Wallaby coach Michael Cheika hasn’t played Russian roulette with his career as anticipated against Italy, in fact he’s shown a mixture of vision and ‘what the hell’.
The vision stands out with picking some new blood including outstanding Queensland teenager Jordan Petaia and Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon to debut in the starting lineup, and showing the long overdue door to Nick Phipps, Ned Hanigan and Tolu Latu.
Petaia promises to be very special. He’s very quick and very switched on for someone not long out of school as he’s proved with the Reds.
By Sunday 1am AEST, Petaia will be 18 years and 249 days, the third youngest Wallaby after Brian Ford at 18 years and 90 days, and James O’Connor 18 years and 126 days.
At 190cms and 98kgs he takes some stopping. For those naysayers who will reckon he’s too young, I say if he’s good enough he’s old enough – and he’s bloody good.
Jordan Petaia of the Reds (AAP Image/Albert Perez)
He was originally selected to get the feel of international rugby from outside the fence on this tour, but to Cheika’s credit Petaia has been fast-tracked to wear the 11 jersey at the weekend in Padua.
Gordon was the better Waratahs halfback last Super Rugby season, but coach Daryl Gibson in the main stuck by Phipps. No doubt that will change next season – and deservedly so.
The change in vision will be Israel Folau returning to fullback, a position he should never have left.
Watch him turn in a blinder to celebrate.
The ‘what the hell’ selection is Adam Ashley-Cooper who at 34 hasn’t played top-shelf international rugby since he was carted off in the 16th minute with concussion on 27 August 2016 against the All Blacks, and replaced by Reece Hodge on debut.
Since then he’s been playing for Bordeaux, and Kobe Steelers.
But Cheika has seen fit to slot him in on the wing en route to a fourth Rugby World Cup where he’ll be 35, and no doubt even slower.
As a result promising youngsters like Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks have been sacrificed to make room for the 116-capped veteran.
What’s the point?
Adam Ashley-Cooper crosses against Argentina for the Wallabies (Photo: AFP)
So for the first time, outside centre Samu Kerevi will be the only back wearing the same number from last weeks pathetic 6-9 loss to Wales.
Gordon replaces Will Genia who has been benched, Matt Toomua’s the fly-half forcing Bernard Foley to 12, and Kurtley Beale to the bench, Petaia takes over from winger Sefa Naivalu who has been dropped, Ashley-Cooper replaces Folau on the other wing, with Folau resuming at fullback, forcing Dane Haylett-Petty to the bench.
Toomua last played fly-half five years ago, Foley inside centre two years ago, while Beale hasn’t been on the pine since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.
As a result the Wallaby backs on the bench will be the strongest in memory with Genia, Beale, and Haylett-Petty ready to pick up the slack if Italy suddenly gets its act together and starts playing like a Tier One nation.
In short, Latu, Naivalu, Hanigan, Phipps, Maddocks, lock Rob Simmons, and prop Allan Alaalatoa will be watching from the Padua stand, while Petaia, Gordon, Ashley-Cooper, prop Jermaine Ainsley, hooker Folau Fainga’a, lock Rory Arnold, and back-rower Peter Samu have been promoted.
The squad
(1) Scott Sio (53 caps)
(2) Folau Fainga’a (6)
(3) Taniela Tupou (10)
(4) Izack Rodda (15)
(5) Adam Coleman (29)
(6) Jack Dempsey (8)
(7) Michael Hooper capt (88)
(8) David Pocock (76)
(9) Jake Gordon (debut)
(10) Matt To’omua (40)
(11) Jordan Petaia (debut)
(12) Bernard Foley (66)
(13) Samu Kerevi (23)
(14) Adam Ashley-Cooper (116)
(15) Israel Folau (71)
(16) Tatafa Polota-Nau (87)
(17) Jermaine Ainsley (1)
(18) Sekope Kepu (101)
(19) Rory Arnold (19)
(20) Pete Samu (19)
(21) Will Genia (98)
(22) Kurtley Beale (82)
(23) Dane Haylett-Petty (29)
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Sheek, in answer to your line "And I don’t understand on any level shifting Foley to #12. Only reason is to be first choice goal kicker I suppose." M.Toomua is a fairly handy kicker also. Didn't Cheika see his penalty kick almost from the sideline last week? B.Foley must be almost knackered by now and really needed the rest but the WB coach cannot move away from his beloved two playmaker system. Many folks suspect other reasons also (protecting certain selections etc). All the bloke has is a "Plan A or the highway" game plan and lots of ranting and excuses. Pretty sad to watch.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Well said Olly. Am in total agreement. Even Eddie Jones has dropped the two playmaker system (G.Ford to the bench) and is now playing a crash runner at IC and largish but slippery H.Slade at OC On the basis that M.Cheika is about 3 years slower that Fast Eddie, then the B.Foley-K.Beale combo will be ditched sometime in 2021. :)
DrSuperman
Guest
Cheika's obsession with Foley should be proof that he isn't up to it. Adam Ashley Cooper should be the nail in the coffin, not being good enough to play outside centre doesn't make you a winger, he was a below average winger 10 years ago, even a moron like Cheika should understand his pace is probably worse now. Beale is a bench utility at best, hopefully he's stopped trying to ram him into 10, 12 or 15 somehow.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Yes, banks and Maddocks should be in there and Foley should have been rested.
