The Wallabies believe they can get winger Reece Hodge off his dangerous tackle charge at the Rugby World Cup ahead of Sunday’s clash with Wales.
Michael Cheika is confident officials won’t want to make an example of Wallabies winger Reece Hodge at his judicial hearing, although Wales coach Warren Gatland has playfully hinted he disagrees.
Hodge’s case will be heard on Wednesday afternoon and Cheika believes a case can be mounted to ensure the winger is free to play in Sunday’s key Rugby World Cup pool game against the Welsh.
“Mate, I’m not planning for failure,” Cheika said.
“I’ll plan to succeed there and then we’ll work it out from there.”
Gatland, renowned for entering verbal jousts before Tests, carefully suggested Hodge may be up against it following his tackle on Peceli Yato during Australia’s win over Fiji on Saturday.
“It looks like he has made contact there to me,” Gatland told journalists.
“That’s not my decision, the judiciary needs to make the call on that.”
Hodge’s citing for a dangerous tackle has sparked widespread debate and his fate will attract global interest.
Those that believe a red card should have been issued now feel a ban is warranted for Hodge, whose tackle didn’t appear to involve Hodge’s arms and concussed Yato.
However, there is a contrasting view espoused by Cheika that the nature of the tackle is hard to determine and isn’t a “clear and obvious” red card offence, which is something that can now be challenged at the judiciary.
The division lines are just stark on what scope should be given to citing and judicial officials and whether a “feel for the game” should form part of any ruling.
Cheika wasn’t biting on suggestions the judiciary would hand down an overblown punishment to act as a deterrent for the remainder of the tournament.
A meeting with the referee and judicial bosses last week convinced him that won’t be the case.
“They talked a lot about understanding the empathy of the game as opposed to coming over with a big stick. That was their natural approach,” Cheika said.
The Wallabies have depth to cover Hodge’s absence although that doesn’t include uncapped outside centre Jordan Petaia, who is still recovering from the hamstring injury suffered four weeks ago in Noumea.
“Like everything on this trip, since the typhoon knocked us out trying to get here the first day, all the little obstacles that get in our way,” Cheika said.
“We’ll just deal with them and take things on the run and still look forward to the game that’s coming up this weekend.”
Kdog
Guest
The problem is, if this is a suspension, then this is the bar for a suspension, and that bar would be pretty low
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Yep having Beale at FB against Wales would be suicidal. Could he play wing perhaps? Maybe Kuridrani better for defence.
Zado
Guest
Wallaby speed machine Nauvalu is another one Doctordbx.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I've said it so many times.... How the hell did Speight not get selected
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I've said it so many times.... How the hell did Speight not get selected
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Come to think of it, bourkos, stuff it. Let’s just pick Roff, Tune, Mortlock or Campo. One of them will do.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He can defend at 13 which must be similar to 14, in defence. He can run straight. I’m not married to this idea Bourkos. Just playing, like Cheika has, with the squad we’ve got.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Such a worry with high balls expected
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Beale only because he's quick
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Beale would have to go wing. Definitely not fullback against the high balls
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Wait wot... Kuidrani without pace or ever playing on the wing should be selected? Not sure about that one
Craig
Guest
You think? TBH I can't recall Cheika ever chasing a referral against an opposition player, (unlike Gatland, I might add).
Gonzo99
Roar Rookie
He's talking up his own player. I don't see anything wrong with that. And while I'm not that into coaches who indulge in pre-match mind games, I don't really see much wrong with talking down opposition players. Gatland's just trying to get under Cheika's skin.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Beale. If Hodge goes, DHP will come onto the wing and Beale will retain his fullback spot.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
We left Banks, Maddocks and Speight at home… all better replacements than AAC for the wing.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah can totally see where you’re coming from mate. Samu is undoubtedly good at making metres in traffic, maybe he’s the blind side option with Kori to use his wheels in the open. Very frustrating that even with the limited options available we still couldn’t pick our best squad.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
If Hodge is ruled out it'll be DHP starting and AAC onto the bench. There is merit in starting DHP at 15 and benching Beale. That would put AAC starting. Petaia is a rookie who hasn't played in months. Even if he was fit it's silly to consider starting him against Wales in a must win match. I honestly think he should have been left behind but we aren't flush with decent wingers at the moment.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Obviously high but not any real chance of causing injury. PSDT took an obvious dive (but good luck to him for trying). But KR doesn’t deserve to do time for that. Even if we were about to play ABs in the final I’d say the same. (I’m on the fence about Hodge, fwiw)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Rob, does anyone in the squad have serious toe? I’m throwing these names out with half passion. We don’t have another wing specialist in the squad. People are picking DHP, a fullback at 14. We need to ask if I were a Welsh wing who would I least like to tackle? But frankly, who cares about speed, because the squad selectors didn’t.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah Speights worth to the squad is pretty obvious now isn’t it. Dumb that we left an actual winger at home.