Keep it tight or give it some height seems to be Michael Cheika’s plan for the Wallabies in Johannesburg this weekend, in Australia’s first post-Israel Folau and pre-World Cup Test.
In a World Cup year, the abbreviated Rugby Championship becomes mainly a chance for the four teams to refine their game plans and combinations for a crack at the Webb Ellis Cup.
For the Wallabies, it’s also an opportunity to break a 56-year drought against South Africa at Ellis Park and kickstart some much-needed momentum given their woeful 2018 season, which yielded four wins from 13 starts.
There are only five survivors from the team that went down 37-18 to England in London in November.
The wingers and halfback selections were among the most intriguing choices made by the new panel of Cheika, Scott Johnson and Michael O’Connor, on top of the Test debut for Isi Naisarani at No.8.
In the absence of Israel Folau, Tom Banks will make his first run-on start for Australia at fullback, with Melbourne Rebels pair Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge on the wings.
Marika Koroibete returned to Australia earlier in the week following the birth of his second child, while Jack Maddocks – who was expected to be named in the starting side – also headed home but was seemingly fit given he’s due to play club rugby this weekend.
Marika Koroibete (Photo by Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Nic White will start at halfback in his first appearance in gold since 2015, pushing regular No.9 Will Genia to the bench.
With Haylett-Petty and Hodge on the edge, it’s unlikely that Cheika will plan to burn the Springboks on the outside too often. It’s a wing combination that’s not the speediest, especially when compared to the jet shoes of the South African wingers S’bu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi.
Banks brings plenty of pace, but his long kicking game, which was so pivotal to the Brumbies’ Super Rugby success this season, was probably most attractive to the selectors.
While Folau was a weapon when running with the ball, his kicking game was one of his weaknesses. Banks’ ability to peel off plenty of territory with the boot makes him a valuable asset for the Wallabies, whose lineout frailties can create stress if pinned deep inside their own territory too often.
Like Banks, one of White’s biggest strengths lies in his astute kicking in general play. He’s quick as well, but his long kicking game and accurate box kicks can take a lot of heat off his five-eighth.
In his time with Montpellier in France and Exeter in England over the past four years, he was given more of a chance to control the game, especially from phase play.
Mix White’s impressive box kicking with the size and aerial ability of Haylett-Petty and Hodge, and the Aussies will go to the air a fair bit in Johannesburg. Add altitude to the mix and White’s kicks can go a bit further than normal.
Boks coach Rassie Erasmus thinks Australia are less of a threat without Folau, but don’t think his absence will mean that Australia will stop going to the air for contested high balls.
If White and Banks can build pressure with the boot, Cheika might feel comfortable taking a more kick-orientated gameplan to the World Cup. He’s repeatedly said in the past that he ideally wants to stick to a ball-in-hand style of play, but he’s pragmatic enough to realise that it’s not working, one of his most potent line-breakers – Folau – is gone, and he needs to rack up some wins for morale as much as goodwill.
There’s also a strong possibility that Johnson, who had a decent degree of success in Europe – where kick-focussed field-position gameplans are more prominent – has given strong urgings that Cheika should adopt this style.
It’s a style that also means centres Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani can be used in a simple and direct way. There’s not much passing subtlety in their games so they’re at their most effective when they’re hitting holes and trying to get their team on the front foot. Naisarani can also bob up on the edges to puncture the line with footwork.
White’s inclusion could bring out the best in Genia too. He’s dropped a bit of speed, but he’s still a classy No.9. Cheika may still view Genia as his top halfback, but White offers enough of a point of difference to give him an opportunity to spark the side.
Will we see a duller, more kick-orientated Wallabies at Ellis Park, who are content to play a controlled, territory-focussed style? Will we see less of the phase-heavy running game from most parts of the field?
Very likely given the addition of White and Banks, and the influence of Johnson as Rugby Australia’s director of rugby.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
I never said he should be I the squad this year. I agree there are plenty of better options for the RWC. I only said he was the #1 12 in 2012 but has never regained that form after returning to league.
Offside
Roar Rookie
You are the only person I have ever come across that doesn't think SBW is a complete waste of space. Nothing to do with hating anyone. I simply want the best #12 in the country playing #12 for the All Blacks. SBW isn't even close.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
Ok you're a SBW hater. Everything he has done, is doing, will do, is rubbish. Point taken
Offside
Roar Rookie
He was never the worlds premier or even the NZ premier 12. He always has and always will be a giant waste of space. The #12 and 13 positions take a lifetime to develop. That's why our great centre's become great in the twighlight of their careers. Bruce Robertson, Joe Stanley, Conrad Smith became great centres in their late 20's early 30's after playing in those positions their whole lives. SBW is big and athletic. No doubt about that. But for a code switcher, his best position would be 6 where his positional requirements are limited, his game play is small and all he has to do is guard the blindside. But he's too lazy and too soft to play 6. That's why he plays in the backline. The only reason anyone can imagine why he's in the team is because the sponsors want him. No one I have spoken to thinks SBW should be in the All Blacks period.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
It was tongue in cheek to jameswm comment above. SBW was the world's premier 12 in 2012 prior to returning to NRL. He's never regained that form.
