Piling misery onto the Wallabies seems to have become one of my preferred pastimes.
In one sense I’m disappointed in my pessimism, but in another I believe that unsuccessful teams play their way into the line of judgment, thus justifying my gloom. With that in mind, who are Michael Cheika’s best starting wingers? I can tell you with confidence that he has no idea, and with one year until Japan 2019, that really worries me.
Here are the players to have appeared on the wing for Australia since the 2015 World Cup. The table shows statistics that correspond to the wing position specifically, with an asterisk next to the players who have made their debut post-World Cup.
| Player | Apps | Starts | Subs | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane Haylett-Petty* | 23 | 22 | 1 | 4 |
| Marika Koroibete* | 19 | 18 | 1 | 7 |
| Reece Hodge* | 17 | 12 | 9 | 4 |
| Henry Speight | 14 | 11 | 3 | 3 |
| Sefa Naivalu* | 9 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Jack Maddocks* | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Rob Horne | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Israel Folau | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Adam Ashley-Cooper | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Curtis Rona* | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Tom Banks* | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Taqele Naiyarovoro | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Drew Mitchell | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Eto Nabuli* | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
In total, 14 players have appeared on the wing, with seven debuts. Here’s a brief run-down of each.
Dane Haylett-Petty
The most capped winger since the World Cup, DHP is a solid runner, great under the high ball and attacks the line with vigour. The problem is that his better position is at fullback, and so although he presents a solid, reliable option on the wing, he will never be world class.
Marika Koroibete
In his first Test start in Brisbane Marika lit up the Springboks with two tries, thereby showcasing his dynamic mix of speed and power. Recently, though, teams have successfully limited his influence both physically and tactically. Hopefully his two-try performance against the Azzurri can spark him back into life.
Reece Hodge
Poor guy. Nobody knows his best position, not even Hodgey himself. Stuck into the line-up at 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, he has been similarly shunted around the Rebels backline. He’s got an imposing skill set and so discovering the position that best utilises this skill set is in the nation’s best interest.
Henry Speight
The main issue with Speight is that he often becomes a passenger in big games by failing to seek out ball in the midfield. He has also struggled to transfer his try-scoring capabilities from Super Rugby to the international arena. There are better options.
Sefa Naivalu
He’s quick and scores tries. Since those are the two things I want most in a winger I reckon Sefa deserves more of a chance to strut his stuff.
Jack Maddocks
The kid scored on his debut, showing he can play. However, the jury is still out on his best position long term. It may be harsh, but he’s essentially a weaker version of a young James O’Connor.
(Brian Lawless/PA via AP)
Rob Horne
Unfortunately he’s not in the selection frame for the Wallabies. I was really sad to hear about the career-ending injury he suffered while playing for Leicester Tigers. Horne was a faithful servant to Australian rugby and I wish him all the best in his continued recovery.
Israel Folau
Whether at fullback or on the wing, Folau’s performances have dipped this season. He was ousted by DHP and shunted to the wing for this year’s first Test against Argentina. Predominantly Folau has played his best Test footy at fullback and looks limited on the wing. Keep him at fullback, please, Cheika.
Adam Ashley-Cooper
AAC played well against Italy, that’s not up for debate. Even so, I think it’s shocking that the Wallabies have now turned to an old bloke who played in the 2007 World Cup. George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Alastair Baxter were all still playing then. Our squad depth is dreadful.
Curtis Rona
Despite scoring a try on debut, Rona’s performance against New Zealand is up there with the most miserable international debuts I’ve seen. He was repeatedly shown up in defence as the All Blacks piled on an outrageous 40 points in the first half. Regardless, he’s not a winger; he’s an outside centre, so it would be a strange decision to pick him again on the wing.
Tom Banks
Blessed with pace and agility, I’m really hopeful Banks will be given an actual shot at demonstrating his electricity for the Wallabies. Again, though, Banks is a fullback and so that leads to the obvious selection dilemma of fitting DHP, Folau and him into the same team.
Taqele Naiyaravoro
Taqele was effectively supposed to be Australia’s answer to Julian Savea. However, his defensive fragilities made him too much of a risk to play regularly. He’s now playing for the Northampton Saints and so not in the selection frame.
Drew Mitchell
Once a great Wallaby winger but has since retired.
Eto Nabuli
Not up to Test standard and was duly discarded by Cheika after one game.
This is my pick for the back three – No.11, Naivalu; No.14, Korobeite; No.15, Folau. Although I’m sure Cheika will disagree.
Dean
Guest
Would I go with Koroibete or Naivalu as the pacy winger? At his best I think Naivalu is the better finisher but either is fine by me. There's a lot of commentary about Folau being more suited to wing than fullback. But if you accept the view that we need two fullbacks, one of whom spends a lot of time on the wing, then it's a moot point. Folau is by far our best option for that hybrid role. Similar to the role currently played by Ben Smith for the kiwis and previously by Israel Dagg. DHP on the other hand is very much a specialist fullback and NOT a winger. Disappointed to see him named there for the England game. In the 3rd test against Ireland DHP received quick ball on the wing numerous times. But he didn't have the footwork or acceleration to make anything of it.
