Michael Cheika has described the Wallabies’ lead-up to the Rugby World Cup as “perfect” but that has only muddied the selection waters for their opening Test against Fiji.
Cheika insists there are a host of contestable positions in his starting XV to face Fiji on Saturday and believes the pressure on selectors will be a constant throughout the tournament.
There are 30 fit players to choose from, with Suva-born outside centre Tevita Kuridrani declared “well back” by Cheika and in contention to face his native country.
Locks Adam Coleman and Rory Arnold have also shaken off niggles, leaving only teenage outside back Jordan Petaia (hamstring) out of contention.
Cheika said the effort given by every player at the pre-tournament camp in Noumea and again this week in Odawara had set up a vexed selection meeting on Tuesday.
“There’s a lot of competition for places in the team so far and I think that’s the way it’s going to stay, to be honest over the next seven weeks,” Cheika said in Odawara.
“That’s going to elevate the level of each player because I know everyone wants to play.
“You can just see it in the way guys are training, everyone wants to be a part of it.”
Despite Cheika’s comments, the majority of players employed in both Bledisloe Cup Tests against New Zealand last month will fancy their chances.
The most contention surrounds the right wing, both halves and the loose forwards – now that David Pocock is fit again.
A disjointed display against Samoa last Saturday drew criticism from former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock, who lamented a predictable performance on attack.
Cheika bristled, pointing out the game fell three days after returning from the gruelling Noumea fitness camp.
“I didn’t see his comments but I don’t agree, to be honest,” Cheika said.
“I thought that we attacked pretty good, made a few mistakes off the back of a couple of weeks of hard training.
“Each to their own.
“What happens on the field is where the talking is done. We get our chance to talk on Saturday.”
Cheika said the Odawara camp had been “perfect” as a Japanese location out of the spotlight to mix hard work with relaxation.
He had noticed a lift in excitement from his players, who will travel to Sapporo on Wednesday.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well he generally tops the stats for tackles leading to turnovers. Hard to make the pilfers when you’re the one making the dominant tackles that lead to them. And if you look through statistics you’ll find he makes as many pilfers as most elite 7s. You’re views are not at all aligned with the numbers. What you’ll find is a gulf in this area between our other 7 forwards compared to the top teams though. No teams rely on 1 player at the breakdown. At least not successful ones.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Well he is the captain and a 7 who can't or won't compete at the breakdown so of course it can't be his fault. Lets keep losing then. It is so much fun.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You’re only justification is the team is performing poorly, so Hooper must be poor... I guess players like Sergio Parisse, Felipe Contemponi, Greg Laidlaw, etc must have been poor players since their teams were not successful... We could pick just about any Aus 7 and it wouldn’t change a thing. Hooper is one of our best performers, and his potential replacements would also be. It’s some of the other 14 positions where the issues lie...
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Fionn: Fardy matches George Smith as the most stupid "don't need you's" that we have ever done. I suspect that Wales and certainly England, if they play 2 #7's, will be bigger than Pocock and certainly Hooper. Need to check on that when the Welsh selections are made. Tipuric is 6' 2" Pocock is 6'.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Yeah keep pushing Hooper cos you know, we are going so brilliantly with him aren’t we and it can never be any of his fault of course, despite being captain .... He’s untouchable.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think a lot of teams are moving towards two 7s for this World Cup. If we still had Fardy available, I would be all for him at 6, as we could try and dominate the opposition line out. However, without Fardy I think the Pooper is our best option, especially since all of Wales, Scotland, England and New Zealand are likely to play two 7s, so our line out will likely still function well.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Worst part is, if Foley starts against Fiji and we win (both reasonably likely) Cheika will see that as a good reason to start him against Wales.
Ragnesh Prakash
Guest
Discipline and defence is the key. Hope wallabies embrace this two "D's".
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Exactly. Gill was an excellent player, but prone to brain snaps.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So what about the tests prior to that event?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Funny thing memory. You seemed to have forgotten Mckenzie always selected Hooper over Gill. Everytime when both were available. Hooper always started. Gill got 15min at best. Dublin drinks impacted 1 game against Scotland. No more.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Deans and Cheika are yes. McKenzie was forced to pick Hooper over Gill after Gill went out on the grog in Ireland on the northern tour and he was forced to pick Hooper over Pocock while Pocock was still injured, obviously. I'm surprised you don't remember this.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Agree re Latu if he didn't show discipline and LSL would make it as a lock. I think you underestimate the others as they are playing in a poor system. Who would have thought Ta'avo or Debreszcni would make a NZ rugby team. You also underestimate how utterly hopeless the Blues have been for years.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Deans and Cheika are. McKenzie was forced to play Hooper after Gill foolishly went out on the grog in Ireland and then had to stick with Hooper until Pocock recovered from injury. I'm surprised you don't remember this.
Markus
Roar Rookie
TK also the best defensive back the Wallabies have, and has a knack for forcing his way over the try line from short range in arm-wrestle matches. Very handy traits in a knockout tournament.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Fiji at $6.25.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s just that Deans, McKenzie and then Cheika are all wrong?
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@OJ Can't agree mate. NZ have got 20 hookers better then Latu and his poor discipline would be unacceptable there. Dempsey is too small, lacks mongrel and is too unskilled at breakdown for a NZ super team backrower. LSL - again NZ have got 20 better and they don't pick backrowers with no breakdown skills. DHP - too slow - when was last time you saw any NZ fullback or winger as slow as DHP. Petaia - too young - maybe in a yr or 2 he'd get a run there. Uelese - again NZ have got probly 15 hookers better.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@web yeah and Garden-Bachop was 3rd or 4th choice and got a few games due to injuries. And in those few games he performed better than Foley has all of 2019.
Garry
Guest
I think 15-1 is about par for the WB’s. We’ve potential, but the trainer keeps hobbling us.