Blockbusting centre Samu Kerevi was a standout in the Wallabies 26-7 win over Italy at Padua this morning, but coach Michael Cheika has problems heading towards next weeks clash with England at Twickenham.
The biggest will be David Pocock’s availability after leaving the field in the 52nd with a head injury, and he didn’t return.
Without Pocock, the Wallabies have no chance of upsetting the men in white.
The Wallabies only led 14-0 at the break despite owning 57 per cent possession, 60 per cent territory, and Italy having two tries disallowed.
Hardly impressive against a side that’s rated the easy beats among the Tier One nations.
And Bernard Foley isn’t a 12, there was far too much drop ball, and scrum penalties, to help Cheika’s cause.
What the hell, a win is a win is a win, especially as it was only the fourth in 12 this campaign.
On the other side of the coin, Kerevi is a breath of attacking fresh air, and heavyweight Taniela Tupou proved he can be a very effective starting prop.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Adam Ashley-Cooper, a hog in his previous career, actually passed twice to be involved in both of winger Marika Koriobete’s two first-half tries in five minutes.
Michael Hooper at last gave an insight into why Rugby Australia is paying him $6 million over five years by tackling his heart out, and Jake Gordon has stamped himself as Will Genia’s shadow – which has effectively ended Nick Phipps’ international career.
So what has Cheika up his sleeve for England next week, trying to end their dominance of winning their last five meetings?
Pocock is the biggest worry, it’s worth repeating the Wallabies cannot beat England without their only truly consistent world class player whose workload, and work ethics, are extremely high.
And Marika Koriobete will be hard to drop to allow the exciting 18-year-old Jordan Petaia to make his debut at Twickenham.
Petaia suffered a hamstring tweak at training in Padua where he was due to debut, but should be fit enough for the final Test of this campaign.
It doesn’t matter which way Cheika moves for the 10 jumper – neither Bernard Foley nor Matt To’omua are world class, but the former is a better bet to combat England.
Kurtley Beale must be returned to 12, he has been suitably admonished as a bench man this morning after a couple of very uncharacteristic quiet games, and Israel Folau retained as fullback.
So the backline should read (9) Genia, (10) Foley, (11) Petaia, (12) Beale, (13) Kerevi, (14) Koriobete, (15) Folau, (21) Gordon, (22) To’omua, (23) Dane Haylett-Petty, leaving Ashley-Cooper to watch from the stand.
If the Wallaby pack can give swift clean service to Genia, and Foley gets rid of the ball very quickly, and accurately, the likes of Beale, Kerevi, Petaia, Koriobete, and Folau will give the home of rugby patrons a clinic on how to play exciting attacking rugby.
And beat England at their own fortress.
That double would be very special.
A fitting finale to Will Genia’s 100th cap, and Jordan Petaia’s first.
Scarlord
Roar Rookie
They have taken the positives from their loss to wales and moved forward by beating the current world champions of pizza and spaghetti Bolognese. Things are definitely looking up for cheika and his children... big congrats lads!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Good thought
Richard
Guest
I didn’t see the game, didn’t record it and really am beyond caring. However the Ireland v NZ game was remarkable. David Nucifora has done incredible things with the Irish rugby set up and Schmidt is an outstanding coach. And the gulf continues to widen at an alarming pace.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
At different points in the game I saw both Foley and Pocock attempt long left-to-right passes (the weaker side for both). Foleys attempt was laughable, rolling end on end and dropped short of the intended target. Pocock on the other hand threw a flat spiral perfectly placed so the receiver could run onto it taking it on the chest. So, we have a backrower not noted for his ball playing abilities throwing a better, crisper pass than our first choice fly-half. It’s no wonder the Wallabies are struggling.
Waxhead
Guest
No you'd think of SBW for offloading, great defence, play making & rugby smarts. None of which Kerevi has
Karl Knuth
Guest
Yes guys you are right about keeping Folau, especially with the box kicks that Young’s will no doubt be throwing around. With that in mind it’s probably not a great idea to have Petaia on the wing either. Or Koriobete for that matter. Perhaps a game for the three fullbacks? Banks, DHP and Folau all in the back three at once could work against England due to the heavy kicking sure to be involved.