Old One Eue
Guest
There’s a plan?
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Larkham will not walk because what I have heard is that Larkham is the heir apparent to the position of Wallaby Coach. When that happens, Rugby in Aust. will be totally stuffed.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Marfu, Larkham was a great No. 10. But that does not necessarily translate to being a Good Attack Coach. I would say the running lines and angles of the Wallabies back under McQueen were developed by McQueen and his attack coach. Also those teams had a lot of players with "Rugby Smarts". This team does not. I also do not think that Larkham is the smartest cabbage in the patch.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Do, I like your first sentence - "These selections confirm what everyone already knew". But I disagree with the rest because it could be summed up simply by, "Cheika is a Goose"!
Big Bird
Guest
Nailed MF. There is no room in professional sport for parochial self indulgence such as enjoyed by Michael Cheika. Foley shoehorned evrn though not our best 12. Hooper shoehorned in even though not our best 7. Hanigan constantly shoehorned in though not our best 6. So many playing out of position. ABs must just shake their heads because we're too dumb to make it fun playing WBs any more. I never thought I would fo it but I'm supporting anyone but the WBs until the madness stops.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
And if he doesn't, will it be Hooper's fault?
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
You've probably hit the nail on the head, Larkham's attacking plays work brilliantly against Grey's defence and vice versa. Cheika reiterating 'If the players would just try harder it will all work out'.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, with no one else getting any serious time or experience at 10, Foley is integral to the team.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
'Revolver' or 'Help' ;)
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
Deja vu, 10/12 doesn't gel, Toomua gets pulled early, KB on and Bernard to 10. Toomua walks off mouthing 'wtf'
Snoop Bloggy blog
Roar Rookie
I don’t think RA would have to pay Cheika out. He’s in breach of contract by intentionally railroading players careers and the teams performance to the detriment of both. Contract must surely be under the proviso that first priority is try to win instead of creating scenarios to keep selecting players loyal to you. He’s putting who he wants in the side ahead of success. On field performances coupled with his selections clearly show this. It’s not just incompetence.
marfu
Guest
A big amen to that Brother/Sister Muss !
marfu
Guest
Yes agreed. I suppose it all revolves around having a skilful 10 who is creative and unpredictable to keep defences guessing which Foley is not as he is so one dimensional it is embarrassing.
Kane
Roar Guru
“Watch him turn in a blinder to celebrate.” If he does have a blinder David, do you think it’s gor anything to do with the Wallabies playing the worst ranked team since June 17? Or does it just back your point re fullback?
QED
Roar Rookie
@Hoy. + 1 you speak such heresy with you know all your logic and such. If a player at international level can not defend their position and there by have to be 'hidden' in some complicated musical chairs system they are NOT at international standard and should not be in the National Team. Rugby is a simple game 1) Attack or Defense 2) catch, pass, run or tackle. 3) get across the advantage line or win the collisions 4) Play at all times with the 'intent' to score tries or get into a try scoring position not just to milk penalties or drop goals 5) Then the team that dominates territory, possession and go forward usually wins.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Simple, Cheika needs to show that other players can't fix the problems in the backs so he can keep picking his lads. He puts Gordon and Toomua up to have a go, then "supports" them with a centre on each wing (1 who is 5 years out of date and 1 an up and comer who injured himself to be replaced with a winger before his debut). A specialist 10 who is massively out of form at 12 where he can't defend. A 12 at 13 and an out of form winger at FB. He then packs the bench in a way which shows that he will go back to his conventional setup with 20/25 mins to go against a tired Italian side in the hope they score a bunch of tries so he can say "my guys are awesome" justifying his continued selection of Beale, Folau and Foley regardless of form. 9 Gordon, 10 Toomua, 11 Korobeti/Sefa, 12 Kerevi, 13 Petaia, 14 Maddocks, 15 Banks would have been the perfect opportunity to run all players in position. Bench Genia, Beale and Korobeti/Sefa.