Last night at the SCG against the Queensland Reds, Israel Folau was selected on the right wing, Kurtley Beale at fullback.
The Waratahs accounted for the Reds 28-17, but the question was far from resolved.
Folau had precious little room to move out in the boondocks while Beale grabbed the one chance to send a perfectly timed pass to the other winger Curtis Rona to finish off a spectacular 65-metre burst from start to finish.
No doubt that same Folau-Beale question will be asked all the way to the Rugby World Cup, and beyond.
Seeing Folau has scored seven tries from his last eight appearances at fullback, my preference is Folau wearing No.15 and Beale No.12.
But there are other questions that are far easier to answer such as Will Genia and Quade Cooper will be the Wallaby halves, Samu Kerevi will be in the centres, and Adam Ashley-Cooper is well past his use-by-date.
Interviewed post-game, Ashley-Cooper virtually signed his own non-selection warrant by saying 80 minutes is difficult when you’re 34.
That was obvious last night in the first 20 minutes, let alone the full journey.
But the Genia-Cooper combination that served the Reds for so long has been reunited, and reignited, with the Rebels to great effect.
More importantly, they are both really enjoying being back together, and it shows.
The Rebels are bowling along undefeated at the top of the Australian Conference after three wins, with the Waratahs knocking on their door with two wins, and a one-point loss.
Match stats normally don’t lie, but they did last night.
How on earth did the Waratahs win with only 29 per cent of possession and 29 per cent of territory, missing 24 tackles, and giving away 14 penalties?
It became a comedy of errors with the Waratahs giving away penalties, and the Reds coughing up possession when they were looking likely to score.
So don’t be surprised if Reds coach Brad Thorn is totally bald by June, having torn out what hair he has left.
The fact the Reds were the better side was hard enough for Thorn to cop, but adding salt to his wounds was his goal-kicker Bryce Hegarty landing only one from five, while Bernard Foley raised the flags five from five.
That was basically the difference between the two sides.
The Reds also have a major problem with last night’s loss, their 24th from 26 away games.
Along with the stats, that doesn’t make any sense.
On the credit side, Kerevi is a quality footballer, scoring a try himself and setting up the other two last night – as well as being an excellent captain.
He should be supported more up front by the very talented No.8 Scott Higginbotham, a former Reds captain who has become more of a rebel without a cause.
If he kept himself under control he would be a huge asset to the Reds throwing his 195-centimetre, 110-kilogram frame around, and would very quickly add to his 34 Wallaby caps.
No better time for Higgingbotham to shape up than in a Rugby World Cup year.
JamesDuncan
Roar Guru
Agree on the water-carrying. Beale had a sub-standard year last year and really needs to pick things up in general to be a Wallabies contender.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
PS In particular, take your point about Cheika exhausting appetite for unconventional! If the idea got up and Genia 'did a Stephen Moore' I might be booted from The Roar!
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Ken Have to agree with both points. I have been a fan of Moses Sorovi since first seeing him in a game last year. Understand Moses would be our first Wallaby of Torres Straight Islander heritage. Otherwise, Joe Powell - both have essential skills at half - quick accurate passing. Cheers KP
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Fionn read all the comments ..... lots of people
terrykidd
Roar Pro
And Riddler and Reedy did you both see how good Hanigan was? Or Holloway?? I know Holloway has been playing as a lock but why oh why are we not considering him for the 8 position?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Who is talking about Hodge at 10?
