Australian teams are here to the play in 2019.
‘Centralisation’ in inverted commas seems to be working. Australian Super Rugby teams are suddenly competitive again. Increased standards of fitness to Wallaby standards mean we are no longer easy beats.
As is evidenced by Rounds 1 and 2, we can genuinely go toe to toe with New Zealand sides. Teams are not running out of puff or belief like they did in 2018.
This will ultimately be good news for all states and Wallaby aspirations in 2019. With solid coaching setups across the four franchises, improved fitness levels, Australian teams should start to inch up the Super Rugby table.
In so doing player confidence will increase and doubt will be put into the minds of the New Zealand opponents. A Kiwi win over an Aussie team is no longer assured.
So what has happened?
All Super Rugby teams now meet Wallaby fitness standards for a start.
There has been a New Zealand-type system of player movement among the franchises.
Brad Thorn stuck to his guns. The culture and hard work focus worked in the off season, as expected the Reds are primed in the dark red maroon colour playing never say die footy.
Brad Thorn has copped some criticism, but the Reds look a better side in 2019 (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
They came agonisingly close against the Highlanders. As a Queenslander I was more proud. They didn’t roll over, instead they punched back from sizeable deficits on three occasions. Smarter kicking needs to be the Reds’ focus going forward.
Another let down was the final try gifted to the Chiefs after a back raced off the line and tackled an inside opponent instead of marking his outside opponent.
Something else happened. There was a new lease of life for the exiled Queensland sons. This has been a boom for the other Aussie franchises. Quade Cooper at the Rebels, James Slipper with the Brumbies and Karmichael Hunt with the Wallabies.
Other players have also moved between squads to provide players with opportunities and to fill weaknesses in teams.
That said, looking across the Australian teams, the Reds are at a distinct disadvantage at number 10. For teams to be contenders, the number 10 is critical. Play makers are key match winners. They can change a game in the blink of an eye.
The top three fly halves in Australia are Christian Lealiifano, Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley. Each represent the Brumbies, Rebels and Waratahs. Christian and Quade have both featured heavily in their side’s recent winning highlight reel.
Bernard Foley is the incumbent Wallaby flyhalf. The Reds have the least experienced flyhalf in Hamish Stewart.
The Wallaby selectors job should not be an easy one though. While selecting one flyhalf from these three is tough enough, one more name needs to be added to the mix, Matt Toomua.
Currently playing in Europe, Toomua is earmarked to return to Australia to play for the Rebels towards the end of the season. But why the Rebels, do the Rebels need two top line flyhalves?
Now consider this, in 2011, All Blacks flyhalves Dan Carter and Adam Cruden each suffered groin injuries. The next All Black domino to fall was flyhalf Colin Slade 34 minutes into the World Cup final with a hyper-extended knee.
New Zealand had no choice but to then play their forth pick flyhalf in Stephen Donald. Donald ultimately kicked the winning goal against the France and ended the All Blacks World Cup hoodoo.
The moral of the story is that it pays to have depth in a World Cup. For the Wallabies, the best way to ensure depth is having top flight flyhalves in each of the Franchises and not double loading one franchise with two topline flyhalves. In the case of the Rebels, Quade fills the No. 10 position nicely and then some.
Quade Cooper of the Rebels (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
The ultimate test of the spirit of centralisation is Toomua. As the Rebels, Waratahs and Brumbies already have flyhalves who have played for the Wallabies, it makes sense for Toomua to play with the Queensland Reds.
Toomua played rugby for Brisbane State High School and cut his rugby teeth in Queensland before being contracted to play for the Brumbies. Hopefully he would want to return home also?
This is not just about flyhalf depth either, an quality flyhalf contributes to the experience, confidence, quality and depth of the outside backs. This must also be a consideration for Wallabies selectors.
For the younger, inexperienced flyhalves, steadily learning their craft under a mentor can be a great opportunity. They take the field at times, play full games when required, and when the time is right, take the reins themselves as a more accomplished flyhalf. Perhaps they also play inside centre next to the flyhalf on the field.
Currently it has been noted the Reds are topping up the salaries of Quade, Slipper and Hunt. If this the case, surely this is a situation which requires Rugby Australia intervention.
So what do you think, Toomau the Rebel, or Toomau the Red?
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Just rolled the Highlanders!
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Yeh, that is what I read also Rhys about Duncan. If players are getting rested like they should be, it should provide opportunities for the next wave to come through. With reports of the 12 Nations Rugby Championship, they are going to want to be. Should be a max number of game time hours they can clock.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Must have; he kicked loads but poorly and kicking was the Reds biggest issue and it was mainly Hegarty, can’t remember him making a break or setting up any play unlike the rest of the backline. Compared to the rest of the Reds backline I thought he was ordinary. But it is a new team for him; kicking will improve, he’ll build combinations and I agree he did look like a steadying figure out there, confident and a good leader at fullback. I also think he is a good buy, just the other backs especially Sorovi, Kerevi, Petaia and Feauai-Sautia were much better.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
You watched a different game to me, I thought Hegarty was fantastic. The cool head of the back line. I think he is going to thrive with big minutes and, finally, some responsibility. Great signing.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He should play for the Brumbies. Also, I agree Toomua is as capable of playing 10 as 12. People who deny this forget that he has played the majority of his career at 10.
