Another Super Rugby home-and-away season is in the books and, once again, it was a disappointing one for Australian fans.
The Brumbies will be the lone national representative in the quarter-finals, after the Melbourne Rebels forfeited eighth place in the final week after getting obliterated 59-8 by the Chiefs at home.
The Waratahs capped off their disappointing season with a 49-12 demolition at the hands of the Highlanders, while the Reds were only spared last place by the ineptitude of the Sunwolves.
So, what will all this mean for Wallabies selection? With the World Cup fast approaching, a lot of players would’ve been using the second half of the Super Rugby season as an audition for a national spot.
It’s fair to say many of them wouldn’t be pleased with their performances.
Roar rugby expert Geoff Parkes joined us on the Game of Codes podcast to discuss the disappointment of the season and assess just what questions the Super Rugby season will ask of Michael Cheika and the rest of the Wallabies selection panel.
Listen to the discussion:
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Realist
Guest
‘Outshone’
Realist
Guest
Did anyone see Petaia’s performance in the Reds’ opening game against the Highlanders in Dunedin? He was immense, not just in attack but well timed heavy hitting defence. I haven’t heard the Kiwi commentators gushing so much about a non-kiwi player in recent times since the emergence of Malcolm Marx. He may not be ready in time for the RC but if he is at 80% of the standard displayed in Round 1 - he’d have to be a walk-up start. Put it this way, he outshine Kerevi in every department.
Realist
Guest
Like the look of your side Bobby. I would personally go with the following: 1. Slipper – much higher work rate then Sio 2. FF then Ulese (If fit) 3. AAA then Thor (has regressed but is a terrific sub) 4/5. Arnold and Rodda with Coleman on the bench 6. LSL or Valentini 7. Pocock at >75% fitness with Hooper on the bench 8. Nas then Samu 9. Genia with Powell/McDermott on the bench 10. CLL with Foley on the bench 12. Samu K 13. Petaia (if fit) or TK 11 / 14 Koro and Hodge with Maddocks on the bench 15. Banks
Noodles
Roar Rookie
I'm not welded Hika. But If I was not picking DHP I would go for Banks, whose pace suits your point. I like DHP because he beats players in the traffic of a kicking/high ball game, which is what we will see at RC and RWC. He is someone who players can rely on when running back to cover. I feel sorry for Hodge, because he doesn't get to settle in a slot.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I do want to be careful though, I respect Beale's abilities, I would have him at 15 over Folau any day of the week. But Not Hegharty and certainly not Banks. DHP hasn't done himself any favors in the last 3 months, on form ... I am sad to say, Beale, but not by much I think he has a slightly better kicking game.
Patto
Guest
Paul D Apart from Genia AAA Kepu Korobeite Hooper and Simmons.The team Chekko the Clown selects will be far different.
piru
Roar Rookie
SUUUUURRREEE it will ;)
Ex force fan
Guest
Cheika's loyalty towards the players that secured him the Wallaby coaching job will come back to bite him... He is in a no-win situation and have 3 choices: - pick his favourite Tah players as core for the Wallabies although they are out of form - pick the inform best Australia players that have not yet form combinations or - change to the Brumbies as core and supplement them with some strong performers in non-key positions. None of these choices will win him a World Cup. I am afraid that he left it too late to cultivate a wide playing squad where players compete for Wallaby spots. I expect he will go for the first option, this price of loyalty in the hope that the Tahs will play themselves into form.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
We are on the same page graymatter. Maybe if we keeping chanting the selector Gods will give it a go!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah true, he's in that 'can do no wrong but even if he does group' from 2015. :-)
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Looking at the Rugby.com.au "team of the year", it wouldn't be the worst team in the world to roll out exaclty as is. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/06/18/super-rugby-2019-team-of-the-year
PeterK
Roar Guru
you got it I wouldn't select Beale
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Look at the training squad, Same old faces, worn out places. It is a mad world.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
So why should Beale move to 15? Banks is the form fullback. Or is that the point, Beale is a guaranteed selection, Cheika will just find a spot for him somewhere.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Lot to like about that team list.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
For those who are welded to having DHP at 15, can you name any AB or Bok outside back who wouldn't beat DHP over 20, 50 or 100 metres? International fullbacks shouldn't be losing footraces against inside centres who are carrying a football, but I saw that happen on Friday night. I suspect most who are for DHP are really against having Beale at 15. I don't think either is a good option. I'd prefer Hodge there, but Banks should get some time there to show what he can do. After a rough time at 10, Hegarty settled in and played pretty well at the back for the Reds. He doesn't have big artillery for clearance kicks but is quick over the turf, knows how to run support lines and how to get to the try line and is an 80% goal kicker (clearly the best of any in Australian SR teams). That's worth considering for test match football.
Jdog
Guest
We will have the best attacking maul in the game, with two of the best defensive line out players in SR in arnold and jones. You have the longest kicker in the game, kicking to our strenght from fullback and a backline that can defend, with some x factor in kerivi. you have 3 guys at the back that can catch a high ball, 2 that can kick well and banks has geniune speed.
Jdog
Guest
We need to change our style to a forward dominated game, with decent defense in the backs. We had the best driving maul brumbies and the best lineout defense in the rebels, so why not make the pack. 1-3 brumbies front row 4 arnold 5 rodda 6 jones (lineout caller and best defensive lineout in the game) 7 pocock if not hooper 8 naisarani (for combination with jones, but would take mcaffery) 9 genia (is a big game player 10 CLL defense and isnt foley or cooper 12 kerivi 13 the K train 14 speight (combination in defense) 11 banks (geniune speed and a boot) 15 hodge (for his massive boot, to kick to our defensive lineout and can play as a second play maker.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Imagine how amazing Foley would look behind the Chiefs pack with Weber feeding him! Jack Debz is a passable 10. Nothing more. He has not all of a sudden become a world beater.
Mountie
Roar Rookie
If the Wallabies has some rational selection policies - like letting Australian citizens play for their country - they could potentially have quite a decent squad. E.g. Jack Debreczini is one of the form number 10s in super rugby