By moving Matt To’omua to inside centre, Dave Wessels may make the Melbourne Rebels a more competitive rugby side. He may also make selecting the Wallabies’ starting XV later this year trickier.
Hopefully 2020 gives us a moment’s break from its usual tricks and allows a form of international rugby in the southern hemisphere to go ahead later this year. Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup, whatever we get, let’s assume Dave Rennie will have to pick an Australian side for a few Tests sometime around November.
Much as Super Rugby form will influence the make-up of that side, there are a few positions which would be unlikely to house a selection bolter, given the incumbents’ recent form in Wallaby gold. It would be quite the shock for someone to usurp Michael Hooper at openside flanker, Nic White at scrumhalf or Marika Koroibete on the wing.
I’d have To’omua at flyhalf on that list too. Without wanting to repeat too much of last month’s discussion about the position, the Rebels vice-captain prefers playing at first receiver, has controlled games well behind an average pack, and is more than capable of defending well in the no.10 channel.
Being able to handle the increased physicality of Test rugby is a critical point. For all the promise Noah Lolesio and Will Harrison provide as future Australian playmakers, thrusting them into a starting role against the All Blacks or Springboks so early in their 20s will do them no favours.
By all means, have them in the squad, throw them in from the bench once or twice, but let them get stronger before slapping the no.10 on their back.
James O’Connor’s excellent form for the Reds does complicate the ‘To’omua at flyhalf’ argument, but I maintain he’s better suited to standing one step further away from the ruck than he is at first receiver. To’omua at 10 and O’Connor outside him at 12 would be the optimal set-up if the Wallabies, as was originally scheduled, were taking on the All Blacks tomorrow in Bledisloe 1.
Matt To’omua. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
As it is, the roles are reversed at Super Rugby level this week. To’omua will start at inside centre tonight against the Brumbies while O’Connor remains at flyhalf for the Reds, which brings us back to the original point: the national consequences of domestic selections.
In an ideal world, each potential Wallabies starter would be wearing the same number for club and country and could seamlessly slot into the position once the provincial season finishes and internationals begin. Not that anyone is going to be tricked into thinking we’re in an ideal world right now.
Instead, the reality is Queensland have no pure flyhalves but so many centres that they’ve got two men who wore no.13 for the Wallabies last year, neither of whom have been named at outside centre this weekend but will instead start at flyhalf and on the wing.
The Brumbies, on the other hand, have three young playmakers who could all end up playing Test rugby. Even their waterboy wore the no.10 for Australia last year. If we switch positions for a second, they also seem to have a monopoly on the country’s scrumhalf stocks.
Meanwhile, the Rebels have To’omua, plus a promising first-five who hasn’t yet been able to get a proper run in the position – at least he hadn’t until he was picked there for tonight’s match.
Ultimately, provincial coaches need to look after their provinces first and foremost. Much as I’d like to see James O’Connor playing at 12 each week, given the Reds’ flyhalf depth is nonexistent, Brad Thorn’s absolutely in the right to pick him at 10.
(Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP via Getty Images)
Likewise, starting Andrew Deegan is a reasonable enough move from Dave Wessels given his side haven’t clicked in attack. The problem lies more with an inconsistent forward pack than the backs, but a new 10-12-13 combination could prove more of a threat to the Brumbies. Just steer clear of constant positional changes, like Reece Hodge’s 2019 which saw him split 15 appearances between five different positions without starting more than five times in the same spot.
It might help the Wallabies for To’omua to be playing every game at flyhalf, but their coach’s concern is rightly about seeing a marked improvement from the Rebels, something the side and Wessels himself both desperately need before the finals.
And hey, To’omua’s playmaking at inside centre could make Melbourne a far more dangerous side, and Deegan could put on a masterclass and take the no.10 jersey off his more experienced teammate.
They probably won’t, because it’s forecast to be a miserably wet night at Leichhardt Oval and they’re playing the undefeated ladder leaders. But they could. Theoretically.
pm
Roar Rookie
You're just privileging what's going on just now over history, which is fair enough, but so is the opposite approach. I don't even have a strong opinion on this, but be aware that the argument for White as captain isn't new and has been recommended by a more estimable source than you or I: https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/05/13/why-nic-white-should-be-the-next-wallabies-captain/
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate... not a fan of putting someone in as captain who is only “the best” because we have no one else. Let us see how he goes at getting game time over Powell before we even talk about him wearing a gold jersey let alone captain.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hodge did play very well and showed me up... also moved Banks to the bottom of the pile in the 15 position. Maddox was also good against the Reds.
pm
Roar Rookie
He's played dozens of games for the Wallabies. Easily their best scrum half. Premature pick, but not comparable to picking Hannigan.