Bfc
Guest
That horse has well and truly bolted...Why would Toomua sign for the Reds under BT when he can play his preferred #12 spot alongside Genia and QC? And frankly the Reds have a quality young 10/12 in DPA if BT chooses to use him....the best ball player in the squad, but seemingly not one of BTs 'chosen', hence he is leaving for France after 2019.
Galatzo
Guest
The WBs need his defence. 12 is his spot.
CJ
Guest
Agree with your sentiments. He is a very good Super Rugby player, and while not really at the elite international test level, would be a great addition to the Rebels. Would be a good foil for QC. I am fairly confident the Rebels will be thereabouts at the play off stage and he will be very useful in these crunch games.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Considering he’s signed to the Rebels, no!
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
G'day Andrew, you state your argument well and in a perfect world it would be pretty good to have an experience "old hand" at 10 guiding the ship for the Reds. Don't forget that the Reds also have Matt McGahan on their books who played #10 for a couple of years at the Blues before trying his luck with NRL at Melbourne Storm. They also have Duncan Paia’aua who is quite capable at #10 or 12. So its not quite the Reds are desperate for back-ups though its true that all of their halves this year are quite young. Rather than another player competing for a spot, I think they and the centres would be better served having a Queensland legend 5/8/IC (Tim Horan where are you?) act as a mentor and perhaps spending a little time post match with the group. But to be frank I don't see the point of this article. Matt Toomua is returning to Melbourne to be with his wife Ellyse Perry and family. She is also moving from Sydney to continue her cricketing career with Victoria thus the two of them can return to living together as a married couple. Of course the chance of getting into the WB squad for RWC2019 also played a part. Toomua reportedly knocked back overtures from the Brumbies because it was Melbourne and family or bust, so why the hell would he agree to play in Queensland? The other point is he is a serviceable international 5/8th but a very very good inside centre. I'm positive that I have read somewhere that even Toomua sees himself at inside centre. I suspect that D.Wessels will resurrect the 2013 inner backline of WillyG-Quadie-Toomua at #9-10-12 and R.Hodge/T.English at #13. That trio (and Hodge) should all be in Tokyo towards the end of the year. Having said all that, Toomua at Melbourne means the talent pool is a mite too concentrated. Personally I see R.Hodge replacing K.Beale as the WB IC so Billy Meakes, Hodge and Toomua are all competing for the one spot.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Reds certainly don’t need Tooma they have a perfectly good man in Steward and can always bring MacIntyre back along with Liam Gill. Lealiifano has alway been better and the brains behind his combination with Toomua. Toomua will be OK at 12 at the Rebels but if we need him in the Wallaby’s we are desperate. The Rebs with DHP, Maddocks, Koriebeti, English, Toomua, Quadie and Genia have a good Aussie provincial back line, as do the others. Unfortunately world class is eluding us.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Man... we're 2 weeks in and we're lifting the Super Rugby Trophy already. Articles like these help nobody. Especially my hopes and dreams.
Lara
Guest
Toomua would add value to any team. The guy is a pro n delivers more often than not. It is really how the coach use Toomua that has been the big question in the past. Cheika has no idea, but Thorn would use him as FH n with his exciting midfield combo, the backline looks solid. It is a waste he is going to the Rebels.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I’m a little sceptical about the “mentoring” argument. Experienced players come to a club expecting to play and from what I have seen, all they do is push up and comers out of getting the experience they need. Think Andrew Ready and Stephen Moore. That said, Duncan Pai’aua is off to Toulon next year, so it wouldn’t have hurt to have Toomua on board for some depth.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
I realise that it's very early going but after the first couple of matches in the Super Rugby it's Cooper v CLL as the form fly-half at the moment.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
See Noodles below.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, I forgot he is coming back fairly late. If it’s only for a few games then I guess the other side of the coin is that there’s a problem with developing combinations at the Reds with an unfamiliar coach and players. Ultimately he is more likely to play for the WBs at 12 outside Genia and QC than he is to play 10 in a clutch game for the WBs at the RWC, so I’d be playing him there for the last few games for the Rebels. I like the creative thinking, at any rate. [edit] That said, if Cheika were to say that Toomua is one of only 2 tens going to the RWC, there would be a much stronger case for Toomua subbing into the Reds, for the WBs sake. This RWC is crucial to rugby in Aus. I don’t think we can win it, but we need to have a strong campaign. So I would be happy for my Reds to make some sacrifices in the greater good. I suspect Thorn wouldn’t be averse to that, either.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
I don't think Matt is the savour of Aussie rugby. He's ok but nothing special. It depends all on where Matt wants to.play rugby and his personal circumstances. Does he go to the Rebels (as contracted) which look a very competitive team or play at the Reds who will be probably be towards the bottom of the table.
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
What about the Moses-Toomau-Kerivi?
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Some good points there. Worth adding, with Toomah there is advantage of having a genuine general on deck to mentor the new crop of flyhalves. Same goes with every Aussie franchise team.