For the next five months, it’s going to be much more fun being a Wallabies fan.
All Blacks fans, smug in the knowledge that the team for their World Cup defence later this year is pretty much settled and also clear favourites, can only pray each Super Rugby round that all their prized assets get through unscathed.
South Africa’s upset win over New Zealand in Wellington last year and near-miss against the All Blacks in Pretoria a few weeks later gave their selectors and fans a much clearer picture of who they’d like to pick in their World Cup starting side.
Argentina have a solid core of players who have been consistently selected in their squad for the past two years. And looking to Europe’s World Cup contenders, there are few starting spots among England, Ireland and even Wales – who are humming along on a 11-Test winning streak – that are up for grabs.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Of course, there’s always the potential that injuries strike that swiftly damage a country’s Cup campaign. But for the top-five World Cup contenders, selectors will favour stability and familiarity as they seek to cap their four-year plans by flying home from Japan with the Webb Ellis Cup.
The All Blacks, Ireland and England would probably like to start the World Cup next month.
They are like the HSC students who have put in all the hard work, been at the top of the class for years, blitzed the Year 11 exams and just want to sit the big ones.
The Wallabies are the capable and motivated Year 8 student who has endured some wayward years and find themselves cramming and clambering to get back to the top for final exams.
How many positions are as good as assured for the Wallabies? David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau?
It’s why the Super Rugby season, which starts tonight, is sure to be intriguing for Aussie fans given the Wallabies’ woes.
So many positions are up for grabs. There’s some similarity to the Australian cricket team’s situation before the start of the most recent domestic season, with state batsmen knowing Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft’s spots needed to be filled for the Test series against India.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
That carrot didn’t produce a flood of runs selectors were hoping for in the early Sheffield Shield rounds, but it’s nonetheless compelling to see who steps up and who struggles when opportunity arises.
Will Quade Cooper stick the middle finger up to Brad Thorn and light up the Melbourne Rebels? Can Isi Naisarani snap up a spot in the Wallabies back-row soon after becoming eligible for Australia?
Or will Lukhan Salakaia-Loto win back that jersey? Is it ridiculous to ponder the possibility of Karmichael Hunt at inside centre for the Wallabies? Or will Samu Kerevi go up a level? Will Tevita Kuridrani fight back to his best at No.13? The pace of Tom Banks could get him a World Cup start, right?
Do the Wallabies need Adam Ashley-Cooper’s class somewhere in the backline? Is Luke Jones an international second-rower? Is Jermaine Ainsley a prop contender? Is Taniela Tupou a starter or finisher? How good is Jordan Petaia?
Who will be victorious in the battle to become Wallabies hooker: Folau Fainga’a, Tolu Latu, Jordan Uelese or Brandon Paenga-Amosa?
It should also be noted that there isn’t just motivation for World Cup jerseys, but there’s also the lure of big-money deals to be signed later this year. Turn it on in Super Rugby, and cashed-up clubs in Europe and Japan will come knocking.
Twiggy Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby are talking up a spending spree too.
What impact will Twiggy Forrest have on the World Cup? (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
The number of Australian players who are set to hit the open market is significant. Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona have already announced they will be leaving for Europe at the end of the year. Genia, Pocock, Beale and Bernard Foley are off contract.
So are Dane Haylett-Petty, Kuridrani, Cooper, Henry Speight and Christian Lealiifano. Ashley-Cooper and Sekope Kepu will most likely retire.
But knowing that Sean McMahon and Will Skelton left Australian rugby at such a young age to chase the riches overseas, youngsters who are off contract – Adam Coleman, Kerevi, Scott Sio, Pete Samu – could easily opt to do the same.
The incentive is there for Australia’s Super Rugby players to make this season a belter and build momentum towards the World Cup.
And while they will all deny it, the four coaches will have probably already contemplated what a successful season would mean for their chances of taking over from Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach.
suspended disbelief
Roar Rookie
Yep, you can't fault the effort of either player but the skills are just not up to scratch for RWC. Desperately need to fix our set piece issues as well, ball got pilfered at the line out far too often last year.
Ex force fan
Guest
TWAS is correct, there is only one option - more of the same
FunBus
Roar Rookie
As a 'confused pom' can someone explain to me why you'd play Toomua at 10 and Foley at 12 rather than the other way around?
