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Having run a rule over over Australia’s forward stocks and halves/inside centres, today we’re taking a look at the health of Australia’s backs.
Just to quickly recap, it includes Super Rugby talent who have mounted a strong case for selection, along with those past and present Wallabies who have shown something at least at Super Rugby level to justify their ability.
I’ve also included some Australian’s who have left to chase the Yen, Euros or Pounds on offer overseas but fingers crossed they’ll return home one day to put themselves in the mix of Wallaby contenders.
There are also a few up and comers who may be a little under-baked now but their early performances are demanding some attention.
Outside centre
Adam Ashley-Cooper: He’s been one of the shining lights in both the Waratah and Wallaby backlines this year.
Tevita Kuridrani: The large and robust Fijian is only 22 and I’m sure he’ll get ample opportunities to go from being Ashley-Cooper’s back up to his heir apparent in years to come.
Rob Horne: I haven’t been the biggest Rob Horne fan in years gone by but to his credit, he played some pretty good rugby for the Waratahs this year.
Mitch Inman: Another big unit and I’m sure his bone jarring defence and hard running style will see him get some opportunities in the future.
Wing
Digby Ioane: We’re really missing Digby’s nous for coming in off his wing and bending the defensive line.
Obviously not the most skilful guy on the field, but his speed and grit has made him one of our more valuable assets in the back three in recent seasons. A big loss but hopefully not a permanent one.
Drew Mitchell: Another quality wing heading overseas. His most recent years have been injury plagued and took away from the outstanding player he’s been and will be for Toulon if he can stay out of the casualty ward.
As a winger with great vision and skill, he perfectly complements Digby in the back three and it’s a shame we won’t get the opportunity to see them together moving forward.
He managed to stay on the field for a good chunk of the 2013 season, including a standout performance against the Lions with the Tahs, and he demonstrated what Australian rugby will be missing out on beyond this year.
Henry Speight: A big and powerful excitement machine and someone I can’t wait to see in a Wallaby jersey.
Israel Falou: Who knows where he’ll end up. I’m just happy he’s ours at least until the end of the 2015 World Cup.
Peter Betham: A solid performer for the Tahs this year who continued to grow and develop as the year went on.
Nick Cummins: Like Digby, the ‘Honey Badger’ is not one noted for his high skill level. But having a 100kg unit that has no concept of self-preservation on the end of your backline has its advantages.
Dom Shipperley: A breakout 2012 but a quieter 2013. At 22 he’s still got plenty of time to work out what he was doing so well last year and build on it.
Chris Feauai-Sautia: Another young blood who Ewen McKenzie clearly has an eye on. He could possibly move to 13 on a more permanent basis in years to come.
Joe Tomane: A schoolboy rugby star who linked up with the Storm and then the Titans before making his way back home to union. He’s really begun to find his feet this year, which is good for Australian rugby.
Rod Davies: After his one and only Wallaby cap in 2011 against Samoa I would have been happy if he never pulled on his boots again. I’m sure he was contemplating doing just that after his encounters with Alesana Tuilagi that day.
That said, this year with the Reds he’s displayed some of the form that got him recognised for the Wallabies prior to the last World Cup campaign.
Fullback
Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor: Both have the ability to play 10, 12 and 15 and both seem to have a nose for trouble.
As I’m writing this I’m hearing news O’Connor rocked up sloshed for a flight from Perth to Bali and was subsequently marched out of the terminal by Australian Federal Police. Great…
Hopefully Beale’s homecoming will get him back to his devastating form of 2010 when he was nominated for the IRB’s player of the year award.
These clowns are exceptional talents and I believe their skill sets are best suited to fullback for the time being.
But for them to get close to achieving anything that they’re capable of they’ll need to steer well clear of the boo ‘n’ hiss.
Jesse Mogg: Up there with Izzy in terms of the form fullback of the Australian conference in 2013. He started his Test career off the bench in the Lions series and showed glimpses of the talent he demonstrates on a regular basis for the Brumbies.
He failed to launch in his starts against the All Blacks but give him time and I’m sure he’ll develop into a quality, Test-standard fullback.
Luke Morahan: A man of the match performance for the Reds against the Lions saw him catapulted into the Wallaby squad for the Test series. Expect him to build on a solid 2013 as he’s given more opportunities with the Force next year.
If we want to pull ourselves up to New Zealand’s and South Africa’s playing field, this will only come from increasing rugby’s standing within Australia’s sporting landscape.
Again, this won’t come with what will surely be an almost invisible third tier (as most third tiers are in this country).
It will require a two pronged approach aimed at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Funding and attention must be poured on the grassroots to get our youngsters interested in rugby. This must be coupled with a second tier that has a greater presence than the current model allows. This will provide the brands and the stars for kids to look up to and engage with.
This is necessary to get the biggest bang for those bucks thrown at the grassroots.
If you can’t capture the kids’ imaginations with a quality professional product then those grassroots dollars are going to have a limited reach.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.