin. But as I said, I would like to have Toomua/Kerevi bracketed as bench/No. 12 and maybe Kurdirani as No. 13 with Petaia on the wing. But as we have Cheika as Coach, our discussions bear no fruit.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The entire article is about experimentation and building depth, not about permanently displacing guys. If Genia and Foley get injured are you be happy with a Phipps/Beale halves combo? Who are your next two guys in that situation, that will be on the bench, and will they have any experience? Take a look at the AB's who have got good minutes into three guys in each position halves - Smith, Perenara and now working to get time into Tahuriorangi and 10 - Barrett, Mounga and McKenzie. There aren't many tests until the WC so if we aren't blooding them now they will be debuting during the tournament in the case of any mishaps. (p.s. I must question what you are watching if you think Phipps is a better ball runner than Gordon)
Locky
Guest
jameswm ...is that you buddy ?
Locky
Guest
Still looking for Marto Machooka ? Good to see you are still contributing nothing constructive towards why the we have the downfall of The Wallabies.As long as your Waratahs fill half the Wallabies you are happy. Who cares if everyone beats them. You are always silent on the Michael Cheika Folau Hooper Phipps Foleys issues and never comment on the Wallabies slide from 2nd to 7th under Cheiks?. You must be absolutely stoked 11 of the 23 Wallabies are Waratahs Machooka. Well done mate. P.S AAC will also slot in there soon once his fitness is up to 80 perecent and the just for men hair dye is applied.
Buk
Guest
Yeah fair call, I can't defend the methodology or deny the reverse progression, which why he is under seige
Arnold
Guest
If we are to persist with the smallest forwards in the world, why not play Genia at blindside. He may even be taller than the Pooper. Really when will Cheika have the guts to move either half of Pooper to the bench and play go forward ball runners at 6 and 8. At least punching the ball up the middle successfully would stop endless phase play going from side to side with no movement forward.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Until the 2013 spring tour he played all his rugby at 10. He debuted for the Wallabies at 10 and played 4-5 matches there. Quade was in great form during the 2013 spring tour and the Wallabies needed a 12 - it made perfect sense to put him there given he is as good, if not better, at 12. At Leicester you'd have to be stupid not to get both him and Ford on the field, so again, he goes to 12. But he played very well at 10 when Ford was unavailable. He is a good Michael Lynagh style 10 - he has a better pass and kick than Foley and would be the best defensive 10 in the world.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I see nothing to make me believe Petaia will he experienced enough at 13 to play there at the RWC. It takes years to learn how to defend there well.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Fionn, I think your statement that "he owned the position for the majority of his career" is a little bit stretched. He has not owned it with the Wallabies where he has performed excellent as a No. 12. He was written up for Leicester, so be it but he did not set the World on fire when he returned (other factors as well) but he is a No. 12. I Googled his Wallaby selections and positions - some unable to say if FH or Inside Centre but he has not placed as No. 10 when BF and QC have been available. 2011 - RWC - BB & QC; EOYT - BB. 2012 - RC - BB, KB, QC; EOYT - BB & KB 2013 - RC - BF, QC & MT; Lions Tour - BB, KB and CL - No MT 2013 - EOYT - BF, QC and MT 2014 - RC - KB and BF; EOYT - QC, BF and MT 2015 - RC - BF, QC, KB, MT; RWC - BF and QC 2016 - RC - BF, QC & MT (but listed as Inside Back); EOYT - BF and QC 2017 - RC - BF; EOYT - BF and KB So Fionn, for the Wallabies, he has not ownded the posiiton and if he was "owing the position" - and that means "being very good" at the Brumbies, he would have been owing the position in the Wallabies, irrespective of Coach. He is a very good No. 12 - and that is his position.
mbp
Guest
what about hooper in the centres?
Andrew
Roar Guru
Liam Williams and Dan Biggar on the bench for Wales - if they're still in it with 20 to go that will give them immense confidence with those two coming on, especially Williams linking up with the brilliant Jonathan Davies.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
See I can see the reasoning.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Point taken but still do not agree on Toomua. As much as I do not like it, we stay with Foley unless Quade is outstanding and Cheika is swayed. I think a Toomua/Kerevi No. 12/Bench would be ideal. Has Kuridrani been our best 13 since 2013. There have been times, and possible no one else, but at times he has been in and out of "best". Some games he has been unforgiveable in play. Fionn, I believe if good enough, then old enough. Little, Horan and others. Age is not what matters it is capability and balls.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Which half is better than Genia and international standard? Neither of the two Brett mentions are game breaking finishers. I think Phipps offers more with his defence which is considerably better than any other scrum half we have and has pace and ability to run the ball more than the other two so more suited as a finisher. Phipps should be given more time in the second half if we want to do anything productive. None of our halves should be starting in front of Genia. Dempsey is our best 6 and in form would be picked in front of an ageing Fardy who had a good few years late in his career only but Dempsey is what 24. Toomua didn't show anything to warrant permanently displacing Foley/Beale combo. Not sure who else you might think is hiding away and not getting game time?
SolidGold
Roar Rookie
Well the team is out: Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 Jack Maddocks And with Ben O’Keeffe blowing the whistle it is going to be a long night for the Wallabies.
Ad-0
Guest
Nice ideas but I don't expect too much experimentation. Cheike's job is on the line and we've been stinking out the place, even with our best 15.
Waxhead
Guest
@ Brett - while I agree the November tour should be used to experiment I don't agree with many of your suggestions. First - Phipps ahhhh ..... he should never have been picked in any Wallaby squad for past 3 years. Powell & Gordon are the best back ups for Genia and need Test run on opportunities urgently. Genia should have been left at home. Polota Nau and AAC are both past it and should never have been picked in the squad either. The new young guys must be blooded asap. Hooper is a one trick pony and not suitable for No 8. Possible experiment as a centre is his only option imo cos he is an ordinary No 7 and a poor captain. Which brings me to a new captain - must be Pocock asap. Then Flyhalf ..... Aust must find an alternative to Foley. Flakey Q Cooper was gone as soon as his knee reconstruction stole his speed and step. Beale is not suitable. Aust must experiment with others asap. T Tupou needs to start in all 3 tests and put to the sword in northern hemisphere scrum school. W's will likely lose to both Wales and England no matter who they pick so lets get on with re-building. But Cheika won't do it cos he's now desperately trying to save his job.
Fox
Roar Guru
Nice suggestion Brett but I think Cheika will be so concerned about losing to Wales after somany loses - I think he will be conservative with his selections - one change maybe as an experiment but not much - maybe some changes on the bench perhaps but the starting might have some teaking but not very much. The main issue is Kerevi returning to centre which would mean Folau back to 15 or on the wing unless he wants more impact from the bench. With Biggar and Halfpenny Wales have strong tactical kicking power.