The Rugby Championship starts this weekend, and while there’s so much importance in the Wallabies returning to winning ways in their first hit-out against Los Pumas, there are some finer details I’d love ironed out over the course of this Rugby Championship:
1. Backup for the tighthead props
The 2020 campaign gave us a clean run of our No. 3 jersey, with three starts each for Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa, the pair alternating between the starting and impact roles. In 2021 though, with the additional eight, matches, we got a few headaches when we faced four matches without one or both of them.
This trend continued in the recent English series, and the timing of injuries seems particularly problematic at tighthead when their absences are often compounded by the unavailability of Harry Johnson-Holmes and Pone Fa’amausili.
This tour to Argentina includes the still-uncapped Fa’amausili, and the time is nigh for his debut. 2021 showed we didn’t have a set plan as we scrambled to include a 38-year-old Greg Holmes off the bench for a solitary cap and then did the same with Ollie Hoskins, who was plying his trade in England and was nearly the only available, eligible option. Neither of them performed poorly, but they were also clearly never part of the original plan. It was similar to when Tom Robertson and James Slipper both filled in on that side despite spending the majority (if not all) of their club season playing loosehead.
For this campaign, all I really want to see is the health of Fa’amausili – and ideally Johnson-Holmes, who has one cap off the bench against South Africa from the Michael Cheika era – so that they can be given some game time or at least adequately assessed in training so we have some tested depth at tighthead and aren’t forced to call upon the ever-reliable Slipper, who is so impressive on the loose in his 1-17 partnership with Angus Bell.
2. Lock hierarchy
Who are our two best starting locks, who is the primary caller, the lineout disruptor, the heavy-traffic carrier and our impact off the bench?
Dave Rennie has had a look at a wide range in his tenure, from making Rob Simmons a centurion to making Matt Philip a Wallabies mainstay – he’s the equal fourth most used Wallabies player since 2020 – and to blooding three Brumbies in Darcy Swain, Nick Frost and Cadeyrn Neville for their first caps.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton and Simmons being overseas simplifies the equation somewhat despite Rory Arnold being overseas and still gaining selection in the current squad.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
It also appeared that with all options available last year Izack Rodda and Rory Arnold would be the starting combination, which is a very impressive duo, but with Rodda’s injury and no more Skelton, who do we turn to as the starting option alongside Arnold and who comes off the bench?
It seems to be between Philip, Swain and Frost at the moment based on injuries and the potential to use Jed Holloway as a backrower. However, the permutations are quite open and I’d love to determine a bit of a lock hierarchy.
Personally, an Arnold-Philip starting combination with Frost off the bench would excite me and provide a nice blend of all the things sought after in a lock, but that is far from consensus or a settled and tested split. Time will tell.
3. Who is the No. 6? (Wilson, Leota, Valetini, Swinton, Holloway, Samu, Hanigan)
Going hand-in-hand with the previous debate, who plays at No. 6? Our blindside flank has been on rotation since Scott Fardy vacated the role in 2016, and while there have been some good performances and some less good ones, there hasn’t been any amount of consistency as we juggle unique options.
A lot of this is determined by perhaps an uncertainty as to what we want our No. 6 to do. Is it a lineout option, like a Holloway type? Do we just want carries and tackles, in which a Harry Wilson or Fergus Lee-Warner would look quite good? Is it a hybrid role, where someone like Rob Leota or Pete Samu could do a bit of everything, or do they want an ‘enforcer’ in the form of a Lachlan Swinton?
Michael Hooper stands as the immovable No. 7, as does Samu in the No. 20 jersey it seems. Rob Valetini has shown the form to be starting somewhere in the back row – he’s currently at No. 8 but could be at No. 6 if needed, so it begs the question: who joins them?
I selfishly want it to be and think it should be Wilson, but in a key position where we have seen the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Peter O’Mahoney and Courtney Lawes shine, it’d be great to have our No. 6 locked in and delivering consistent performances.
4. The playmaking axis (Cooper, O’Connor, Lolesio, Paisami, Foketi, Simone)
Again, injuries have really ruined a chance to see the best of Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio with any form of consistency. Lolesio has been given the most chances, to mixed effect, and Cooper has looked the most in control but often with the added benefit of Samu Kerevi outside him, which won’t be an option to any of our playmakers for the remainder of 2022.
Determining that Nos. 10 to 12 axis is so vital, as we see so many sides that have been dominant at World Cups fall back on that combination, whether it be a Handre Pollard and Damian de Allende or a Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu set-up.
Nic White (at No. 9) and Len Ikitau (at No. 13) have established themselves as locked starters for our first-choice side, so whether we go for combinations (Lolesio with Irae Simone), experience (Cooper with Hunter Paisami) or hand O’Connor the reins with Lalakai Foketi outside him fresh off some decent Australia A form, there is no clear, set option with Kerevi unavailable.
