Rugby World Cup years are the best, and we are in one. It’s been four very long years and the wait is finally over.
Once in every four years we rugby fans get to experience rugby heaven and watch our favourite teams and players compete with the best on an international stage to see who comes on top.
It’s an opportunity for both players and fans to claim bragging rights. It also a time where evaluating strengths and weaknesses, strategy and team selection becomes a hot topic than a usual year.
A sense of hope and optimism which usually goes missing resurfaces again for a short period. Everything is temporally forgiven in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup.
That’s for us fans. The teams however, are prepping and ironing out their plans for Japan. That is almost every other team except the Wallabies.
The Rugby World Cup 2015 final was played on the 31st of October and contested by New Zealand and Australia where the former emerged as convincing winners. Even after four years the Wallabies are no closer to nailing down the best 23 and hence do not have a settled team as yet.
They have not had a World Cup cycle, but most can be forgiven and forgotten if they get these coming four months right. I say this with some hope, optimism and mostly out of desperation after having to experience four very painful years of Wallaby rugby which was very disappointing.
A main contributor of the underachievement has been that lack of depth and competition for spots.
Is Karmichael Hunt working his way back into Wallabies contention? (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
For once in a long time the Wallabies have considerable depth and options in a few positions, there have been some new names in the mix for Wallaby spots and adding the fact that there is now a selection panel of three we potentially could see some new face s and combinations in Wallaby Gold.
At least that is the hope.
Potentially there are three parameters the selectors should pick the team from.
1. Form and combinations
2. Potential and dalance
3. Preference and experience
Based on this year’s Super Rugby performance, past Test experience, and potential based on talent and skill, I’ve put together three teams which represent each parameter.
All three teams are picked based on the following factors.
1. Michael Hooper is the captain and will be picked at 7.
2. Certain selections might not fit the parameter given due to the fact that those players must be there for a specific reason (Example – One of Dane Haylett-Petty or Reece Hodge has to be in the back three at all times due to the fact that there needs to be two effective kickers in the back three).
3. David Pocock will be fit (he is always in form so that won’t be a problem).
4. Demanding selection (Brumbies front row and Rory Arnold).
5. Ability to cover multiple positions for back up.
Team 1 – Based on form and combinations
1. S. Sio
2. F. Fainga’a
3. A. Alaalatoa
4. I. Rodda
5. R. Arnold
6. D. Pocock
7. M. Hooper
8. I. Naisarani
9. J. Powell
10. C. Lealiifano
11. H. Speight
12. S. Kerevi
13. T. Kuridrani
14. D.H.P / R. Hodge
15. T. Banks
16. A. Mafi / BPA
17. JP Smith
18. T. Tupou
19. L.S.L (To replace R. Arnold)
20. L. McCaffrey / P. Samu (To replace I. Naisarani)
21. N. White
22. M. Toomua (To cover 10 and 12 if required only)
23. K. Beale (Impact player if required only)
Can Beale play fullback or is he better from the bench? (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Team 2 – Based on potential and balance
1. S. Sio
2. F. Fainga’a
3. A. Alaalatoa
4. I. Rodda
5. R. Arnold
6. L. Jones
7. M. Hooper
8. I. Nasarani
9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. M. Koroibete
12. S. Kerevi (Demands selection)
13. T. Kuridrani (Demands selection)
14. D.H.P / R. Hodge
15. T. Banks
16. J. Uelese
17. J. Slipper
18. T. Tupou
19. A. Coleman (To replace R. Arnold)
20. D. Pocock (To 6 or 8 based on the game situation)
21. N. White
22. M. Toomua (To cover 10 and 12 if required only)
23. K. Beale (Impact player if required only)
Team 3 – Based on Cheika’s preference and experience
1. S. Sio (Demands selection due to both form and combinations)
2. F. Fainga (Demands selection due to both form and combinations)
3. A. Alatoa (Demands selection due to both form and combinations)
4. I. Rodda
5. R. Arnold (Demands slection)
6. L.S.L / J. Dempsy / N. Hanigan
7. M. Hooper
8. D. Pocock
9. W. Genia
10. B. Foley
11. M. Koroibete
12. S. Kervi (Demands selection)
13. T. Kuridrani (Demands selection)
14. R. Hodge / DHP
15. K. Beale
16. T.P.N
17. J. Slipper
18. S. Kepu
19. A. Coleman
20. P. Samu
21. N. White
22. M. Toomua (To cover 10 and 12)
23. K. Hunt (To cover 12 and 15)
How many guaranteed selections are there in the Wallabies squad? (AAP Image/David Moir)
Those are three very competitive teams but to win a World Cup a team needs a mix of form, combinations, experience and x-factor. Considering this I would pick Team 2 based on potential and balance but I will be happy with Team 1 based on form and combinations.
However if Cheika sticks to his tried and tested, he has to select something very close to Team 3 which is still a that is still a decent team even though it would be my last pick from the three.
The selectors need to give themselves, the players and us fans every opportunity to do well in Japan and select the right team.
It’s not until for another four years to get that opportunity.
I’m sure there will be many on here who will both agree, disagree or have different parameters in selecting the Wallaby team which will make for healthy discussion. That’s what World Cup years are there for.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Hodge will be around the team as he is a great utility and his boot will keep him in the team. For me in your 15 too many players who have not played together. I see this as an issue for the Wallabies. I would simply base my team on the Brumbies and slot some players in. NZ has been doing this with the Crusaders for years now and it seems to be working. This experience of playing winning rugby alongside each other is valuable in knock out rugby. I also like Valetini and Simone. They will be in the squad but I agree they might be our solution for the next world cup.