Offside
Roar Rookie
Agree.....except SBW
Offside
Roar Rookie
SBW? :-D :-D :-D That's funnier than Kerevi as the worlds premier number 12. SBW is a complete waste of space. The only person in New Zealand who thinks he's All Black material unfortunately is the bloke who picks the team.
Rajah
Roar Rookie
have been watching Fiji play the All Black Maori the last 2 weeks…given Fiji still have not put their best team on field, I would have to say Fiji A represent a credible threat to the Wallabies. Fiji would have to play their best and Wallabies have an off day (common occurrence) but it is entirely possible Australia do not make quarter finals in World Cup
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
That would be a good thing to see.
Mia
Roar Rookie
What you didn’t say is whether you would rather see the Wallabies (a). win playing boring ‘test’ rugby or (b). lose badly playing good entertaining rugby. I would like to see the Wallabies just win, period.
Chukling
Guest
The sooner we stop talking about Kick-style rugby versus Running rugby and replace both terms with ‘smart’ rugby we won’t go anywhere. Rugby ‘smarts’ is what we need - kick when we should kick, run when we should run... watch and feel the game, and adjust accordingly. Ignore the coach, and play what’s in front of you... get rid of the Wallabots and bring back the Wallacans.... pretend your playing u14 again, look-up, play what’s in front of you, and less coaching please to remove the shackles. I feel we over-complicate this great game sometimes with too many KPIs.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He's already proven himself a decent Test player though. That's the point.
Mike
Guest
Well good luck to the Wallabies. The road to the World Cup really starts now for better or worse. A few good quality games to get it together, and for players to hopefully stand up and really cement their positions, before Japan. They surprised everyone at the last WC.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I’m a terrible tipster. I expect SA to be too strong but hope we can get the biscuits with them leaving key players out. Could be a good test of Harry’s theory that the weakest three to five players are what will swing any match. And I know very little about a few of the guys Erasmus has picked.
somer
Guest
Well, all I see is wishful thinking in the absence of contextual evidence. I've seen numerous players over years who are fantastic athletes, very few of them have gone on to become world-class or even decent Test players. I think the lesson to be learned is that highlight-reel players don't necessarily become well-rounded players who can consistently dominant at test level. Kerevi may very well go on to become the world's best this year, we'll have to wait and see.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
I made the claim that Samu is the premier 12 and nothing written here persuades me different. I have in the past raged about his selection at 13 ( fair dinkum has this bloke got any idea) and ffs wing. In a weak side without a 5/8 he carried the QLD attack and he has never had a 5/8 in the wallabies side giving him a platform. That QLD didn't sell Ballymore to keep him amazes me , he is a once in a generation player.
neostars
Roar Rookie
Never going to happen. 6 nation teams / NZ are so strong at the moment.
neostars
Roar Rookie
Wallabies have no chance of winning unless it SA b team. I just look through the team list and can’t feel any excitement.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
2019 is really the first year that he has basically had an entire super rugby season at 12. For the rest of his career he has actually played a majority at 13 (and he isn't a 13) and hasn't been given a chance to really learn the nuances of inside centre. Even at 13, out of position, he was very solid against Ireland despite Foley and Beale playing awfully, and would have won us the third test and the series if Foley had passed to him when he was 5m out and basically unmarked after the siren had gone. Another thing is that it is really difficult for any player to be a standout in Cheika's Wallabies. The team is just so poorly coached and predictable that most players are just on a hiding nothing. I don't want to constantly bag him, but especially when one is playing as a back outside of Foley - Foley just gives them nothing. Being consistently 'decent' in Cheika's team is all one can really hope for unless they are named Pocock or Hooper (or Genia in previous years). I think the claim that he is the world's premier 12 comes down to the fact that there just aren't really any standout 12s in world rugby right now. None of the All Blacks, South Africa or England have had a clear incumbent 12 for a few years, while Ireland's, Scotland's and Wales' options are okay without setting the world on fire. I think that if Samu had been in the New Zealand system, he would certainly be the world's premier 12 by now. Perhaps even if he were at the Brumbies rather than under Thorn.
somer
Guest
I think you're taking him too literally. The implication is that Kerevi hasn't shown much in 25 Tests for the Wallabies which goes back to the original claim that he's the world's best no. 12