Discussion of a Wallabies squad would usually be focused on who didn’t make the cut more so than who did, but coach Michael Cheika appears to have flipped that narrative with the inclusion of gun rookie Jordan Petaia.
Petaia has wowed coaches and fans who have tracked his development over the past 18 months and will play at the World Cup despite never having worn the Wallaby jersey before.
Cheika will be hoping that Petaia’s body can hold up to the rigours of such a tight schedule. The 19-year-old was set to become the youngest ever Wallaby last year before straining a hamstring in Italy, and then missed almost all of the 2019 Super Rugby season after suffering a foot injury in the Reds’ second game.
(AAP Image/Albert Perez)
At the other end of the age spectrum is 35-year-old Adam Ashley-Cooper, who will now go to a fourth World Cup, and Will Genia, who will add to his 104 Test caps in Japan alongside Nic White, who will likely get the starting job ahead of the veteran in the halves.
White in particular could hardly have timed his return to form better. He was one of the Wallabies’ best during the Rugby Championship and will relish the opportunity to play in Japan.
In the forward pack there were few surprises as Cheika stuck strong with the majority of the pack that played the Rugby Championship.
In the front row veteran Sekope Kepu won out ahead of Waratah teammate Tom Robertson, and Cheika opted for one less halfback in favour of one more hooker option – possibly because Cheika still remains unable to rely on Tolu Latu to get through several games in a row without a suspension.
Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda will start in the second row with Adam Coleman pushing them for selection. Rob Simmons will act as cover and continue to accumulate Test caps off the bench in the pool matches.
Across the back row David Pocock returns as expected, and Pete Samu continues to be shunned as expected. Isi Naisarani will likely start the tournament as the Wallabies’ starting No.8 after shining during the Rugby Championship.
Jack Dempsey also provides a reliable option for Cheika if he needs to rotate his loose forwards and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto can probably feel the most fortunate to be included, after a mediocre Rugby Championship performance.
In the backs Cheika continues to show a preference for Christian Lealiifano ahead of Bernard Foley at the fly-half position, though Lealiifano’s wayward goal kicking in Auckland – that sucked a lot of momentum away from the Wallabies early in the game – won’t have filled anyone with confidence.
(PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP/Getty Images)
If Australia is to go deep in Japan they will not be able to leave points on the park often. Australia really require a goal kicker they can rely on in the big moments.
Lealiifano, To’omua, O’Connor, Hodge and Beale have all been trusted with the kicking tee in the past for Australia but none of them have kicked with enough consistency to hold on to the job.
James O’Connor’s redemption appears complete after he was named in the squad among a cluster of possible center combinations.
Having impressed at outside center it is likely that O’Connor will start outside Samu Kerevi with Matt Toomua, Petaia and Ashley-Cooper providing cover.
Marika Koribete is the only out-and-out winger in the squad meaning that the other wing position will have to filled by one of either Reece Hodge or Dane Haylett-Petty with Kurtley Beale at fullback.
Extended squad members Joe Powell, Tom Banks, Liam Wright, Luke Jones and Tatafu Polota-Nau will remain with the team as they train in Sydney this week ahead of their final World Cup warm up match on Saturday night against Samoa at Westbank Stadium before heading to Japan to prepare for their opening pool match against Fiji on September 21.
2019 Wallabies World Cup Squad
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.
Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi (vc), Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia*, Matt Toomua, Nic White.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Agree on all three CHT.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
EJ - "Newcomers" to Roar are not obliged to research the long felt view of others.
Scott
Guest
Good squad other than Dempsey, AAC and Foley. Insert Wright, Banks and QC for them and i’m happy.
Jamie
Guest
The bolter is Jack Dempsey.This guy is s deadest passenger.He is obviously a Michael Cheika selection.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He used to be good at TH but he's fallen away badly - he looked very good at LH last year though and could still be good for us there.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
But he was crap for Melbourne without them in his team
CHT
Roar Rookie
I agree. Morahan was terribly underrated. I wonder if we'd pick him if we had none of these stupid rules about only picking domestic players. I imagine if Higginbotham was blooded in NZ he would have been developed into a class international blindside. Speaking of Blindsides, Cottrell has the starch the Wallabies are lacking at 6, I'd take him over Dempsey any day. I wonder if the same can be said for Quade, who has real talent that just requires the right coaching and environment to flourish.
Hurles
Roar Rookie
However I do agree that calling him clown is childish and annoying. For all his failings (my opinion) he is doing his best and is genuinely passionate about the team and winning.
Hurles
Roar Rookie
You’re right tuc du nard. Apparently they “train really well” and I guess that’s the most important thing, far outweighs form, talent and execution. Oh I forgot “building” is important too.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Cal - also a sign of lack of depth to have to pick older players of his standard. The Abs cycle players well, particularly backs.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Because Foley isn't at 10, and Beale isn't at 12!
Tooly
Roar Rookie
You forget that Kuridrani is our best 13 with some ball. Beale was fine last week he clocked up metres and tried hard. AAC is there as a back up at 13, 15 and wing . He would out sprint most of them. Petaia is madness. He really has done nothing except get injured. Peter Samu : Joins the elite members of those black marbled from the Mouse club ; Smith , Higginbotham , Fardy, Gill, Carter and McMahon, for Hanigan , Dempsey, Robertson, Douglas , Houston, Simmons , Loto, Hooper.
DNZ
Guest
People aren't behind the squad because we all know what this one is capable of and it won;t be very flattering. People are calling for something different because we have had 4 years of the same old for the most part. You have to play yourself into one of the best in the world to make Cheika notice you. Arnold couldn't get a look in 12 months ago and is now leaving, right as he is reaching his peak. People should be rightly concerned about how players are selected because our system has not worked in the past and we have every reason to believe that so long as we continue to do what we always did, it's going to continue to erode the credibility of the game in this country. It's not a conspiracy - it's pretty apparent to everyone there are rules for some and not others when it comes to selecting players. Not everyone in that squad is there on merit, that is inarguable.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yep, sure mate, Nick Bishop and the fans ‘rate players on the back of a moment of highlight reel and not over 80 minutes’, but Cheika doesn’t. That’s why Cheika picks Kurtley Beale to start at fullback, while most fans (and Nick) don’t support this. Very persuasive logic.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Maybe Nick should be a selector. And Kaf as well. Thankfully rugby selections are not made by the punters who largely rate players on the back of a moment of highlight reel and not over 80 minutes. This is test rugby, nowhere to hide stuff. Maybe Banks doesn't fit into the team dynamic???
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Well obviously Cheika sees things differently. I don’t think that particular point was ever in contention.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Not really, we have no idea what the other selectors think. What we do know is that he least successful Wallabies coach for over 50-60 years, who is almost universally derided for his selections and game plans. On the other team, we have the best analyst of Australian rugby (Nick Bishop), the majority of other analysts and commentators and the overwhelming majority of the fans.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Banks obviously has some flaws in his game that you cannot see. And / or, other players flaws are considered not as bad maybe.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Suppose that's at least 3 guys rhat agree with me
Linny
Guest
S-E-L-L-E-C-T-I-O-N P-A-N-E-L !! Roarers scream for a selection panel to end Cheika’s Tahs selection bias. Panel of acknowledged experts select pretty much the same squad. Crowd screams muh favs still not in the squad. Cheika derangement and Tahs conspiracy reign supreme. I say let’s get behind the squad....go the Wallabies.