My mid-season Wallaby 23

We’re halfway through the Super Rugby AU season so let’s see how the Wallaby team should look come Test time.

1. Tom Robertson
Being the only player to hold up a scrum against Taniela Tupou is the primary reason for this selection. I haven’t loved the performances from most of the looseheads so far this season, no one has stepped up and made a real claim for Wallaby starting spot.

With Scott Sio back after missing the first three weeks due to injury and James Slipper optimistically back after this week’s bye hopefully one of them can get back to form and put their hand up in the latter half of the season. Does anyone know when Cabous Eloff is Wallaby eligible?

2. Feleti Kaitu’u
Feleti Kaitu’u might not be a familiar name but he is quietly putting together a very strong season for the Force. You might have guessed that the Brumbies have the best lineout per cent in the competition.

You’d be right with 90.7 per cent, but the Force being second on the list with a 90.6 per cent completion rate might be a surprise to a few people.

Kaitu’u is also the most dominant defender in the front row this season in Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa.

The only other front rower close is Codie Taylor, who has had 33 tackles won compared to 46 by Kaitu’u. Reliable set piece and prominent defender should tick a lot of boxes for Dave Rennie later this year.

3. Taniela Tupou
There isn’t a lot I can say here that hasn’t already been said about Tupou. His scrum dominance and work rate has continued to improve as the season has progressed, and his discipline issues also seem to be mostly under control. One of the first names on the team sheet.

Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

4. Fergus Lee-Warner
Another Force forward who has been putting together a very strong season. FLW is the hardest working second rower in the Super Rugby AU competition and it’s not even that close, he’s averaging 14 carries and 13 tackles made per game this year.

That is a mountain of work. His only clear negative is that he doesn’t call the lineouts for the Force, which may look easy enough on the surface but takes a certain amount of nous that can only be improved over time and game repetitions.

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 is a real problem position, not for lack of options but for lack of a solid lineout caller. Cadeyrn Neville, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Trevor Hosea are great players and the leading options but none of them call the lineout for their club team.

The Wallabies lineout has struggled enough in recent times, adding an inexperienced caller will only exacerbate the issue. The best option will be the experience of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

Despite his tackle technique and discipline raising some red flags his mobility and abrasive play style almost make-up for it. Any more cards this year though and Rennie might have to go in another direction.

6. Rob Valentini
Rob Valentini is finally starting to live up to the hype that has been following him for years. His stats might not jump off the screen, but passes the eye Test with flying colours, he looks dominant every time he goes into contact.

There are some negatives to his game though, while having improved this season his work rate off the ball still needs to get better and he isn’t the best lineout operator but is solid enough as a third or fourth option at the back.

7. Fraser McReight
This was a tough selection between McReight, Michael Hooper and Carlo Tizzano. McReight has more turnovers and clean breaks, more of the big plays. Tizzano has more tackles and carries, more of the dirty work. It’s a great headache to have going forward and undoubtably Rennie will feel the same way.

I’m sure many people will be upset about current incumbent captain Michael Hooper not getting selected but I’m not sure he walks straight back into the Tahs team over Tizzano, let alone the Wallabies.

8. Harry Wilson
Hasn’t had the most electrifying start to the 2021 season but is still top five in carries and top ten in offloads, very reliable player and will offer a great balance in the backrow with Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight.

9. Tate McDermott
McDermott is the only halfback in Australia that offers genuine X-Factor at the position. He is tied fourth in the competition for offloads and is a constant headache for defenders next to the ruck. His kicking game looks to be improved from last year, but his passing late in games still needs some attention.

10. Matt To’omua
He is the glue holding that Rebels team together. Without To’omua the Rebels would be back with the Waratahs fighting for last place.

His great on-field leadership, game management and organisation skills will be instrumental in helping to unlock some of the strike weapons found wider in the Wallaby backline. Plus, his outstanding defence will help to slow down Richie Mo’unga who is looking borderline unstoppable for the Crusaders this year.

11. Marika Koroibete
He Top 2 in carries, clean breaks, defenders beaten, metres carried and offloads so far this season for a Rebels team that struggles to get over the try line. One of the first players selected.

12. Hunter Paisami
When compared to last year his game in coming along in leaps and bounds. His ability as a second playmakers for the Reds continues to improve every game and his discipline this year is also much improved. I like him more at 12 then at 13 because his tendency to lock on to a target in the defensive line.

The shot he put on Matt To’omua earlier this year was an excellent hit, but if he mistimed it and To’omua got the ball away it was a four on 2, try to the rebels. At 12 he can go for those types of hits without such negative repercussions.

13. Jordan Petaia
This was a toss-up with Len Ikitau until the Reds versus Force game on Saturday night where Petaia played one of his best game as a professionals.

Gone were the forced offloads and low percentage kicks through the line, instead he played a more mature, conservative game which was a refreshing change.

He’s also the most dangerous player in Australian rugby when in open space and underrated in defence, which more than makes up for some shaky ball control in contact.

He hasn’t had many minutes over the last few years with some unlucky injuries but if he can stay healthy and continues to add maturity to his game, the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old.

14. Filipo Daugunu
If Tom Wright comes back from injury in the same form as he was in last year than he’ll be tough to pass on but currently Filipo Dauguno is the first choice 14. He was unlucky not to be given more chances with the Wallabies last year and isn’t having as huge of an impact as he was last season, but he still offers genuine X-Factor out wide.

A big point of difference is his capacity to win turnovers in the wider channels. An extra turnover or two in a tight test-match could really shift the tide in favour of the Wallabies.

15. James O’Connor
Whilst Hunter Paisami is improving his ball playing ability, it still isn’t up to Test quality but a Matt To’omua – James O’Connor axis will cause teams all sorts of headaches.

In games where they’ve played together previously To’omua tends to disappear in attack when O’Connor is outside him. Playing O’Connor at fullback means he will have more of a license to insert himself as a wider ball player in the attacking line while still retaining the capacity to slot into first receiver when the opportunity arises.

James O’Connor. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Reds attack looks more dangerous with O’Connor in the wider channels than when he acts as a distributor and game manager in the flyhalf role. Defensively O’Connor stands at 15 for the Reds so lack of playing time at fullback shouldn’t be an issue for the veteran.

16. Brendan Paenga-Amosa
17. James Slipper
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Trevor Hosea
20. Tim Anstee (Bit of a smokey here but he’s been playing lights out)
21. Michael Hooper
22. Nic White
23. Reece Hodge