The Strategist
Roar Rookie
Interesting comments here: "JOC plays too deep". Really? He is the flattest playing 10 in OZ SR. "JOC a better 12". Really? Based on what and when? "Toomua a better 10 than 12". Really? Based of last nights game he showed how much better he is at 12 than 10. His starts at 10 last test season were never convincing. The one that really gets me is anytime someone suggest Kurindrani is in contention for a Wallaby spot. The guy plays like he should be on JobKeeper. He has not done anything to suggest he is a test player for several seasons. Just because they have Caps doesn't mean they deserve selection. Especially Caps in the Cheika era when Test Caps should be seen as a reason you are not Test quality. I really wish more people stop watching the ball and watch the other 90% of what is happening on a rugby field. I promise you great coaches don't watch the ball they watch what happens before the ball arrives. That is where great players do all their work.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
And coincidentally a team captained Matt Toomua at 12 with Reece Hodge at fullback, just put a big win on the Brumbies. Hodge in particular was excellent, his positional play is outstanding and he is going to have another month or so to make his case for the Wallabies 15, I reckon that DHP is going to have a hard time getting back into the starting squad. On the downside I am now far more scared of the Rebels for the Reds than I was previously.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I don't think either of those guys is assured of ursurping Toomua or O'Connor by the 2023 RWC. They are 21 and 20 respectively, that is very young for an international fly half, even Beuden Barrett had to get most of his experience of the bench until he was about 25.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
GP, thanks mate
Greasegun
Roar Rookie
Go Rebs!
Harry Jones
Expert
DHP, Koroibete, Kuridrani (Petaia), JOC, Maddocks, Toomua, Powell?
pm
Roar Rookie
I just rewatched the Oz v Wales match from RWC last year. Toomua sure gave them a spark and took over the game on the second half to nearly get us home there.
pm
Roar Rookie
Fair call Jameswm, but I do have my doubts too, about whether he really reads the game well enough, often to me he seems a bit more like a wing with a boot. Wouldn't be that shocked, and would be very happy, if I'm proven wrong on that though
pm
Roar Rookie
I think that's a bit harsh on DHP. I'd say he's very steady and has maximized his talent pretty well. Can usually get through a tackle or two without running himself and the blokes behind him into trouble. Banks form has been pretty average, Maddocks inconsistent. None of the three in great form.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I just talked a good bit of smack about Hodge and he had a solid game against the Brumbies.
robbo999
Roar Rookie
Daniel "the Rebels vice-captain prefers playing at first receiver, has controlled games well behind an average pack" - really? "And hey, To’omua’s playmaking at inside centre could make Melbourne a far more dangerous side, and Deegan could put on a masterclass and take the no.10 jersey off his more experienced teammate. They probably won’t, because it’s forecast to be a miserably wet night at Leichhardt Oval and they’re playing the undefeated ladder leaders. But they could. Theoretically" -nothing theoretical about it now :happy:
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree No f/b is in form and Petaia played all juniors there including reps. I would not have DHP as 23 he either starts at 15 or is out. Banks or Hodge at 23.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Agreed. And in Australia too - last year Tahs had to win the last game of the season to make the finals - plus other results- and they rested their three best players. My point is that I’m not sure you can build a strong competition with growing loyal supporters with glorified trial matches - people are just waiting for the test team to be announced.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Meakes has been very poor at 12 for the Rebels and they have found themselves in a position of just not having a 12 apart from their first choice 10. They have simply had no second face if Toomua goes into contact.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Never said he was a weak defender. Petaia missed 1/3rd of his tackles on the wing It is even harder at 13. He has little time at 13, in juniors and schoolboys he played almost exclusively f/b. 13 is the hardest defensive position in the backs and just does not have the experience to organise the defence there. At 13 with rush defence there is little room, Petaia would work better when he can inject himself or have some space. TK is proven to be a very good organiser and defender at 13. Petaia would be a better option at f/b or wing.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That’s been true of a lot of good players though. I like Stewart at 12 so it’s not a big problem for them in my mind. The more I look at that Reds squad the more I like