The Bald and the Beautiful: The case for Meakes and McCaffrey

What was it that made the Wallabies successful in the past?

Was it the presence of a great coach, who served as a mentor to players and also took heed of advice given to him by his assistants?

Was it a fly-half who could control the game, pick their moments and didn’t falter once the pressure arrived?

Or was it an inbuilt self-belief that no matter the circumstances the Wallabies could defy all odds and triumph above the rest?

Sure, all of these things were important components of the successful Wallabies sides of the late 1990s and early 2000s, but the crux of our success during this period was our strong cohort of bald players.

(AAP photo Dean Lewins)

When we think back to the glory days, numerous bald players spring to mind.

Guys like Stirling Mortlock and George Gregan. Two inspirational Wallabies captains and legends of the game, capable of guiding any side to victory, not afraid to make the nail-biting calls and consistently making the big plays.

Nathan Sharpe, while attempting to hide his dome under his headgear, was also part of the side that last held the Bledisloe Cup aloft in 2002.

And who could forget Nathan Grey’s widows peak and Chris Whitaker’s thinning hair as they waited on the bench in the World Cup final?

Even in recent times, Scott Fardy and Stephen Moore both played integral roles in representing the proud tradition of bald men within the Wallabies make up.

But now, when one runs their eye across a Wallabies team photo, there is not a bald head among them. We cannot expect to progress further than a World Cup quarter-final without an influx of bald men.

Fortunately, there are two men that spring to mind.

Billy Meakes and Lachlan McCaffrey have both been in stellar form this season – clearly the in-form inside centre and No.8 respectively.

However, while their names have been thrown around as potential bolters for the World Cup squad, judging from the pre-World Cup camp, neither are part of Michael Cheika’s plans for October.

McCaffrey has had an outstanding start to the season and provided he can stay injury-free, warrants a starting birth at No.8 for the Wallabies against the All Blacks in Perth.

With the prospect of David Pocock’s absence for this World Cup, McCaffrey will round out the Wallabies back row with his ability to pilfer the ball. He has also shown his skill this season playing as a link between the forwards and backs.

If you look back at any of the Brumbies’ highlights from the first few rounds of the seasons, you’ll see McCaffrey’s ability to play in the wider channels and throw passes as integral to many of the tries.

(Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Similarly to McCaffrey, Billy Meakes has been the most consistent player of the season and has shown his skills as a specialist inside centre.

Not since Twickenham in 2002, when Daniel Herbert was replaced by Elton Flatley, have the Wallabies dared to play a specialist inside centre in the No.12 jersey… and how our results have suffered.

Despite a lack of success since, the Wallabies have continued to select fly-halves or outside centres at No.12, while other competitive nations such as New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and Wales have made inside centre a position of its own.

Billy Meakes has all the attributes of a specialist inside centre. He is capable of being the distributor, defensive organiser and game manager. But he has also shown the ability this season to defend with ferocity, run aggressively and make plays at the advantage line.

Like he does with Quade Cooper at the Rebels, he would provide stability to the Wallabies No.10 but also create the opportunities for his outside centre and fullback. It is astounding that his case for the No.12 jersey hasn’t been considered by Cheika.

When neither of them get picked in the Wallabies World Cup squad, it will continue our trend of picking players on their past rather than present form.

This will be an enormous shame, as both have plenty to offer the side – apart from continuing the Wallabies legacy of baldies.