Stability the key as Deans deliberates over Wallabies squad to slay Dragons
OF rugby's many proposed truisms, there is one piece of wisdom that never changes: good coaching always begins at the selection table.
The arrival of Wales, the best side Europe has produced in 10 years, is still two months away but it is the analytical work being done now that will have a significant influence in the outcome of that three-Test series. Names are being jotted down in Robbie Deans's notebook, some in ink and some in pencil. The scorned will even play a part by their absence.
This is not an easy Wallabies team to pick. Local outfits are, on the whole, struggling to get out of the blocks. Recent champions upon whose shoulders heavy expectations lie are out of form and, in one notable case in Melbourne, visibly out of shape. Injuries have drained a pool whose depth was ankle-high in certain areas.
But quality, and character, should never be too hard to distinguish. After six rounds, the same hands are being put up each week and allow us to reasonably speculate on a possible 22. It is a promising ensemble, enough to remind the Welsh about the size of the task.
Younger contenders are, as ever, shouting noisily for attention but where there are close calls then incumbency and age must play a part. There have been enough opportunities handed out to youths in the Deans era and it is time for some stability.
Besides, talent such as Michael Hooper, Tom Kingston and Dom Shipperley will be around for a while. Let them wait until they become irresistible; it should be a labour to get into this side.
As with any side, the captaincy must be addressed. The All Blacks, France, England and Wales opt for an openside breakaway as their leader. The Lions are likely to follow. And do not be surprised to see the Springboks also go with a back-rower, Schalk Burger, as their man.
The logic is compelling. The breakdown, and the interpretations surrounding it, has become the defining area of Test rugby. Where better to judge the mood of the referee than at the coalface, where David Pocock does his work?
This is no slur on James Horwill's leadership, simply a reflection of the modern trend. A change is at least worth a discussion.
The front row is the one area where boldness must be encouraged. In short, a series of tight-heads have failed the Wallabies at the scrum for at least four years and have become totemic of Australian forward weakness. Yet in Canberra, a stocky type with low body position - in the mould of the French props - has been making steady progress. Dan Palmer also benefits immensely from his partnership with Stephen Moore. Those who know about the mysteries of the scrum also detect a sound technique.
Ben Mowen has been another to benefit from the Brumbies' revival. He doesn't have the explosiveness of Scott Higginbotham but nor does he have the errors. Excellent aerially, at 27 he is coming into his prime and there is nothing wrong with a player who feels he has something to prove.
In the contested midfield spots Berrick Barnes is clinging onto the No.12 jersey. Although still an enigma at Super level, his innate conservatism is probably better suited to the Test arena. Nipping at his heels is Christian Lealiifano, the form inside back in Australia, and the more robust options of Ben Tapuai and Pat McCabe.
Criticised at the World Cup, the Wallabies would be a much more formidable opposition if they had 14 more scapegoats like McCabe. He runs as the crow flies in a team full of peacocks. A lack of express pace is a worry, but with Drew Mitchell injured the wing options are skinny when James O'Connor is retained at five-eighth.
A lack of depth at No.9 calls for some lateral thinking on the bench, and that is not a bad thing. Ben Lucas is versatile, distributes well and is a better defender than Nick Phipps.
The desire to have some physicality off the bench should bring Sitaleki Timani into the calculations. His game has flaws, but aggression is not one of them, and it is hard to improve the squad if you do not confront its previous failings.
Our Wallabies 22:
1. Benn Robinson (Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
3. Dan Palmer (Brumbies)
4. Nathan Sharpe (Force)
5. James Horwill (Reds)
6. Ben Mowen (Brumbies)
7. David Pocock (c) (Force)
8. Wycliff Palu (Waratahs)
9. Will Genia (Reds)
10. James O’Connor (Rebels)
11. Digby Ioane (Reds)
12. Berrick Barnes (Waratahs)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
14. Pat McCabe (Brumbies)
15. Kurtley Beale (Rebels)
Replacements: Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sitaleki Timani, Matt Hodgson, Ben Lucas, Christian Lealifaano, Ben Tapuai
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/stability-the-key-as-deans-deliberates-over-wallabies-squad-to-slay-dragons-20120406-1wgrg.html#ixzz1rInkbFhN