The experienced lens is the one I’m currently looking through, but what a different story it may be if Simone weren’t heading overseas for next season.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
5. Fullback (Banks, Hodge, Haylett-Petty, Petaia, Kellaway, Wright, Campbell, Beale)
Finally, fullback. In 23 tests under Rennie we have had six different players start a match in the No. 15 jersey on top of at least two others who have had to meaningfully fill in during a fixture.
Yet who’s best? Who provides the most and has locked down a spot?
You could’ve argued Tom Banks, though his form never sold a majority of critics and armchair selectors, and his departure to Japan for next year has many (rightly) doubting that we’d use a limited overseas selection to bring him back.
Reece Hodge is versatile and has done a job there at times, but his main asset is his kick and he’s been too pedestrian in most other facets to inspire fans (and now coaches) that he should be the first choice.
Kurtley Beale falls into a similar position, and while he’s experienced, he may be pushing it to deliver at the level required once he returns from his current injury.
It leaves a bit of a battle between Reds teammates Jordan Petaia (only one Test start at fullback for about three minutes) and Jock Campbell (still uncapped) while Andrew Kellaway remains on the sidelines and Tom Wright remains primarily a wing option.
With an important tournament on the horizon and the 2023 RWC next year, it’s time to start putting the eggs in a basket, and frankly, any basket will do at this point.
I hope they persevere with either Petaia (the most exciting athlete), Campbell (the most consistent delivery at Super Rugby level) or Kellaway (perhaps the best rugby brain in the Wallabies outside backs), but with one of those options unavailable, it really is up to one of the Reds to step up and demand repeated selection.
Good luck to each of your respective teams this weekend!
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
The majority of the decision makers/playmakers are not from possession based backgrounds - they are Brumbies (and aren't the largest proportion of the team Brumbies?). Most of the play runs off Nic White, which works well at the low possession Brumbies and rather less well at the high possession style national side. When QC isn't available (and at his age he is likely to miss a lot of games), the 10 is also from a low possession Brumbies. The full back has often also been from a low possession Brumbies. It is a major clash of styles. It isn't about who is a 'good' player, it is about who can most efficiently execute a given style. Part of the genius of QC was that he could basically do it all, except play as a highly physical, League style 2nd playmaker a la JOC. As for 'all fit', Kerevi has a history of significant injuries. He's a wonderful player and one of the few in this country who has steadily improved in his deficit areas over his career - he was a terrible defender and has improved enormously there; he has developed a much better set of short distribution skills as well. In the game as it is today, having all fit will happen rarely. I don't agree that Oz can't develop a better set piece. They also don't have to be exactly like one side or another. At any rate, high possession actually requires you to have at least one area of dominant set piece, or else you haven't got the supply to achieve possession, let alone high possession. Ireland are a high possession model and they have a pretty decent scrum and lineout. When Oz played high possession well they had a serviceable scrum and a dominant lineout. Set piece capacity can largely be trained by skilled coaching. Compare Ireland's player numbers and ours and their set piece (even allowing for some imports) didn't just come as the end product of the lovely Irish weather and lots of vitamin B. From the outset there has been a mismatch between selections and how the coach seems to want to play. I am all for giving the coach his way - although I don't think his way will work, once he's been chosen he should be given what he needs. He should be selecting decision makers who fit the style he wants - that would probably mean picking a set of halves from other than the Brumbies and, possibly same at 15. It wouldn't be popular, but so be it.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Impressive you have done your homework. Though a fan of gamble …not at 6. May have to wait one last year before Hoops moves on. Gleeson for me at 6. Swints may have to make room. I hope Ned stays in the backrow to be honest. Can do a job in the second row but to short 194 cm. Gives away to much height to others. 6 or even 8. Warren V is my concern. A serious talent who has to be on the pitch. If he stayed in Japan, Jamie Joseph had him training and playing 13. He missed Japanese selection only by a few months short of residency.. if he played centre for the tahs which I highly doubt it would allow Izzy to play wing where he has more chances of wallaby selection. Any I’m dreaming think your selections are closer to the mark.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I sure hope he lives up to that. He's not super tall and Swinton is very good at lineout. The Tahs have an awful lot to offer in the back roww next year: 6. Swinton, Gleeson, Hanigan, Gamble, Holloway, Sinclair 7. Hooper, Gamble 8., Harris, Warren-Voyasaco, Then at lock BACKROW/LOCKS - abundance Hollaway Hanigan Sinclair Swinton PURE LOCKS - short here Douglas Bokenham Might have to play small, especially considering fitting both Hooper and Gamble into the backrow. Who is the 3rd backrower? Gleeson or Harris? I can see the back 5 looking like this: 4. Holloway 5. Hanigan 6. Gamble 7. Hooper 8. Gleeson 19. Swinton 20. Harris 21. Warren-Voyasaco (6:2 split, can cover centre a bit) Left right out: Sinclair, who had a pretty decent season That's picking 8 backrowers and no locks! Or think of it this way: 0 locks 4 x no.6s 2 x no.7s 2 x no.8s If it was the NBA, I'd say we should trade Sinclair and Swinton for a true lock.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
