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Hugh McMeniman’s immediate Wallaby future will be decided either tomorrow against the Lions or on Sunday against the depleted Waratahs.
The quality 29-year-old Force lock has been sidelined for two months with a fractured shoulder.
Force coach Michael Foley will name his lineups later today, facing the awesome task of playing two important games in just four days.
“It would be great to play against the Lions, but the Waratahs game is for points, the Lions isn’t,” was how McMeniman described the alternatives.
The inclusion of a fit McMeniman would definitely lift the Wallabies’s chances of beating the Lions in the three-Test series.
He played the last of his 21 Tests in 2005, and linked with the Force this season after two years in Japan.
The lock combinations of James Horwill, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, and McMeniman, with hopefully Sitaleki Timani if he doesn’t require surgery for his suspected broken thumb, would give Wallaby coach Robbie Deans a powerful selection base for the 4 and 5 jerseys.
But McMeniman is just as comfortable wearing the 6 jersey, providing Deans with a class option.
While McMeniman will be closely watched in whatever game he’s selected to play, so too will inside-centre Kyle Godwin.
The 20-year-old could well play the majority of time in both games, as an exciting prospect for the vulnerable Wallaby 12 berth.
Christian Lealiifano, Berrick Barnes, Paul McCabe, Ben Tapuai, and Rob Horne would all do an honest job there. But it’s Godwin who has the real talent.
He’s quick, with great hands, can beat a man on the inside or outside, and is a very reliable solid defender.
Godwin’s possible inclusion in the last six Wallaby squad positions available further clouds the issue.
As Deans said yesterday, selecting the final six will be harder than selecting the original 25.
The injured trio of Scott Higginbotham, Timani, and Digby Ioane have already been replaced in the 25 by Douglas, Ben McCalman, and Nick Phipps.
But what hasn’t been made clear is if any of the three are cleared to play by June 11, will they be among the six or additional squad members?
The answer to that question will make a huge difference to the selection process.
Right now there’s McMeniman, Godwin, McCabe, Tapuai, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Jesse Mogg, Paddy Ryan, Greg Holmes, Scott Sio, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, and Hugh Pyle all knocking on the door with Quade Cooper, and Kurtley Beale.
Robbie Deans was right: it will be more difficult to pick the six than the 25,