Small wonder that Joe Schmidt hasn’t wanted to offer up any clues into his selection thinking this year – because everywhere he looks, there are vacancies.
Of course, new coaches bring fresh ideas, but rarely has one arrived at an international post with the selection battle so open.
The list of likely starters can be counted on one hand: Angus Bell, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and perhaps Andrew Kellaway.
There’s an argument that James Slipper could sneak a start over Angus Bell, who still has some work to do with his scrummaging.
Whether Valetini starts at blindside flanker or No.8 is worth considering, too.
But elsewhere, it’s wide open.
The most intriguing selections are in the halves, inside centre and the wings.
Tate McDermott is the front-runner at halfback, but his pass won’t ever hit great heights.
Fly-half remains anyone’s guess, with Carter Gordon showing glimpses of what he’s capable of. But behind a beaten side, others are catching up.
Ben Donaldson’s running game is coming along nicely, while his big boot was on display during the Force’s fine win over the Reds.
Noah Lolesio had his best game in more than a season, as he continually looked to take the ball to the line. His fine effort did however come against a poor Moana Pasifika side.
The inside centre position is similarly open, with Hunter Paisami having the tools to succeed. But managing the tempo of matches hasn’t always been Paisami’s strength.
Could Gordon be a long-term option at inside centre?
REDS GIVEN IMPORTANT REMINDER
Les Kiss summed up the Reds’ performance in Perth nicely on Saturday night, as he described his side’s efforts as “sloppy”.
Indeed, they were – and it was a throwback to life under Brad Thorn where the Reds regularly underperformed.
The lineout didn’t function well, the ball they received was often static and therefore their breakdown was a mess.
Even Harry Wilson, who had been excellent throughout the opening month, looked out of sorts with his hands as he dropped three balls, including two off the kick-off. He did however break the line on a couple of occasions.
The defeat was a timely reminder that nothing is given in rugby. It’s down to hard work and discipline and doing the basics well.
Morgan Tuirnui said the Force “out-enthused” the Reds, and they did. They counter-rucked the Reds on several occasions and that came down to not working hard enough to secure their ball.
While it’s not all doom and gloom at Ballymore, the defeat is a blow to the Reds’ hopes of making the top four.
IT’S TIME FOR THE REBELS’ MILLION-DOLLAR MAN TO STEP UP
It says something about Taniela Tupou’s potential that he is being pursued by Leinster.
It also says something about his value that the deal being offered is worth more than $1 million.
Leinster sees his potential, but Tupou has not yet delivered on it in Australian rugby.
Tupou could be the game’s best tight-head prop. But that’s been said for three years.
The 27-year-old has been plagued by injuries, but is he doing everything he can – and should – to ensure he’s in the best possible shape?
Tupou has shown glimpses of what he can do for the Rebels since heading south to Melbourne, but he needs to do more.
If he had Sam Talakai’s work ethic, he would have been the Wallabies’ first-choice tight-head prop for years.
But it says something about Tupou that Talakai has started ahead of Tupou in two of the past three matches. It’s time to step up.
SWINTON SHOWS HIS VALUE – BUT IT’S TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
Lachie Swinton’s 30-minute cameo was not just one of his best performances in a sky blue shirt, it was one of the best from an Australian back-rower this year in Super Rugby.
It’s saying something that no Waratahs forward carried the ball more times than Swinton (10), who arrived off the bench early in the second half.
Two things stood out about Swinton’s game.
His ability to dent the line and his quality around the breakdown.
The latter is something that has plagued Australian rugby for years, with the attacking breakdown one of the biggest issues facing the Wallabies.
Just ask the Reds, who suffered from their inaccuracies in the area against the Force and paid the price.
The unfortunate reality is Swinton is heading overseas at season’s end.
Should Schmidt still consider him? Absolutely, because the Wallabies need to win and generating quick, accurate ball is the first principle that Schmidt-coached sides require.
A FIGHT FOR TWO WINGERS
John Manenti will be stewing inside because two of the players he would love to get his hands on are surely capturing the attention of Schmidt.
While Jordan Petaia could yet be a contender for the left-wing, the Brumbies’ Corey Toole and Waratahs’ Dylan Pietsch, who have both featured for Australia’s sevens team, are delivering statements of their own.
Toole has caught everyone’s eye with his ability to finish.
It’s early in his career, but Toole has got to be the best finisher since Drew Mitchell was running around.
Toole increased his season tally to six tries on the weekend, but the Brumbies’ desire to give him the ball, including from the boot, is proving a massive weapon.