Humey
Guest
" I think Hooper is fine at 7, as long as you pick a proper 6 and 8. " But hasn't Cheika done that ? or has he not done that over the last 4 years.? Is Pocock, Fardy McCmahon, McCalman, Timu, Palu ,Mumm ,Dempsey, Lukhan, Hanigan, Samu, Higginbotham,Timani,,Gill, Houston, Korczyk, all to blame because Hooper continues to unbalance the backrow whilst also shirking his workload.? The above players cant all be that bad. He is the one constant in nearly every loss since the rugby world cup in 2015 .Time for him to go when the new coach is appointed in 2020.
Nate
Guest
1 Slipper 2 FF 3 AAA 4 Skelton 5 Arnold 6 LSL 7 Hooper 8 Higgers 9 White 10 Foley 11 Petaia 12 SK 13 TK 14 Banks 15 Beale 16 Uelese 17 Sio 18 Tupou 19 Rodda 20 Naisarani 21 Genia 22 Cooper 23 Hunt 24 Kepu 25 Coleman 26 Jones 27 Samu 28 Dempsey 29 Meakes 30 Speight 31 JOC I like Valetini and Simone though, most def if had more time. Not a fan of Hodge, DHP or Maddocks. Two years out from the WC, wouldve liked to have English in the team. Also, JOC a good fit for the Brumbies, maybe....
DNZ
Guest
While I love that idea, I agree with the sentiment that he's probably 4th or 5th in line just because of our coach's preferences.
Zado
Guest
That is why we will never be a great team with an average 7 .( Hooper) He makes a lot of tackles and runs alot of meters but if he wants to have good tackle and run meter stats he can go play in the NRL.He is a non entity at the breakdown.The core role of a number 7.
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
I think people discuss the "xfactor" purely out of how good it is to watch players who do things others don't/ can't do rather than whats best for the team. I guess in watching a losing side you're more likely to remember these things than the consistent performers.
Dave
Guest
Potential and balance Beale > Banks
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Rodda.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Team 4 - Based on balance. This is the team I would select.
Chris
Guest
Exactly maxxlord. SK and TK need a proper flyhalf not an average distributor ( Foley) .QC is the man or CLL.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Lack of depth and competition? half right. Up until now, the talent has been available, but not selected. A lot of that wasn't, went overseas.
PeterK
Roar Guru
don't be surprised to see 10 foley 12 Beale 13 Kerevi 15 DHP Cheika could easily pick this combo
maxxlord
Roar Rookie
Well, by pure logic, if Kerevi and Kuridrani are lock ins (they are) then your flyhalf HAS to be whichever player combines best with them. I do not believe that will be Foley. If there is a disconnect between Foley And Kerevi, as has happened before, then this time it is FOLEY who must be booted and not Kerevi. Kerevi is clearly the superior asset. Once you unleash Kerevi and Kuridrani properly the rest will just be support play and solid defence. No team has ever won without a settled centre combination. The fact that ours is settled is now a huge relief and if the game plan wrings out their form to date then the Wallabies will go deep.
PeterK
Roar Guru
A major issue was LSL was used as a flanker on the edge in the 1 3 3 1 attack formation. He was badly found out for lack of pace. He should be in the 3 pod with the locks and the other 2 backrowers out wide. You could not have say Timu and LSL as the 6 and 8 or Hanigan and LSL, etc.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
LSL has had some bad PR on these pages which seems to have stuck firm, but – I agree – was one of the Wallabies best gainline breakers and collision winners, shored up a set piece and maul as well as any one making up the ground for two can, strong in the clean out and provided a hard edge missing from a number of other Gold iterations. Also came second in the John Eales (to a rampant Pocock) which seems to have been largely missed by most commentators. Fantastic 5/6 option.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
I don't disagree with this Jez.
Mikeyj993
Guest
Has to make it through a game first
Marlin
Roar Rookie
team 3 seems to be missing Steve Moore, Rob Simmons, Goerge Greegan, Giteau and a few others
Jimbo81
Guest
Watching Arnold drive through a rolling maul to lock the ball up and gain a scrum is glorious. I think we need Luke Jones as the other jumper and 6 which means Pocock at 7 and Hooper as a finisher
jeznez
Roar Guru
Great comment MA. When it comes to defence I look at Hooper, To'omua and Kuridrani as being key stoppers and organisers. For kicking White and Hodge along with To'omua loom as obvious options, other potential game managers include Genia, Powell and Lealiifano. I'd add scrum to your lineout and maul and that means Slipper, Sio, Fainga'a, Arnold, Ala'alatoa and one of Rodda/Simmons in my book. For counter attack then we need pace on the pitch and Koroibete, Banks and if fit Petaia are the big threats I see. Someone like Beale can add here but only in a bench role as his defence is not good enough to start. I think we also need ball carriers that can break the gain line so would have Tupou, Uelese, Salakaia-Loto and Kerevi firmly in mind (Kerevi one of the first players on my teamsheet). The final consideration is then about ruck protection and pressure - that is where Pocock shines and a player like McCaffrey can add support - per CB2 above perhaps Wright.