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
@Keo based on Quade's performance with Genia last week end. The 10 Spot has competition! I for one love this. I look forward to the battle for 4 & 5 with some new/old names jump into the possibles.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
..sorry but usual wishful and hopeful story...but good on them if they get up...
P2R2
Roar Rookie
"...All Blacks fans, smug …" I take issue with this comment...!
john
Roar Rookie
Philip and Jones played the house down for Rebs and Cooper proved he is still best 10 in Aus.Slipper was the best prop on the field so as far as I am concerned at the moment these three are front line contenders for the Wallabies Why are you so focused on Cheika’s failures.
Morsie
Guest
And no one has mentioned Maddocks.........
Jack
Guest
That we have automatic selections says a lot about the Wallabies problems. That Beale is one of them, which is probably true, say it all. His test form over the last few years has been woeful yet he is still there. Genia is 5 years past his best form. Folau's game at the back has serious weaknesses. His effort is often less than 100% and his last line defence almost non existent. Hooper's game at 7 has flaws as well. A team with the Wallabies records over the last 2 years should have no automatic secections. None. Pick the best player in each position based on super form. Assume they are all named John Smith and there is no team called the Waratahs. Stop picking the Wallabies like a school boy rep team where the coaches see potential and assume that will be able to lift the player to the next level. This has not happened and will not happen.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Mozza was probably the best wing 2016 in AUS in my opinion. All things even looking at skill set and what Naivalu/Korolbete and Morahan will bring too the team Morahan is far more superior. Would like an expert too match up Folau and Morahan and look at their attributes and see who is the best all round player. One thing I do like about Morahan is besides the fact that he can chip and chase,kick comfortably with either foot,create space for team mates is that unlike Folau that depends on receiving the ball at pace, Morahan has the ability too open up a defence from a standing start.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Pretty close too the team I would pick. I would however take out Coleman and replace him with either Arnold/Philip or Jones. The other player I will take out is DHP and replace him with Morahan too give the backline more speed,Morahan or Banks Fullback the other on the wing. Morahan has the ability too kick with either foot,which is a big bonus. McMahon must be in too,6/7/8 doesnt matter as long as he is playing for wallabies. JOC on the bench as he can cover all positions besides 9
terrykidd
Roar Pro
A smokey for LH Prop could well be big Harry from the Tahs. I am expecting him to have a real good year.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
No Rodda mentioned ..... for me he is our first lock picked .... he is good in the loose, his set piece is good and he is rapidly becoming a defensive lineout specialist.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Agree there are seemingly a number of good candidates. I’m not ruling out Timu either, and Angus S-Y could be in for a wildcard for the squad with a good season. The “extraordinary bad luck” comment was tongue in cheek - for eg that all of the other candidates were struck by lightening.
MitchO
Guest
TPN still deserves a shot ADSA. He wasn't in form for the Wallabies but that may have been the travel killing him. In form he is a weapon including a very powerful scrummager. So lets see how he goes.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I am intrigued Jameswm what was it about TPN games for the WallyB's last year that makes him an automatic pick, was it the missed tackles, sluggish play or generally a lack of energy ? Wait he used to play for the Tahs that would be it !
Harold
Guest
I notice the Fairfax press have re-hired Greg Growden to run down Rugby as much as possible one assumes to help build up the Sydney Morning Heralds shrinking advertising and to get the RU to put some advertising in the paper since the airlines, supermarkets, cars, hardware etc mainly advertise on-line now but the AFL , NRL and A-League will advertise in newspapers in a highly competitive sports market to get the best coverage. The racing clubs pay newspapers $5m to put the form guides in so in the newspapers view theres no reason the footy codes should be immune from placing ads for good coverage.
jameswm
Roar Guru
It's not bad luck. We have Dempsey, Valetini, Higginbotham and Cottrell.
frank
Guest
Morahan not coming back sadly. Played great rugby here in 2016 but overlooked for eoyt in favour of new recruit Marika Koroibete (with some or little union experience (?)). Now loving life & rugby in Bristol and was the top try scorer in the RFU championship for 2017/18. Australia had its chance (and good luck to him).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So all the better performing nations that choose to rest players that are likely to play too many games have it wrong? It's irrelevant if a players is as good as Retallick or the worst international player in their position. If they have to play 25+ games in 2019 they are less likely to give their best possible performance for the Wallabies. That's all that matters.