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I don't think Hodge is a 10 in any way, shape or form. Has he ever played as a 10 long term in any form of senior rugby? Yes he has skills, but does he have distribution, tactical or game management skills? None that I have seen. Theoretically he is halfway thru his senior rugby career. Tis a bit late to turn him into a 10 in my opinion. I reckon he is best suited as a 12 or 15 but will probably have to change clubs to get a long term shot at either ..... or DHP takes the Euro or Yen option.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
If you accept that a Wallaby backline will most likely look something like this barring injury: 9. Genia then Gordon 10. Cooper then Foley 11. Folau 12. Hunt then Meakes 13. Kerevi then Kurindrani then English 14. Maddocks then Naiavalu 15. Banks then Beale then DHP Then Folau plays 11 and Beale is on the bench ..... Beale because he is more versatile and can play 10, 12, 15 or at a pinch wing. One bench spot is filled by Gordon because you must have a reserve 9. The remaining question depends on the bench split ..... if 5/2 then the bench backs are Gordon and Beale, if 4/3 split then their is room for another reserve back and I would pick English because he can play 13 or wing. So there is your answer ..... Folau plays wing and Beale warms the bench
Reedy
Guest
Did you also see how horrendous Demspey was? He is a never was.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Ok Pete. Except for two things: - we need to get some test minutes into other halfbacks, and - no one else goes into tests without a 9 back up, who bring fresh energy. Cheika has exhausted everyone’s patience for the non-conventional.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Tahs missed tackle count was fine when looked at in terms of the number of tackles. Made over 150 and missed 20 odd. That's c.87% success rate which is excellent. The reds by contrast only made 50 tackles. Hooper alone made 29 and had 2 pilfers! I didn't expect myself to be saying this year that the Tahs defence won them the game but there it is.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Hi KC Not forgotten - thought Genia (in fact most backs) can manage full 80 minutes, and take a punt no unlucky injury - in effect a bet on remote risk of half being so severely injured, has to come off. Bit of a radical idea, particularly from a former halfback? Cheers KP
Olly
Roar Rookie
I wanted to see SK and TK centres but I am doubting TK at 13. The guy just has no passing game and the Brumbies miss opportunities from him not passing all the time. You have to take these at Test Level. Kerevi needs to stay at 12 for test rugby, just need a 13 to run off him. I just wish Hodge was left at 13 all those seasons ago.
Red*Star
Roar Rookie
AP...couldnt agree more. Who plays in the backline is largely irrelevant until the Wallabies have sorted out who the forwards are going to be. We are okay when it comes to props but are struggling to identify a first choice hooker. We have two decent locks in Coleman and Rodda but no real solid backups and given the way they hame is played nowadays there are bound to be injuries there. Our back row is not working at all. Our best player is being forced to play out of position to accommodate an excellent Super Rugby player who is not quite good enough at test level. No way Hannigan gets the job done at 6. He not big enough nor good enough of a jumper. With the current back row, there is no way the Wallabies can provide Genia et all with a decent platform...they like size, jumping capabilities and the ability to be dominant in the tackle. The strategy of using two fetchers has been nullified long ago but talked players choosing to pass the ball before they go to ground.....everyones figured that out, except the WalIabies. I cant understand how Higgenbottem is not starting at 6. Hes a certainty in my book with his size, jumping and athletic abilities. I would have Nasarani at 8 as soon as he is eligible. We need some big bodies in there.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Folau, Banks/Beale/DHP, Maddocks ..... any of those combinations I am comfortable with
terrykidd
Roar Pro
If Folau is on the wing, then either Banks, Beale or DHP (whomever is in best form) is fullback with Maddocks on the other wing. I would be comfortable with any of those combinations. And despite a lacklustre comedy of errors from both teams I thought Ned Hannigan had a best on ground performance in the Tahs-Reds game.
AP
Roar Rookie
A lot of the opinion above is about the makeup of the wallaby backs. I believe the question should be who will be in the pack? Michael Hooper and Pocock can't be in the same run on side. In fact would drop Hooper and play Pocock starting. The back 3 in the pack will be interesting and show how much input Checker has on the selections. Front row selections will also show this. Sekope Kepu goes down injured in most games he plays, I feel that he may be past it at Test level. Bench player at best. No matter what backline we have if we can't select the correct forward pack to give us quick front foot ball, then don't expect that the backs will win the games for us. The Genia and Cooper show is all about quick ball and playing on the advantage line. The ball handling skills of the players around them need to be at the hight level for this to work.
Olly
Roar Rookie
DHP would be my 15 with current form. He seems to be starting to step into the first receiver, best defensive fullback under the highball (Needed for test rugby, Folau is better under the attacking highball) and he has a boot on him. Banks on the wing with Folau. I like having a back three that can all play each other position. Hodge should have been left at 13 years ago but now he is a utility player.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Folau wing at the moment but I am here or there about it. The centre combination is more important. Beale is lucky to make the bench for me. Beale is an impact bench player at best for me. He is not the player he use to be and teams have worked him out.
piru
Roar Rookie
Folau - wing Beale - 12 Thank you I'm here all week