I completely agree about moving Fardy to the locks. I hoped that McKenzie/Cheika would do it last year. Especially since he was playing there for the Brumbies. Since they didn’t I’m not too optimistic that they will play him at lock this year. Now that the Brumbies have moved Fardy to flanker I’m even more sure Cheika wont play him there.

I would rather play a strong/hard player like Fardy at lock and try a Higginbotham/Pocock/Palu backrow, than go with a questionable/uncapped designated lock.

That is something that I have never thought about but it actually makes a lot of sense! You can tell by the way that Quade directs a game that he needs to be involved. Maybe that was where his problems stemmed from under Deans. Deans just kept Quade slightly more out of the game than him was comfortable with. Therefore when he was involved he just tried to over compensate, hence a few errors. Definitely an interesting point.

I actually think Quades defense has improved a lot. I remember him taking down the Badge at full speed in the Barbarians game. I’m not sure the Quade of 2011 would have been able to do that. I honestly hope Quade gets back to his best this year. In fact, I’m hoping that his best rugby is still in front of him.

Agree regards Quade. I just think he offers more than Foley and Toomua. He can unlock every player in the backline and is more of a threat with ball in hand that our other options at 10. There would be two things keeping him out of the Gold Jersey though, erratic play and defense issues. We have not seen too much of Quade in the past year but he looked great on the 2013 Spring Tour and when he came on in the last Spring Tour game last year his partnership with Toomua looked to have a lot of potential. I’m hoping his erratic play is a thing of the past. I do not really see Quade’s defensive issues as big a problem as I have in the past because Foley is no better. Lets be honest, Cheika is not going to pick Toomua at 10. It will be down to Quade and Foley. So any comparison of Quade and Foley has to be to each other.

An argument that I like to use is that Genia and Cooper at their best are far better than Foley and Phipps at their best. Personally I think it is worth the risk playing Quade and Genia because I dont think we have the dominate forwards to win with just an average half pairing.

If you are going to play Phipps and Foley you probably need to play Beale at 12 to add a bit of spark. But I think having two poor defenders at 10 and 12 is too much for international rugby. I think players like Jamie Roberts and SBW would rip through these two too easily.

When I saw the title of this article I thought it was going to be another piece about the importance of Waratah players like Foley, Beale, Phipps, and Hooper. Instead it was something well thought out and probably very accurate. So thank you for that. Those players listed will have to be at their best if we are going to stand a chance. Especially if Cheika picks halves/centres like Foley, Toomua, Phipps, and even Tevita Kuridrani (due to his lack of passing).

I thought it was interesting that you didn’t list any Lock pairings. But I think I understand why you didn’t. We just do not have any locks that look like they can step up and match it with the best in the World. Yes Will Skelton looked like a much improved player against the Brumbies but he is still a long way off being compared to players like Retallick and Etzebeth. Our locks will have to perform well. But the five players listed above, playing well, will be able to influence matches.

Thanks for the article. You are spot on.

Very true. But we don’t have the depth in the tight five to make a debate about their selection all that interesting. At least in the black line (and back row) there is some competition. Moore is going to be the World Cup Hooker. Slipper and Kepu probably have the edge for the props at the moment. But Scott Sio is developing more each season. That just leaves the locks. Sam Carter, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, James Horwill, Luke Jones??? I don’t think any combination of these players will be putting too much fear into the top international sides (the same goes for the props). I will say that Will Sketlon is looking more interesting this season. Scrummaging looks better and his maul work against the Brumbies was great.

Talking about the back line in Australia is important because for us, that is probably the one area we have the most control over. I’m a big fan of taking risks this World Cup and selecting risky X Factor players who can break the line and get us points. Because we certainty don’t have the dominate cattle to win with conservative backs. For example I am all for picking Genia over Phipps/White. If we just play it safe the chances are we wont even make it out of the group stages.

I know you are a Hooper fan. I have often read your comments defending Hooper against criticism. Hooper is an unbelievable player. One of our best. No doubt. But I completely disagree with your statement about defensive player not being able to win you a game by themselves, A player can, whether on defense or offence, win you games. Consider a goal keeper in Soccer facing a constant barrage of attack all game and saving every shot. I would say he wins you the match. In cricket either a batter or bowler can win you a match. In the NHL last year Lundqvist won a lot of games for the Rangers.

Additionally when a player has an incredible game on defense and saves your team from certain points numerous times it lifts the whole team. An individual effort in any position CAN GET THE TEAM OVER THE LINE. I don’t know how much rugby you have played but considering your knowledge of the game I am going to assume a reasonable amount. Haven’t you ever played with someone who when performing, just creates and aurora of hope? I remember one player I played with who has gone on to play professionally, who was the reason we won a final. He pilfered that many balls on the line, made every tackle and left everything on the field. You could see his was fighting for his life. Everyone lifted for this guy alone.