Flyman
Roar Rookie
The final score flatters the WB's - we were fortunate to get the rub of the green with an incompetent ref. I'll reserve my judgement for the game against the old enemy.
rugby wizard
Guest
Never doubted AAC coming back and performing well,I think barnes can have the same impact he is 32 and has played under Robbie Deans long now,he like AAC solid dependable and level headed,he has 50+ caps surely a few caps can't prevent Cheika from bending eligibility rules and who knows it could solve the problem we have had whole year at 10.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Again with your Toomua delusion Fionn!? Sorry but I don't get it. He's barely done a single thing since coming back, or even before he ever left, to prove he was ever even international standard. He's just like every other Wallabies backline player -breathtakingly average. He never wins motm awards, unlike say Pocock. Was it his missed conversion attempts that impressed you? Or his kick out on the full when he wasn't even under any pressure? Or his touchfinders that barely crawl past Foley's popgun efforts? His pointless tactical kicks over and over, straight down the throat of the waiting fullback? God, he was awful, as per all the WB backs last night. Just maybe, if everyone's talking excellence, they all need to be held to a much higher standard? The Kiwis must look at him and think "yep, just another woefully inconsistent dud - not a problem".
Stu
Roar Rookie
Yeah, cos the first player I think of for tactical kicking is SBW..?!?!
wade fite
Roar Rookie
Genia is the only player in the team with a chance of getting a run in any of the world's top 4 sides. Foley is worse than useless...he is dangerous. Apart from those points Dave , I agree with your summation.
wade fite
Roar Rookie
Agree Simon, except start Banks at 15 to be replaced by Beale at 50min
Stu
Roar Rookie
Wow. As awful as Italy were, and let's be honest - they were truly terrible, the Wallabies were far worse. I cannot for the life of me recall a more insipid, error-strewn, listless, skill-devoid and tactically stupid performance over 80 minutes by a Wallaby team, ever. In history. As far as absolute perfection in tripe goes, I'm certain we just saw it; the blueprint to the absolute pursuit of uselessness, perfected finally over one eighty-minute game - how proud that I can say it was Cheika's Wallabies who finally created it.
wade fite
Roar Rookie
Agree Fionn. Old two-dads appears to have learnt how to pass during his time o/s. So until TK comes back to 13 with SK at 12 and Anyone-but-foley at 10, AAC might provide useful cover at 13. Nonetheless, I'd rather see Cheika's replacement coach grasp the nettle and chuck the 18 year old in at 13 (mmmm...maybe off the bench). Horan and Little proved that 'if you are good enough, you are old enough'
Jeremy Lepper
Guest
Gloria the Irish were pretty much full strength against the All Blacks . Unlike the Wobblies they actually have quality depth .
PiratesRugby
Guest
No team can win at Test level with Foley at 10, Beale at 12 and Hooper as captain/7. There are just too many passengers for even a Hercules like Pocock to carry. We’ve got to put up with this sh1te until after RWC19 when Cheika is finally forced to leave. If Australian rugby can get its act together after that (a big if) will there be anyone left to watch it?
Waxhead
Guest
@ Jeznez ...... Kerevi a quality Test no 12 - you're in fantasy land again. His defence is still poor, he's got no play making skills and no tactical kicking game. Offloading skills - none either. WBs haven't had a high quality no 12 since Tim Horan. Go watch the old videos of him to see what one looks like. Or watch Ma'a Nonu or SBW of a few years ago.
Waxhead
Guest
K. Beale has been total rubbish for both Waratahs and Wallabies all of 2018 consistently but DL (and some other dopes here) are still singing his praises like he's some kind of great No 12. On 2018 form he's not even provincial standard. WBs need a quality and consistent inside centre urgently. Beale is not now and never was. Foley - no - same as Beale. Kerevi - no - his defence is still poor, can't kick and he's no play maker. Toomua is our best by a long way but is now needed to cover for lack of a quality no 10. Has Cheika recruited anyone else for either 10 or 12 positions - no
Waxhead
Guest
OMG Gloria. That was a home series for Aust in Ireland's off season and Ireland won it comfortably. And then a Dublin game against the ABs. Every team is 20 points better at home
Bodger
Roar Rookie
I agree. He’s the hardest working back we have off the field, a student of the game and deserves to be in the 13 jumper. Possibly a future Wallaby captain.