I’m with you on Poni. This has to be his last tour of duty on the Poni Conteki tours. Needs to play or move on.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Jamesw Gleeson in the backrow wth the big Val at 8 and Hoops at 7, they lose nothing at lineout. Coach Gilmour had Gleeson working overtime at set piece in the Aus A games and I’m expecting him to nail down 6 at the Tahs next year. Tough and certainly more dynamic than Swinton whom I’m a big fan of. Swints may have to revert to his old position at 4 if he wants a start. Gleeson is the real deal. Have not been excited about a young prospect since a young Cliffy Palu hit the scenes. This guy can play. With a good off season, a little more muscle and more starts next year for the tahs all bodes well leading into a World Cup year.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
A can a jelly snakes here . . Front Row . We are about 6/7 in ranking and it won’t matter who we trot out . Toupu is brilliant with the ball for 20 minutes. . Our locks are very good and compete well. Phillip , Arnold , Rhodda and the Brumbies are fine . . 6 should not be a problem . Loto is best , Wilson next . . 7 We don’t have one but should use Samu . . No brainer : Valentini and Samu are world class. . White is our best 9 with McDermott next . Fines could be the man . Big , strong and fast . . 10 is settled. We have Quadie and Lolisio . Stop whinging . . 12 Paisami is the man with Simmoni no 2 . . 13 Ikatau has done very little except be solid . I would bring Koriebeti in . . 11 / 14 easy . Koreibeti , Kelloway , Wright , Petaia , Nawaqua . . 15 Banks , Beale , Campbell and Petaia . The days of JOC , Hodge , Hooper amend Gordon have passed .
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
RF Many thanks, most enjoyable read. I am NOT anti-hoops, but jee I would like to see Wallabies with Pete Samu run on at 7 one day. Might make 6 clearer too. Cheers KP
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think rennies style and approach matches the cattle Australia has and so a prudent hiring by RA. He runs a possession based, physical ball running game. That is largely how Australians play their rugby and where the current strengths of the talent pool lie. in kerevi, korobeite, Valetini, tupou, Petaia etc when all fit Australia probably has the most physical ball running team on the planet. Australia doesn't have the set piece to play like South Africa or the kicking/high ball game to play France. I think there is a false assumption by many that a coach can take any group of players and turn them into world beaters. Wallabies have been a top 5 team give or take across 3 coaches now. Maybe that's saying something... My question is can he get this group to play to their maximum potential? I think he can, but he better start hurrying up about it.
jameswm
Roar Guru
“Arnold-Philip starting combination with Frost off the bench” Yes agree, but this will need to be reconsidered when Rodda is fit again. Frost’s size and athleticism gave us a real point of difference in the 3rd test. He nearly got a charge down try, and would have raced away for a score if TT could pass off his left hand. He is still getting more physical but is good enough there. An ideal bench lock, really. 6 is a real issue right now. The dark horse is Gleeson. but him joining Valetini and Hooper loses too much in the lineout. Leota hasn’t really come on, Wilson was nowhere in that 3rd test (but can’t be judged off one game). A real question mark there. Back 3: – running winger – Koroibete, Perese, Petaia – hybrid winger – Kellaway, Wright – fullback – Kellaway, Petaia, Wright (I would struggle to pick Hodge or Campbell or even Banks) A back 3 with Koroibete, Wright, Kellaway and Petaia (3 starting and 1 on the bench)seems balanced and has performed this year (that comment is a bit generous to Petaia). Petaia is also injury cover at 13.
Rugby Fixation
Roar Guru
To show the other options used and how undecided some positions seem whether it be long or short term.
Rugby Fixation
Roar Guru
I think that's a great point. We still need to know what that exact style is going to be that best benefits the available players and then developing the game plan that can be successful. It seems like it's trending the right way, but as you say, injuries/unavailability have made it so hard to get any continuity aside from the middle of last year.
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Excellent note…! It is very interesting to observe the depth that Wallabies are trying to build. Without a doubt, it is a medium-term planning and therefore it could hardly come to fruition before RWC2023.
Fumbles
Roar Rookie
What are you mentioning players that are not even available or in the picture for the TRC?
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the article. It does look like the coach has had trouble finding the players he really wants or thinks can play the type of game he wants. Injuries and COVID haven't helped. He is a very good coach but I am not convinced he has been able to accept the need to adapt his preferred style to the capabilities of the local scene and I am wondering if he will do that before the end of the present RWC cycle. Sometimes you have to cut your cloth to suit. I suspect we will continue to see lots of turnover in the key positions, including, ultimately, coach. He has brought a return of some much-needed dignitas and gravitas to the role, but results have not been good and it looks like one of those situations where everyone has given it a good go but it has not worked. Such is life.