Pietsch hasn’t quite found the same space as Toole, but his bigger body and strength over the ball won’t have gone unnoticed.
With Marika Koroibete plying his trade overseas, Schmidt should turn to a local-based player to wear the No.11 jersey. The New Zealand coach has some healthy options.
Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week
Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Santiago Medrano, Tom Franklin, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Charlie Cale, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Tom Wright.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Just like to shout out to all the .wits who keep bagging Tate re his passing. I had to go back and watch the match as was away when it was played. All the doom and gloom! In the first half Tate passed 32 times hitting his mark 30 times. The first 2 stray balls were first when Harry Wilson ( who had a shocker with his hands, and that happens occasionally to everyone) dropped a ball too far in front of him on a fast counterattack. The second was at a messy ruck when Tate was passing out to several forwards who were all looking at each other to catch the ball. In the second half Tate's stats were 17 for 17 when he was subbed at about the 67th minute. So that's a 96% success rate with his core skill of passing. I think the passing experts on here need to pull their heads in and base their comments on truth and stats rather than their expert opinions.
piru
Roar Rookie
Dan Carter used to take 100 kicks at goal after every practice
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I haven't watched every Brumbies game but I'd disagree with that. Gibbon pushed him around every scrum in Round 1.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Piru the line about Wilson needing to shade Langi Gleeson had me rolling on the floor laughing.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Rhys Van Nek is the most underrated prop in Aus Rugby TWAS
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Ryan Smith is the form second rower. But Sydney based media don't care. He hasn't played an eye catching 30 minutes off the bench for a losing Waratahs team so he can't be considered a Wallaby
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
He often runs too upright and gets driven backwards. But because he wears sky blue he is massively overhyped.
Cec
Roar Rookie
OSR are you in discussion with McK??? :laughing: Offer up more than innuendo perhaps but if that’s all you have then you may have the start of a little fictional book. :laughing:
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Curiosity that’s all. McKellar knowing who is wanting to head o/s and doesn’t offer his former club players an opportunity. I find it telling that Perese is the call up. It’s not a trick question.
piru
Roar Rookie
Calls em as I sees em mate
Cec
Roar Rookie
OSR just asking you to clarify your question on McK not wanting Noah and him picking Perese over Lenny. I just don’t know what you are referencing so happy to look at your examples. I wasn’t having a dig either but just trying to guesstimate what you meant :thumbup:
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Not a dig Cec. A genuine question. You seem to know what’s going on at the Brumbies.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Yes, very interesting OSR as your question has no context. Did you mean Eddie :laughing:? Not Eddie, OSR he’s showing signs of senility sadly. So anyway if meant Brums then McK rushed Noah back in for the finals of SRAU20 after injury and could have selected someone else instead. Noah went on to be MotM in winning that title vs Reds, which was then followed up by WB selection and starter vs ABs in NZ. Is that what you meant? Perese over Lenny, when and under what context as McK was never WB head coach and IP wasn’t ever selected for Brums? Anyway, I’m looking at total WB games played and it points to Lenny hands down. The past two years Lenny was considered our first back picked and only world class player next to Bobby; and that’s not my articles but editors here & Stan boys. Doesn’t it speak volumes that Perese has chosen to leave rather than fight for a WB spot? With Noah, like RTL posted above, let’s see the season pan out but I’ll back him to lead the Brums to top SRAU 4 out of 5 years and another finals. :laughing: :silly:
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I don't think it is that hard, he is a different type of player to the types who have been considered to play well at 12. At some point he deserves to have his weight of valuable performances recognised. He has been a key player for the Reds and Force during hard times, widely considered to be the 'glue' that has held pieces together. Lets see how they go next week, it would be great to see some consistency in the team and growth in the 9/10/12 combination.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
You are a bitter man Piru :shocked:
Tony H
Roar Pro
Coz Coetzee was sacked and Erasmus took over. A good coach can take a mediocre team up in a short while, and a mediocre coach can also keep a well-coached team at the top long enough to look responsible.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
It’s interesting that McKellar doesn’t want Lolesio either. He even picked Perese over Ikitau. That speaks truckloads and puts perspective into recent Wallabies’ selections. Cec, can you elaborate on this.
frisky
Roar Rookie
Why did the Brumbies let him go???
Olly
Roar Rookie
Gordon at 12 is an interesting one. We have no clear 12 and lack size in the 12 channel at the moment. This has an impact on who is selected in the back three.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Does not need to be Aaron Smith level but it needs to be higher then what Tate is dishing up this season. His pass is terrible at the moment and will get our inside backs caught being the advantage line all game. Getting accurate width on the game from the 9 is critical at Test level.