Don
Roar Rookie
Baseless? The guy has played a dozen SR games at 15 and played the first NRC comp at 15. As well as a lot of club footy for Manly at 15. If he hadn't injured his ankle I'd happily wager that if we put him at 15 he'd offer more than both Folau and DHP.
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
Let's stop pretending Folau isn't deserving of attention and plaudits. He is not playing well at the moment for sure and needs a big wake up call. But he has been an amazing player for the Wallabies and his past performances speak to that. No need to kick him when he's down.
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
There is definitely development required. I don't think it his best position, that's a baseless claim. It could be his best position though.
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
It may be a hybrid role but it's far easier to play him at 15 to fulfill this role. He looks lost and dazed on the Wing, struggling to understand why he can't move infield to look for the ball more. I really want Cheika to give Sefa more of a chance.
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
While I agree with how bizarre the situation is, I'm going to be watching the game. Hate losing to the Poms
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
He has occasionally been a defensive liability- such as in last year's opening Bledisloe- but the idea that he lacks motivation to the point he shouldn't be in the Wallabies squad is ridiculous. I reckon Banks could be really good. But until he actually proves himself, I have no confidence picking him over Folau. On form, Folau's stepping, offloading and running angles make him our best attacking weapon. It would be a mistake to not pick him at the World Cup.
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
I mean Samu is a decent bench player, better than Hanigan.
Dyskolos
Roar Rookie
Cliff, Sheikh, I couldn't agree more. There are long periods when Folau is just missing, partly because he just doesn't seem interested and partly because he can't read the game. Great players are notable for their skill in getting into the game, being where the action is. By that measure, Folau is definitely not a great. He was easily caught last week when he took the intercept, and was jogging in the background rather than trying to catch up with the play when Italy scored one of their 'almost' tries. I'm not convinced his star status has done the team any good either. A lot of players work harder than he does but he still gets all the attention and the plaudits.
Nate
Guest
Or 11 naivalu 12 kerevi 13 aac 14 folau 15 dhp 22 foley 23 banks
Nate
Guest
11 naivalu 12 kerevi 13 folau 14 banks 15 dhp 22 maddocks 23 aac
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I agree with this. Folau does two things really well: catching high balls and support running, but while those skills are good in a full-back, they are more suited to a winger. Folau can't kick (an ex-AFL player who can't kick!) and as Cliff says his positioning and tackling mean that he's a defensive liability at #15. DHP would be close to a complete full-back if only he had a bit more pace and run support better, something which makes his continued selections at #14 bizarre.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Lets be honest, Israel Folau may wear the 15 jersey from time to time but he is not a full service fullback. He plays a hybrid 13,14,15 role and the game plan is built around that. His defence is average at best and he hasn't developed the rugby brain required by a wing-fullback. So, gastro and bad judgement aside, let us assume that he is a guaranteed starter and will play in his hybrid role and that there will be the standard dual, lightweight dual play makers. Consider the requirements for the remaining roles. One of the play makers will handle the defensive wing/fullback role. The other 3 players need to have great defence, which often comes at the expense of speed or sees a 13 or 15 put in the 11/14 roles. Sefa is my choice for 14, he is a wing/13 with a handy kick-chase game.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Samuel, quite frankly Folau is not a FB and never will be. He is incomplete. Yes he has played well there but only on catch and run and being put into a gap. He has far too many deficiencies and those deficiencies disqualify him as a FB. He has let in tries through incorrect positioning and his tackling is poor and the last thing is; he should never be near a Wallaby Team - his motivation is poor, very poor. For me DHP and develop Banks; banks brings speed. For the wingers, if we have Folau leave him there but he is now slow. Koriobete has speed but he needs to be taught Rugby Smarts, that is his failure. Sefa is an answer to one wing. For the RWC - FBs = Banks & DHP; for Wingers = Folau, Sefa and/or Koriobete, and Hodge as an inclusion.
Artie
Guest
First time ever that I will not be watching a Wallabies match live on the box. I have had it with his selections, moods, loyalty to out of form players, playing players out of position, upbeat comments after continued losses and bad games, lecturing disgruntled supporters, it's a joke! The problem is the opposition and I'm not talking about players. Why are really good players turned into average players after a season with the Wallabies of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. True or False.
Don
Roar Rookie
Agree on Nabuli Fionn. He did the same with Pete Samu when there was almost no chance of him making the ABs anyway. I still shake my head at how Samu is in the squad.
Don
Roar Rookie
There’s no development required. Hodge has played fullback lots. It’s his best position. But a big reliable boot and sweeping playmaker isn’t in Cheika’s “Australian way” of playing Rugby. Seems to work for a lot of other sides though...
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
I think it would be interesting trying both in the same team but that's a fair point. Would you go with Koroibete or Naivalu as the pacy winger?
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
Yeah we definitely need a real speedster on the wing and Naivalu offers that. I'm actually not too sure about Maddocks pace, but he's just been picked so I'm going to pray he's fast. I've always regarded Folau as quite pacey but after making a break against Italy (I think it was an intercept) he got chased down easily. So he's definitely lost a yard of pace. Yeah the Nabuli selection was baffling.
Dean
Guest
Although Naivalu and Korobeite are great attacking players, neither are very good in defence under the high ball. This is an area our opponents would target mercilessly if both played. To counter this, the back three needs to be two fullbacks and one pacy winger. Something NZ seems to be doing a lot more these days.