Consider the example PeterK provided, the 2011 World Cup match against the Boks. Pocock was out of this world. The balls he pilfered should not have been stolen. Yes some of it may have been illegal but honestly that is the role of the 7. Also it wasn’t just the pilfers by themselves, its where they happened and when they happened. They happened when the Boks had all the momentum or when they were near certainties to score and as I said, he took balls that should have been taken, He also played a huge role in other turnovers and tackles. Something that everyone should know is that World Cups are all about defense. Defensive players are the stars. In that game Pocock reached a level that only the greatest to ever play the game could reach.

I have seen Hooper do some great stuff. I just have not seen him do the job that Pocock has done in the past.

What I am saying is that I would rather have Pocock at his best that Hooper at his best. If you could find a way to play them both successfully I would opt for that. But in my opinion Pocock has it over Hooper.

Correct. Pocock can, by himself, win you matches. Hooper, while a good player, can’t.

You summed it up pretty well there. Mandatory yellows for ever single international infringement is a little harsh though. But I definitely think more yellows with less warnings are warranted. Especially when defending on the try line. Too many illegal tactics are being employed there.

Maybe you could introduce something like a green card for every penalty where a player is binned for 5 minutes. Then if the player infringes again issues a yellow. Then if he does it a third time a red. No more of this “final warning”. Some refs seem to issue about 5 final warnings in a game.

I like the idea of introducing post match reviews for repeated infringements too. If a player is caught repeatedly breaking the rules throughout the game and the umpire misses the majority of it, I would like the see some post match action. While that clearly will not change the game just played, maybe it will prevent players exploiting certain refs interpretation of the laws in the future. Having said that I understand that it is a difficult system to implement. If a player was deserving of a yellow a 1 match ban is clearly too harsh (unless the player really got a way with a lot). A yellow card carrying over to the next game is rather silly. Also a fine probably isn’t enough to discourage repeated infringements (unless it is a huge fine).

Its an interesting topic. But you will probably find that the best teams in the world have always been the teams whose forwards have mastered the art of cheating. They know the ref isn’t going to see everything. If you can get away with something then why not? This is professional sport. If one player will only play like a gentleman and refuse to cheat, he will be replaced with a dirty cheater. Winning is everything to professional athletes. Better cheating = more wins = greater pay. Its sad, but this is the way it is.

Does anyone remember the flood of keyboard warriors from England who emerged when England were winning the Ashes? They were all on about how Australian cricket has always been worse than English cricket. England start winning and they seem to forget the dominance Australian have had over them in previous years. Then when the Olympics came around these warriors expanded their thoughts on Aus cricket to all Aus sports. Where are these warriors now? English cricket has fallen about as low at it possible can. They will be back though and along with them these warriors will re-emerge. Can’t wait!

This is some good truth you have just spoken. The team in the article may be the safest team (and in a way the most logical) but it has no chance of winning the World Cup. To be honest who really cares where we place if we do not win. You are better off picking a risky team and going for the cup.
There isn’t a whole lot you could change in the forwards (except Pocock for Hooper) as we don’t have the stock. So doesn’t that mean that we have to pick the most creative X Factor type players in the backline if we want to get those extra winning points? For me players like White, Phipps, Foley just do not make the cut. I would keep the same forward pack, except switch Hooper for Pocock and have the following backline.

9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. James O’Connor
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Israel Folau

However I’m not the biggest fan of Folau at fullback. I would rather O’Connor to fullback and Folau on the Wing. Additionally if some miracle happens and Hunt quickly becomes the best fullback in the world and starts earning his money, I would probably look at something like moving O’Connor to 12, Folau to the Wing, and Hunt at fullback. But that is extremely hypothetical.

Agreed. If you are going to keep the same team switch Ben Smith and Folau around.

Agreed. He did something stupid. But he did it before he was a rugby player. He pleaded guilty and wants to move on. Just let the guy play. If we didn’t give second chances in the world the unemployment line would be uncontrollably long. Let him redeem himself by doing what he does best.

I actually agree that Beale is incredible when he is behind a dominate pack and he gets caviar from his half-back. But is it realistic to expect that he gets this service every game? Particularly come Wallaby time when our pack is not known for its dominance.

Don’t scare me with the prospect of Beale!! Having said that I don’t think Cheika’s section of Beale is a Waratah bias as such. Its more Cheika’s love for Beale. And its that thought that scares me more! Picking Beale at 12 instead of Toomua or Lealiifano would crush my soul.

I’m more concerned with selections like Phipps and Foley over Genia and Cooper (assuming Genia have a good season). Or Hooper over Pocock.

We probably wont know if Waratah bias will play a role until the RC.

I like Phipps and Foley. But I think with them at their best our chances of lifting the World Cup don’t increase that much. However with Cooper and Genia at their best I believe our chances are significantly better. Selecting them is worth the risk for me (but I am a “if you don’t life the trophy who cares” type of person). They just have more potential. A similar argument applies to Pocock over Hooper (although that is a much less risky selection).

Having said all this, bringing Larkham in as the attack coach eases my worries about bias a little.

The biggest problem I have is I believe Waratah’s players will have a big selection advantage come Wallabies time. I fear some better players from other teams may miss out because Cheika is more comfortable with the players he has coached all year. Having said that if there is a man who can put bias thoughts aside its Michael Cheika.

Mate once again I agree. Why would Cheika select Beale ahead of any of them? You may have noticed that over the past year or so there has been some interesting selections around Beale. Notably Mckenzie picking him at 10.

As a Wallabies fan I have come to expect some interesting selections over the years.

Cheika admiration of Beale as a player has been well documented. I don’t remember reading an article on last years Spring Tour where there wasn’t a quote by Cheika saying how good he thought Beale was. Plus I do not think Beale was brought as a back up. I, and many others are of the belief he was included to get a taste of the Wallabies under Cheika as Cheika has future plans for him in the Wallabies Gold. If he was brought as a back up only then he probably wouldn’t have been given anywhere near the amount of game time he was given.

So again, I hope Beale is not selected at 12. I hope Cheika is different to his predecessors. But as a close Wallabies supporter I have grown to expect the occasional odd selection. Thus why I posted my initial comment.

Toomua should be our number one choice! And the Cooper-Toomua-Kuridrani combination is exactly what I hope we go to the World Cup with. I couldn’t agree with you more. I just said I hope Cheika doesn’t break this combination up and select Beale. When he called Beale for a late inclusion on the Spring Tour there was a lot of talk about Cheika’s long term plans involving Beale (why else would Cheika call him up when there was enough centre cover on tour in Toomua, Lealiifano, Godwin, and Kuridrani). Essentially what I was saying is that I hope this is only just talk.
Personally I thought Toomua formed a very good combination with Cooper in the 2013 Spring Tour and they looked good in their minimal time in 2014. But the main reason I think selecting Toomua (and a few others ahead of Beale) is that they can defend!!!!! I have nightmares of SBW repeatedly running over Beale in the inside channel.

For me, this season is all about hoping that Cheika’s World Cup plans don’t revolve around Beale at centre.

Great thinking. However I would also like some system that rewards players who commit to 4+ year contracts. Allow them to have a small stint in Japan during the off season (and maybe Spring Tour) to top their income up.

I agree that Cheika is the best man for the job. A concern that I do have is that the Tahs players who play under his system regularly will have a selection advantage. However if there is a coach who can remain impartial it is definitely Cheika. But it still concerns me. I hope the Reds do amazingly well this year as I believe they have the best players (when in form) in Australia. Let face it. This Super XV season is all about preparation for the World Cup.

Spot on! I prefer to see more debates about the pack than the backs. In my opinion too much focus is on the back line in Australia and not enough on the forwards. I believe this is a huge reason why we lag so far behind our international competitors in certain areas, specifically scrums. Attacking rugby certainly looks good. But losing sucks.

Fair point. And I completely agree. I would like to see him get the gloves back and make a solid push for the Aussie keepers spot. I just think his batting style suits test cricket more than the other keeper options.

I agree with Carters! He is a young and and incredibly smart man. His game is build for test cricket. While he had a slow start, last year was a breakout year for him, winning the NSW Sheffield Shield Player of the Year. Also he just posted 198. If he can get 2 more centuries this season and get his average above 40 I think he could be a good long term keeper for Australia.

Great article. Agree with what you said about O’Connor and Beale. For mine I would have Toomua over Foley, but only if Nic White starts at 9. But at the moment Phipps is clearly better so it has to be Foley and Phipps. However a discussion I always like to have is about how our players match up against rivals. For Example if you had to pick a 10 from Australian and New Zealand stock how many NZ 10’s would have to be injured before you consider an AUS 10. Personally I would pick Carter, Cruden, Barrett and Slade over Folay any day. However Cooper and Genia in good form could rival those guys. I love watching NZ rugby but I am sick of us getting beaten by them. While I think Foley is a great player you have to ask whether or not he can help us win the world cup. Assuming Cooper is a changed man from 2011 I think he is probably the way forward. Luckily we have a full season of Super XV to judge. Cannot wait!
Good luck with your little girl! Its great to hear she is doing better. All the best.